>>22189175

RT - CNN suspected of ‘fabricating’ Syrian jail release story

An “ordinary civilian” the network claims to have discovered in a “secret prison” has been revealed to be an intel officer involved in killings, torture, and extortion

CNN has been forced to admit that a Syrian man it claimed to have ‘discovered’ in a Damascus prison, and whom it filmed as part of a highly questionable report showing a journalist participating in the captive's release, is in fact a former intelligence officer who was involved in multiple crimes.

The man was reportedly imprisoned because of a dispute with his higher-ups over extorted money.

The seeds of the debacle were sown last week when the network released a widely criticized video of CNN Chief International Correspondent Clarissa Ward entering a “secret prison” in Damascus, allegedly in search of missing US journalist Austin Tice, following the overthrow of former Syrian President Bashar Assad.

In the video, Ward is accompanied by an armed man, with whom she apparently stumbles upon a locked cell, described as the only one still closed up in the facility. Upon entering, Ward, who shouted in English throughout, found a man under a blanket, who stood up, thanked her for his release and kissed her hand as they exited the facility.

Ward claimed that the man was ‘Adel Ghurbal’ from Homs, an “ordinary citizen.” He was reported by the US network to have been several months in prison and had, according to Ward, spent several days without food or water. He also claimed that he had been interrogated by security services over the contents of his phone.

The man showed no signs of hunger nor dehydration, his hair and beard were trimmed and his nails manicured, according to multiple online observers. CNN ignored the obvious signs, however.

On Sunday, the Verify-sy web portal debunked CNN's reporting, citing local sources, by revealing that the man's real name is Salama Mohammad Salama, also known as Abu Hamza, a first lieutenant in Syrian Air Force Intelligence.

According to the outlet, the man “managed several security checkpoints in Homs and was involved in theft, extortion, and coercing residents into becoming informants.” He also reportedly participated in military operations in Homs, “killed civilians, and was responsible for detaining and torturing numerous young men in the city without cause or on fabricated charges.”

Sources also told Verify-sy that Salama was not detained for these crimes, but rather “due to a dispute over profit-sharing from extorted funds with a higher-ranking officer,” for which he had been imprisoned for less than a month. In addition, it shared what it said was an image of Salama in a Syrian military uniform sitting in his office.

”Did CNN fabricate the story of “Freeing a Syrian Detainee from a Secret Prison?.. Did CNN deliberately mislead its audience to rehabilitate Abu Hamza’s image, or did it fall victim to misinformation?” the portal asked.

Following the revelation, CNN published an article admitting that the man in the picture did appear to have served in Syrian intelligence, and confirming that he had been accused of extortion.

It added that it is “unclear how or why Salama ended up in the Damascus jail,” noting that his “current whereabouts are unknown,” and that CNN has been unable to contact him.

https://www.rt.com/news/609528-cnn-syria-prison-report/

>>22189175

RT - ‘They rule through fear’: Can their suits hide the bloody past of the new Syrian authorities?

What role do regional allies and external forces play in fueling the rise of HTS

As Syria grapples with a new chapter following the collapse of Bashar Assad’s regime, Ahmed Hussein al-Sharaa – known as Abu Mohammed al-Jolani – has emerged as a key power broker in northern Syria. Leading Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a group with roots in Al-Qaeda, al-Sharaa has shed his militant image, donning tailored suits in a calculated bid to rebrand himself as a pragmatic leader. Yet, this transformation masks a bloody history, and the international support enabling HTS raises critical questions about the broader dynamics of the Syrian conflict.

From jihadist operative to pragmatic strategist

Ahmed Hussein al-Sharaa began his career as a devoted jihadist operative, rising through the ranks of Al-Qaeda under the mentorship of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi and later Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. His establishment of Jabhat al-Nusra in Syria in 2011 marked the beginning of his journey as a key player in the Syrian Civil War. By 2013, al-Sharaa broke from Baghdadi, positioning his group as an independent force.

His leadership was defined by calculated pivots. In 2017, he rebranded Jabhat al-Nusra into HTS, severing formal ties with Al-Qaeda and presenting the group as a local governing entity. While these rebranding efforts were widely dismissed as superficial, they successfully allowed al-Sharaa to attract both regional support and a degree of international tolerance.

A bloody legacy built on fear

HTS’ rise to power has been accompanied by relentless violence, particularly targeting ethnic and religious minorities. Under al-Sharaa’s leadership, the group orchestrated campaigns of terror that cemented its dominance while devastating communities:

The Yazidi genocide (2014): During al-Sharaa’s alignment with ISIS, fighters played a role in the systemic massacre of Yazidis in Sinjar. Thousands of men were executed, while women and children were enslaved in a campaign later recognized as genocide. Survivors described the dehumanizing brutality. “They treated us as animals,” said one Yazidi survivor. “They killed my father and brothers and sold me in a market like I was nothing.”

The Afrin campaign (2018): In northern Syria, HTS targeted Kurdish civilians in a campaign of destruction and displacement. Villages were burned, men executed, and women subjected to widespread sexual violence. “They erased us,” a Kurdish survivor who refused to be identified said in testimony . “Not just our homes, but our history and our future. They call it governance, but it’s just war by another name.”

These atrocities reveal a leadership style rooted in the use of fear and sectarian division as tools of control. They also raise questions about the regional and international support that has sustained HTS despite its violent history.

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The role of regional and international backers

While al-Sharaa’s HTS rebrands itself as a governance-focused entity, the group’s operations continue to be bolstered by external support. Regional neighbors, including Türkiye and Qatar, have reportedly played a significant role in funding and arming HTS. Intelligence-sharing and logistical backing have enabled the group to maintain its stronghold in Idlib and expand its influence.

Türkiye’s role: Türkiye, a NATO ally of the US, has been accused of providing weapons, funds, and tactical support to HTS under the guise of countering Kurdish militias. Turkish intelligence has reportedly worked closely with HTS leaders, leveraging the group as a proxy force to advance its geopolitical objectives in northern Syria. This relationship has drawn sharp criticism from human rights groups, who warn that Türkiye’s involvement risks normalizing HTS’ control.

Qatar Funding: Long accused of funding extremist groups under the guise of humanitarian aid, Qatar has also been linked to HTS. The Gulf state’s financial backing has enabled the group to maintain its operations and expand its control over territories in Idlib. While Doha officially denies direct ties to HTS, leaked intelligence reports and statements from opposition groups point to substantial financial flows from Qatari networks to jihadist factions, including HTS.

American complicity via allies: While the US has officially designated HTS as a terrorist organization, its indirect support via allies like Türkiye has sparked controversy. Washington’s reliance on regional partners to counter ISIS and Iranian influence has, intentionally or otherwise, contributed to HTS’ survival. By turning a blind eye to its allies’ backing of HTS, the US risks undermining its own counterterrorism agenda.

These dynamics reveal a troubling pattern: The strategic use of jihadist groups by regional powers as tools for advancing geopolitical goals. While these alliances may serve short-term objectives, they often come at the expense of local populations who bear the brunt of HTS’ rule.

From fatigues to a suit: The pragmatic rebrand

In recent years, Ahmed Hussein al-Sharaa has transformed his public image, trading his fatigues for Western suits and adopting the rhetoric of a statesman. His media appearances emphasize governance and stability, positioning HTS as a counterweight to ISIS and a force capable of managing northern Syria.

Al-Sharaa’s calculated transformation mirrors the principles laid out by Niccolo Machiavelli in ‘The Prince’, where Machiavelli argues that leaders must balance fear and virtue to secure power. Al-Sharaa has applied this pragmatism with remarkable precision, maintaining his grip on Idlib through violence while presenting himself to the outside world as a pragmatic actor.

But this rebranding effort raises critical questions: Can a leader whose power is built on the suppression of dissent and the persecution of minorities ever create lasting peace?

“They wear suits now, but nothing has changed,” a displaced Christian from Idlib said. “They rule through fear, and anyone who doesn’t conform disappears.”

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The human cost of HTS rule

For many Syrians, HTS’ rise represents not stability but a continuation of persecution. Yazidis, Kurds, Christians, and secular communities remain vulnerable under HTS’ rule. Even Sunni Muslims who reject the group’s rigid theocracy face brutal consequences.

Secular activists have been silenced, women are subjected to harsh restrictions, and dissenters live in constant fear.

A Kurdish survivor captured the stakes succinctly: “They erase you – not just your body, but everything about your existence. Your culture, your history, your identity.”

HTS’ dominance has also complicated humanitarian efforts in northern Syria. Aid organizations struggle to navigate the group’s demands, with reports of resources being diverted to sustain HTS’ operations rather than reaching the civilians who need them most.

The illusion of stability

While some regional powers view HTS as a pragmatic tool to counter ISIS and Iranian influence, this approach risks legitimizing a group whose history is defined by fear and violence. Normalizing HTS could entrench its theocratic vision, alienating local populations and undermining long-term stability in Syria.

The rise of al-Sharaa and HTS underscores a deeper challenge for the international community: How to balance immediate geopolitical interests with the ethical imperative of protecting vulnerable populations. Can peace and governance ever be achieved under the leadership of a man who sanctioned atrocities and built his power on the persecution of minorities?

A fragile crossroads

Ahmed Hussein al-Sharaa’s transformation from a jihadist leader to a self-styled statesman epitomizes the complexities of Syria’s fractured landscape. While his narrative of moderation may appeal to those seeking short-term solutions, his legacy tells a different story.

For Syrians who have suffered under HTS’ rule, the promises of stability ring hollow. Any peace built on fear and division is no peace at all. The question for the international community is not just how to manage HTS’ rise but whether empowering such groups sacrifices the very values needed to rebuild a fractured nation. As long as regional powers and global alliances prioritize tactical gains over long-term justice, Syria’s future will remain uncertain – and its wounds will remain unhealed.

By Mohamed Krit, photojournalist and news writer with a particular focus on migrants and refugees issues

https://www.rt.com/news/609548-they-rule-through-fear-syria/

>>22189175

RT - Moscow accuses Kiev (again) of using white phosphorous

Ukrainian troops have repeatedly used banned munitions, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has said

Russian law enforcement and the Defense Ministry have collected “irrefutable evidence” of repeated use of white phosphorus munitions by the Ukrainian military, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has said.

The spokeswoman made the remarks during a regular media briefing on Wednesday, stating the use of white phosphorus incendiaries by Kiev’s troops had been repeatedly observed in September. The munitions were primarily deployed by drones, Zakharova said. She added that the uptick in white phosphorus use indicated Kiev was capable of producing the compound, and is using it in contravention of the Chemical Weapons Convention.

“The white phosphorus-filled incendiary munitions used by the Ukrainian Nazis are indiscriminate weapons and are prohibited by Protocol III of the Geneva Convention on prohibitions or restrictions on the use of certain conventional weapons in populated areas and their environs,” she said.

Ukraine was quick to deny the accusations, with the country’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Georgy Tikhy dismissing them as “false and nonsensical.” “Ukraine has always been and continues to be a reliable participant in multilateral regimes for the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction,” the spokesman asserted in a statement.

Moscow and Kiev have repeatedly accused each other of the use of white phosphorus, as well as other controversial munitions. The chemical is used in certain types of smoke and incendiary rounds and has long been the subject of controversy due to its properties.

White phosphorus ignites on its own in contact with air and produces thick white smoke, which is useful for obscuring troop movements. The chemical burns at extremely high temperatures and tends to stick to surfaces, including clothing and skin, while being very hard to extinguish.

The properties of the substance effectively mean ‘smoke’ rounds may double as incendiary munitions should they not be used with necessary precaution. White phosphorous and the smoke it produces are highly toxic and capable of entering the bloodstream.

The Pentagon has long contemplated supplying Ukraine with phosphorus munitions, NBC reported in September, but the White House shot down the idea. While the broadcaster did not elaborate, the proposed shipment would have likely involved the so-called ‘smoke’ or ‘marker’ M825 rounds – 155mm NATO artillery shells filled with felt wedges saturated with white phosphorus.

https://www.rt.com/russia/609556-ukraine-white-phosphorous-use/

>>22189322

>elon the modern edison

PAYING some else to design and build your pipedreams is NOT the same as "inventing" it yourself

>>22189175

TASS - Turkey did not support HTS during Syria uprising — spokesman of Erdogan’s party

Omer Celik noted that Turkey has opposed bloodshed in the neighboring country from the start and called for a political settlement

ISTANBUL, December 17. /TASS/. Turkey did not support the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS, deemed terrorist and outlawed in Russia) group during the events in Syria, which led to the toppling of Bashar Assad’s administration, says Omer Celik, Spokesman of the ruling Justice and Development Party.

"Some claim that Turkey supported the HTS and gave a command to carry out all these attacks. That is completely false," Celik said on the Haberturk TV channel.

He noted that Turkey has opposed bloodshed in the neighboring country from the start and called for a political settlement.

"However, Assad refused to cooperate," The spokesman said.

In late November, Syria’s armed opposition launched a large-scale offensive against government forces. On December 8, they entered Damascus, while the army withdrew from the Syrian capital. Syria's President Bashar Assad resigned and left the country, issuing directives for the peaceful transfer of authority. On December 10, Mohammed al-Bashir, who had led the so-called Syrian Salvation Government in the Idlib Province since January 2024, announced his appointment as head of Syria’s interim government until March 1, 2025.

According to Supreme Leader of Iran Ali Khamenei, the events in Syria were planned by the United States and Israel with support from a "neighboring country," and Iran has proof of these claims.

https://tass.com/world/1888877

>>22189175

TASS - Israeli tanks open fire on civilians in southern Gaza Strip

Tensions flared up again in the Middle East on October 7, 2023, when Hamas militants staged a surprise attack on Israeli territory from Gaza

DUBAI, December 18. /TASS/. Israeli tanks opened fire on civilians in the south of the Gaza Strip in the area of Al-Mawasi humanitarian zone west of Rafah, Qatar’s Al Jazeera reported.

According to the TV channel, one person was killed and another injured as a result of the Israeli actions in Al-Mawasi.

Tensions flared up again in the Middle East on October 7, 2023, when Hamas militants staged a surprise attack on Israeli territory from Gaza, killing residents of Israeli border settlements and taking over 250 hostages, including women, children and the elderly. Hamas described its attack as retaliation for the aggressive actions taken by Israeli authorities against the Al-Aqsa Mosque on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem’s Old City. In response, Israel declared a total blockade of the Gaza Strip, home to 2.3 million Palestinians before the crisis, launching air strikes on Gaza as well as some parts of Lebanon and Syria before starting a ground operation in the Palestinian enclave.

https://tass.com/world/1888975

>>22189175

TASS - Lebanese PM says Israel violating ceasefire 'several times a day, every day'==

According to Mikati, the Lebanese people "have suffered much and continue to suffer from Israel’s aggression."

ANKARA, December 18. /TASS/. Israel is failing to comply with its obligations under the 60-day ceasefire deal it has in place with Lebanon, violating it every day, Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati said at a joint press conference with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

"It’s been three weeks since the ceasefire agreement took effect on November 27 but we still see Israel violating it," he pointed out. "It happens several times a day, every day, which, needless to say, is alarming. Israel is not fulfilling its obligations to withdraw troops," the Lebanese premier added.

According to Mikati, the Lebanese people "have suffered much and continue to suffer from Israel’s aggression." "Apart from civilian casualties, the social and economic sector have also faced devastating aftereffects, along with the environment; and overcoming them requires international assistance. So we look forward to getting support from the fraternal nation of Turkey and other friendly countries," he emphasized.

A ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon took effect on the morning of November 27. US President Joe Biden announced that the accord between Israel and the Hezbollah movement would allow the Lebanese army and state security forces to restore control over the country’s territory within 60 days. Israeli troops will then be gradually withdrawn from Lebanon.

https://tass.com/world/1889647

>>22189600

>degree in "physics"

whooptie fucking doo…

you haz a diploma in bad math masquerading as physics

you coded a video game

alert the Nobel committee

i've listened to what you SAY

yer functionally ILLITERATE in all areas of basic science

ya couldn't beat a chicken at tic-tac-toe

now FUCK OFF, elon