For today, links to nine reports: from the Cradle, Middle East Eye, National Public Radio, Middle East Monitor, and Reuters; others or at least headlines are accessible by clicking on their names below. (SYRIA 5-3-25 is HERE, or scroll down. GAZA and WEST BANK entries for today, so far, are HERE and HERE, or scroll up. NOTE: There is no UKRAINE entry today.) — MCM
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Damascus appoints extremist with ISIS links as north Syria army leader. From the Cradle. The Syrian government has appointed Ahmad al-Hayes to the position of division commander of the army in northern Syria, despite his well-known past human rights violations and links to ISIS — a move that U.S. officials criticized on Thursday. READ MORE . . .
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PKK to officially disband this week, sources say, by Ragip Soylu | Middle East Eye ANKARA — The Kurdistan Workers’ Party is expected to announce as soon as today that it has decided to end its armed struggle against Turkey and will disband itself, two sources say. Its imprisoned leader, Abdullah Ocalan, in February said “all groups” of the organisation “must lay down their arms, and the PKK must dissolve itself” — a statement understood to include PKK affiliates and offshoots in Syria and Iran. READ MORE . . . Click HERE for report from AP.
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The view from the Druze community in the Golan Heights. Reported by Hadeel Al-Shalchi | NPR Israel says its recent strikes and incursions in Syria are to protect the Druze religious group. Some in the community welcome it, but some say they’re being used to further Israel’s political goals. Click HERE to listen and read.
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FROM MAY 7 Macron hosts Syria’s de facto president on first European visit. From the Cradle. Syria’s self-appointed interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa met with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Elysee Palace on Wednesday in his first official visit to a European nation since overthrowing the previous Syrian government. READ MORE . . .
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FROM MAY 8 Syrian officials visited Israel for secret security talks: report. From the Cradle. Syrian officials visited Israel in April to meet with Israeli defense officials after Tel Aviv opened a direct line of communication with Damascus, Haaretz reported on Thursday, citing Syrian sources. READ MORE . . .
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FROM MAY 8 Qatar commits $87 million to fund public sector salaries in Syria. From Middle East Monitor. Syria has announced that Qatar will provide an $87 million grant, divided over three months and subject to extension, to help cover around one-fifth of public sector salaries. The grant is exempt from international sanctions. READ MORE . . . Click HERE for report from the Cradle.
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FROM MAY 7 UAE mediating secret talks between Israel and Syria, sources say. From Reuters. BEIRUT / AMMAN – The United Arab Emirates has set up a backchannel for talks between Israel and Syria, three people familiar with the matter said, as Syria’s new rulers seek regional help to manage an increasingly hostile relationship with their southern neighbour. READ MORE . . .
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FROM MAY 6 Syrian Druze recall what they believe to be past lives — even vivid details, by Jane Arraf | NPR SWEIDA, Syria — One of the pillars of the Druze faith is reincarnation. The belief that the soul migrates to a different body or being is shared by multiple religions. (In Syria, Alawites have their own belief in the transmigration of souls.) Click HERE to listen, read and see photos.
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