Paula Astih
Asharq Al-Awsat Eng
Lebanon
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Past articles by Paula:
Lebanese Protests, Politics Resume With a New, Virus Twist
Lebanese lawmakers convened Tuesday at a cavernous Beirut theater so that parliament members can observe social distancing measures imposed over the coronavirus pandemic. Anti-government demonstrators, meanwhile, also obeyed the health safety measure → Read More
Dispute between Lebanese Interior, Foreign Ministers Contained
Beirut – It does not appear that the renewed dispute between Lebanese Interior Minister Nouhad al-Mashnouq and Foreign Minister Jebran Bassil over the country’s foreign policy will have repercussions on the ties between President Michel Aoun and the ministers of Prime Minister Saad Hariri’s cabinet. Circles close to the ministers said that they are keen on strengthening their relationship in… → Read More
Civilians’ Evacuation Speeds Up Liberation of Raqqa
Beirut – The global coalition against ISIS announced on Saturday brokering a deal to evacuate Raqqa from civilians, excluding the foreign members of the terrorist group, a step that would drive the Coalition-led Kurdish-Arab Syrian Democratic Forces to speed up its announcement of liberating the city. Sources said that Washington rejected that ISIS foreign-born militants be part of the deal,… → Read More
Lebanese Government Distances Itself from 'Hezbollah'-Tel Aviv Row
Beirut — The Lebanese government is trying to stay away from the recent escalating debate between “Hezbollah” and Israel, which has highlighted a high probability of war between the two sides, despite recent accusations by Tel Aviv that the Lebanese Army has become an integral part of “Hezbollah”. While the Cabinet, which convened on Thursday under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Saad… → Read More
ISIS Attacks Al-Nusra in Syria’s Southern Idlib
Ankara, Beirut – The ISIS terrorist group launched a surprise offense on Monday against militants from Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and Jabhat Tahrir al-Sham in Syria’s northern Hama and southern Idlib and were able to control a number of villages after infiltrating from regime-held areas. Sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that ISIS militants, who had escaped from the city of Raqqa, which is now 90… → Read More
Washington Concerned over Iranian Oil Refinery in Homs
Beirut- Iran plans to establish an oil refinery in regime-controlled areas near the Syrian city of Homs as General Joseph Dunford, the chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, expressed on Tuesday concern over the move and pointed out that “Iran is projecting malign influences across the Middle East and supporting terrorist organizations in Syria, Iraq and Yemen.” Iranian news agency Fars… → Read More
Lebanon: ‘Political Weariness’ due to Normalization with Syrian Regime
Beirut- The Lebanese government is facing a chain of challenges that are seriously threatening its stability for the first time. Major challenges are the economic file and the obvious push of 8 March alliance towards normalization with the Syrian regime. Days after the meeting of Lebanese Foreign Minister Jebran Bassil and his Syrian counterpart Walid Muallem, on the sidelines of the UN General… → Read More
Bassil-Muallem Meeting Deepens Lebanese Division on ‘Normalization’
Beirut- Lebanese Foreign Affairs Minister Jebran Bassil’s meeting with his Syrian counterpart Walid al-Muallem in New York has deepened divisions among Lebanon’s politicians and driven sharp criticism from some officials. Syrian Arab News Agency reported on Friday that the meeting, which had taken place on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, tackled bilateral ties, including political and… → Read More
Deir al-Zour Airport: Base for Russian Operations
Beirut, Moscow – Under Russian air cover, Syrian regime forces crossed on Monday to the eastern bank of the Euphrates River, which allowed warplanes to land at the military airport of Deir al-Zour ahead of transforming it into a headquarter for Russian operations. “Syrian regime troops, backed by units of the fourth rank division and Russian Aerospace Forces have reached the eastern bank of the… → Read More
Lebanese Government Sets Elections Date, Appoints Supervisory Body
Beirut– Lebanon’s Cabinet formed Thursday an electoral body to prepare for next year’s parliamentary polls. The supervisory body “is a first step in the process of preparation for the elections and must be followed by other accelerated measures”, official sources told Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper. The sources added that the Interior Ministry formed a specialized technical committee, which includes… → Read More
Lebanese Army Deployed Across Eastern Border
Beirut- The Lebanese officials and public laid to rest the bodies of 10 soldiers killed by ISIS two years after being captured in the eastern border town of Arsal in 2014. At the Defense Ministry, an official state funeral was held on Friday morning in the presence of the three heads of state. Following the funeral, the Higher Defense Council convened at the Baabda Palace and asked the Lebanese… → Read More
Syrian Democratic Forces Advance towards Heart of Raqqa
Beirut– Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) is now in control of 60 percent of ISIS stronghold Raqqa city, northeast Syria, after it advanced further inside the city, whereas SDF spokesperson Mustafa Bali stated that soon the battle will include the center of the city. Bali stated that after liberating al-Rashid neighborhood, SDF will advance towards the center of Raqqa. He confirmed that SDF soon… → Read More
Lebanon: 20 Square Kms Separate Army from Defeating ISIS
Beirut – The Lebanese army announced on Tuesday that its forces have captured most of the 120 square kms held by ISIS on the eastern borders of the country, only four days after launching their battle against the terrorist militants. “We have captured around another 20 square km, so we have about another 20 to go,” General Ali Qanso said Tuesday during a press conference held at the Defense… → Read More
Lebanon: Ceasefire Agreements Stumbling in Ain al-Hilweh
Beirut– Successive ceasefire agreements in Ain al-Hilweh refugee camp in the southern Lebanese city of Sidon since last Thursday have failed to restore security in the area. The latest agreement was reached on Monday afternoon through a decision by the Palestinian political leadership, which includes representatives of the most prominent factions, however, residents of Ain al-Hilweh are still… → Read More
Anti-ISIS Operations Launch on Two Axes
Beirut- The Lebanese army succeeded in regaining control of an area of about 30 square kilometers in the first day launched of the operation against ISIS territory near Syrian borders. Some 11 terrorist strongholds, including tunnels, communication trenches and fortifications and various weapons were said to be destroyed. The military said that the army troops “continue to advance rapidly… → Read More
Lebanese Army to Launch Battle Against ISIS
Beirut- The Lebanese Army continue its preparations for the anticipated battle with ISIS, in Ras Baalbek and al-Qaa where the army intensified bombardment and deployed forces and equipment. It has been rumored that the land-battle will be launched within the upcoming hours – military sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that Hezbollah handed out some sites to the army. Sources also denied the… → Read More
Syria: Regime Forces Advance Towards Al-Tanf Base
Beirut, Ankara- Syrian regime forces expanded their grip in the southeast part of the country near the Jordanian border, getting nearer from al-Tanf military base close to the Iraqi border where US forces and western factions from the Free Army are being trained to fight ISIS. “Jordan is greatly sensitive to the presence of Iranian militias and Hezbollah at its border. Therefore, the military… → Read More
Lebanese Army Refuses to Coordinate with Damascus in Battle Against ISIS
Beirut- The final preparations for the upcoming Lebanese Army battle against ISIS at the eastern borders with Syria have already been triggered after the completion of a swap deal between Nusra Front and “Hezbollah” and the deportation of Nusra militants from Jurud Arsal to Idlib. On Saturday, the Lebanese Army intensely shelled ISIS positions in Jurud Ras Baalbek and Al-Kaa ahead of launching a… → Read More
Arsal Deal: Release of Hezbollah Captives, Withdrawal of Nusra, Thousands of Civilians
Beirut- The deal agreed upon between “Hezbollah” and “Jabhat Nusra” is expected to get in effect at the end of this week – the deal has put an end to the ongoing clashes in the barrens of Arsal. More than 5,000 civilians and armed Syrians have registered their names to leave to Qalamoun and Idlib as part of the deal that also states the release of eight captives from “Hezbollah” as three of them… → Read More
Assassination of Man Mediating With 'Al-Nusra' to Leave Lebanon's Arsal
Beirut- “Hezbollah” continued on Saturday to advance in the battle of Jurud Arsal located at the Lebanese eastern borders with Syria, decreasing the area of control of al-Nusra Front, which the Lebanese Army said killed former vice-president of Arsal Municipality, Ahmad Flayti during negotiations with militants over possible withdrawal from Wadi Hmayed. Security sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that… → Read More