جمهورية سوريا الاتحادية الشعبية | The People's Federal Republic of Syria | Komara Federal a Gel a Sûriyê
February 10th, 2022
As the Transitional Authority gathered for the morning briefing, a collective sigh of relief emanated around the room: despite Israel’s bombastic statements in the Israeli press, it appeared that they were withdrawing from Lebanon. For now, for whatever reason, war was averted. “But they are still mobilizing their forces towards Jawlān,” stated Defense Minister Hebîb. “They could be mobilizing for a preemptive strike against our border defenses.” “Or,” countered Foreign Minister Tagara, “they are simply responding to our mobilizations. I am sure that if we return to Alert Level Blue, they will stand down as well. After all, the Arab League’s demands were met - Israel and the Soviet Union are withdrawing from Lebanon. We have no reason to mobilize. And it has only been two days since the order was given, surely it would not be so difficult to have our soldiers return to barracks.”
This time, Co-President al-Abdah spoke first. “I am in agreement with Tagara. The desired outcome has been achieved. There is no reason to continue with the full mobilization. And we will soon have French air and missile defense systems delivered to our country. Our republic will soon be very secure. I have no intention of torpedoing this deal just because we wanted to meet the Israeli mobilization in kind. If they continue to escalate tensions after we return our units back to base, then we can return to explore our options. But for now, I believe we should give the order to return to barracks and return to Alert Level Blue.” The eyes of the Cabinet turned to Co-President Ehmed, who shrugged. “He makes a good point. And we still haven’t received the full shipment of Chinese arms and armaments, not to mention our Armed Forces are still being trained on that equipment, correct, Hebîb?” The Defense Minister nodded gruffly. “I see, then we are in no position to act outside of what the Arab League Parliament recommended. I second al-Abdah. Consider this a formal order to return the soldiers to their respective bases and return us to Alert Level Blue.”
10 February 2022
BREAKING: Israel & Backers to Withdraw from Lebanon, War Averted
BEIRUT/DAMASCUS - In a stunning reversal, the Israeli Ministry of Defense yesterday announced that the IDF would begin withdrawing from Lebanon “soon,” declaring victory over Hezbollah in an early morning statement to the Jerusalem Post. The Transitional Authority welcomed the development in a statement this afternoon. “The Arab League and Syria should not have been put in the position that we were put in in the first place, however, the announcement of a forthcoming withdrawal is a positive sign for regional peace and security. We continue to insist that Israel and its partners withdraw from Lebanon fully by February 18th, and we will continue to monitor the situation as it develops. In the meantime, the Transitional Authority and Ministry of Defense see no reason to maintain prior plans to mobilize our Armed Forces in full. Earlier this morning, we began the process of ordering our Armed Forces to return to their respective bases and barracks, and we plan to fully reach Alert Level Blue readiness levels in two days’ time. We are aware of IDF mobilizations in the occupied Jawlān, but our assessments suggest that this is a display of force in response to our own in concert with our partners with the Arab League, and not an invasion force. Should the IDF continue to station itself in the occupied Jawlān despite our demobilization, we will demand information pertaining to the purpose of their mobilization and respond accordingly.”
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that the Transitional Authority “stands ready to assist the government of Lebanon with regards to matters of national security and counter-terrorism operations, as needed.” In unrelated news, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Defense announced an arms deal with the government of France for three batteries and an assortment of 400 Aster 15 and Aster 30 missiles for short/medium range and long range anti-air and anti-missile defense, respectively. The Ministry of Defense lauded the agreement, stating, “Once again, the skies over the People’s Federal Republic will be safe and secure from unprovoked aerial attacks and Hezbollah and Iranian rocket and missile attacks. Syria will be safe once again for all Syrians, and a secure Syria will lead to a secure Middle East.” The deal would involve a one-time payment, followed by annual installments over a period of five years. The Democratic Union Party (PYD) and Democratic Conservative Party (DCP) issued statements condemning the agreement, with the PYD taking issue with potential militarization and the DCP expressing concern with fiscal spending levels, despite the “well-meaning intentions” of the Transitional Authority. We will continue to monitor the situation and update the story as it develops…
20 February 2022
BREAKING: Supreme Court Rules on “Fair Trial” for Bashar al-Assad
DAMASCUS - After many days of anticipation surrounding a potential trial for former president Bashar al-Assad, the Supreme Court ruled this morning that it was “not confident that the Defendant [Bashar al-Assad] would be able to enjoy his constitutional right to a fair and free trial by a jury of his peers within Syria,” citing the nature of his alleged crimes and the publicity around his former office, its alleged role in the civil war, and the ensuing publicity around his extradition to Syria from the Soviet Union. It further stated that while it had faith in the independence of the judiciary should Mr. al-Assad opt for a bench trial, the Supreme Court, in its 7 - 5 ruling, stated that, “While the remaining Defendants may be able to obtain a fair and free trial by jury or from the bench due to the often localized nature of their alleged crimes, the crimes that the prime Defendant is accused of by the Government, in its capacity as the judicial representative of the People, are national and felt by all in every corner of the nation, and it would be highly improbable for Mr. al-Assad to have a fair bench trial.”
The Supreme Court recommended that should the Ministry of Justice wish to pursue charges against Bashar al-Assad, that it should send him to trial at the International Criminal Court (ICC) and extradite him to The Hague. In a statement after the ruling was issued, a spokesman for the Ministry of Justice voiced the government’s “disapproval” of the ruling, but confirmed that they would abide by the ruling and not pursue charges within the Syrian justice system. “We will, instead, begin discussions with the International Criminal Court for [Bashar] al-Assad’s extradition and subsequent trial for war crimes and crimes against humanity, which are extensively documented over the course of a decade-long civil war and throughout the entirety of his regime’s iron-fisted reign over the peoples of Syria. We are still confident that, despite this setback, justice will prevail.” We will continue to update this story as it develops…