Panorama week, Russian messages in Idlib, Gaza escalation casts a shadow on Syria

Arab newspapers published during the past week touched on the Russian escalation in the so-called De-escalation zone, in addition to the escalation in Gaza and its repercussions on the Syrian file and Turkey’s position on this escalation, in addition to the situation in Southern Kurdistan.

Russian messages to Erdogan in Idlib

Starting with the Syrian issue, and in this context, al-Watan newspaper touched on the escalation carried out by the Damascus government and Russia in Idlib, and the newspaper linked the government forces’ targeting with heavy artillery fire the positions of the “Jabhet al-Nusra” mercenaries and other groups in the al-Ghab Plain and the Idlib countryside, with Russia strengthening its military presence in the vicinity of the area. “De-escalation,” in a message addressed to the administration of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, stressing the necessity of implementing bilateral agreements with Moscow regarding the region.

The Israeli ground operation is still on the agenda

Al-Arab newspaper discussed the issue of the Israeli ground operation on Gaza, and saw that the Israeli military statements do not show any hesitation regarding the issue of launching a ground war on Gaza with the aim of dissipating Hamas’ capabilities, at a time when the Israelis are keen to give Qatar and Egypt the opportunity to mediate and pressure Hamas to launch more hostages, and the newspaper attributed the delay in this operation to the fact that the Israelis know that the operation against Hamas may last weeks or months. Therefore, the army takes its time militarily before embarking on the invasion, and politically in order to give the mediators a period of time in which to secure the release of the hostage.

Tension in southern Syria

Al-Arabi Al-Jadeed newspaper touched on the impact of the escalation between Hamas and Israel on the Syrian file, and in this context it followed the raids that put the Damascus and Aleppo airports out of service. The newspaper indicated that these attacks aim to disrupt the arrival of military supplies from Tehran to the forces loyal to it in Syria at a time when the south of the country is witnessing Tension due to the ongoing escalation in Gaza.

Turkey abandons Hamas

Al-Sharq al-Awsat newspaper read the indicators about Turkey's abandonment of Hamas and pointed out that although Turkey denied asking leaders of the Hamas movement to leave its territory, several indicators confirm that the movement's relationship with Ankara was damaged by the Hamas operation, and the newspaper relied in this on reports that indicated that representatives of the intelligence The Turkish authorities met with Hamas leaders on the morning of October 7, and informed them that the Turkish authorities would not be able to guarantee their security in light of Israel’s threats. After that, Hamas leaders decided to leave independently.

The popularity of the Kurdistan Democratic Party is declining

Al-Arab newspaper indicated that the high level of coordination and cooperation between Turkey and the Kurdistan Democratic Party, led by members of the Barzani family, raises criticism from the Kurds of the region inside and outside Iraq. Criticisms often develop into accusations of “treason and collusion” against members of one nationality when it comes to security and intelligence coordination between the party and the Turkish authorities in Ankara’s war in southern Kurdistan.

The newspaper believed, based on observers, that the expansion of relations between the Kurdistan Democratic Party and Turkey is being matched by a rapid decline in the party’s popularity among the Kurds in southern Kurdistan, Iraq and its environs, in a phenomenon fueled by the policies of the Barzani family in the leadership of southern Kurdistan and in dealing with political partners there.