JEDDAH: A counterattack by Syrian opposition groups in northwest Idlib province has recaptured several villages, taken prisoners and liberated more than two-thirds of the territory captured by regime forces.
The push by factions including the radical Levant Liberation Committee slowed an offensive launched two weeks ago by Assad regime troops, Iranian militias and Russian jets toward the Abu Zuhour air base, which has been held by the opposition since 2015.
The regime offensive has displaced about 200,000 people, opposition spokesman Yahya Al-Aridi told Arab News on Saturday. “They are now refugees,” he said. “This is a disaster for them.”
Nevertheless, the morale of the anti-Assad forces was high, Al-Aridi said. He said the pretext for the regime offensive was “a few people classified as Al-Nusra, and the brutality perpetrated is horrible. The freedom fighters are just doing a good job and are liberating many of the villages captured by the regime.”
Al-Aridi described a recent meeting between an opposition delegation and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres as “very fruitful,” and said there was an understanding of the rebel view that the conflict should be resolved through UN-sponsored negotiations in Geneva.
Russia is sponsoring what it calls a Syrian national dialogue conference at the end of January in the Black Sea resort of Sochi. “There is no clear picture about the Sochi meeting and the viewpoints on it are quite similar,” Al-Aridi said. “Guterres is not encouraged toward the Sochi meeting.”
In Damascus, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Mark Lowcock, said he was “deeply worried” about civilians caught up in the violence in Idlib. He said he was also particularly concerned about the fate of the people of eastern Ghouta, the opposition-held rural suburb of Damascus where more than 400,000 have been trapped under regime siege since 2013.
Attacks on the area by Syrian and Russian forces in late October and early November 2017 killed eight children and damaged or destroyed four schools, according to a new report by the New York-based Human Rights Watch.
“Syrian and Russian forces appear to view the lives of children in eastern Ghouta as utterly disposable,” said Bill Van Esveld, the group’s senior children’s rights researcher.
Meanwhile, the Russian military said it had eliminated a group of opposition fighters who killed two Russian servicemen and destroyed seven aircraft in a drone attack on Russia’s Hmeymin air base in Syria on New Year’s eve. The military tracked down the fighters with drones and other intelligence assets and struck them with artillery while they were boarding a minibus in Idlib. Russia also destroyed the drone assembly facility in Idlib, the Defense Ministry said.
Syrian opposition retakes territory captured in regime offensive
Syrian opposition retakes territory captured in regime offensive
Ramadan lanterns: A symbol of celebration
Fady Francis
CAIRO: Muslims around the world are observing Ramadan, a month of dawn-to-dusk fasting, intense prayer and charity.
The holy month has long been associated with a rich tapestry of customs and traditions that define its unique celebrations.
Among the most prominent symbols of these festivities is the Ramadan lantern, a cherished emblem that illuminates streets and homes, reflecting the spiritual and cultural essence of the season.
In the historic districts of Cairo — such as Al-Hussein, Al-Azhar and Sayyida Zeinab — millions of Egyptians gather to celebrate Ramadan.
These neighborhoods are transformed into vibrant scenes of light and color, adorned with elaborate illuminations and countless Ramadan lanterns that hang across streets and balconies.
Vendors line the bustling alleys, offering a wide array of goods associated with the sacred month.
Foremost among these cherished items is the Ramadan lantern, which remains the most iconic and sought-after symbol of the season, embodying both tradition and festivity.
The lantern, in its earliest form, served as a vital source of illumination in ancient times.
Initially, torches crafted from wood and fueled with oils were used to light homes and pathways.
During the Middle Ages, Egyptians advanced their methods of lighting, developing oil lamps and decorative lanterns. In the Mamluk era, streets were illuminated on a wider scale, and artisans excelled in architectural innovation, producing intricately designed lanterns adorned with refined artistic motifs.
Gamal Shaqra, professor of modern history, told Arab News: “The story of the Ramadan lantern is widely traced back to the Fatimid era, with several narratives surrounding its origin. One account links it to Jawhar Al-Siqilli, the general who founded Cairo and built Al-Azhar Mosque, and to the arrival of Caliph Al-Muizz li-Din Allah in 969 A.D.
“According to this, Egyptians welcomed the Fatimid caliph by carrying lanterns to light his path, using them as both illumination and a gesture of celebration.”
He added: “Following this historic scene, lanterns began to be used to light streets and public spaces. Over time, the lantern evolved into a defining symbol of Ramadan festivities, as children took to the streets carrying their brightly lit lanterns and chanting traditional songs celebrating the holy month.
“The tradition continued to flourish during the Ayyubid and Mamluk periods, with lantern designs becoming increasingly diverse. In the era of Mohammad Ali, the craft saw further development, as lanterns were manufactured from metal sheets and fitted with colored glass, marking a significant evolution in both design and production.”
Methods of manufacturing the Ramadan lantern have diversified over time, alongside the evolution of its artistic designs in the modern era.
With the advancement of tools and technology, merchants have increasingly introduced wooden lanterns crafted using laser-cut techniques, offering intricate patterns and contemporary styles.
Despite these innovations, handcrafted lanterns continue to retain their distinctive value and authenticity. Made by skilled artisans, these traditional pieces remain deeply cherished, preserving the spirit of heritage and craftsmanship associated with the holy month.
Artist Mohamed Abla told Arab News that the design of the Ramadan lantern was inspired by the form of the mishkat — the ornate niche found in mosques that embodies Islamic art and traditionally serves as a source of illumination.
He added that the lantern had long been a subject for visual artists, who had depicted it in their paintings as a symbol of folk heritage and the enduring traditions associated with celebrating the holy month.
During a tour of popular marketplaces, a clear variation in lantern prices was noted, reflecting the craftsmanship and effort invested in their production.
In the tourist markets along Al-Moeaz Street, brass and bronze lanterns are prominently displayed in antique shops, showcasing elaborate designs that appeal to both visitors and collectors seeking traditional Ramadan decor.
