Sebastian Usher

But whether taking on the SDF now, endangering some of the gains that the SDF has actually made in terms, I mean, remember that this is the group that with US support essentially defeated ISIS. And it has run the northeast of the country, probably in just about the most efficient way that any part of the country has been run during the conflict. So there's a lot to lose.

But whether taking on the SDF now, endangering some of the gains that the SDF has actually made in terms, I mean, remember that this is the group that with US support essentially defeated ISIS. And it has run the northeast of the country, probably in just about the most efficient way that any part of the country has been run during the conflict. So there's a lot to lose.

And the SDF certainly feels that its position. has coming under more and more attack. It never really took on Assad's forces, but it's certainly now very much the focus of the attentions of Turkey and of Ahmad al-Shara.

And the SDF certainly feels that its position. has coming under more and more attack. It never really took on Assad's forces, but it's certainly now very much the focus of the attentions of Turkey and of Ahmad al-Shara.

Obviously, Ahmad al-Shara will hope that there will be no new armed conflict over this, but that is a possibility because the SDF, the Kurdish administration there, feels it has a lot to lose.

Obviously, Ahmad al-Shara will hope that there will be no new armed conflict over this, but that is a possibility because the SDF, the Kurdish administration there, feels it has a lot to lose.

When Israel launched the major part of its offensive, including the ground offensive against Hezbollah back in October, it targeted mainly the southern suburbs of Beirut, the Bekaa Valley in the east, parts of which are under Hezbollah control, and the south. So in all of those areas, the Lebanese army has been clearing roads, opening roads, clearing rubbish and debris,

When Israel launched the major part of its offensive, including the ground offensive against Hezbollah back in October, it targeted mainly the southern suburbs of Beirut, the Bekaa Valley in the east, parts of which are under Hezbollah control, and the south. So in all of those areas, the Lebanese army has been clearing roads, opening roads, clearing rubbish and debris,

There are parts of South Lebanon which are almost flattened by the Israeli airstrikes that took place. And also the unexploded munitions from Israel in particular. Today it staged about a seven-hour operation. devoted to that in several areas. So all of these are building some confidence in Lebanon and outside that this ceasefire deal, despite many violations that have taken place, may hold.

There are parts of South Lebanon which are almost flattened by the Israeli airstrikes that took place. And also the unexploded munitions from Israel in particular. Today it staged about a seven-hour operation. devoted to that in several areas. So all of these are building some confidence in Lebanon and outside that this ceasefire deal, despite many violations that have taken place, may hold.

But the real challenge that lies ahead for the Lebanese army is when it makes a full deployment, particularly down in the south.

But the real challenge that lies ahead for the Lebanese army is when it makes a full deployment, particularly down in the south.

I mean, this was only just over three weeks ago that the ceasefire happened. It was greeted, I think, far more jubilantly here in Lebanon than it was in Israel. There was great joy in the first days and people rushed down there. to the southern villages and towns that they'd had to leave.

I mean, this was only just over three weeks ago that the ceasefire happened. It was greeted, I think, far more jubilantly here in Lebanon than it was in Israel. There was great joy in the first days and people rushed down there. to the southern villages and towns that they'd had to leave.

But I think what I find with lots of people here is a sense almost of unreality, that they can't believe that this can hold, that things can move in a positive direction, a sense that something is simmering, something unnamed is under the surface that may suddenly explode in everyone's faces.

But I think what I find with lots of people here is a sense almost of unreality, that they can't believe that this can hold, that things can move in a positive direction, a sense that something is simmering, something unnamed is under the surface that may suddenly explode in everyone's faces.

People here are wondering what Hezbollah might do next within the context of a country where politically things might move. People, I think they're enjoying the sense at the moment that, you know, the fighting has stopped, the risk to life, etc., has stopped. People have been coming back. I mean, all the flights, it was almost impossible. to find a flight, to come to Lebanon.

People here are wondering what Hezbollah might do next within the context of a country where politically things might move. People, I think they're enjoying the sense at the moment that, you know, the fighting has stopped, the risk to life, etc., has stopped. People have been coming back. I mean, all the flights, it was almost impossible. to find a flight, to come to Lebanon.

And it's given them a great sense of humour about the way things go and also a sense of not ever taking anything for what it looks like on the surface.

And it's given them a great sense of humour about the way things go and also a sense of not ever taking anything for what it looks like on the surface.