Highlights 14/15.01.26

Aleppo Massacre
There is an ongoing massacre of the kurdish neighborhoods in Aleppo. Abductions, disappearances and lootings continued after the evacuation of injured and dead, with people escaping while journalists and human rights organisations not allowed to enter.
UN reports min 120,000 people displaces, more than 500 missing more than 120 injured and at least 45 killed. Human Rights Watch (HRW) said on Thursday that the Syrian government must hold perpetrators of violations accountable and undertake comprehensive reform of the security sector.

Attacks in Deir Hafir
The Syrian Transitional Government (STG) declared the areas of Maskana and Deir Hafer territory of military operations, both areas under control of SDF. They announced a plan to open a “humanitarian corridor” from those localities to Aleppo, and are already claiming that SDF is blocking civilians from exiting the area. A turkish drone bombed the sugar factory that was used as HQ of SDF, and heavy weapons hit residential areas of Deir Hafer. A turkish drone also hit Tabqa, tergeting an SDF vehicle that was there to provide medical treatment to injured. STG is sending military reinforcements from Latakia for those military operations. SDF is also sending reinforcements to respond to the military build up.

Desinformation Campaign
SANA, the Syrian national news agency, is adopting the narrative and strategies of fake news and desinformation of the main Turkish news channels. We can also find the same twisted narratives on the Qatari funded channels of AlJazeera, blaming SDF of attacks on civilians that did not take place, or of SDF stopping civilians from evacuating from Deir Hafer. They depict the massacre that is taking place in Allepo as provoked by SDF, as if STG would rightfully have the control in all Aleppo and SDF came to disrupt it, and now finally STG ‘liberated’ Aleppo from SDF. Such desinformation campaign builds a narrative that justifies further tensions and attacks against the territories of the Autonomous Administration.

Threat of Resurgence of ISIS in NES, in light of political instability and military escalation
SDF warn that ISIS cells are trying to make use of current military escalation, planning attempts to escape prisons in NES which would present grave risks to entire populations in Syria. So far though, the prisons are under control.

STG and International Community
Al-Sharaa prepares to travel to Germany on Monday to meet with German chancellor Merz, which majorly serves to further legitimise al-Sharaa as Syrian president.
STG minister of local administration and environment participated in Global South Utilities Forum, joining financial discussions to fund the STG with development money from World Bank and from Saudi Arabia. These are efforts of STG to further establish itself as legitimate actor, consolidate power and gather finances.
German activists are already planing a demonstration against the isit of al-Sharaa in berlin, and the DAANES relations committee in US is calling for a rally tomorrow Friday in front of the white house.

Evaluation

The last move of the STG with the “humanitarian corridor” in Deir Hafer shows a level of strategy and planification more developed that what they did in Latakia and Sweida. A way to understand that is that they are learning from past massacrres, trying now to have a more nuanced approach to the media strategy to prevent the the public outrage that their last two massacres created. Another way to see it is understanding the influence of MIT (Turkish intelligence) in this last operations.

To understand this better, we remember the words of Turkish Foreign affairs minister, ex-director of MIT Hakan Fidan, who said that the assault on the Aleppo neighborhoods had to happen because SDF “did not comply with the orders of A. Öcalan” and could not engage in dialogue without force beeing applied to them. With these attacks they try to undermine the DAANES and SDF proposal for federalised Syria, presenting it as an Israeli foreign policy vision for “fragmented Syria” as a way to counter-act the proposals of DAANES for decentralized, multi-ethnic and multiconfessional Syria.

The attacks on Sheikh Makhsood and Asrafiye started the day after the meetings between Israeli and Syrian foreign ministries met in Paris under mediation of US. After that meeting, they declared an agreement to share intelligence and work for de-escalation, allegedly in the southern part of Syria where Israel is expanding they occupied territories. That poses a question on why Turkey is using Israel as excuse to attack the kurds when is the STG who is in open negotiations with Israel, but probably there is no rational explanation, being it just a mediatic argument to redirect the discontent on Israel among Syrian Arab population against SDF.

Coming back to the humanitarian corridor, there are two effects that we need to remark from it. On one side is staging a provocation where they can easily present SDF as obstructing such a “humanitarian effort” to legitimize further attacks. They also create a ground to launch brutal attacks on the area having later the argument that they already evacuated civilians, framing anyone living in those territories newly designed as areas of military operations as a valid target.

One last point we want to remark is how the convulsed times we live in are also a perfect smoke screen for conducting such massacres. With increassing tensions and conflict all around the world, like the US intervention in Venezuela or the uprisings in Iran, it is more difficult for international media to talk about regional massacres in Syria. The situation in iran is also of big relevance for the kurdish people, since it is in Rojhilat, specially in Kirmansha, where the uprising is getting to higher levels of tension after Teheran, with many deads, injured and disapeared (if you have interest we can also bring further updates on the situation in Rojhilat, let us know about it!). Still, what is often the only way to break this media blocades is to organize and protest in solidarity with the ongoing revolution of Rojava. For that, get in touch with you local kurdish solidarity groups and keep updated about coming protests and actions!

Revolutionary greetings!

Highlights 13.01.26

Deir Hafir
Today the Syrian transitional government (SGT) declared the areas of Deir Hafir, Babiri and Kavas as zones of military operations. The same declaration was made about Sheikh Maqsoud neighborhoods in Aleppo before STG invaded.

STG forces were moved to the region, including military vehicles, tanks and weapons. STG is shelling the town of Deir Hafir and its vicinity intensly. Also fighters of STG exploded the bridge to the north from the town and shelled civil homes in nearby villages.

Tishrin
STG carried out artillery strikes on the Tishreen dam as well. There are reports of drones targeting infrastructure of the dam.

Raqqa
Internal Security Forces of the Raqqa region declared curfew from 22:00 till 06:00 to mitigate escalation of the situation inside the city and the surrounding areas.

Mourning in NES
In the whole northeast Syria the 13th of January was declared the day of mourning and rememberance due to events in Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyeh. Farewell ceremony for the commander of Internal Security Forces (Asayish) Ziyad Heleb who fell in battle took place in Kobane. Meanwhile, small-scale attacks from STG with Turkish support are happening at various points along the borders of DAANES.

Statements
KCK — «Attacks on Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyeh as well as preparations for assault to the east from Euphrates are putting in question the ceasefire between our movement and Turkey and the ongoing process for Peace and Democratic society.»
https://kck-info.com/statements130126/

SDF — on the claims of STG about activities in border areas of their territories: «Repetition of these claims by the Ministry of Defense is yet another attempt to create tensions and fabricate excuses for escalation. We lay full responsibility for all possible consequences on those who are behind these actions.»
https://sdf-press.com/en/?p=19560

Evaluations

The escalation that began in the Kurdish enclave of Aleppo is a logical continuation of Damascus’ policy of eliminating “problematic” minorities that do not fit into the order established by the HTS. The fighting has officially spread to territories controlled by the SDF and operating according to the model proposed by the Autonomous Administration. The attacks, which began during the fighting in Aleppo, continued with renewed intensity today in the Deir Hafir area.

This is a clear escalation of the conflict and a sabotage of all progress in the dialogue on the integration of the SDF by the Syrian transitional government. However, such actions would not have been possible without active pressure from Turkey and the consent of Western countries. During the bombing of Aleppo, Jolani established diplomatic ties with European states and received about €600 million, negotiated with Israel on the exchange of intelligence, and enjoyed Trump’s patronage.

The invasion of the Kurdish neighborhoods of Aleppo, the ongoing escalation in Deir Hafir, and the attacks on Tishreen are cutting off the path to the realization of the ideas proposed by the Apoist movement for peaceful integration and coexistence of autonomy and the nation-state within a single country. The actions of the Damascus government show that the peace process is impossible, and the autonomous region must once again defend itself against encroachments. In addition to damaging infrastructure, the attack on Tishreen also aims to overshadow last year’s popular triumph.

The SDF is ready to fight back, and this will not be in the form of battles in the enclave, where 42,000 Turkish mercenaries and Damascus jihadists faced 900 Internal Security Forces fighters. Reinforcements are being brought in from the SDF territory to the Tabqa region. It appears that northeastern Syria is once again facing fierce fighting and a continuation of more intense warfare. The truce with Damascus proved fragile and was conditioned by the convenience of the imperialist forces. We assume that the escalation will only increase, and the events of recent weeks are unlikely to allow a return to the phase of peace talks with the interim government. The effect of the fighting is exacerbated by deliberate falsification of facts and outright lies spread by the Jolani government.

Together with all of northeastern Syria, we remember and honor our comrades who fell in Sheikh Maqsud and Ashrafiyeh, and we continue our struggle. Şehîd namirin!

Revolutionary greetings!

04.01.26 – 11.01.26 [Content Warning: descriptions of war violence]

Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyeh resistance against Damascus attacks in Aleppo
After constant pressure, blockade and low-intensity attacks from regime forces on Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyeh during 2025, last two months saw these attacks escalate. Intense attacks on the two neighborhoods began since the end of December and became especially heavy in the first days of January. Since January 6th a major offensive took place, involving thousands of combatants from different brigades, most of them affiliated with the Turkish state; tanks, armored vehicles, artillery, various types of heavy weapons and munitions including gas bombs, as well as support by Turkish drones.
Internal Security Forces (Asayish) organized defense and led the resistance of the neighborhoods. After its initial attacks, the Damascus forces pushed for full displacement of the neighborhood. The General Council of Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyah neighborhoods refused to surrender and leave Aleppo, chose the resistance and called for general mobilization. As a response to that decision, a civilian convoy from most cities of NE Syria came together and headed towards Aleppo, aiming to support the resistance.
The number of people who gave their lives in fighting, were injured or are missing is currently unknown. There are reports, messages and videos of fierce resistance and organized self-defense of the neighborhoods, where defenders of the neighborhoods are explaining the situation on the ground, singing, fighting and dancing. At the same time there are many evidences of hundreds of Kurdish people being kidnapped, footages of executions and tortures, mutilations of bodies of fallen female and male Kurdish fighters.
The fighting culminated towards January 9th and 10th, when civilians went to the Khalid Al-Fajr Hospital to help treating the wounded and take refuge. Turkish-backed groups shelled and attacked the hospital dozens of times.
On January 11th a partial ceasefire was reached in order to evacuate the wounded, civilians, children and women, as well as bodies of fallen defenders of the neighborhoods. The general mobilization brought protesters to the streets of Bashur and Bakur (Southern and Northern Kurdistan), European cities and across the northeast Syria. In Turkey and Northern Kurdistan clashes with the police took place.

EU promise 620 millions for Syria
According to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, the European Union is set to provide Syria with 620 million euros this year and next, aimed at post-war recovery, bilateral support, and humanitarian assistance.
During her visit to Damascus on friday 9, she noted, “After years of devastation under the Assad regime, Syria’s recovery and reconstruction needs are immense.” Von der Leyen expressed the EU’s intention to initiate discussions on renewing a cooperation agreement with Syria and to establish a new political partnership. Last year, the EU lifted economic sanctions on Syria following the fall of Assad.
Von der Leyen also highlighted the recent clashes in Aleppo between government forces and Kurdish fighters, calling it “worrisome” and emphasizing the urgent need for continued dialogue among all parties involved.

Israel-Syria intelligence agreements
Following US-mediated discussions in Paris, on January 6, Israel and Syria agreed to establish a US-supervised “fusion mechanism” for intelligence coordination. The United States, Israel, and Syria would create a joint “fusion mechanism” to oversee intelligence sharing, border de-escalation, diplomacy, and commercial matters.
No timeline has been provided for the implementation of the mechanism.
A senior US official stated that this mechanism will facilitate further demilitarization discussions, and outline the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the area. He also added that the Israel Occupation Forces (IOF) and the Syrian military will stop all military activities in southern Syria until the details of the “fusion mechanism” are finalized.
Additionally, the US delegation in Paris proposed the creation of a “demilitarized economic zone” along both sides of the Israel-Syria border. Israeli negotiators have previously pushed for a larger demilitarized zone spanning four Syrian provinces, extending to Damascus, without requiring Israeli demilitarization on the border.

Continuous developments
– Following a military incursion and the establishment of a temporary checkpoint, Israeli forces arrested on Thursday four young men in the northern countryside of Quneitra, southern Syria.
– The General Command of the Suweida National Defense Forces reported that Transitional Government forces shelled the city’s of Mansoura, killing One fighter from the National Defense Forces. Additionally, it highlighted another incident, where an opposition group attempted to breach a military post. The National Defense Forces successfully repelled this attempt.
– US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced on Saturday that it had carried out several airstrikes in Syria targeting the Islamic State (ISIS), as part of the military operation launched by the U.S. in December 2025 in response to an attack on American personnel. Jordan stated on Sunday its participation in the air strikes.

Evaluation

The end of the year 2025 was marked by anticipation of development in the dialogue between SDF and Damascus government. Despite widespread scepticism, the narrative of Syrian civil war reaching its end has gradually become accepted in the international community. However, anyone living in Syria knows that nothing could be further from truth. Massacres of Alawites and Druze by Damascus government has shown that the original problems which brought Syria to this point are not resolved. Now, the transitional government’s assault on Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyeh has pushed Syria a step further down the war.

Main political and military forces of Damascus government in their base are not opposed to war as a method to establish centralized government for the whole of Syria, even if it will involve atrocities and massacres. Such methods are seen as justifiable within the Salafist vision of the country. On the other hand, political developments of the new Syrian government is hardly compatible with the views of military forces of HTS and other groups that brought about the government of Ahmed Ash-Shara’a. Diplomacy and deals with United States, European union and Russia; intelligence agreements with Israel, Abraham accords and surrender of Golan heights to Israel; crackdown on some foreign brigades within the new army. All of these affects how other forces engage with Ahmed Al-Shara’a and his presidency: he is gaining influence from Western powers but losing popularity in the Islamists ranks that lifted him up.

With that in mind, we can analyse that the current consolidation of political and military power of Damascus is directly linked to Turkey. The brutal attack on the Kurdish neighborhoods in Aleppo is not a step that the transitional government could or would even decide to do independently without long-term Turkish pressure and assistence. The agenda of the transitional government, its militias and the Turkish state align under leadership of Turkey, this time on the question of integration: they do not accept a federalized, decentralized and multi-confessional Syria, where political dialogue could become a new approach to contradictions and women liberation together with co-existence of diverse communities would constitue a major social revolution. Such a development would ultimately undermine the centralized power and the influence of main hegemonic actors present in the region. Without war and chaos, Turkey, United States, Russia, Israel and other states cannot sustain their existence and economies.

That is why the Syrian state massacres Kurdish people and calls the ethnic cleansing and destruction of the neighborhood “limited security operation”. That is why the Islamist groups that massacred Alawites and Druze months ago, are attacking the Kurdish neighborhoods today, while all the states watched and didn’t intervene. That is also why DAANES holds Turkey accountable for the attacks and ethnic cleansing of the Kurdish neighborhoods in Aleppo.

We would like to conclude this evaluation with words of Aldar Xelil, member of the Presidential Council of the Democratic Union Party (PYD):

Mercenaries backed by regional and international powers, foremost among them Turkey, a NATO member, claim to have achieved a “victory” in the name of what they call the “Syrian State,” this claim is nothing but an illusion devoid of any moral or realistic value.

A regime that ruled Syria for decades collapsed in eight days due to the absence of the will to resist, while the two small neighborhoods of Al-Ashrafiyah and Sheikh Maqsoud resisted for six days and continue to resist relentlessly, despite being besieged from four sides since the fall of the regime. This alone proves that any so-called “victory” over such will is nothing but self-mockery.

This people has faced multiple forces, supporting states, and various types of weapons, alongside massive Turkish support through drones, yet it has not surrendered. Its free will is immortal, renewing itself across time and place, affirming that resistance is not a temporary event but a continuous path toward freedom.

Revolutionary greetings!

29.12.25 – 04.01.26

Clashes during an Alawite civilian protests
On December 28, anti-government Alawite fighters launched attacks on government security forces in coastal Syria during an Alawite demonstration. The protest was organized as a response to an attack by the Salafi-jihadi group Saraya Ansar al Sunnah on an Alawite mosque in Homs City. The demonstration demanded federal governance, enhanced state protection for Alawites, an end to sectarian violence, and the release of former detainees arrested after the Assad regime’s collapse in December 2024. The situation escalated when pro-government counter-protestors and government forces intervened. Amid the chaos, anti-government Alawite fighters, hidden among the protesters, opened fire and threw grenades on General Security Service (GSS) forces resulting in one dead and two wounded in the ranks of the GSS. In response, the Syrian Ministry of Defense (MoD) deployed armored units and military police to Latakia and Tartous.
The attackers may have been Alawite insurgents deliberately attempting to provoke a government response. Militants from both the Men of Light (Saraya al Jawad, an Assadist insurgent group) and the Coastal Shield Brigade (which also has significant ties to the Assad regime) attacked security forces during civilian protests in Latakia City.
The presence of Assadist slogans at the demonstrations, along with the nature of the attacks, suggests a degree of support among some protesters for these Alawite insurgent factions and could indicate a nascent support for an insurgent movement aligned with Assadist ideals. The immediate threat posed of these Assadist groups to the Syrian government is currently low, given their limited scale, effectiveness, and organizational structure. However, if given the necessary time and space to recruit and organize, these networks could expand significantly.

Abdullah Ocalan statement on the March 10 agreement
In a statement released on December 30, Abdullah Öcalan claimed that the agreement aims to establish a “democratic political model.” He emphasized that this model would facilitate “democratic integration” into the “central structure,” referring to the SDF’s potential integration within the broader Syrian state.
An Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) official interpreted the term “democratic integration” to mean the continuation of the current “administrative and cognitive situation” in northern and eastern Syria. This interpretation aligns with the vision of a federalized Syria defended by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).

AANES and Syrian government representatives meeting
Mazloum Abdi was expected to travel to Damascus on December 29 to discuss or finalize this military integration agreement; however, his visit was postponed due to “logistical and technical arrangements.” The postponement of Mazloum Abdi’s visit coincides with clashes that erupted in Aleppo between the Asayish and the Ministry of Defense (MoD) forces. In a statement, the Syrian Democratic Council (SDC), emphasized on December 31 that implementing the March 10 Agreement with the Syrian government is a “political priority,” advocating for the drafting of a new constitution that incorporates federalism, a demand the SDF has consistently maintained since the agreement’s signing.
The AANES negotiating team spokerperson indicated on December 30 that AANES and representatives from the Syrian government may meet in the next two weeks to discuss the integration of SDF into the Syrian state.

Continuous developments:
– On December 24 and 25, the Jordanian military carried out airstrikes targeting Captagon production sites, arms caches, and smuggler positions in Suweida Province. The Jordanian military also struck seven sites belonging to the Suweida National Guard’s control. The Suweida National Guard denied that Jordanian airstrikes hit its facilities and accused Bedouins of conducting the cross-border Captagon smuggling.
– On December 30, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) reported that US and partner forces have killed at least seven ISIS fighters and captured about 18 others during operations in Syria between December 20 and 29.
– On December 31, Syrian security forces prevented a suicide vest attack that sought to target New Year’s celebrations in Aleppo City. The attacker likely intended to target the nearby Armenian Church of Forty Martyrs.

22.12.25 – 28.12.25

Fighting between Syrian government forces and the Syrian Democratic Forces in Aleppo City
Clashes erupted on December 22 between the Syrian Ministry of Defense (MoD) and the internal security forces of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in Ashrafiyeh and Sheikh Maqsoud, with both sides using heavy weaponry. Following this, government forces shelled the neighborhoods, resulting in the death of one woman and injuring at least 17 civilians. After hours of fighting, both sides reached an agreement for a ceasefire and a temporary truce. On December 24, the internal security forces of the AANES reported a new violation of the ceasefire by factions linked to the Syrian transitional government.
The SDF and the Syrian government have not yet fully implemented the April 1 agreement.
In the current period of heightened tensions, regional actors opposed to the negotiations between the SDF and the Syrian government may exploit these limited security escalations to advance their own agendas and impose new realities.

Turkish and Syrian officials met in Damascus
Senior officials from Turkey and Syria convened in Damascus on December 22, likely to discuss the SDF’s reaction to the recent government integration proposal. The meeting included Syrian President Ahmed al-Shara, Foreign Minister Asaad Shaibani, Defense Minister Major General Marhaf Abu Qasra, and intelligence chief Hussein Salama, alongside a Turkish delegation comprising Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Defense Minister Yasar Guler, and intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin.
After the meeting, Shaibani announced in a press conference with Fidan that the Syrian government is currently reviewing the SDF’s response to the integration proposal. This arrangement would come with reduced command authority for the SDF and the deployment of other Syrian army units in SDF-controlled areas.

Attack on an Alawite Mosque in Homs City
Saraya Ansar al-Sunnah, an ISIS-aligned Salafi-jihadi group, has claimed responsibility for an improvised explosive device (IED) attack on an Alawite mosque in an Alawite neighborhood of Homs City on December 26. This attack aimed to reignite the Sunni-Alawite sectarian strife that has recently occurred in Homs. The murder of a Sunni Bedouin couple in November 2025 ignited isolated clashes in Western Homs after the killer scrawled sectarian slogans in the couple’s blood on their home’s walls. This incident underscored the fragile state of Sunni-Alawite relations in Homs.
Saraya Ansar al-Sunnah seeks to establish an Islamic State in Syria that excludes Alawites, Druze, Christians, Kurds, and Shia. On December 16, the group carried out a prior IED attack on an Alawite mosque in Homs, resulting in at least eight deaths and 21 injuries. Following this, Saraya Ansar al-Sunnah claimed that the latest attack was conducted “in cooperation” with an undisclosed Salafi-jihadi group. The group had previously threatened a “major” attack on December 16. In their December 26 communications regarding the latest attack, Saraya Ansar al-Sunnah exaggerated the casualty figures, denied any intention to target Sunnis, and expressed a commitment to escalate attacks against minorities to incite fear.
The Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) strongly condemned the bombing on Friday, describing the attack as a grave crime against civilians and social peace.

Continuous developments:
– An Israeli official stated, “The Israeli support for the Druze in southern Syria is carefully calculated, and Israel has no interest in establishing a Druze state there.” The official added that “arms shipments were sent to help the Druze when it was necessary,” stressing that Israel remains “committed to the security of minorities” but does not intend to deploy special forces alongside Druze groups or engage in organizing proxy militias.
– Jordanian authorities announced that the Jordanian Armed Forces are confronting groups involved in smuggling weapons and drugs along the country’s northern border with Syria.
– A video circulated on social media on Wednesday showing students at a secondary school in the western Daraa countryside undergoing weapons training, which has sparked widespread concern among activists and educators, reigniting debate over the militarization of educational institutions in southern Syria.

15.12.25 – 21.12.25

US reaction to jihadist attack
Following the killing of two U.S. soldiers and a civilian interpreter, the US air-force targeted 70 ISIS-affiliated sites in Syria on december 19. The US Defense Secretary stated that the objective of the operation is to dismantle ISIS fighters, infrastructure, and weaponry. Additionally, the US army and their local partner forces conducted 10 operations in Syria and Iraq, resulting in the killing or detention of 23 Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) operatives. US fighter jets, attack helicopters, and rocket artillery engaged multiple suspected ISIS locations throughout central Syria. Instances of airstrikes and explosions were reported in the desert areas of Homs, eastern Raqqa, and western Deir ez-Zor provinces.
In addition, Donald Trump has declared on December 16 that Syria entered the expanded US travel ban list, citing concerns related to security, screening, and information sharing. As a result of this decision, Syrian citizens are prohibited from entering the United States, along with nationals from other countries and holders of travel documents issued by the Palestinian Authority.
The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) expressed their support for the airstrikes. They referred to these actions as a crucial move to undermine ISIS efforts to reorganize and launch new attacks.

New integration proposal
The Syrian government submitted a 13-point proposal aimed at integrating the SDF. According to reports, this proposal involves reorganizing the SDF into three divisions within the Syrian army, deploying additional government forces to northeastern Syria, and placing the SDF under the authority of the Ministry of Defense (MoD).
An SDF delegation will soon be sent to travel to Damascus to discuss several outstanding issues related to military integration, including the status of YPJ units, specific SDF commanders within the MoD, and the internal security forces of the SDF.
Additionally, reports indicated that the Syrian government and SDF agreed to finalize negotiations concerning the military and security dimensions of the March 10 agreement this year. However, discussions on unresolved political issues, such as decentralization and constitutional matters, will be postponed until next year.

Potential change of Turkish position
Turkey may have softened its stance on some elements of the negociations regarding the integration of SDF in the new Syrian army after Thomas Barrack met with the Turkish Foreign Minister, Hakan Fidan on December 16. Fidan had previously demanded that the SDF integrate into the Syrian army as individuals instead of as divisions. Following the Barrack meeting, Fidan reversed his position, stating on December 17 that Turkey would not pursue military action against the SDF and expressed optimism about the integration negotiations.
This new position comes inline with a recent declaration of Mazloum Abdi. The SDF commander declared on December 13 that “neighboring countries” are not “as hostile as before” toward the SDF and that the “SDF’s presence” is no longer an “excuse for war.”

Continuous developments:
– The United Kingdom sanctioned two Syrian army commanders and three Turkish-backed armed factions on December 19 for committing human rights abuses during the Syrian coastal massacres in early March. All of these entities are currently integrated into the Syrian army.
-Transitional Government forces launched an attack on the town of Majdal in the Suweida province countryside using drones and mortars, leading to injuries for two individuals. The Suweida National Defense Forces Command stated that it would respond decisively to any ceasefire violations and attempts to enter the region.
– Transitional Government forces have increased checkpoints and patrols around the Aleppo neighborhoods of Sheikh Maqsud and Ashrafiyeh. The passage of fuel and basic needs into the neighborhoods is not allowed anymore.

Evaluation

This week, we want to highlight an interview with Rohilat Afrin, the General Commander of the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ). In this conversation, she comes back on the history of her structure and shares her perspectives regarding the ongoing negociation between Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the Syrian Transitional Government.
“Today, we [the YPJ] aren’t even fully integrated into the SDF. Of course, when there is a general interest, if this land is under attack, we will work together to serve our people. But otherwise, we have our own command, our own centers, our own institutions, and we organize and educate ourselves within them. In this way, we protect our autonomy. The ones who make decisions and institutional changes in our forces are the Women’s Command. SDF General Command can’t change this. General Mazlum might be the General Commander of the SDF, but he can’t force me to do anything. He can’t make a change in our women’s forces or send me to a different position. Who can do that? The Women’s Command. This means that we protect our autonomy and freedom. Everyone has to know this.”

As underlined in this interview, the women of YPJ are engaged in their struggle for autonomy for more than a decade. It is based on this experience that they today, with a confident voice, defend a strong revolutionary stance… a voice that should not be ignored. We encourage all of you to read this interview accessible on the website of the Kurdish Peace Institute: https://www.kurdishpeace.org/

Revolutionary greetings! 🖤