21-12-24

# NES

– Turkish backed mercenaries (SNA) launched another fierce attack in the vicinity of the Tishreen Dam this morning, using heavy weaponry, armored vehicles and tanks. SDF forces repelled the attack, eliminating 35 mercenaries and destroying one tank and two armored vehicles.

– An attack by SNA fighters in Hamid, on the M4 front lines in the region of Ain Issa, was repelled by SDF forces.

– A Turkish drone attacked a civilian car south of Tel Brak in the Hasakah province, killing three civilians: a woman of HPC (community self defense), a member of the Council of Tel Brak and a religious figure.

– Turkish drones have targeted the wheat silos in Sarin, resulting in significant damage and destruction.

# Syria

– Israel arrested two protesters in their newly occupied zone in southern Syria

– The Syrian Women council made a press conferance in Hasakah to share the statement they released in different languages.

# Foreign policy

– Two U.S. senators introduced a bipartisan bill aimed at imposing sanctions on Turkey. The “Countering Turkish Aggression Act” is designed to prevent further Turkish attacks on the SDF, which they warn could lead to a resurgence of ISIS and pose a direct threat to U.S. national security and global stability.

– Colombian President Petro said in a social media post: “In present-day Syria, a free Kurdish journalist has been killed. I call on the leaders of Russia, Iran, Turkey, Israel, and the United States to stop dividing Syria. This division is heading towards a new genocide — the genocide of the Kurdish people.”

# International solidarity

– Kurdish youth carried out a civil disobedience action in a Paris airport against the attacks by the Turkish state and its affiliated SNA gangs against NES. The police took the protesters into custody.

# Anaysis

Today we will also give space for the women’s village of Jinwar, that sent a letter that adresses Europe:

“The EU is already discussing deporting people back to Syria and is talking about a new beginning in Syria, while people are forced to flee their homes here every day. Turkey attacks everywhere. There is no safe place for people. Sleeping places, food, medicine for the displaced are scarce. It is hardly possible to offer people security.
But the women here are determined. Determined to fight for the children to learn in their own language and grow up with the values ​​of democracy and freedom of women. Determined to counter violence and death by building something beautiful that is full of life. ”

Revolutionary greetings!

20-12-24

# NES

– Kurdish Journalists Cihan Bilgin (ANHA) and Nazin Dashtan (ANF) were killed yesterday in a drone strike after they filmed the effects of the Turkish attacks on the Tishreen Dam.

– Cihan was a journalist for over 8 years. She covered the liberation of Raqqa, bringing attention to the extraordinary struggle of the SDF and the women of YPJ. She was deeply engaged with the philosophy of women’s liberation.

– Nazim was among the first journalists to document the resistance of Kobane in 2014. He reported on the brutality and oppression of the Turkish state. He was a very kind-hearted person, and always ready to support the work of international journalists.

– SNA groups launched an offensive in Qereqozah bridge, with heavy weapons and support of Turkish drones. After fierce clashes, the offensive was been repeled by the Manbij Military Council and other SDF forces.

# Syria

– On Dec. 19, U.S. Central Command Forces conducted a precision airstrike targeting ISIS leader Abu Yusif aka Mahmud in the Deir ez-Zor Province, killing him and another ISIS operative.

– Former SAA soldiers who fled to Iraq during the fall of the regime had been handed out to new Syrian authorities (HTS) as captives.

– Allegedly, former SAA soldiers in Latakia ambushed a group of HTS fighters in Masyaf, inflicting several casualties. Remnants of Assad’s army have vowed to continue fighting in the west coast region of Syria, and are threatening to arm “popular organisations”. Local groups are taking up weapons to defend demselves from the constant attacks they received from HTS and SNA groups.

– In the western countriside of Daraa, several protests had been taking place against the new israely occupation. In the village Ma’riya IDF opened fire killing one protestor.

# Foreign politics

– Iraq FM called with british FM to inform that ISIS is reorganizing its ranks, expanding control in several areas over Syria and Iraq with seized weapons from syrian army depots that were temporarily abandoned with the collapse of the regime.

– British media said on Thursday that counter-terrorism police in the UK are on high alert for the potential return of British supporters of the Islamic State (ISIS) following their potential release from prisons in Syria.

– Pentagon Press Secretary P.Ryder told reporters that there were in fact 2,000 US troops in Syria, not 900 as previously reported, adding that “these additional forces are considered temporary rotational forces that deploy to meet shifting mission deployments.”

– Turkish police have arrested ten Kurdish Journalists in Van for protesting against the martyrdom of their two colleagues. This follows a long list of arrests that started at the end of November, right before the offensive of HTS started. Dozens of polititians, protesters and journalists, including elected kurdish municipal mayors had been arrested.

– EU diplomatic envoy met with HTS in Damascus to discuss the agreements of the Aqaba conferance, giving support for an inclusive Syrian led political process that results in representative government, which respects the rights of all Syrians. He expressed cautious willingness to support rebuilding of Syria.

– Germanys FM A.Baerbock, who started her office with promising “a feminist foreign policy” and 3 days ago talked about Kobane as a symbol of resistance for kurds, today stated “The Kurdish groups must be disarmed and integrated into the national security structure”.

– US department of Justice removed the page stating a $10 milion reward for information on Syrian islamist leader Ahmed Al-Sharaa (al-Jolani).

# International Solidarity

– The International Federation of Journalists condemned the targeting of Cihan Bilgin and Nazim Dastan by Turkey, and demanded that those responsible for targeting journalists in war zones be held accountable.

– The Coalition for Women in Journalism issues a statement condemning the Turkish drone strike that killed two journalists yesterday: https://www.womeninjournalism.org/alerts/syria-turkish-drone-strike-kills-kurdish-journalsts-jihan-belki-and-nazim-dashdam

# Analysis

The assassination of two Kurdish journalists is a painful reminder of how news and information is a weapon of war.

We are seeing elaborate schemes in social networks, where fake information and fabricated war headlines are propagated, distorting reality and creating confusion about the situation on the ground. This is part of psychological warfare, another form of waging war employed by our enemies. This broadcast channel is partly an answer to it. We know that war has many sides, and that we need to give collective answers to all of them, building mechanisms of self-defense against all kinds of attacks. We also see attacks against health workers, with an ambulance that was transporting injured recently being targeted in the Kobane region. These kinds of attacks are not just attacks against civilians, are attacks against basic ethical standards.

Western powers like to claim a moral high ground, talking about democracy and human rights. Turkey is a NATO member that has been spitting on any basic ethical standards, and still got a new bribe of 1 billion E in the form of aid to control refugees. HTS was on the terrorist lists for its links with Al-Qaeda. But now, climbing the ladder to the top of a Nation-State, that is not relevant for the other heads of State anymore. As it already happened with the Taliban.

It deeply reflects how States are born, with brutal and murderous gangs fighting and killing, until one big man manages to establish himself as president, as king, or even as god. And then the other big men around him applaude and congratulate his ascend. After that, maybe they put some make-up and rewrite the history here and there, to make sure it suits whatever is the current trend in present literature. And, voila! A new goverment is born.

It is also pathetic to see Turkey and Israel building tensions, accusing each other of the same crimes they are committing themselves. Especially when their military intelligence agencies collaborate and negotiate the occupation and partition of Syria behind the cameras.

“The Truth will not remain captive in the darkness”
— Nazim Dashtan

Comrade Nazim, comrade Cihan, all the brave fighters defending this revolution:
Rest in Power!

Revolutionary greetings!

19-12-24

# Syria

– Big demonstration on Damascus with special participation of many women in reaction to misogin declarations from members of the provisional government. The protesters chanted slogans such as “Free Civil Syria” and “We want democracy, not theocracy,” holding placards that read “Towards a State of Law and Citizenship” and “No Free Homeland without Free Women.”

#NES

– Big demonstration in Qamishlo (with usual participation on many woman) against the turkish ocupation. The “independance” flags were present, waving next to SDF flags. The protestors chanted slogans such as “No to the occupation,” “SDF is our strength,” “Long live the brotherhood of peoples,” “Long live the unity of Kurds, Arabs, and Syriacs,” and “Our resistance guarantees our freedom.”

## Eufrates Region

– Violent clashes on the outskirts of Kobane region during last night. Turkish proxy forces continued gatharing troops arround Qereqozah Bridge and Tishreen dam.

– Turkey is building defense lines and deploying heavy weapons in the Turkey-Syria border next ot the city of Kobane, while simultaneously building a border wall around the occupied territories. Communication over phone and internet was blocked in Kobane region.

– After an ISIS attack near Raqqa, the SDF antiterror units performed a sweep ov several villages in the area to maintain security and stability.

– After ISIS attack, SDF carrried out raids on the outskirts of Raqqa.

# Foreign politics

– FM of Turkey Hakan Fidan gave an interview to al-Jazeera saying that they expect the Syrian goverment to crack down on the “terrorists of YPG”. “If our concerns are eliminated, we have no reason to intervene or remain in Syria”. He criticised the US for supporting “SDF terrorists” and Israel for occupying syrian territory.

– Russian president V.Putin said: “We need to solve the kurdish problem… Turkey has a problem with the PKK for decades. After the First World War the Kurds were promised their own state, but they were deceived.”

– Former french president Hollande says “I cannot tolerate the abandonment of the Kurds. I am calling on France and the International Coalition to protect the Syrian Kurds.”

# International Solidarity

– Internationalists interrupted the EU Parliament session to denounce Turkey’s assault on Rojava and call for the freedom of Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan

– Brasilian activists gathered infront of the turkish embassy in Brasil to protest the agressions against Rojava/ NES

Revolutionary greetings!

18-12-24

# NES Updates

– SNA violates the ceasefire by launching attacks in several locations south of Kobani, Qaraqozah bridge and Tishreen dam, despite the US-brokered ceasefire agreement. SDF successfully repelled the attack, inflicting heavy loses to SNA.

– SDF successfully shot down another Turkish “Bayrakdar TB2” drone in the vicinity of the Qaraqozah bridge and destroyed a mobile radar system of the Turkish army near the Tishreen dam.

– Turkish occupation drones bombed a broadcast station for Radio Kobani FM south of Kobani. All equipment was burned and the station damaged.

– ISIS attack on university checkpoint in Al-Kasrat killing two Asayish forces yesterday evening. Two further Asayish and one civilian were wounded.

– the Syrian Federation for Human Rights and 98 Syrian human rights organizations issued a statement condemning the attacks of the Turkish occupation. The statement warned about the danger of return of ISIS under new names and included a list of demands: https://hawarnews.com/en/turkeys-crimes-threaten-civil-peace-and-restore-specter-of-isis

# Syria

– Local newspaper reports that HTS informed Palestinian organizations in Syria that they are not allowed to have weapons and conduct trainings on Syrian ground anymore.

– HTS is being blamed for having desecrated a christian graveyard and a church in Hama. Tombs of saints and Christian historic personalities from that region were opened, destroyed and desecrated, holy books thrown on the floor.

– Spokesman for the new Syrian government says that women are not qualified for certain government posts and that the hijab will not be forced on “the Christian component or any other component.” Al-Jolani says: “Syria will not be Afghanistan and I believe in educating women”

– An unknown fire broke out at Aleppo International Stadium in Al-Hamdaniya neighborhood in Aleppo city, a short while ago.

– SNA factions are fighting each other in Manbij neighbourhoods over stolen goods. Also in northern Aleppo the SNA group Ahrar al-Sharqiya clashed against SNA military police.

– Since the beginning of the week, 10 civilians were killed by landmines left behind.

# Foreign Politics

## In EU

– German Foreign Minister A. Baerbock posted on twitter: “Kobani is a symbol of the brave Kurds’ struggle against ISIS. Spilling more blood is the last thing people should experience after 14 years of war.” She also urged Turkey to stop and maintain the integrity of Syrian territory.

– The parliament of Switzerland officially recognised the yezidi Genocide.

– Representatives of the Catalan government are visiting the DAANES on a diplomatic mission. Catalonia is the first government worldwide to recognise the DAANES.

– French Foreign Minister demands that DAANES is part of the political transition in Syria.

## In US

– U.S. Senators L. Graham (Rep) and C. v. Hollen (Dem): “Turkey must accept the ceasefire and demilitarized zone, or we will draft a bipartisan sanctions list as we did in 2019.”

– US State Department: We are considering sending military personnel to Syria

# International Solidarity

– The Internationalist Commune has issued a call for artists to create revolutionary art in all mediums. The full call can be found at: https://internationalistcommune.com/call-for-revolutionary-art-solidarity-with-rojava/

– 32 NGOs, trade unions and other organisations from Spain sent a letter to the Spanish government in solidarity with the Kurdish people and the DAANES. They list 3 demands: humanitarian assistance, a resolute stand against Turkey and the recognition of the DAANES.

– In Berlin activists squatted the countries biggest news station ZDF, demanding the threats of turkish invasion to become a focus point in german news coverage

# Analysis

The General Commander of YPJ Rohilat Efrîn highlighted the ongoing resistance against foreign occupation and stressed the significance of safeguarding the region’s autonomy and women’s rights. She noted that the Middle East is being redesigned, with paramilitary groups and factions contributing to insecurity. The attacks against women symbolize the broader destabilization of society. The importance of international backing for the region’s self-management system is seen as vital for the Kurdish, Arab, and broader regional populations.

Revolutionary greetings!

17-12-24

# NES Updates

– The ceasefire agreement between Turkey and SDF has been extended through US mediation until the end of this week. US state dep.: “We dont want to see any party take advantage of the current unstable situation to advance their own narrow interests…”
SDFs M.Abdi states: “we announce our readiness to propose the establishment of a demilitarized zone in the city of Kobani, with the redeployment of security forces under American supervision and presence. This initiative aims to address Turkey’s security concerns and ensure lasting stability in the region.”

## Eufrates region

– The forces of Manbij Military Council repelled an attack by the Turkish occupation mercenaries on the Tishreen Dam this afternoon, where fierce clashes lasted more than two hours, during which a number of mercenaries were eliminated, forcing them to flee the area.

– Multiple drone strikes were reported in Ain Issa and Raqqa, while protests against the turkish invasion plans continue in Kobane and Qamishlo.

– Tishreen Dam is non-operational. This means >2 million people are facing severe water shortages. UNICEF, Committee of the Red Cross in Syria and Syrian Red Crescent conduct joint mission to the Dam’s technical management facility for urgent repairs.

## M4 area

– Power station in Til Temir was fixed with support of Russian forces, but was bombed again few hours later as well as other villages of Til Temir front lines.

# Foreign politics

## In EU

– A delegation of the DAANES is in Strasbourg for talks with parties in the European Parliament. The talks are about the latest developments in Syria after the overthow of Assad, the ongoing attacks by Turkey and its proxy force SNA, the increasing threat from the so-called Islamic State and the humanitarian situation on the ground.

– EU Left coalition leader M. Schirdewan has spoken out in the EU Parliament in favor of recognizing the DAANES. “That would be credible European foreign policy.”

– Head of EU parliament U.v.d.Leyen: “The EU-Turkey relationship is important. Our economic relationship is growing stronger every year. And Turkey remains a key partner on migration. An extra €1 billion for 2024 is on its way to support Turkey’s efforts to host Syrian refugees.”

## In US

– The Pentagon says the ISIS prison camp al-Hol presents a significant security concern in the sense that were ISIS able to affect some type of breakout, of any detention facility, that would be a significant setback and something that would be very concerning. Which is why we continue to work very closely with the SDF. (…) the SDF that maintains the facility and the US military provides sort of a — kind of an outer layer of security out there.

# Damascus government

– UN expects 1 mil. refugees to return to Syria within the next year

– More mass graves have been discovered outside Damascus. Estimations say that up to 150.000 prison detainees had been killed, doubling previous estimates.

# Analysis

We can see how EU and US are not concerned with the past of HTS as a branch of Al-Qaeda, accepting their provisional government very fast. At the same time very little support or recognition has been given to NES, even when has been the main force on the ground fighting ISIS. Clearly the deciding factors for western powers are not human rights, ethical values and democracy as they like to claim, their decisions are being guided by anti-refugee sentiments and economical interests on oil and gas.

As right-wing parties take more power in governments, their electoral promises of harder migration laws guide their political programs. Those governments end up supporting authoritarian regimes that promise order and stability, hoping they will keep refugees away from their borders, when its exactly those regimes that force people to flee. There is a long history of western powers, especially US, supporting religious fundamentalist groups over socialist revolutionary forces. This goes against ethnic and religious minorities and especially against women and queers, since religious fundamentalism and patriarchy always go hand in hand.

A German organisation called GfbV (society for threatened peoples) warned:
“The new rulers of Syria are presenting themselves in the media as moderate, but there are already many signs that they are not keeping their promises. (…)
Turkish ruler Erdoğan has already sent his foreign minister to Damascus to torpedo a peaceful solution between HTS and DANNES. Erdoğan’s policy is extremely dangerous. The German government, especially the Federal Foreign Office, must not rely on Erdoğan and the Syrian Islamists if it really wants to create stability and a long-term peace order”

We see that the liberal left seems more aware of the situation, but they are not gonna risk anything to stop it. As it already happened with ISIS, there are threats that won’t be stopped with political diplomacy and economic sanctions. Fascism can have many colors, and it is always in deeply militarized and patriarchal environments where it thrives the best. Religious fundamentalism is therefore a perfect ground for fascism in the Middle East, as islamophobia and racist nationalism is in western territories.

Fascism needs to be stopped before it’s to late. Even if having different colors, authoritarian forces will eventually cooperate to eradicate autonomy and diversity. The mentality of dominant male, imposing their hegemony and dreaming of bigger and bigger nation-states under their rule, is the main threat for any expression of free life. But denouncing it is not enough, we have to take action to make sure their ambitions are prevented. And if not you, who? If not now, when?

One solution. Revolution.

Revolutionary greetings!

16-12-24

# NES updates

– The ceasefire negotiations between SDF and Turkey failed. There are significant military buildups of SNA forces around Kobane, that may indicate an imminent attack. SDF is ensuring commitment to defend the region, having positions around Qereqozah bridge.

– Ambulances and other vehicles that went to evacuate people in Manbij had been prevented to access the city by SNA groups.

– In Tal Rifat, SNA groups called for all men between 18 to 60 years old to leave the city in the next 48 hours. Many people rejected that call and allegedly riots broke out. SNA imposed a curfew, not allowing anyone to leave their homes

– A big demonstration on Kobane against the threat of Turkish invasion happen today. Protests against SNA groups looting and killing also continued in Manbij.

– Turkey continues the bombings of critical infrastructure all around NES. The power station of Til Temir has been attacked again, cutting electricity in all the city.

– Lekolin.org, a research institution of the self-administration, published a file identifying 415 ISIS fighters operating within the ranks of the SNA. Allegedly, it was found in a SNA fighter memory card with instructions for the ISIS fighters to advance to Kobani after capturing Qereqozah bridge.

# Syria political transition

– Ahmed Al-Sharaa (a.k.a. Abu Mohamed al-Jolani) met with Geir Pedersen, special envoy from the UN, discussing about the ongoing process of political transition in Syria. An statement emphasized they work for “inclusive and credible political transition, led and owned by Syria, based on the principles outlined in Security Council Resolution 2254”, and also “the UN’s intention to provide all forms of assistance to the Syrian people”.

– A top diplomat from the EU confirms that sanctions will remain in place for now, due to ongoing concerns over Syria’s political landscape and opposition dynamics.

– Convoys of the Military Operation Administration (linked to the HTS military operation) arrived and deployed in Deir Ezzor city.

– US announced several strikes against ISIS, stating 12 fighters killed and no civilian casualties.

– Israeli warplanes have carried out intense airstrikes targeting multiple sites in the rural areas of Tartus and Latakia, including warehouses and air defense bases.

– Explosions heard in Albukamal area, near the border with Iraq, when an unidentified drone was flying over that region.

# Civil protests and International Solidarity

– Activists of women organizations and other kurdish political organizations are organizing protest camps in both sides of the Syria-Turkey border in the cities of Qamishlo-Nusaybin.

– Activists in Germany have occupied a former turkish embassy building and the famous Brandenburger Tor in Berlin, hanging banners in solidarity with Rojava and lighting fireworks.

– Activists in Vienna installed a “security zone for democracy” in front of the turkish embassy, declaring Turkey responsible for the ongoing escalation in NES and demanding a political solution.

# Analysis

Not much time for sharing analysis on the last days, but we have to remark once again that the risk of an attack on Kobane is very hight. We will follow the situation but internet cuts can also be common if the conflict escalates. Keep updated and #DefendRojava

Revolutionary greetings!

 

—————- Separate update —————–

10 point diplomacy proposal of NES

The Autonomous Administration of NES has proposed 10 points to start a political dialogue with the provisional goverment.

“Cooperation between the governments of NES and Damascus would be to the advantage of everyone in Syria and could help overcome the current difficulties.”

1. First of all, it is important to maintain the unity and sovereignty of the Syrian state and to protect the country from attacks by the Turkish state and its supporters.

2. Military operations on the entire Syrian territory should be ended to start a comprehensive and constructive national dialogue.

3. We appeal to all sides, to refrain from rhetoric of hatred and betrayal to pave the way for a constructive dialogue. Syria is a country that is rich in many ways. This wealth must be preserved, based on justice and democracy.

4. We suggest an early meeting of the Syrian political actor: inside in Damascus to standardize the visions for the transition phase.

5. We would like to work for women to participate even more in the political process than before.

6. We emphasize that resources and economic wealth should be distributed fairly between all Syrian regions, since they belong to all citizens of the Syria.

7. We would like to work to ensure that the original and violently displaced population can return to their areas. It is important to us to preserve their cultural heritage and to end the policies of demographic change.

8. In view of the developments in Syria, we reaffirm our commitment in the fight against terrorism to prevent the return of IS terrorists, through the joint cooperation between SDF and the international anti-IS coalition.

9. We are of the firm believe that the occupation must be ended. The Syrian people must be given the opportunity to determine their future and use the principle of the good neighborhood.

10. We welcome the constructive role of the Arab states, the United Nations, the International Anti-IS coalition and all active international actors and ask everyone to take on a positive and effective role in the advice and support of the Syrian people. And to facilitate the communication between the different population groups in order to ensure stability and security and stop foreign interventions. “