05.05.25 – 11.05.25

Visit al-Sharaa in France:
Al-Sharaa visited France to have a meeting with Emmanuel Macron. News reported Macron’s proposal to strengthen the cooperation of the new government with SDF in the fight against ISIS. In the press conference after the meeting, The French president congratulated the common efforts of Syria’s transitional government and the Syrian Democratic Forces that resulted in the agreements of the 10th of March, calling it “an important stage in Syria’s history”. Macron called for a continuation of “the gradual lifting of European economic sanctions” if the new Islamist authorities stabilize the country. He added that USA should follow the same path and also should, “as long as possible”, not withdraw American troops from Syria.
Demonstrations organized by Syrian migrants took place in France to denounce the meeting with the former leader of HTS. This meeting happened a week after a declaration from the foreign affairs ministry condemning the massacres perpetuated on the Druze population of Suweida. The declaration urged the Damascus transitional government to take back the control of a situation caused by “outlawed groups”.

New appointment in Damascus forces:
On May 5th (Monday), Damascus transitional government appointed Ahmad al-Hays (Abu Hatem Shaqra) as new leader of the 86th division, responsible of security of the areas of Deir Ezzor, Raqqa and Hasaka. In 2018, he was implicated in the trafficking of Yazidi women and children and in recruiting former ISIS members. He is also responsible of the brutal murder of Hevrin Khalaf in 2019, who was the general secretary of the Future Syrian Party. Ahmad Al-Hayes is on the U.S. sanctions list accused of grave human rights abuses and links to the Islamic State (ISIS). A statement from the DAANES condemned the appointment. Kongra Star, the main structure of the women’s movement in Syria called for accountability, requiring the revocation of Al-Hays appointment and an apology to the family of Hevrin Khalef. On Thursday, the U.S. State Department strongly criticized the transitional Syrian government for this appointment in a press conference.

Continuation of the tensions in Suweida:
The tensions that started last week in the region of Suweida escalated. On thursday, forces connected to the military council of Suweida carried out an ambush on a car of the security forces of Damascus. The escalating violence pushed 300 students to be evacuated out from their university in emergency. Agreements are being made for Security forces of Damascus recently deployed in the area to withdraw, letting local police security forces from Suweida to take care of security. Different groups from the Druze community are calling for restraint and cooperation with Damascus government, while the military council of Suweida seems determined to fight for the defense of the Druze autonomy.

Victory on Tishreen:
The DAANES put an end to the rotations of civilians convoys going to Tirshin to support the SDF forces fighting. In the final statement of the last civilian convoy, victory was declared. The resistance of the dam stopped the attacks of turkish proxy forces, preventing the invasion of Kobane and further war against the DAANES territories. They remembered and thanked all those who gave their life in the defense of the dam, both civilians and military, as well as all those injured in the resistance.
Forces connected to the transitional government continue to be deployed in the surrounding villages, as SDF also continues reinforcing the region. For now, the military conflict is over, but clashes can restart in a near future if the negotiations don’t reach satisfactory agreements for both sides.

PKK 12th congress:
Between the 5th and the 7th of may, PKK held its 12th congress. Proposals and perspectives from Abdullah Ocalan were read and discussed, together with a report of the PKK Central Committee. PKK commemorated the martyrs of the revolution and called on “patriotic people and all democratic socialist forces to properly embrace and live in accordance with all the national and democratic values”. They announced that more details about the the congress will be published in the coming days.

Evaluation:

The resistance in Tishreen declared victory over the attacks of Turkish proxies, concluding almost 4 months of civilian vigil. People from all territories of the DAANES, from Kobane to Deir Ezzor, joined this popular initiative to defend the dam and stop the enemy advance. The combination of military defense and civilian resistance is a clear example of how the revolutionary principles of this revolution are put in practice. It shows the will and determination of the people of North-East Syria, ready to fight to protect their land and defend the achievements of the revolution. It also shows the value of diversity of tactics, how different elements can combine and support each other if they share common revolutionary aims.

The appointment of Abu Hatem Shaqra as leader of the 86th division is bold decision that will have serious implications. The Damascus government making such appointment is an attempt to exercise power and demonstrate authority over North-East Syria, questioning SDF and the inhabitants of North eastern Syria. It is a direct and conscious provocation from a newly born authoritarian regime, that will for sure undermine the already challenging negotiation for integration of SDF in the new Syrian army. Abu Hatem Shaqra’s connection to the turkish secret services is beyond question: he was the commander of a turkish backed group (Ahrar al-Sharqiya) and joined several meetings organized by the MIT during the Afrin war. For turkey, positioning SNA commanders like Abu Hatem Shaqra or Fahim Issa (nominated at the head of the ministry of defense of Syria a month ago) in the higher ranks of the new Syrian Army is a way to ensure influence and to guarantee the alignment of the new Syrian army with Turkish interests. His appointment also questions the US, which has his name on a terrorist list and already made statements condemning such decision.

The visit of al-Sharaa in France may seem a contradictory event, specially when UN and many French politicians opposed such a visit. The French president made special permission for him, allowing the head of the transitional government to visit Europe for the first time. For al-Sharaa, this trip is another step towards legitimacy, probably hoping that other European states will follow the French example, also gathering support for the EU to lift economic sanctions on Syria. The French president emphasized their wish for the Syrian transitional government to strengthen collaboration with SDF, knowing that many international ISIS fighters in NES prisons have French nationality. Discussions about the new Syrian government taking control of ISIS prisons, as Turkey already proposed, necessarily rings the alarms for many countries. Intelligence services all over the world are worried about the future of those experienced salafist militants, especially if the current islamist government takes control of those prisons. Even if we can’t be sure about it, this was probably one of the main reasons that motivated French state to invite al-Shara.

News about the recent congress of PKK are also raising questions about what implications will it have not only for Syria, but for all parts of Kurdistan. As for now not much information is available on what agreements were reached in the congress, but it is expected that official statements will soon be published.

Revolutionary greetings!

28.04.25 – 04.05.25

Clashes in Druze regions
After an audio of a druze sheik insulting prophet Mohamed spread in social networks, extremist sunni groups attacked checkpoints on druze areas, targetings druze self-defense forces as well as checkpoint of the General Security Services (GSS) of the Ministry of Defense. The audio was confirmed fake, but clashes escalated with dozens of deads and many injured. Druze leaders condemned the attacks, some blaming the transitional government and comparing it with the massacres in coastal areas.
Among those killed in clashes there is a leading figure of “men of dignity”, the biggest local druze force, currently in negotiations with the provisional government to integrate forces in the new Syrian army. Several fighters of the GSS were also killed, as more forces were deployed in the region to deter further attacks against druze population. Delegetes of the provisional government held meetings with druze leaders to de-escalate the situation.

Israeli bombing campaign
With the tensions surrounding the clashes on Druze regions, Israel bombed some positions where clashes were taking place. They also launched a wider bombing campaign targeting military positions of the GSS. One of the bombs was dropped a few meters away of the presidential Palace in Damascus. Israel ministery of Defense declared that the bombing was a warning to stop the attacks against Druze population, announcing plans for further attacks and expansion of their military campaign if the provisional government doesn’t protect minorities. Many military positions around Syria were targeted, destroying military infrastructure and injuring military personnel. Some Druze civilians were also killed in one of the bombings of Israel. Many governments strongly condemned the attacks of Israel, including UN delegates, denouncing how Israel interference is threatening the stability of Syria.

Stalling of the negotiations with NES
No new steps were taken in the negotiations after the agreements of March 10 were signed by Mazlum Abdi and Ahmed al-Shara. The damascus government criticized the conference of Kurdish national unity, accusing it of an effort to create division and separatism. Calls of the DAANES for a federal Syria are not being listen to by the central government, that sees the efforts to sustain the self-government structures as a threat to their model of centralized government. GSS forces have been deploying in the suroundings of Tishreen dam, even if no clashes are taking place there since mid April. SDF is also increasing security in the region, building up tensions that can spark future conflicts.

ISIS leader captured in Deir Ezzor
SDF captured a senior leader in the Islamic State (ISIS) in the eastern countryside of Deir ez-Zor, eastern Syria. The continued work to monitor and target high rank ISIS insurgents, with support of the international coalition. The arrested leader served as the head of an ISIS cell focused on extorting money from civilians. A large cache of weapons and ammunition was also captured during the operation.

Turkey building gas pipe in Idlib
The ministeries of energy of Syria and Turkey  announced new agreements to provide energy to Syria. A new gas pipe is being build in Idlib, with promises to supply up to 6 million cubic liters of gas to power plans in Syria, with promises of a second pipe line also being build. A general framework agreement on energy cooperation between Syria and Turkey is expected to be signed soon.

Evaluation:

The clashes in Sweyida and the attacks on druze regions, south of Damascus, are a trigger warning for all minorities in Syria. The recent massacres against Alawites are still very present for many, especially for those who oppose the power grab of al-Shara. Maybe because of that, the central goverment seems to be reacting much faster that they did in the coastal regions, with rapid deployment of security forces to prevent a spiral of violence going out of control.

Kurdish areas are closely following the events, knowing that if this can happen to the Alawites and the Druze, the Kurds may be next. These incidents may affect the negotiations about integration of SDF in the new Syrian army, because if the transitional government can’t prevent attacks on minorities, autonomous means of self-defense are the only way to ensure security. The tensions are also to be noticed in Tishreen dam, where military presence is building up in both sides of the river.

The Israeli attacks are using the incidents in Druze regions as an excuse to promote their agenda, destroying military infrastructure and justifying their armed operations in Syria. Turkey is among the strongest voices against the Israeli attacks, fueling tensions between the two major competing powers for influence in the region.

For someone with a hammer, everything looks like a nail. Syria has been drowning in war for over a decade, with military force being the dominant force that shaped the present. It is not easy to escape that spiral of violence, and even after the regime has fallen, demilitarization of a conflict is a very complicated process.

Looking at the rest of the world, at how many states are racing to increase their military budgets to unseen levels, it is more clear every day that we are moving globally towards war. This is not something we wanted to see, but we also have a responsibility to understand what is happening around us and react to it. We need to be ready for what is comming, and start working today to build the means of resistance that we will need tomorrow. When the war starts, it is often to late, and only those who are ready to face the challenges that arise can bring their proposals on the table.

Revolutionary greetings!

21.04.25 – 27.04.25

Kurdistan Conference
The DAANES and SDF have been strengthening their diplomatic position, meeting with delegations from Germany, France and US. In a major step towards Kurdish political unity, more than 400 delegates from Northern, Southern and Western Kurdistan gathered in Qamişlo for the Rojava Kurdish Unity and Common Stance Conference. The final declaration, read out by Foza Yûsif of PYD and Mihemed Ismail of ENKS affirmed “a shared view and position based on a multi-ethnic, multi-religious, and multicultural identity, committed to international human rights conventions, protecting women’s freedom and rights, ensuring their effective participation in political, social, and military institutions, guaranteeing the constitutional rights of the Kurds, and achieving a fair and comprehensive solution to the Kurdish issue within the framework of a united Syria.”

The following day, the new Syrian regime accused the SDF of violating the terms of the agreement between Mazlûm Abdî and Ahmed al Sharaa, by promoting federalism and establishing a de facto separate reality on the ground, against the spirit of that agreement.

Syrian-International Relations
Representatives of the new Syrian regime continue establishing ties with countries around the world. A shipment of wheat arrived in Latkiya, reportedly of Russian origin, the first shipment since the fall of the Assad regime. Al-Sharaa met with Iraqi government officials, discussing reopening the al Tanf border crossing, securing their border, the possibility of rehabilitating the Iraq-Syria oil pipeline to Syrian ports on the Mediterranean, and trade. Trucks began delivering grain to Syria from Iraq this week. South Korea & the Yemeni government will open embassies with Syria (a reversal of former Assad regime’s ties with North Korea and Houthi rebels, who ran the Yemeni embassy in Damascus under Assad). Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani raised new Syrian flag at the UN in New York. The IMF is discussing how they will “help” Syria to recover economically.

UK removed several sanctions on Syria, including Defense and Interior Ministries, following other EU and US sanctions which have been removed, but many sanctions remain in place. The US have issued 8 demands to the Al Sharaa regime in order to waive further sanctions for 2 years, including a public ban on any Palestinian political activity, proscribing the Iranian IRGC as a terrorist organisation, and allowing unilateral US military action on Syrian territory. Perhaps in a gesture towards these demands, the regime arrested 2 leaders of al Quds Brigades, the military wing of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad Movement. However, the Syrian regime expressed disagreement over these demands as infringing on Syrian sovereignty.

Syrian Government Consolidating State Amidst Opposition Forces
In the coastal region, an Alawite force has been created under Rami Makhlouf, cousin of former dictator Bashar al-Assad; they claim to be only for protecting the people and call for international forces, especially Russia, to support them. Meanwhile a new Sunni-Jihadist group, Saraya Ansar al Sunnah, ideologically very close to IS, began carrying out killings of Alawites allegedly connected to the old regime. They do not accept the transitional government and are open to collaboration with IS; they also say they will attack the Druze in the south. In Der ez Zor countryside, attacks against SDF continue; ISIS has claimed several in the past 2 weeks, though not all.

Against this, and the fragile truces negotiated with SNA and SDF, the new regime is seeking to extend its presence throughout the country. The Interior Ministry seized a large shipment of weapons allegedly bound for Suweyda, amid operations seeking to crack down on weapon proliferation in the Druze south. In Aleppo governorate, a former commander of al Nusra Front, Abdul Rahman Salama, was appointed deputy supervisor of Afrin, Azaz, al Bab, Jarablus and Manbij, as part of the provinces plan to intensify administrative presence in the area.

Commemoration of 1915 Armenian Genocide
This week marked 110 years since the beginning of the Genocide of the Armenians in the Ottoman Empire, which went on to target Syriacs, Assyrians and Chaldeans. In the forced displacement, during which around 1.5 million Armenians and up to 500,000 Syriacs, Assyrians and Chaldeans were killed, almost all of the Armenians of modern-day Turkey were force-marched hundreds of kilometers to the deserts of Syria. Many Armenians in Syria are descendents of those surivivors. Commemorations of the genocide were held in different towns and cities in North-East Syria, where the actions of modern-day Turkey in Syria and Artsakh were condemned as a continuation of the genocidal policies of the Ottoman Empire.

Reflections

The complicated tangle of overlapping interests in Syria and the region are continuing to change, as various states and bodies seek to press their advantage after the fall of Assad. The new regime in Syria is seeking to consolidate its position, amid the contradictory demands of states near and far. Iran is trying to salvage some of their tattered influence in Syria and Lebanon, but are under great pressure from the US, who simultaneously make heavy demands and not-so-discreetly threaten war. Israel is trying to prevent the emergence of a strong Syria, or the growth of Turkish influence. Turkey is trying to reach its fingers into every aspect of the newly emerging state.

The US is trying to mediate the conflicting interests of Turkey and Israel, aiming to avoid open conflict between them, while seeking to find an arrangement of the new Syria that suits them. The US seems to be supporting a large role for Turkey in the rebuilding of Syria, while trying to ease Israel’s concerns about their perceived threats. This is reflected in the Americans’ demands of the Syrian regime in exchange for sanctions relief, notably in the banning of all Palestinian factions in the country. While the new government sees this as an infringement on Syrian sovereignty, their arrest of Palestinian militia leaders suggests an amount of willingness to accomodate these demands.

In the face of all of this, al Sharaa is seeking new relations with many countries around the world, trying to get support from anyone who will give it. Their vision of sovereignty is heavily based on a strongly centralized model, and for all their claims that the new Syria will guarantee the rights of all citizens, regardless of ethnicity or confession, we know that the strongest guarantees of the rights and existence of any community are their autonomy and capacity for self-defense. The presence of DAANES and SDF at the negotiation tables today gives proof to that truth, as it is only through their assertion through self-defense and self-organization that they forced other parties to acknowledge the peoples of North East Syria and engage with them.

Of course, it is a well known tactic of imperial powers to divide their targets, to use minorities in order to divide and weaken a country, making it susceptible to their influence and aggression. Various countries in the region see a partition of Syria to their benefit, and are doing what they can to that end. The proposals of SDF and the Kurdish Liberation Movement in NES represent an alternative to such divisive tactics of imperialists and aggressors.

A truly pluralistic and confederal Syria, wherein each people takes its place with its own colour in a confederal unity, offers a hopeful path. It can bring an end to the sectarian strife so often fueled and weaponized by those powers who see in Syria only pawns for their geopolitical games and resources to plunder. It remains to be seen if al Jolani’s new regime will recognize the truth of this, or will sacrifice the Syrian peoples to foreign interests in order to secure his power.

Revolutionary greetings!

07.04.25 – 13.04.25

Further meetings between SDF and the Damascus administration
Following the 8 article agreement that was made on March 10 a second meeting was held between the two parts on April 12 to discuss it’s progress, this time in Hesekê. The efforts to reduce tensions in Syria and end current conflicts were centered in the meeting, with the importance of protecting Tishrin Dam from military attacks as a priority. It was symbolized through a joint visit to the dam by other delegates on the same day. In addition a proposal was made to establish a committee ensuring the return of displaced people.

Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyah developments
The transfer of control over checkpoints in Aleppo is now underway, according to the agreement signed on April 1 between the General Council of Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyah neighborhoods and the Damascus administration. Transportation routes that were closed for four months have now reopened, and barriers have been removed through collaboration between local authorities. Suraqa Emorî, a representative from the General Security Authority of the Damascus government, stated that efforts to release detainees will begin following the removal of barriers and the reconstruction of checkpoints. This serves as an ongoing attempt to move from negotiations to addressing previous and existing tensions, and as of now Suraqa reports “…the process of releasing detainees from both sides is ongoing without interruption and is expected to be completed soon”.

Talks between Israel and Turkey
After the tensions last week both Turkey and Israel have met in Azerbaijan to discuss de-escalation of the situation in Syria. Talks concerned rules of non-engagement and to this day the topic is not concluded. This took place while Netanyahu was at the White House meeting with Trump, who in turn talked about his good relations with Turkey and how he “congratulated Ergodan for taking over Syria”.

USAID resumed for limited food programmes
While trying to push the envelope for how quickly one can hollow out US agencies (and consolidate power to loyalists) Trumps’ administration is now facing some hard limits and successful pushback. One result has been the reinstatement of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) food programmes for almost all countries previously receiving it. This happened due to the World Food Programme (WFP) warning that the cuts could “amount to a death sentence for millions of people facing extreme hunger and starvation.” Syria is among the countries whose aid is restored, while Afghanistan and Yemen remain excluded due to “concerns of benefiting terrorist groups.”

Afrin transition
The withdrawal of SNA forces from the territories of Afrin continues. The mercenaries are being replaced by the HTS, the new Syrian Army, and the SNA roadblocks are disappearing. Kurdish families who fled the Turkish invasion have started to return to the region.
In place of Ghazi Entebbe, al-Sharaa appointed Masoud Betal, who is Kurdish but not affiliated with the SDF, as head of the region.
The situation in Afrin remained critically difficult for the Kurdish population even after the fall of the regime. The region was overrun by SNA fighters, the Kurdish population was subjected to violence and killings, and cultural heritage was destroyed. The consequences of seven years of occupation by Turkey and its mercenaries and the forced resettlement of the Arab population from Turkey into Afrin cannot be undone in a few months. Nevertheless, the first steps towards the implementation of the 10 March agreements are taking place.

Barzani’s Kurdish Women’s Forum
On 13 April, the first Kurdish Women’s Forum opened in Erbil. Masoud Barzani spoke at the opening about the importance of women in the history of Iraqi Kurdistan.

The conference will address critical issues through five main themes:

Government and Parliament – Enhancing women’s representation and policy influence.
Party Organization – Strengthening women’s roles within KDP structures.
Elections and Regional Presidency – Ensuring fair participation in leadership roles.
Kurdistan Women’s Union – Expanding advocacy and support networks.
Social Media – Leveraging digital platforms for awareness and engagement.

Resolutions are to be implemented under Barzani’s supervision.

Damascus Appoints Former Pro-Turkish Commander as Deputy Defense Minister
On Saturday, the defense ministry announced several new appointments in the new Syrian Army, among them a new deputy for the Defense Minister: Fahim Issa. He is the former commander of the Turkish-backed Sultan Murad Division that operated under the SNA. Those appointments follow a trend of incorporation of past opposition figures into the ranks of the new Syrian Army. It is still unclear if it will result in factionalism or in the neutralization of those past-opposition figures.
SDF did not issue any statements about the new appointments.

# Reflections

We started writing these updates four months ago in anticipation of the regime’s downfall. Those were very eventful days and they brought with them a redistribution of forces in the region, heightened conflicts, uncertainty and hope. But, as is usually the case in the volatile world of fast information, the situation in Syria fades into the background amid other, sometimes more colourful and dramatic, world events. In this sense, working within the media landscape is always quite contradictory: stabilising the situation does not play into the hands of the main goal of the media – to draw attention to the problem. As a reader of these updates, this we’re sure is not an unfamiliar dynamic.

And yet stabilisation is imaginary. Syria is still a bone of contention between Turkey and Israel, who each have their own interests and defend them in different ways, but with the same outcome: destruction of infrastructure and loss of life – but still with tacit or loud encouragement from Western countries. Northeast Syria has to balance on the thin rope of diplomacy to move forward with its revolutionary goals.

The 10 March agreements are constantly called into question by the contradictions that characterise the HTS government: yes, we are now talking about Afrin passing into the hands of the new Syrian government and even have a Kurdish representative in the governor’s office. But what does this mean in the context of the composition of the new Syrian government, which is notorious for including representatives with Turkish citizenship or years of residence in Turkey?

When the hot phase of any physical conflict subsides, it’s easy to lose sight of reality and become entangled in endless diplomatic intricacies. Yet life on the ground continues, and no situation is ever truly final. While it would be misleading to suggest that everything is just beginning, given that the groundwork was laid centuries ago, a new round of tensions is certainly on the horizon. Whether the next hotspot erupts between Turkey and Israel, the US and Iran, amid a further transformation within HTS, or from an entirely unforeseen threat remains uncertain. What is clear is that, sooner or later, we will find ourselves drawn back into the heart of conflict.

Beneath these recurring crises lie the long-term challenges of rival empires vying for influence over Syria and the persistent upheavals spawned by the crisis of capitalism. However, recognizing these complex truths is also an opportunity: by understanding the past and the systemic roots of our current challenges, we empower ourselves to work toward transformative change. Every era of hardship has spurred new movements and ideas and more importantly; an ability to see and find each other. Not by ignoring the systems of oppression but by linking arms to challenge it.
Rather than resigning to an inescapable cycle, let us choose to engage, dream, and collaborate on building a more just and liveable future. History shows that even in the darkest times the seeds of life are sown. And while each generation has had their version of what felt like the end, our task now as always is to nurture them, together.

Revolutionary greetings! 🖤

01.04.25 – 06.04.25

Israel attacks and tensions with Turkey
Israeli troops in southern Syria were met with resistance when some armed individuals confronted their advances with light weapons. After a brief exchange of fire IDF soldiers withdrew from the area, hitting back with artillery shells and airstrikes leaving at least 9 dead. Several Israeli airstrikes hit locations in Damascus, Hama and Homs, where Turkey aimed to build a military air base. Israeli state sources said the attacks are a warning against Turkish expansion in Syria, referring to reported Turkish plans to take control of Tiyas airbase in Homs countryside with a view to deploy air defense batteries and drones. Turkish official channels strongly denounced the Israeli attacks, but also stated that Turkey has no intentions to escalate conflict and risk war with Israel. Thousands of Syrians from Daraa gathered at the funeral of those killed by Israeli airstrikes and elsewhere protests were held to denounce the Israeli aggression.

Agreement on YPG and YPJ withdrawal from Aleppo
Following agreements between the provisional government and SDF, negotiations to normalize the situation in the Kurdish neighborhoods of Aleppo became the first visible step of the military reorganization of Northern Syria. A convoy of hundreds of fighters left the historic Kurdish neighborhoods of Şêx Meqsûd and Eşrefiyê, waving YPG and YPJ flags, escorted by forces of the Ministry of Defense. The convoy moved to Tabqa and other areas under control of SDF. The negotiations included exchange of prisoners, with around 100 prisoners from each side already transferred. Political agreements include certain autonomy of the local political institutions and organizations, as well as representation in the political organs of the region. Military forces connected with the Ministry of Defense will have presence in the area, but local Kurdish security forces (Asayish) will remain in the neighborhoods to ensure protection of the population, with agreements to integrate them in the security and police institutions of Aleppo in the future. Local structures will persist until a permanent solution is reached within the ongoing negotiations for all north-east Syria and freedom of movement in the city will be ensured for all residents. Observers suggest that the Aleppo Agreement could serve as a template for similar understandings in other contested regions of Syria, particularly where different military and political actors maintain overlapping spheres of control.

Assyrian new year and declarations against the new constitution
The Assyrian new year – Akito – was celebrated all along northern Syria on the first of April, with Assyrians, Syriacs and Chaldeans gathering to dance and celebrate. The Assyrian community also made clear at those events that they are not sufficiently represented in the new Syrian state, with declarations and statements denouncing the lack of diversity and inclusivity in the new constitution. Major Assyrian cultural organizations believe minorities are under threat due to the salafist ideology underlying the new government.

Celebrations for Ocalan’s birthday and the foundation of YPJ
On April 4th many people celebrated the birthday of Abdullah Ocalan. In Rojava it is common to organize reforestation events, planting trees to restore forests and celebrate nature. This is also the day that YPJ was founded, marking 13 years of struggle in defense of the people of north-east Syria and against patriarchy. YPJ organized events highlighting the importance of women resistance and struggle and the value of Ocalan’s ideas in the revolution of north-east Syria. In Bakur, northern Kurdistan, people marched to Amara village, the birth place of Ocalan. On their arrival to Amara village they called for the Turkish state to act following the message of Ocalan and take steps towards democratization and engagement with the Kurdish political question.

Rehabilitation works in Tishrin Dam
Technical teams have begun maintenance and repair operations at Tishrin Dam, paving the way for the restoration of its services and electricity generation. The dam has been a strategic point in the clashes between SDF and SNA Turkish proxies, suffering critical damage from Turkish bombs and attacks against SDF. As the military conflict slows down and negotiations advance, the rehabilitation of such critical infrastructure is a major step that can help provide electricity to the Syrian people. Clashes between Turkish proxies and SDF are not totally halted, but such initiative may suggest that agreements can make way for restoring Syria energy capacity. This would not have been possible without the efforts and sacrifices of the many civilian convoys that kept vigil on Tishrin dam, preventing further damage to it by Turkish attacks. The vigil goes on after several months of uninterrupted presence, keeping watch on the dam and supporting the resistance of SDF against Turkish attacks.

—————

[Extra info: raw bulletpoints on the Aleppo agreements]

The local self-administration agreed with the Syrian state on matters of security and stability. Points of agreement:
– Recognition and Protection – Şêx Meqsûd und Eşrefiyê officially as Neighbourhoods of Aleppo repecting and protecting their particular cultural, social and political identity
– Self-administration and coordination
– Inner Security – Asayish stay and will collaborate with Syrian interior ministry
– Disarmarment and Troop Movement – all armed forces of SDF will go south of Euphrates (implementation started already, convoi travelled)
– Demilitarisation of Public Space
– Security Centres installed
– Freedom of Movement – for the inhabitants of the neighbourhoods for travels in and outside of Aleppo
– Education System – so far no changes until DAANES will make a further decision
– Coordination between Regions – by special committee
– Civil Services – civil insitituions will work alongside of and equal to those in rest of Aleppo
– Representation in Public Institutions – full and fair acess to representation for inhabitants
– Prisoner Exchange – Complete prisoner exchange based on principle of mutuality
– Persistence of Local Structures – until a permanent solution

24.03.25 – 31.03.25

Renewed clashes with Turkish proxies
Turkish attacks against SDF continued. The intensity of Turksih attacks decreased since the beginning of March, as negotiations about a ceasefire took place and negotiations for the integration of SDF in the new Syrian army developed. Nevertheless, new attacks in the west bank of the Euphrates river from SNA Turkish proxies this last week, proved that the end of hostilities is not yet a reality. SDF also published footage of three new Turkish military bases being build in Manbij countryside, with videos of alleged Turkish military convoys that include armored vehicles and advanced military equipment such as radars, circulating at night in areas under control of Turkish proxy forces. Rumors about direct negotiations between AKP (Turkish ruling party) and SDF circulate on social networks together with speculations about steps for peace talks between Turkish state and PKK, but until now there are no official announcements in such direction.

Formation of the “Syrian Equal Citizenship Alliance” or “Tamasuk”
In reaction to the provisional constitution that the transitional government recently presented, an alliance of more than 30 diverse political parties and civil society organized groups was formed. The main aim of this alliance, including the Syrian Democratic Council (SDC) and other Kurdish, Christian, and Druze-affiliated groups, is to demand a new Syrian constitution that respects the diversity of Syria as well as promoting a decentralized and democratic Syrian State. The alliance founding statement present itself not as direct opposition to the government but working towards a unified Syria, willing to engage with all political forces, including the government of al-Sharaa.

New appointed fatwa supreme council and renewed transitional government
On Friday March 28 al-Sharaa appointed 15 members to the newly formed supreme Fatwa council. The council will oversee religious rulings on critical issues and will be lead by Osama al-Rifai, who have close connections with Turkish president Erdogan and the Muslim Brotherhood. Al-Rifai was appointed as Grand Mufti of Syria in 2021 and have been a prominent Islamic scholar in the opposition to al-Assad regime. Several notable HTS-affiliated scholars, including Sheikh Abdul Rahim Atun, former HTS-backed Supreme Fatwa Council member Anas Ayrut, and new Minister of Justice Mazhar al Wais, also sit on the new council.
On Saturday March 29 al-Sharaa also announced the list of the ministers of the new transitional government. HTS loyalists and other men close to al-Sharaa keep their positions in key cabinets, with some new names of technocrats that join the government in less critical ministries. The government remains therefore arab, suni and HTS dominated, including some tokenized members from ethnic minority groups. The Syrian Democratic Council (SDC, political body aligned with the DAANES) made a statement denouncing this new government as a continuation of the exclusion politics of the Syrian State, declaring that the DAANES have no obligation to implement the decisions of such government and that it will continue working for a democratic Syria.

First Kurdish Women’s Conference in North-East Syria
The inaugural Kurdish Women’s Conference was held in North-East Syria on March 23rd, aimed at amplifying the voices of Kurdish women within the evolving Syrian society and fostering a path toward a unified, democratic future. Approximately 300 delegates are participating, including representatives from political parties, intellectuals, authors, artists, journalists, and women from diverse organizations and movements. The conference features representatives from the women’s committees of the Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (DAANES) as well as from Aleppo and Damascus. Among the topics was the importance of the continuation of YPJ and womens self-defense as well as rejecting the Damascus constitution. Suad Mistefa, mother of Martyr Hevrin Xelef, said that women cannot be deceived by this constitution and that the slogan “Jin, Jiyan, Azadi” will always win.

International sehids memorial
On March 24 a commemoration for international sehids took place in Qamsihlo, gathering dozens of internationals to remember the struggle of our internationalist fallen comrades. March 24 is the date that Elefteria Fortulakis, a woman from Greece, burned herself in 2006 to protest for the imprisonment of Abdullak Ocalan. It was the 5th year this commemoration took place in Rojava, with delegates from “families for peace” from Germany as well as other groups and organizations. The event also hosted the screening of the movie “Legerin – In search of Alina”, exploring the life of sehid Legerin, a doctor from Argentina who joined the guerilla in the Kurdish mountains and lost her life in a car accident in Rojava in 2017.

Eid celebrations
At the end of March, closing the Ramadan, the celebrations of Eid become an important event in all Muslim world. In Syria eid started on March 31st, and for 3 days families will be visiting relatives and friends, eating sweets and strengthening social bonds. Political organizations also celebrate eid visiting each other and building diplomatic relations. The new transitional government made a televised prayer all together from the presidential palace.

# Some thoughts, not really analysis

The celebrations of eid are an important reminder of the value of social bonds in this society, with kurdish and arab mothers and grandmothers spreading sweets and candies among kids on the streets. Every receiving guests and going to visiting their relatives and neighbors for three days. It also comes with the arrival of the spring, as well as the recent celebrations of newroz dancing around the fire. It also come together with the celebrations of Akito, the Assyrian new year, making a very lively days and cheerful days. News of agreements and peace talks combine good with the atmosphere of this festivity, combining well with hopes of peaceful times and the end of bloodshed in Syria.

For us it’s also an important time to join the local rhythm of this society, to visit friends and neighbors and receive the guests that come to visit us, putting in practice the lessons of hospitality and cultural fluency we learned over the years living and taking part of this revolutionary society. And yes, it’s true that there is a religious component in these celebrations, as Christmas does in christian countries, but we also learned to not focus on that aspect and to value these days for the human and social aspect they bring. Social relations are the key to sustain the networks of mutual aid that are foundational in our anarchist values, and every opportunity to strengthen these bonds of friendship and solidarity should be cherished and celebrated.

Revolutionary greetings!