20.01.25 – 26.01.25

# NES

#WeAreTishreen action days
To support resistance in Tishreen Dam, the internationalist commune called for days of action on January 25th and 26th. 10 years ago, on these dates, the city of Kobane was liberated from the attacks of ISIS. Today, the attacks of Turkish forces are still ongoing. For more than 2 weeks civilian convoys have been arriving to maintain a vigil in Tishreen dam. The vigil is continually attacked by drones, with 21 civilians killed and over 200 injured. Important representatives of the autonomous administration of North-East Syria who joined the vigil also got injured in those attacks, as well as some internationalists who also went there to support the resistance.

Int. org.s suspend operations in NES
International organizations providing humanitarian help have suspended their programs in northeastern Syria without providing a timeline for the suspension. This follows an executive order signed by the new U.S. President Donald Trump, which temporarily halts all U.S. foreign aid programs for 90 days. Several international organizations operating in northeastern Syria have informed their staff that program implementation will be paused pending a review by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). The executive order signed by Trump states that all heads of departments and agencies responsible for U.S. foreign development assistance programs must immediately suspend new commitments and the disbursement of development aid funds.

Realese of Syrian families from al-Hol
66 Syrian families currently in the al-Hol camp will be allowed to return to their home. Al-Hol camp hosts families of ISIS fighters, mostly women and children captured during the operations that brought the islamic caliphate to an end. This is the first time that detainees from Syria in al-Hol camp are allowed to leave the camp. Date for return of these families has not yet been disclosed. Talks about return of other Syrian and Iraqi families detained in the camp are on going. This announcement came together with a call to UNHCR and Red Cross to assist the camp administration to ensure the return of those families, as well as a call for the international community to take responsibility for foreign detainees.

 # Syria

HTS moves South and East
The Military Operations forces, linked to the transitional government of HTS, took control of a corridor along the M5 in southern Syria until the city of Daraa and the border with Jordan. This move divided the territory under control of the southern operations room in the Daraa region and the Druze defense forces in Suweyda region. They also sent military forces east of the coast cities, taking control of the oil and gas fields in the region of southern Raqqa. Since the fall of the regime those areas were under control of SDF, that deployed there to prevent ISIS expansion. This transfer of control was coordinated between SDF, HTS and the international coalition, but some media outlets spread false information of clashes between HTS and SDF that SDF denied.

Assad al-Shibani in Davos Forum
The Foreign Minister of Syria’s transitional government, Assad al Shibani, joined the World Economic Forum held yearly in Davos, Switzerland. He met with important political figures, including an interview with Tony Blair and a meeting with Masrour Barzani, PM of the KRG. Shibani called to lift the economical sanctions on Syria. He invited foreign investment to Syria and stated their intentions to privitise state-run companies. Those are clear indicators of their will to apply a neo-liberal economical agenda in exchange for acceptance as legitimate government of Syria. Shibani also called for the SDF to disband, claiming they have no longer justification to exist since his government is promising to protect the rights of kurds and other minorities.

Israel military base in Quneitra
Israel army continue their operations to expand their occupation in southern Syria. Recently they started the construction of military base in Quneitra countryside, southern Syria. In some areas where recently deployed forces of the Military Operations, connected to the transitional government of HTS, videos with both military forces deploying together had been recorded. It is not clear how much this operations are coordinated.

# Analysis

As HTS government consolidates it’s position, asserting their diplomatic influence and expanding their military presence over Syria, their position on the autonomous self-administration starts to be more aggressive. Recent military deployments on the gas and oil fields south of Raqqa were used by some media to calim military advances over SDF, exploiting also ethnic tensions and resentments that may arab nationalists still hold against Kurds. It is not clear how much it was a mistake or disinformation of some media, or how much it was an intentional move to portray the transitional government as strong and decisive against separatism. Assad al-Shibani, FM of the HTS government who recently got his PhD from an Istanbul private university, is calling to disband SDF in the (in)famous World Economic Forum of Davos, while anouncing a full embracement of neoliberal economical agenda for Syria.

Al-Sharaa, ‘de facto’ president of Syria, is also making declarations like “The Kurdish People’s Protection Units alone did not respond to our call to restrict weapons to the authorities”. Those statements dismiss not just the ongoing negotiations with SDF, but also how other armed groups also rejected his calls to reorganize the monopoly of violence under direct control of a centralized state. As SDF makes diplomatic moves to consolidate it’s position and strength in the negotiation table, HTS seems to be more inclined to accelerate tensions towards confrontation, knowing they will have full support of Turkey for any military action against SDF. Turkish state media have a long history of fabricated news, and now already twice they spread false information of alleged car bombs going to Aleppo from SDF areas, indicating their readiness to create excuses to justify attacks on SDF.

Let’s not lie, the situation in NES looks difficult. Still, the resistance in Tishreen is an example of the determination to resist against the invasion, to defend the advances of the revolution. We also remember how 10 years ago, 26th of January of 2015, YPG and YPJ announced the liberation of Kobane from the attacks of ISIS. We should not forget that, because at that time it looked much darker than today. And here we are, the revolution did not just defeat the caliphate, but have been also a key element to the collapse of the regime of Bashar al-Assad. It is also making impossible for Turkey to consolidate it’s imperial aspirations in Syria and in Kurdistan. Revolutions are not the easy way, we know that, but difficulties won’t deter us to pursue our dreams of freedom and liberation.

Revolutionary greetings!

11.01.25 – 19.01.25

Resistance in Tishreen
Turkish proxies of SNA continue their attacks on the outskirts of Tishreen dam and Qereqozah bridge. SDF is resisting the attacks, that take place with support of Turkish artillery and air raids with drones and fighter jets. Turkey is sending new reinforcements to continue their military operations, as SDF continue inflicting heavy blows to the occupation forces, targeting vehicles and advanced military equipment with SDF-produced FPV drones.

Turkey attacks on civilians
For almost two weeks the vigil on Tishreen dam has been ongoing, with civilian convoys arriving from different areas of northern Syria to maintain a protest and protect the dam. Turkish drones attacked the vigil on several occasions, killing already more than 10 people and leaving dozens of injured. Those numbers add to others being killed by Turkish drones all around norther Syria, especially in Kobane countryside. The cities of Derik and Qamishlo were also targeted with drone strikes.

Diplomacy towards kurdih unity
A high delegation of SDF including Mazlum Abdi visited Hewler (Erbil), administrative capital of the KRG (Kurdish regional Government) in Iraq. They met with Masoud Barzani and other hig representatives of KDP, ruling party of the KRG. In that meeting they discussed about the importance of Kurdish unity and negotiations with the provisional government of HTS in Damascus.

EU-Syria Diplomacy
Several foreign ministers of European countries visited Damascus to hold meetings with al-Sharaa, ‘de facto’ leader of the provisional government of Syria. A EU delegate of the crisis management commission also promised €235 million in aid for Syria during her visit in Damascus.

Syria relations with the Arab league
The transitional government of Syria is also reinforcing their relations with the state members of the arab league. After the visit of the Qatar prime minister in Damascus, a common statement condemning the expansion of occupied territories by Israel in southern Syria was made, calling to respect the 1974 agreement.

16-17/Jan/2025

#NES

Meeting Abdi-Barzani
Mazlum Abdi traveled to Hewler (Erbil) with other high commanders of SDF to meet with Masoud Barzani and othe high representatives of KDP. Abdi reported the meeting went good, and they discussed about the importance of Kurdish unity for peace in Syria and dialog with the transitional government of Damascus.

Resistance in Tishreen
Turkish continue bombing the civilian resistance in Tishreen. For 10 days people from several regions of northern Syria have been arriving to hold a vigil to protect the dam.

Turkish air attacks
Together with the intense attacks on Tishreen, Turkey also continued air attacks in southern Kobane and Ain Issa. A drone strike also hit the western neighborhood
of Qamishlo twice.

# Syria

Qatar PM visit Damascus
Qatar PM al-Thani visited Damascus, he made a common declaration with al-Sharaa condemning the advances of Israel in the “buffer zone. This statement came after an Israeli strike allegedly killed a regional head of security and two other Syrian security personnel.

Spanish FM visit damascus
The FM of Spain, Jose Manuel Albarres Bueno, becomes the 4th European FM to visit Damascus after Germany, France, Italy. Embassy in Spain is also restoring relations with Syria and anounced to be working to lift economical sanctions.

Coalition bombing Deir ezzor
Two air raids by the international coalition aircraft on Mount Tharda near Deir Ezzor military airport. Some missiles of unknown origin also fell near the Conoco gas field, one of the international coalition forces’ bases.

International criminal court in Damascus
A delegation from the International Criminal Court, headed by Prosecutor Karim Ahmad Khan, traveled to Damascus to discuss with Al-Sharaa about an international criminal court process against the al-Assad Regime.

EU promise €235 Milion to Syria
European Union Commissioner for Crisis Management Haja Lahbib announced a new €235 million aid package aimed at supporting Syria after meeting al-Sharaa in Damascus.

# Analysis

The meeting between Mazlum Abdi and Masoud Barzani has been celebrated by kurds in cities like Qamishlo. Others look at it with mistrust. Some hope it is the beginning of negotiations towards a process for kurdish national unity. Together with the meetings of KNK (Kurdish National Council) that recently took place in Qamishlo, we see big efforts from kurdish political bodies to build national unity and cooperation with the new Damascus administration. This can also bee seen in relation to the recent delegation that visited Abdullah Ocalan in Imrali, that shared a message of dialogue towards peace and stability.

It is the first time that PDK, the ruling party of KRG (kurdish regional government in Iraq), hosts an official delegation from SDF. Besides a brief cooperation in 2012-2013, the relations with PDK and PYD, the main kurdish political party of north East Syria, had been difficult. PDKs cooperation with Turkey has been a deep contradiction that made any agreements impossible. PDK expanded their activities and influence in some areas of Afrin, under occupation of Turkish proxies. After serious disagreements, the self administration forbid ENKS, a party affiliated with PDK, to continue working in northern Syria. This blockade was lifted some months ago, but the relations still difficult. There are also decades of conflict, even war, between PDK and PKK that will make those negotiations very difficult.

National unity is an important element for any process of national liberation. The promises of a free Kurdistan had been the engine of many Kurdish political parties for several generations, but how this free Kurdistan looks like (and who is ruling it) has been always a point of conflict. The occupation of other nation states of Kurdish land made the creation of a Kurdish state impossible. The proposal of Democratic confederalism moved away from attempts to build a Kurdish state, and instead developed the proposal of democratic nation to build a stateless society. How much this is compatible with current negotiations is something that only time will tell.

Revolutionary greetings!

14-15/Jan/2025

# NES

Turkey bombs continue
Turkish drones have bombed another civilian convoy traveling to Tishreen Dam to take part in the vigil. A driver was killed and at least 4 people were injured. The fighting around Tishreen and Qereqozah is ongoing. Due to turkish continued airstrikes, a house collapsed in Sarrin, South of Kobane, with a family geting buried under the rubble.

AANES demand to HTS
The AANES urged the new administration in Damascus to fulfill its responsibilities by taking a firm stance against Turkey’s incursions, ending the occupation, and protecting Syrian sovereignty.

SDF Drones are selfmade
The SDF revealed that the drones recently employed in their operations are the result of self-developed technology by the people of NES, dismissing allegations of a drone deal with Iran as baseless propaganda.

SDF retreats from Yarubiyeh
Iraq ensured that the SDF had exited the Til Kocher/Yarubiyeh border crossing point through a mutual agreement. Reports about tensions between Iraq and SDF are incorrect. The SDF fighters had initially occupied the point to counter threats posed by ISIS. SDF withdrew in coordination with Iraqi army to make way for the new border wall.

# Syria

Syrian dialogue conference
The AANES proposed forming a preparatory committee to collaboratively outline the national dialogue conference. It insisted that the process should not be monopolized by any single group or party, but ensure inclusivity and transparency in developing a roadmap for Syria’s future. Women and youth need to be included in the dialogue process.
In Suweida, a diverse array of Syrian representatives discussed mechanisms for political action and national cooperation under the interim government and the role of civil society and activists in the constitutional process.

HTS goverment in Ankara
The Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shaibani from the transitional goverment of Syria arrives in the Turkish capital Ankara on an official visit. Before that, he visited Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar and Jordan.

Raids in Damascus kurdish homes
According to local citizens, the security forces of HTS conducted widespread raids in Damascus. One target are Kurdish homes in Kurdish-majority Zorafa neighbourhood. In the Baramkeh neighbourhood, an imam was killed, and another imam was abducted under mysterious circumstances, residents and activsts demand accountability.

Jordaninan Airstrikes in Suwaida
Jordanian airplanes carried out airstrikes on two houses in Suwaida, in relating to drug trafficking and arms smuggling. The airstrikes follow a recent escalation along the border, where violent clashes broke out between Jordanian border guards and armed smugglers. One smuggler was killed, a border guard injured.

# Foreign Policy

Diplomatic meetings of DAANES in GB
Co-chair of the Foreign Relations Department DAANES, Ilham Ahmed, and Hassan Muhammad Ali met with various British officials in search of expanding international support.
Democratic Unionist Party MP S.Wilson expressed his readiness to participate in a delegation to NES.

UK and EU evaluating Sanctions on Syria
The British Foreign Office announced that the United Kingdom is reviewing the sanctions imposed on Syria. Secretary David Lammy remarked that their goal is to support the establishment of an inclusive government in Syria. EU leaders will meet in Brussels on Jan. 27 to discuss the possibility of easing sanctions on Syria.

# Evaluation

Now it’s one month and a half since we started to elaborate these reports of curated news, summarizing the ongoing situation in Syria. It has been a very intense and we are very grateful for all support and interest from comrades following this updates. We put a lot of efforts to make sure comrades have access to reliable information about what is happening. As the situation slows down, we also need to catch up with other works we put on hold due to the situation of emergency.

The war stills roaring in Tishreen, and Turkish planes and drones continue their brutal attacks against the people of NES. The bombings on civilian convoys are an extreme example of how far they are willing to go to achieve their aims. The diplomatic talks and other forms of soft power is now the main element, we know the politics are just a continuation of war without blood spilling (as war is a continuation of politics with blood spilling).

For us, this is also a time of action. Not only in the frontlines but also on the streets, with popular resistance and grassroots organizing. We want to call you once again to organize commemorations for the Syrian anarchist Omar Aziz, who died in the prison of the al-Assad regime. Wherever you are, you can organize events in solidarity and support the revolution. We hope this can become a ground to build networks of comradeship and mutual aid among anarchist comrades, to support the revolutionary movements in Syria and to question the authoritarian forces that try to impose themselves as new centralized government. Power to the people! power to the local councils and peoples federations! Remember Omar Aziz and all revolutionaries who gave their life for this revolution!

https://rememberomaraziz.net/

Revolutionary greetings!

11-13/Jan/2025

# NES

Protests for Right to Return
Dozens of displaced residents of Serekaniye protested outside the UN office in Qamishli, calling for their safe return to their city, which remains under the control of Turkish forces and SNA factions. IDPs from Serekaniye had to leave their homes over 6 years ago due to the turkish invasion in 2019. The protest was held under the slogan: “Safe return is a legitimate and constitutional right.”

Vigil at Tishreen Dam
The civilian protests on the Tishreen Dam are ongoing, residents of various cities across NES are taking turns watching the Dam. Turkey keeps bombing its vicinity close to the protests, endangering the civilians on the Dam.

Kongra Star member killed
Shenaz Omer, a leading member of the womens organisation Kongra Star, was killed in a drone strike in Qamishlo.

Burial of journalists
The murdered journalists Cihan Bilgin and Nazım Daştan were buried in Qamishlo after Turkey prevented the passage of the bodies to their hometowns in Bakur, Turkish territories of Kurdistan.

New kurdish song
The Kurdish artists’ initiative, Hunergeha Welat, has released a new song titled “Gujje Çemê Me” (Go to our river). The song is dedicated to the fighters who are resisting the attacks in Qereqozah and Tishreen.

# Syria

HTS visit to Europe
Syrian FM Assad al-Shaibani announced in the Riyadh conferance their plans to lead a high-level delegation on an upcoming European tour, to enhance international cooperation and rebuild Syria’s diplomatic relationships following years of isolation.

Syrian national conference
Al-Shaibani also revealed plans for a first-of-its-kind national conference, which aims to unite all Syrians and lay the groundwork for a comprehensive political transition.
“This conference will ensure an inclusive, smooth transfer of power and hold accountable those responsible for crimes against the Syrian people,” he said.

HTS – SDF diplomacy
The new Syrian leadership (HTS) and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have agreed to establish joint military, economic, security, and administrative committees. The purpose of these committees is to address disputes and challenges through constructive dialogue. There is optimism that the committees could achieve genuine agreements to build a united Syria.

Tensions in Deir ez-Zor
Rise of violence in the Deir ez-Zor city and other regions recently under control of HTS. After military raids against regime aligned militias by HTS security forces, now loting and theft are reaching alarming levels. Residents are asking HTS command to step in and secure civil order.

Unrest over customs
A decision by HTS authorities to raise custom duties on imports coming in via the Turkish border by 300-500% has caused widespread discontent due to fears of rising prices. Over 90 percent of Syria’s population live in poverty. In reponse shop owners in Idlib went on strike.

# Foreign Policy

Israeli plans for Syria
Israel is reportedly planning to divide Syria into autonomous cantons, under the pretext of “safeguarding” the rights of Syria’s ethnic and religious minorities.
Israeli officials say their main objective was “securing Israel’s northern border” against potential threats.

DEM meet HDP in prison
the DEM party Imrali delegation visited former HDP co-chairs Figen Yüksekdağ and Selahattin Demirtaş and further HDP politicians in prison. All of them expressing committment to the reconcilliation process and full trust in the delegation and Ocalan.

# Analysis

The preparation for a “national conference” for Syria had been ongoing for some time, but now the announcements are getting more concrete. It is still not clear how this conference will be organized and who will be allowed to take part in it. As details are being clarified, it will become more clear if it is an inclusive and democratic process to engage in a national transition, or if it will be a performative process to legitimize power grab of HTS after the collapse of the Regime.

SDF meetings with HTS continue, and some agreements are being reached as the recently announced joint administrative committees indicate. The diplomatic relations with KRG also continue, suggesting agreements towards kurdish unity for the future. These diplomatic negotiations are very difficult and fragile, and nothing is concluded yet. Talks about peace and dialog may not sound very radical, but defending the revolutionary achievements of NES is clearly a priority in those talks. Let’s hope for the best, but also let’s get ready for the worst.

Revolutionary greetings!

On a path to normalization
After a very intense month, there is a general intention of normalize the situation and create an appearance of stability in Syria. Tensions and contradictions are being brushed away, painting an image of a new normality. It is not clear yet how much the inner tensions and conflicts will allow this new normality to remain stable, but exhaustion and wishes for calmer times seem to be a priority for many people in Syria.

Occupations of Turkey and Israel
Turkey continue their attacks on the north, increasing their military presence and air support to SNA. SDF is holding ground against their attacks, defending the outskirts of Tishreen dam and Qereqozah bridge that connect Manbij and Kobane regions. Turkish proxy forces suffered heavy loses, including many Turkish armored vehicles and UAVs. On the south, Israel continue their occupation, arresting and harassing local population of occupied areas.

France steps up in the coalition
The international coalition to defeat ISIS sustained some presence in north-east Syria during several years, specially US troops. France is now stepping in once again, deploying alongside the border with Turkey and in some other positions. France air force also launched some precision air strikes against ISIS positions. French president made declarations in support for the Kurdish people who fought ISIS.

Civilian resistance in Tishreen dam
A civilian convoy with hundreds of people made their way to Tishreen dam to protect it from Turkish attacks. The infrastructure of the dam is heavily damaged, but the ongoing clashes and constant bombings of Turkey make impossible to start works to fix it. The convoy was targeted by a Turkish drone, killing 5 and injuring more than 15, but still activists from many regions continued with their action and reached the dam, starting a vigil there to prevent more damage to the dam and support the resistance of SDF.

Riyadh Summit about Syria
Saudi Arabia is hosting the new summit to discuss the situation of Syria, including foreign ministers of several Arab countries like Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey. Foreign ministers of some western countries like Germany, France and UK will also join the meeting, as well as US diplomats.

Economic sanctions remain but lessened
US and EU declared that the sanctions on Syria will remain, but at the same time are deploying other measures to partially circumvent them. US approved a temporary exemption for humanitarian reasons on food, electricity and water related companies, EU already promised millionaire budgets for humanitarian aid relief. Turkey and Qatar are already supplying electricity and goods to Syria, with taxes on Turkey-Syrian borders heavily increasing as HTS starts to take control of some border-crossing points also in Afrin region.

Security operations of HTS
After protests and unrest in many Alawite majority areas, HTS conducted security operations in many areas. Hundreds of people was arrested and weapons and ammunition confiscated. Clashes broke out in some areas, with several people killed. HTS claim they are mainly targeting high ranks of the ousted regime. Some of the arrested are starting to be released after HTS security investigations.

Questions on the new Syrian army
Negotiations between HTS and SDF didn’t bring any concrete results. Southern operations room, as well as the Druze armed groups, refused to give up weapons to the transitional government of HTS. The situation of negotiations with SNA is also not clear, as some groups called to be integrated under HTS but there is no joint statement and Turkey still in control of SNA factions.