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.

09-10/Jan/2025

# NES

Vigil on Tishreen dam
The residents and activists that traveled to Tishreen started a vigil at the Dam, where hundreds are keeping watch with great courage. The convoy was bombed before their arrival, killing at least 5 people and injuring 15. The demonstrators stressed that they would stand against against the invaders alongside with their children fighting in SDF.

France and US border security
Ilham Ahmad, co-chair of the Foreign Relations Department in the DAANES, said on Wednesday that US and France could secure the entire border area in northern Syria.
“As soon as France has convinced Turkey to accept its presence on the border, then we can start the peace process,” Ahmed said.

Repatriation of Iraqi families
A total of 192 Iraqi families (715 individuals) were brought from al-Hol camp back to Iraq. Al-Hol camp houses ~54,000 individuals, including ~20,000 Iraqis, most of whom are women and children. Al-Hol houses IDPs and families of ISIS fighters.

Germany talks with SDF
Germany’s special envoy to Syria, Stefan Schneck, discussed the future of the Kurdish population in Syria during a phone call with SDF Commander-in-Chief, Mazloum Abdi.
Both he and Abdi discussed the possibility of integrating Kurdish rights into Syria’s national framework. He emphasized that the new Syrian administration had already acknowledged the importance of this issue.

# Syria

Security chaos in Manbij
Residents of Manbij have voiced growing concerns over escalating security chaos and widespread thefts attributed to the Turkish-backed SNA. Residents are being terrorized, and their property is being looted.

Demilitarisation of the South
The Military Operations Command of HTS issued a directive requiring all weapon holders in Quneitra’s countryside (southern Syria), both military and civilian, to surrender their weapons within 24 hours. Southern Quneitra is witnessing an incursion by the Israeli forces.

Violence against Alawites
Thousands of Alawites mourned three civilians killed by foreign islamists of the country’s new authorities. Since Assad’s ouster, violence against Alawites, long associated with his clan, has soared, with the media “al monitor” recording at least 148 killings.

Israels invasion
Israeli forces detained a Syrian lawyer and a French journalist in Quneitra province, as well as a team of journalists from the Jumhuriya.net news website, confiscating cameras and other equipment.
Syrian Ambassador to the UN, Qusai al-Dahak, called for the withdrawal of Israeli forces from recently occupied areas in Syria and an end to their aggressive actions against its people.

Turkeys control over Afrin
A Turkish-appointed governor in Afrin region reportedly refused to transfer the management of local councils to a delegation from HTS government, arguing that the matter would be discussed with the new Syrian administration at a later date.
Until then, the management of Afrin would remain under Turkey’s direct oversight.

# Foreign Policy

Turkey arrests kurdish politicians
The co-mayors of Akdeniz and 4 more representatives of the DEM party have been arrested. The accusations had not been reported since are declared secret, the lawyers are not allowed to get in contact with the arrested for at least 24h.

Iran blames Russia
Iranian General Behrouz Ethbati accuses Russia of lying to Tehran about bombing Syrian rebels, saying that “its planes were targeting the desert instead of the opposition forces.” Ethbati blamed Russia for the fall of Bashar al-Assad, explaining that Russian forces did not attack the opposition and disabled radars during the raids.

# Analysis

The civilian vigil on Tishreen dam is an example of the readiness of the people in north-east Syria to defend their land, using a wide diversity of tactics. For several years, militants of northern Syria have been discussing the importance of a resistance inspired on the ideas of “revolutionary people’s war”. The ongoing protest in Tishreen, together with the other vigils taking place in the Syrian-Turkish border next to the cities of Qamishlo and Kobane, are an example of civil resistance against occupation. Those actions don’t go in contradiction with the military defense of SDF, instead they complement each other, combining diverse forms of resistance towards a common aim.

The International Coalition is also making some interesting steps, with French army starting to deploy alongside US forces in the border with Turkey and other locations. France has been an important partner of the International Coalition since the beginning, and this is probably related to the fears of French State to foreign ISIS fighters, many of them with French nationality. If HTS or Turkey take control of the prisons currently under control of SDF, that hold thousands of ISIS fighters captive, those prisoners could find their way back to France and endanger the security of many European countries. This is also a preventive move of France, taking precautions before Donald Trump, who declared his intentions to withdraw US soldiers from Syria, takes over the white house.

The Turkish appointed governor of Afrin refused the call of HTS to transfer the management over the local council to an HTS delegation. This reflects how, even if Turkey and HTS are cooperating in many areas, they still have conflicts an power struggles. Those kind of contradictions can evolve to more bitter relations if Turkey refuse to give up control of the regions they occupied in Syria. Contradictions in the relations between Iran and Russia are also surfscing, with declarations of an Iranian commander blaming Russia for not really fighting against the rebel offensive that sparked the collapse of the Regime.

All authoritarian powers, all centralized governments, have always one aim: to accumulate more power. This brings them to cooperate with each other when they can benefit from it, but also to constantly compete and clash against each other. Exploiting these contradictions is necessary to undermine their hegemony. Pushing them to clash on each other can create opportunities for revolutionary forces, but only when those forces are well organized in strong revolutionary movements can really seize those opportunities and develop alternative models against capitalism modernity.

Revolutionary greetings!

07-08/Jan/2025

# NES

Heavy clashes in Eufrates region
SDF resisted attacks at Tishreen Dam, destroying 12 military vehicles.
A turkish airstrikes struck an internet tower near Kobane, 3 SDF tanks and the Tishreen Dam infrastructure. These attacks coincide with ground attacks by Turkish-backed SNA mercenaries. Intense clashes are ongoing.

Tishreen Dam about to break
The strategically important dam is at risk of collapsing. Repairs have been impossible during the ongoing bombardments by turkish drones. The Dam is about to break apart, which would release a flood of 2 billion m³ of water that would cause a massive humanitarian and ecological disaster. It would also cut off the SDF forces in Manbij countryside, as Qereqozah and Tishreen are the only brides over the Eufrates near Manbij.

Civilian resistance in Tishreen
The DAANES is asking the International Coalition and the UN to step in to protect the Tishreen dam. A civilian convoy from different cantons of North Syria went there to organize a protest and defend the dam. The convoy was hit by a Turkish drone in their way, but they continued and arrived to the dam.

Kongra Star women’s forum
Kongra Star hosts women’s forum in Heseke under the slogan “With the unity of women, we will build a democratic Syria”. More than 500 women from Kurdish, Arab, Alawite Armenian and other nations proclaimed: “We want women inside the new constitution drafting committee, plus women’s representation guaranteed as >50% of membership in government institutions.”

SNA protests for salaries
Turkish-backed SNA militias launch protests in Manbij over several months of unpaid salaries, indicating deepening financial crisis and growing internal collapse.

Turkeys necropolitics
Turkey halts delegation to bring the bodies of martyred journalists Nazım Daştan und Cihan Bilgin back to their birth places in Bakur. Turkey uses the bodies of dead kurdish activists as political strategy, as a form of necropolitics.

# Syria

Power ships for electricity
Turkish and Qatari power ships are send to Syria, which could generate 800mw of power. This would increase overall power by 50%. This comes as US has lifted sactions against Syria for the next 6 months.

Syrian airports
Damascus International Airport resumes operation, first flight going to UAE. Soon, flights will operate between Damascus and Baghdad, as well as Erbil. Aleppo Airport is almost operational. Qamishli and Deir ez-Zor airports remain out of service due to extensive damage caused by the former regime before its withdrawal.

# Foreign Policy

Iraq border wall
Iraq build a border wall stretching 400km of the 615km long Iraqi-Syrian border. Iraqi head of defence ensured that the Iraqi border with Syria is safe due to intelligence operations, pursuit of sleeper cells, and continuous airstrikes.

Tensions Israel-Turkey
The Nagel Committee of the Israeli government issued a report warning that the country should prepare for a potential war with Turkey. Their report states that Israel should prepare by increasing military budget and obtaining advanced weaponry, air defence systems and bolstering border security.

France on sanctions and ISIS
French FM says sanctions on Syria could be lifted to support the rebuilding of the country, but only if progress is made in womens rights.
France and EU are deeply concerned about the potential resurgence of ISIS and its threat to Europe. France views the Kurds as key allies in countering the ISIS threat.

Turkey on Kurds and ISIS
Turkish FM: “Turkey will launch a military campaign against the Kurds in Syria if they dont comply with Ankaras demands”. “Turkey is capable of running ISIS prisons if the Syrian administration cannot do so”.

DEM Party delegations
Following Ocalan’s recommendation, the Imrali delegation of the Equality and Democracy of Peoples Party continues to meet with major Turkish political parties, now having met with CHP.

# International Solidarity

Solidarity from Western Sahara
Sahrawi Solidarity Summit that is taking place in a refugee camp in southern Algeria sends solidarity greetings to Rojava.

# Analysis

As SNA weakens, the Turkish army is increasing their role in the Tishreen front lines. Drone strikes are targeting not just military positions, but also SDF supply lines and even the civilian convoy that traveled there. More and more armored vehicles are being supplied to the Turkish proxies, combined with increasing air support from drones and war planes. The resistance of the Tishreen dam is at the moment the warmest front line of all Syria, a decisive battle for the resistance of the DAANES is being fought there.

The reiterated threats of Turkey about a total invasion in Northern Syria are now coming with claims to control ISIS prisons. This could be extreamly dangerous, considering how many foreign ISIS fighters could reorganize their cells with Turkish help. Many of them were aided by Turkish state to cross the border to Syria to join ISIS 10 years ago, and Turkey could now use them as leverage to create instability and chaos in many countries.

The Israel “Committee for the Evaluation of the Defense Establishment Budget and the Balance of Power”, led by former National Security Council head Yaakov Nagel, is highlighting the tensions between Israel and Turkey. These two states are competing for hegemony in middle east, and their tensions can become more and more central as both states expand their influence in Syria. How the transitional goverment balances their occupations (Turkey in the north, Israel in the South) will affect also what role the DAANES and the kurdish liberation movement will play in Syria.

Revolutionary greetings!

05-06/Jan/2025

# NES

Heavy clashes in Eufrates region
A massive SNA attack on the strategic hill near Tishrin dam was repelled by the SDF, inflicting heavy losses in SNA ranks. Air units of the SDF (drones) published videos of 2 armored vehicles and another military vehicle being destroyed. After the clashes, turkish planes bombed the area, damaging some of SDF’s armored vehicles.

SOHR numbers of the clashes
Over the last 2 days SOHR documented the deaths of 85 SNA militias and 16 SDF fighters.
Since the beginning of the fighting around Manbij city SOHR counts as killed: 25 civilians, including five women and two children; 203 Turkish-backed militiamen; 57 members of SDF. Reports on the ground suggest higher numbers.

Turkish bombings continue
Turkish campaigns of drone strikes and artillery fire continue targeting positions beyond the front lines, especially in Kobane countryside and in the occupied M4 strip between Ain Issa and Til Temir.

# Syria

Security operations continue
Security forces aligned with the transitional goverment continued security operations, mostly targeting people that had important roles with the old regime, like secret police and military personnel.

Local security committees
After the unrest of last week, local security committees are organizing checkpoints in multiple cities in coordination with HTS command. Residents stand guard outside shops and homes, armed with light weapons to fill the security vacuum.

Israels illegal occupation
Residents of Quneitra protested against the Israeli occupation of their homes and the lack of action from Syria’s new authorities and the international community. Israeli forces have demolished homes and prevented farmers from going to their fields in some areas. On at least two occasions, Israeli troops reportedly opened fired on protesters.
The United Nations has accused Israel of violating the 1974 ceasefire agreement by entering the buffer zone, but the new Syrian Govn. is in no rush to confront Israel.

# Foreign Policy

Turkey: HTS can guard ISIS
In an attempt to lessen the importance of the SDF’s presence, Turkish FM stated that the new Damascus administration can take over ISIS prisons.

US sanctions relief
US announced a sanction relief for Syria, issuing waivers to aid groups and companies providing essential services, such as water, electricity and other humanitarian supplies for next six months.

France support the kurds
After the visit of French FM to Damascus, French President Macron stated that “France will not abandon Kurdish freedom fighters in Syria.”

  *** Analysis ***

The extreme instability of the last month seems to be slowing down. This is a dangerous time, where the international media attention starts to withdraw, forgetting once again what is happening in Syria. The heavy clashes of Manbij countryside are the new normality, as well as the intensified artillery attacks of Turkish army, as well as the constant drone strikes all over north east Syria. In the big cities of Western Syria the transitional government is tightening their control, with security operations targeting mainly old regime loyalists for now.

The unstable situation of the Kurdish neighborhoods of Sheik Mekhsud and Ashrafia in Aleppo is slowly (but silently) escalating tensions. SNA fighters dropped some explosive devices days ago before being shot by local defense forces. Today, a crowd chanting slogans aligned with the transitional government marched towards the kurdish neighborhoods. YPG forces fired warning shots in the sky to disperse the march, and for now it stopped there.

The local militias from Suwayda “Men of dignity” and “Mountain brigade” made statements rejecting sectarian factional armies and condemning the deadly clashes that took place recently in the south of Syria. It is not clear to us if the clashes where with HTS supporters (as we reported recently) or with old regime loyalist groups. Or maybe with both, reports seem confusing and our lack of trusted sources from southern Syria makes it difficult to get a good grasp of the situation.

The fatigue and exhaustion after more than a month of frantic activity are also weighing on everyone. In these times we can see the dynamics of war switching from sprint to marathon, where endurance and resilience become critical. Those who can’t withstand the pressure, those who break, will open small windows of opportunity for their enemies. SDF has repeatedly proven its strength in this long term race, so now is time to wait for enemy mistakes. As Sun Tzu wrote 15 centuries ago: “To secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands, but the opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself.”

Revolutionary greetings!