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!