29-12-24
# NES
Attacks in Eufrates region
SNA attacked positions around Abu Qalqal but were repelled by SDF, causing heavy losses among the attackers. Turkish artillery and warplanes bombed the area of Qereqozah Bridge, Sarrin grain silos and Kobane countryside. A Turkish UAV targeted an SDF vehicle north of Tabqa.
Resistance of Serekaniye forces
The Serekaniye military council (SDF) conducted a series of deliberate and strategic operations from the front lines around Til Temir. Coordinated attacks were launched against 6 Turkish bases and several military points of SNA factions in the vicinity of Serekaniye.
SNA abducts Yezidis
The Turkey-backed Military Police in Tel Rifaat has demanded ransoms for 22 Kurdish Yazidi residents that were recently detained trying to flee the town after the occupation of the SNA.
Revolt against SNA in Manbij
In Manbij the residents of Alush village have revolted against the Turkish led SNA and demand their expulsion from their village and its surroundings. Reason for the revolt is that a little boy from the village was killed by a SNA artillery strike.
ISIS in Raqqa arrested
The Internal Security Forces of NES announced on Saturday capturing 27 individuals affiliated with ISIS in the countryside of Raqqa.
# Syria
Ahmed al-Sharaa declarations
In an interview with national TV, al-Sharaa declared in the National Dialog Conference that HTS will be dissolved. He said that the kurdish forces are to be integrated into the Syria Ministry of Defense and negotiations are ongoing. He also stated that organizing elections may take 4 years, and writing a constitution 3 years.
Women Director of HTS
New Syrian Director of Women’s Affairs office of HTS transitional government Aisha Al-Debs, called on Syrian women to “not overstep the priorities that god created for her”, emphasizing her role in family and duty with religion. She insisted on islamic rule (Sharia) as a guiding principle for Syria. About NGO’s that empower women and defend women’s rights to work in Syria she said: “I will not give room to those who disagree with my way of thinking”
Reaction of Zenobia Women congress
The womens organisation Zenobia rejected this perspective and wrote: “Syrian women have struggled & made great efforts to achieve equality & justice. In all areas socially, economically, politically, militarily and in self defense. In order to reflect the opinion of all women in Syria, a dialog of all women at national level is necessary.”
Explosion in Damascus countryside
Dozens killed and injured in an explosion in a weapons depot near Adra, Damascus countryside. The origin of the explosion is not clear yet, some suggest an Israeli airstrike, some suggest accidental explosion of war materials.
Threats against Russian Base
Russian intelligence accused US and UK agencies of planning attacks on Russian military bases in Syria. According to Russia, the alleged plot involves using ISIS operatives to destabilize the region and to force Moscow to withdraw its forces.
Western powers have denied similar accusations in the past, dismissing them as part of Russia’s narrative to justify its continued military presence in Syria.
Celebrations of unity in Damascus
Syrians gathered in Damascus’ Umayyad Square, carrying both crosses and copies of the Quran, in a powerful display of unity and inclusivity to celebrate the ousting of dictator Bashar al-Assad. “We have been waiting for this moment for 54 years”
# Foreign Policy
Visit to A. Ocalan
The DEM (kurdish party in Turkey) delegation that visited A. Ocalan gave a press statement about their visit. They announced that he emphasized the importance of brotherhood between Turkish and Kurdish people, calling for a democratic and peaceful process for Turkey.
Iran allows prison visits
Warisheh Moradi and Pakhshan Azizi, Kurdish political prisoners sentenced to death, were granted a rare one-hour visit with their families in Iran’s Evin Prison on the country’s Mother’s Day. This marks their first meetings in nine months.
# Analysis
Any hopes of a tolerant and progressive goverment under HTS are rapidly dying. The military repression against Alawites has been just a glimpse of what is coming. After yesterdays call of the UN envoy for elections in 3 months, al-Sharaa responded today that no elections will take place in Syria in the next 4 years. He also anounced his plans for the dissolution of HTS during the National Dialog Conferance. That probably means to dissolve it inside the structures of a new centralized government, attempting to wash off the terrorist label that still hangs on HTS, while institutionalizing and taking control of a new Syrian state. In short, achieving a transition from Party to State, as any authoritarian force attemps to do.
We also include some words from Hawzhin Azeez, a kurdish political academic who shared her reflections about the rumors of dissolution of SDF and the importance of YPJ:
It’s a mistake to see the YPJ as solely a response to end ISIS terrorism or an integral aspect of Kurdish national liberation.
The YPJ are a permanent military force that will only dissolve itself when capitalist, statist and patriarchal oppression ends. They are ideologically committed to protecting women and themselves so long as these hierarchies of oppression and violence against women exist. They are a permanent women’s self protection unit here to stay.
Even if the HTS/Jolani government manoeuvres the disarming of the SDF somehow, the YPJ is ideologically committed to permanent self protection even against the men/forces in their own communities. They cannot be dissolved! The YPJ is one of the most radical and groundbreaking aspects of Rojava’s Revolution.
Revolutionary greetings!