بواسطة Media Roundup Editors | سبتمبر 30, 2017 | Media Roundups
[This is a roundup of news articles and other materials circulating on Syria and reflects a wide variety of opinions. It does not reflect the views of the Media Roundups Editors or of Salon Syria. You may send your own recommendations for inclusion in each week’s roundup to info@SalonSyria.com by Monday night of every week.]
Inside Syria
Seven Experts to Watch on De-Escalation Zones in Syria (August 31) Proposals to create safe zones inside Syria have been at the center of international diplomatic efforts in recent months. Syria Deeply highlights seven experts monitoring the proposals for safe zones in Syria and the foreign powers pushing for their creation.
How Jabhat al-Nusra Hijacked the Syrian Revolution (August 31) Battles between opposition groups in northern Syria have threatened the Syrian revolution and left Jabhat al-Nusra (now part of Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham) in control of Aleppo and Idlib; how did that happen?
Baghdadi alive but coalition does not ‘have a clue’ where he is: US general (September 1) US-led coalition against IS claim that Baghdadi likely to be in hiding in border area between Iraq and Syria.
Idlib Local Councils Face Crisis of Trust Under Difficult Circumstances (September 3) There is no doubt that local councils have filled a huge gap following the retreat of the state. But there are still many obstacles that challenge their work, some stemming from limited support, others from the lack of experience, and from traditional and anti-democratic patterns of thought.
Militias and Crony Capitalism to Hamper Syria Reconstruction (September 4) Despite the small economic impact of the Fair and a mortar attack which resulted in several deaths and confirmed the fragility of the security situation, the regime’s message through the organization of Trade Fair to local, regional and international actors was clear: Asad is here to stay and this is the beginning of the Syria’s reconstruction period.
Holocaust Museum Pulls Study Absolving Obama Administration for Inaction in Face of Syrian Genocide (September 5) A major United States Holocaust Memorial Museum study of the Obama Administration’s Syria policy was put on hold … after portions of the study given to Tablet were greeted with shock and harsh criticism by prominent Jewish communal leaders and thinkers.
Syria forces behind Khan Sheikhoun gas attack: UN probe (September 6) Investigation also confirms that the Syrian government has used chemical weapons more than 20 times during the war.
Israeli airstrike targets Syrian military site as tensions rise (September 7) Syria accused Israel of bombing a military site that has been linked to the production of chemical weapons, as well as missiles bound for the Hezbollah militant group, marking an escalation of cross-border incursions by Israeli jets.
Aid trucks enter Deir e-Zor city for first time in three years (September 7) The regime victory earlier this week ended the siege of the western, and more populous quarter, allowing food and supplies to enter for the first time in more than three years. Roughly half of the city still remains occupied by the Islamic State.
ISIL holds 11,100 blank Syrian passports: report (September 10) German authorities fear the passports could be used to bring potential attackers into Europe, Bild am Sonntag reports.
In eastern Syria, fears of revenge killings, tribal clashes after defeat of Islamic State (September 13) In Deir e-Zor, IS is not merely an invading, alien force. Since conquering the oil-rich, eastern desert province in 2014, IS has successfully exploited the region’s tribal order, co-opting local tribes with cash, weapons and positions of authority.
Quneitra farmers lose sole income as regime tariffs upend fragile agricultural balance: ‘I haven’t even begun to harvest’ (September 13) Farmers in rebel-held parts of Syria’s Quneitra province say they are losing thousands of dollars since regime forces introduced a tariff on their produce in recent months, disrupting a fragile economic balance in place between government and opposition territory in the country’s far southwest.
To achieve ‘dream’ of education, woman regularly risks dangerous journey out of Islamic State territory(September 14) When Wilaa goes to class, she must travel from a town controlled by an Islamic State affiliate and cross multiple enemy lines to reach Damascus University’s Daraa campus in the regime-held northern half of the provincial capital.
Divided Syrian opposition tries for unified army again (September 15) As the Syrian opposition faces major setbacks on the battlefield, the Syrian Interim Government and FSA factions have been discussing the formation of a unified national army in hopes of changing the tide.
Will China Get the Lion Share in Syria Reconstruction? (September 16) The ongoing development of China-Syria relations could have a significant impact on post-war Syria and the influence of Western governments and donors on the country’s future.
The Aga Khan wants to rebuild Aleppo’s Great Mosque (September 16) Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC) has funded major renovations from Lebanon to India, “but it will be difficult … we agreed with Syrian government and opposition, religious and civil authorities.”
President al-Assad: Syria is a homogeneous country; Christians are the basis of homeland (September 17) The meeting… dealt with the necessity of the Christian existence in Syria, in general, and the Syriac presence, in particular, as they are a basic element in the Syrian national structure with assertion on their deeply-rooted role in the face of the continued displacement attempts they have encountered by terrorism and its supporters.
Suwayda residents react to increased Russian presence on the ground (September 19) Beyond previous sporadic visits for aid distribution, today Russian personnel are based near and reportedly becoming a more familiar presence in Suwayda villages.
Trapped: The Desperation of Syria’s Displaced Civilians (September 19) By sealing their borders, Syria’s neighbors have blocked the escape routes of millions.
Regional and International Perspectives
A Move to Restore Dignity to Syria’s Victims ( September 15) Pursuing accountability for violating the dignity of a dead body may strike some as marginal in the carnage that is Syria. The opposite is true.
ISIS’s Expanding Campaign in Europe (September 17) ISIS’s attack campaign in Europe is expanding despite ISIS’s losses of terrain and senior leadership in the Middle East and North Africa. ISIS continues to plan, resource, and execute attacks from its remaining safe havens in Syria, Iraq, and Libya.
Policy and Reports
Syria’s Reconciliation Agreements (August 30) Raymond Hinnebusch & Omar Imady discuss local truces in the Syrian conflict and what the regime called reconciliation (Muslaha) agreements and the great powers later termed de-escalation or deconfliction zones.
To end a war: Europe’s role in bringing peace to Syria (September 12) European members of the International Syria Support Group (ISSG) should push for an approach that focuses on national politics hand in hand with de-escalation efforts, moving away from an approach that only phases the national angle in after a ceasefire takes hold.
Documentaries, Special Reports, and Other Media
Chemical weapons’ attacks documented by the Commission (Infographic) (6 September 2017) Infographic by Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic documents when and where chemical attacks took place as of September. 6. 2017.
The Carter Center: Weekly Conflict Summary. September 7-13, 2017 Pro-government forces and Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF, a Kurdish-led coalition backed by the US) have each advanced further against ISIS on their respective frontlines…The Syrian government awarded a large reconstruction contract worth 130 million Euros (~155 million USD) to Mabna, an Iranian company that specializes in electrical power plants and infrastructure.
The Carter Center: Weekly Conflict Summary. August 31-September 06, 2017 Pro-government forces made major advances eastward from their foothold south of Raqqa city. These gains led to the end of a years-long ISIS siege of Deir Ezzor…Russian negotiators reached an agreement with opposition leaders in northern Homs countryside that would allow the reopening of the road between Homs and Hama.
Syrian Refugee Children’s Uncertain School Aid (September 15) According to Human Rights Watch, more than 530,000 Syrian schoolchildren in Lebanon, Turkey, and Jordan, the three countries with the largest number of Syrian refugees, were still out of school at the end of the 2016-2017 school year because of the lack of timely, transparent funding.
The Arabic version of this report can be found here: المساعدات المدرسية للأطفال السوريين اللاجئين يلفها الغموض
فدوى محمود في المشهد (September 15) On the fifth anniversary of the abduction of Dr. Abdul-aziz al-Khayer, a prominent member of ‘National Coordination Body for Democratic Change’, along with Maher Tahan and Iyas Ayash, on the way back from the airport to Damascus, Fadwa Mahmoud, a lifelong leftwing political dissident, shares what she knows about her husband (al-Khayer) and her son (Tahan).
شباك تذاكر: كفاح علي ديب تحكي لراديو الآن عن ملتقى المتحف في ألمانيا ودورهم كسوريين وعراقيين فيه(September 13) Kefah Ali Deeb, reflects on her experience as a volunteer tour guide involved in Multaka, a project in Berlin aims to provide newly- arrived Arabic-speaking refugees free tours of museums in Germany’s capital.
)18 (September د. دارم طباع مدير المركز الوطني لتطوير المناهج التربوية 18-09-2017 صباحنا غير
An interview with Darem Tabbaa, Director of The National Center for Curriculum Development, who responds to criticism raised by many Syrians on social media who criticized the new Syrian education curriculum.
Maps
Syrian Civil War Map (September 6) A map of the Syrian civil war that shows who controls what after five years of fighting.
Syria Situation Report: August 31 – September 14, 2017 This graphic depicts significant developments in the Syrian Civil War from August 31 to September 14, 2017. The control of terrain represented on the graphic is accurate as of September 14, 2017.
Arabic Links:
بمشاركة 164 شركة من 23 دولة عربية وأجنبية.. انطلاق فعاليات معرض إعادة إعمار سورية.. عرنوس: دليل على قوة سورية- فيديو
Activities of Rebuild Syria 2017 exhibition kicked off with the participation of 164 companies from 23 Arab, European, Asian and African states. The exhibition will be held from 19 to 23 September at Damascus International Fairgrounds.
أن تعيش الحرب “Living War,” the sixth chapter of Wendy Pearlman’s new book “We Crossed a Bridge and It Trembled”
الجيش الحرّ ينشىء ثكنات عسكريّة في منطقة درع الفرات تمهيداً لإخلاء المدن من المظاهر المسلّحة “Free Syrian Army (FSA) factions in areas liberated during Operation Euphrates Shield in the Aleppo countryside are making significant efforts to eliminate their military checkpoints and armed presence in the small cities and towns under their control”.
The English version of this article can be found here: FSA relocating to outside Syria’s liberated areas
مسيحيو سورية This research traces the history of Christian communities in syria and their position after the Syrian uprising.
أغلفة الكتب المدرسية الجديدة تثير جدلا بين السوريين.. ما معانيها؟! Photos of the new Syrian education curriculum went viral on social media causing harsh criticism and Darem Tabbaa, Director of The National Center for Curriculum Development, responds.
استبدال قصيدة وخريطة بشكل فوري.. وزير التربية يشكل لجنة لدراسة كافة الملاحظات على المنهاج المطور Following a wave of criticisms to the new Syrian education curriculum, Education Minister Hazwan al-Waz issues a decision to replace a poem, written by a pro-opposition poet, and a map of Syria.
See also: قرار بتشكيل لجنة لدراسة الملاحظات على المناهج وآخر هفوات المناهج المطورة نشر قصيدة بدون علم مؤلفها
«داعشيان» من العراق وسوريا يرويان رحلتيهما مع التنظيم Two ISIS fighters from Syria and Iraq share their stories with the group.
يحاول صناع الفسيفساء في سوريا الحفاظ على الحرفةAfter years of war, however, many of the country’s ancient mosaics have been destroyed or looted. Contemporary mosaics, the work of Syrian craftsmen who struggle to keep up the craft of their grandfathers, find few if any buyers.
The English version of this article can be found here: Ancient Syrian mosaics crumble under weight of war
دفتر التلفونات السوريAmre Sawah writes about the telephone book and the nostalgic memories it brings to many Syrians.
[This article is published jointly in partnership with Jadaliyya.]
بواسطة Media Roundup Editors | أغسطس 9, 2017 | Media Roundups
This is a roundup of news articles and other materials circulating on Syria and reflects a wide variety of opinions. It does not reflect the views of the Editors. You may send your own recommendations for inclusion in each week’s roundup to info@SalonSyria.com by Monday night of every week.
Inside Syria
What will happen to Raqqa after ISIL? (1 August, 2017) As ISIL is being driven out of its de facto capital in Syria, Raqqa faces an uncertain future.
Ryan Lock death: Soldier ‘turned gun on himself’ while fighting IS (2 August, 2017) A “heroic young man” who fought with Kurdish forces in Syria killed himself to avoid falling hostage to Islamic State (IS) militants, an inquest heard.
First on CNN: Russia & Syrian regime seeking to poach US-backed fighters (3 August, 2017) So far the coalition says there has only been “less than a handful” of defections. Last week CNN reported hat a US-backed rebel group had balked at the coalition’s insistence that it only fight ISIS not the Assad regime.
From fighting regime to anti-IS, Syria rebel traces US policy shifts (4 August, 2017) From special forces officer to brigade-hopping rebel, Abu Jaafar has seen Syria’s uprising from all angles. But after years of setbacks, culminating in cuts to US support, he feels disillusioned.
What Happened to Life in Hama City After the Regime Removed its Security Checkpoints? (4 August, 2017) The removal of security barriers might have resulted in a return to normalcy in Hama. But for others the checkpoints provided a source of income and a means to avoid the fighting fronts, Sada al-Sham writes.
Syrian fighters, refugees arrive in rebel-held Idlib (4 August, 2017) Buses carrying fighters and refugees arrive in Idlib and Hama provinces from Lebanese border town of Arsal.
Syrian army takes ISIL-held town of al-Sukhna in Homs (5 August, 2017) Monitor says government troops have taken last ISIL-held town in Homs as army advances towards ISIL strongholds in east.
Rebel groups weigh options in Syria’s east (7 August, 2017) Armed opposition groups from Syria’s eastern province of Deir ez-Zor are working on how to retake their city from the Islamic State before the Syrian regime does without having to ally with Kurdish forces.
US-led coalition air raids kill 29 civilians in Raqqa (8 August, 2017) The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said 14 out of 29 killed by US-led air strikes were members of the same family.
Regional and International Perspectives
The dragon and the lion: China’s growing ties with Syria (2 August, 2017) China has benefitted from the bickering between Russia, US and Turkey – emerging as a dominant player in Syria in terms of political and economic diplomacy.
Why One of Syria’s Biggest Rebel Groups Reordered Its Leadership (3 August, 2017) Ahrar al-Sham’s decision to replace its top command this week offers a glimpse at how the outgunned rebel group is adjusting to the ascendancy of al-Qaida-linked factions in Syria, and the changing nature of the insurgency against president Bashar al-Assad.
Khan Sheikhoun, and the Persistence of Conspiracy Theories and Sarin (3 August, 2017) Much like the August 21, 2013 Sarin attacks in Damascus, the April 4, 2017 Khan Sheikhoun Sarin attack has given birth to a range of theories about what did or did not happen.
Opinion: Its End Has Come, But Where Will ISIS Go? (4 August, 2017) Al-Araby’s political analyst Salama Kila paints ISIS as an imperialist tool used as by the powerful as a pretext for invasion and conquest.
Burning Raqqa (5 August, 2017) Laura Gottesdiener writes that US military operations in Syria are looking less like a battle against ISIS and more like a war on civilians.
Rouhani: Solution to Syria Crisis is Through Dialogue, Eradicating Terrorism (7 August, 2017) SANA reports on swearing in ceremony for Iranian leader’s second presidential term in the capital Tehran.
How a Free Syrian Army Unit Uncovered the Rebels’ Israeli Connection and Switched Sides (8 August, 2017) Rania Khalek writes that before the Golan Brigade was targeted for destruction by Israel and Al Qaeda, it was allied with them.
Policy and Reports
Isis: UN study finds foreign fighters in Syria ‘lack basic understanding of Islam’ (4 August, 2017) Research shows economic factors and ‘lack of meaning’ in life makes warzone attractive.
Decolonising Syria’s so-called ‘queer liberation’ (5 August, 2017) Razan Ghazzawi writes on Rojava’s new international LGBTQI brigade, the “war on terror” and the Western left’s erasure of local struggles.
The US Is Far More Deeply Involved In Syria Than You Know (6 August, 2017) The Drumpf administration has increased its military and political support for Syrian forces as they fight their way into the ISIS-held city of Raqqa. But many fear what will follow when ISIS is eventually ousted.
Veteran prosecutor to quit UN Syria human rights probe (6 August, 2017) Carla del Ponte said a lack of political backing from the UN Security Council had made the job impossible.
The Men Who Trade ISIS Loot (6 August, 2017) The middlemen who buy and sell antiquities looted by Islamic State from Syria and Iraq explain how the smuggling supply chain works
U.S.-Led Coalition Hit Raqqa Hospital with Phosphorus Bombs: Red Crescent Deputy (7 August, 2017) Local activists have also backed relief worker’s claims over the coalition’s use of internationally banned weapons.
Syrian National Coalition President to Resign: Sources (7 August, 2017) Opposition leader Riad Seif will surrender his role as chief of the Istanbul-based political bloc, sources reveal to Zaman al-Wasl.
Hayat Tahrir al-Sham plots its next move in northern Syria (7 August, 2017) Hayat Tahrir al-Sham is consolidating its influence in northern Syria, mainly in Idlib, and trying to position itself as a de facto interlocutor in political agreements reshaping the country.
Documentaries, Special Reports, and Other Media
Laughing at ISIS to defeat them (21 July, 2017) Deep in the outskirts of Mumbai, India, tucked away in a small conference room among dozens of buildings known as Bollywood’s “Film City,” the US government is implementing a unique, and until now, unknown counterterrorism program aimed at diminishing the online influence of terror groups like ISIS – by making fun of them.
A Play About Syria as a Country in a Coma (23 July, 2017) In the play “While I Was Waiting,” Omar (Mustafa Kur), a former telecom worker from the less affluent and besieged Damascus suburbs, gives us the sum of his life in days—10,749 to be precise.
Bribes, graft and the cost of moving cash in Syria’s war economy (27 July, 2017) International aid organizations can no longer fund more than a dozen hospitals and medical centers in the east Damascus suburbs because of rebel infighting that is paralyzing money transfer operations into the encircled opposition enclave.
Abandoned zoo animals from Syria’s Aleppo find refuge in Turkey (1 August, 2017) Animals have increasingly also become victims of the war in Syria that has killed hundreds of thousands of civilians and displaced millions of others.
Syrian refugee graduates as a doctor in London after 10 years and four countries in medical school (2 August, 2017) “One day I might go somewhere where there is war because I understand how difficult it is to lose everything.”
Escape from Syria: Rania’s odyssey – video (2 August, 2017)Rania Mustafa Ali, 20, filmed her journey from the ruins of Kobane in Syria to Austria. Her footage shows what many refugees face on their perilous journey to Europe.
Turkish soldiers arrested after video shows horrific beatings and abuse of Syrian refugees (4 August, 2017) Rights groups have consistently criticised Turkey’s army for inhumane treatment and shooting people trying to cross the border
Syria’s doll-makers: ‘I protect my children’s dreams’ (5 August, 2017) Handmade dolls carry the stories of Syrian families, both devastating and hopeful, to the world.
Turkish Language ‘a Must’ if Syrians Hope to Improve Jobs Options (7 August, 2017) The Turkish language requirement is one of the main problems faced by the Syrian job seeker in Turkey, Iqtissad writes.
Syria: Idlib locals try to regain normality (8 August, 2017) This report shows that a de-escalation agreement aimed at ending hostilities between government and rebel forces is having an effect. But the fear of attack is never far away.
Maps
How many bombs are dropped on Raqqa daily? (1 August, 2017) Since the start of the operation to retake Raqqa from ISIL, an estimated 400 civilians have been killed.
The battle for Raqqa: Who controls what (3 August, 2017) Raqqa is the capital of ISIL’s so-called caliphate, and it’s probably where the group will make its last stand.
SYRIA – Interactive conflict map (4th of August 2017) The map presents main military events since June 12, 2017 (last release of interactive map) to August 4, 2017.
Syria’s civil war explained from the beginning (5 August, 2017) The Syrian civil war is the deadliest conflict the 21st century has witnessed so far.
Arabic Links:
المعاناة في ريف حلب تدفع المئات من مهجري الوعر إلى العودة إلى حمص Hundreds of people displaced from al-Waer neighborhood in Homs, Syria, have now left the Zoghra camp outside of Aleppo and returned to the governed-controlled Homs.
The English version of this article can be found here: Syrian regime says it’s time for the displaced to return
أمن الأسد يستولي على منزل الصحفي فايز سارة بدمشق Syrian security forces invaded recently the house of Syrian opposition leader Fayez Sara asking his family to leave it within 24 hours.
تحرك تركيا والرأي العام السوري This article explores Turkey’s possible role in Syria after Erdoğan’s new statement that the Turkish army is ready to launch new military campaigns.
هرمنا يا دمشق Zaina Shahla reflects on her daily life observations in Damascus and the recent news of the death of journalist Khaled Al Khatib and software developer Bassel Khartabil.
باسل.. جرحنا المفتوح Fatimah Yassin reflects on the recent news that Bassel Khartabil had been executed by the Syrian regime shortly after his disappearance in 2015.
“تقبرني يا حبي”… مأساة اللجوء السوري في لعبة فيديو A new mobile video game “Bury Me, My Love” tracks a Syrian refugee’s journey to Europe through text messages.
اتّفاق وقف إطلاق النار في الغوطة الشرقيّة بمهبّ الرياح Civilians in Syria’s Eastern Ghouta was recruited for a full implementation of the cease-fire and access to humanitarian aid, but regime forces have continued missile strikes under the pretext that extremist groups remain.
The English version of this article can be found here: Despite cease-fire, shelling continues in Eastern Ghouta
خيبات ترامب، أحلام بوتين، وأوهامنا Marwan Kabalan discusses the new sanctions that the US Congress imposed on Russia and policy implication in the Middle East.
بواسطة Media Roundup Editors | يوليو 19, 2017 | Media Roundups
This is a roundup of news articles and other materials circulating on Syria and reflects a wide variety of opinions. It does not reflect the views of the Editors. You may send your own recommendations for inclusion in each week’s roundup to info@SalonSyria.com by Monday night of every week.
Inside Syria
Food supplies reach families from Syria’s Raqqa as road reopens: U.N. (12 July 2017) Food supplies have reached thousands of people displaced by fighting in the Syrian city of Raqqa after road access was opened up for the first time in three years, the United Nations said on Wednesday.
Suicide bomber kills and injures scores in Syria’s Idlib province (12 July 2017) A suicide bomber rammed a car laden with explosives into a gathering of jihadist rebels near the rebel-held northwestern Syrian city of Idlib on Wednesday, killing and injuring scores, rebel sources said.
U.N. helps Syria’s women farmers by treating their livestock (14 July 2017) More than a million sheep, goats and cows have been treated for parasites in Syria to help resurrect the country’s war-battered food production and shore up its female farmers, a U.N. agency said on Friday.
Shells hit Russian embassy compound in Syria (16 July 2017) Syrian state media said that two mortar shells were fired at the Russian embassy in Damascus but reported no injuries.
Jobar: ‘Death is a central part of their daily lives’ (17 July 2017) Syrian director Maher Jamous provides an insight into making a film about life in the besieged town of Jobar.
After The Buses: Life in a Government-Controlled Damascus Suburb (18 July 2017) The Damascus suburb of Barzeh, once a thorn in the side of the Syrian government, has been under full government control for less than two months. Syria Deeply takes a look at the current situation in the neighborhood through the eyes of its remaining residents.
Syrian rebels killed in Kurdish clashes (18 July 2017) Fifteen dead in hit-and-run clashes with US-backed fighters in the country’s north, says monitoring group.
Air attacks hit Raqqa as ISIL defends stronghold (18 July 2017) Fatalities reported among warring Kurdish-led group and ISIL fighters as heavy bombardment shakes Old City of Raqqa.
Regional and International Perspectives
Is the Latest Cease-Fire in Syria Different? (12 July 2017) The recently announced cease-fire in southwestern Syria should not be dismissed as a replica of the 2016 internationally-brokered pause in fighting that failed, according to the Atlantic Council’s Frederic C. Hof.
Syria and the case for editorial accountability (12 July 2017) By publishing Seymour Hersh’s latest ‘fiction’ on Syria, German daily Die Welt served as a conduit for disinformation.
U.S. says Russia willing to deploy monitors for Syria ceasefire (13 July 2017) Russia has said it is willing to deploy monitors to prevent any violations of a ceasefire in southwestern Syria by Syrian government forces, a senior U.S. official said on Thursday.
Analysis: Shift in Rhetoric Among Kurdish Politicians in Syria (14 July 2017) Kurdish political officials in Syria are taking an increasingly anti-Iranian and pro-Saudi Arabia stance amid the rising tensions between Washington, Tehran and their proxies, and the rift between Qatar and Saudi Arabia, writes journalist Wladimir van Wilgenburg.
Russia says growing acceptance of Assad is key to Syria talks (15 July 2017) The opposition has suffered military defeats at the hands of forces loyal to President Assad over the past year.
A toehold for peace in Syria (18 July 2017) The truce in Syria’s southwest, brokered by Russia and the US, hints at war fatigue and some hope for ending a six-year war now largely driven by foreign interests.
Washington’s Dead End in Syria (18 July 2017) Sam Heller writes “Washington’s approach to fighting ISIS in Syria—and in particular the local Kurdish partner it has chosen—has granted a victory that can last only as long as the United States stays.”
U.S., Russia and Iran are battling to build bases in Syria as ISIS falls (18 July 2017) “Three of the leading international powers involved in Syria’s war—the U.S., Russia and Iran—are looking to expand and fortify their military presence in the country by building and upgrading foreign bases, with some already in the works.”
Policy and Reports
Traumatized civilians fleeing Syria’s Raqqa in droves: U.N. official (13 July 2017) Scores of civilians are fleeing Syria’s Raqqa traumatized, with families torn apart and conditions worsening as the battle to oust Islamic State intensifies, a senior U.N. official said on Thursday.
U.N. ends round of Syria talks with focus on fight against terrorism (14 July 2017) U.N. Syria envoy Staffan de Mistura put the emphasis on the international fight against terrorism on Friday as he wrapped up a round of Syria peace talks at which there was “no breakthrough, no breakdown and no one walking out”.
Lebanon will coordinate refugee returns to Syria only with U.N.: PM Hariri (14 July 2017) Lebanon will coordinate refugee returns to Syria only with the United Nations, Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri said on Friday, days after a number of refugees left for Syria under an agreement brokered by Lebanese Shi’ite group Hezbollah.
Syrian army takes more oil fields from Islamic State in Raqqa province (15 July 2017) Heavy fighting continues near Arak gas field, which the Syrian army took last month.
EU sanctions Syrian soldiers and scientists over chemical weapons (17 July 2017) Sanctions come after UN chemical watchdog ruled last month that sarin gas was used in Idlib attack.
Here’s What To Know About The Drumpf-Putin Syria Cease-Fire (17 July 2017) President Drumpf is touting a newly brokered cease-fire in southwest Syria as a major foreign policy win for his White House. After years of failed peace attempts under the Obama administration, Drumpf has boldly speculated that the new truce could mark the beginning of the end of the war.
How the Economic Model of ISIS Evolves Post-Caliphate (17 July 2017) Due to U.S.-led military operations to counter its finances, the so-called Islamic State is not only changing its military tactics but also adapting its economic practices, writes Chatham House fellow Haid Haid.
Lebanese PM says army to carry out operation at Syrian border (18 July 2017) Lebanese Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri said on Tuesday the army would carry out an operation in an area of the border with Syria that has been a base of operations for militants including jihadist groups.
Chechnya becoming major player in rebuilding war-torn Syria (18 July 2017) Russia’s mostly Muslim republic of Chechnya is becoming a major player in rebuilding war-ravaged Syria. And ordinary Chechens are likely to foot the bill, with many of them being forced to make contributions or face the possibility of exile or death, human rights activists say.
Documentaries, Special Reports, and Other Media
The Passport Racket of the Syrian Government (7 July 2017) A Syrian passport once cost $9 and took only a few hours to issue. As the Syrian conflict enters its seventh year, Syrians in Turkey are paying up to $2,000 and waiting for months to get one of the world’s weakest passports.
The Syrian war crime suspects who could be brought to justice (14 July 2017) UN tasks Catherine Marchi-Uhel with securing justice for Syrian war crimes victims amid mounting evidence of abuse.
What next for Islamic State? (14 July 2017) Middle East correspondent Quentin Sommerville explains what might happen to so-called Islamic State now its “caliphate” is shrinking, following their defeat in Mosul.
EXCLUSIVE: Lebanese army accused of torturing Syrian refugees (17 July 2017) Shocking pictures show extent of injuries to four men who died in custody after being picked up in raids on camps near Arsal
Prosecutors checking whether German teenager arrested in Mosul (18 July 2017) German prosecutors said on Tuesday they were checking reports that a 16-year-old German teenager under investigation for supporting Islamic State was among five women arrested in the Iraqi city of Mosul.
Maps
Syria profile – Timeline (12 July 2017) A chronology of key events in Syria modern history and current war.
Syrian Civil War Map (16 July 2017)A map of the Syrian civil war that shows who controls what after five years of fighting.
The Campaign for Ar-Raqqa City: June 20 – July 17, 2017 (18 July 2017) The U.S. Anti-ISIS Coalition and Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) achieved small but significant gains against ISIS in Ar-Raqqa City between June 20 and July 17.
Syria’s civil war explained from the beginning (18 July 2017) The Syrian civil war is the deadliest conflict the 21st century has witnessed so far.
Arabic Links:
عن سوليدير دمشق..
(11 July 2017) Talal Salman compares some attempts by Syrian companies to plan and rebuilt some of Syria’s major cities to the project of the Lebanese joint-stock company Solidere that planned and redeveloped Beirut Central District.
دابق في ريف حلب تتنفّس الحياة بعد طرد “داعش”
(13 July 2017) With the help of its local council, aspects of a normal life are gradually returning to Syria’s Dabiq following the Islamic State’s expulsion from the town in late 2016.
The English version of this article can be found here: Syrians catch breath as post-IS Dabiq takes shape
اطق باسم الجبهة الجنوبية: هدوء حذر في جنوب غرب سوريا عقب وقف إطلاق النار
(14 July 2017) In an interview with Al-Monitor, the spokesman for the Southern Front, Maj. Issam al-Rayes, talks about the recent cease-fire broken by the United States, Russia and Jordan in southern Syria, the time of violations and the boycott of the Astana talks.
The English version of this article can be found here: ‘Precarious calm’ in southwest Syria amid cease-fire
الأسد براغماتياً ديمقراطياً.. وحداثياً
(16 July 2017) Chazi Dahman analyzes the reason for Al-Assad acceptance in the West.
آلاف المهجّرين ينتظرون العودة إلى قراهم التي سيطرت عليها قوّات سوريا الديمقراطيّة في ريف حلب
(18 July 2017) After well more than a year living under wretched conditions in refugee camps, thousands of displaced residents from northern Aleppo province hope to return home soon as the Free Syrian Army fights to reclaim towns from the Syrian Democratic Forces.
The English version of this article can be found here: Fighting revives refugees’ hopes of returning to Aleppo
اتفاق هامبورغ.. مسار بديل في سورية
(18 July 2017) Ali Al Abdullah reflects on Hamburg agreement between Russia and the U.S. on Syria and the condition for its success.
أسئلة التفاهم الأميركي – الروسي حول سورية
(19 July 2017) Akram al-Bunni discusses the recent agreement between Russia and the U.S. on Syria and the implications it can bring to Syria and the region.
[This article is published jointly in partnership with Jadaliyya.]
بواسطة Media Roundup Editors | يوليو 12, 2017 | Media Roundups
This is a roundup of news articles and other materials circulating on Syria and reflects a wide variety of opinions. It does not reflect the views of the Editors. You may send your own recommendations for inclusion in each week’s roundup to info@SalonSyria.com by Monday night of every week.
Inside Syria
Rebels accuse Syrian army of chlorine attack, army calls it fabrication (1 July 2017) A Syrian rebel group accused the Syrian army of using chlorine gas against its fighters on Saturday in battles east of Damascus – an accusation the military swiftly denied as a fabrication.
Deadly car bomb blasts rock Syria’s Damascus (2 July 2017) One attacker detonates car bomb near Bab Touma, as security forces manage to explode two others on airport road.
Assad appears on Syrian currency for first time (2 July 2017) President Bashar al-Assad has appeared on the Syrian currency for the first time, his portrait printed on a new 2,000-pound banknote that went into circulation on Sunday.
Raqqa: Syrian capital of the IS ‘caliphate’ (4 July 2017) Raqqa, in northern Syria, became the de facto capital of the “caliphate” proclaimed by so-called Islamic State (IS) three years ago.
Russia hits Islamic State in Syria with advanced cruise missiles (5 July 2017) Russian strategic bombers fired advanced cruise missiles at Islamic State targets in Syria on Wednesday from a distance of 1,000 kilometers (621.37 miles) in a show of force Moscow said demolished three ammunition depots and a command post.
Suicide blast kills two at bus station in Syria’s government-held Hama (6 July 2017) A suicide bomber in Syria’s Hama killed two people and injured nine others on Thursday, state media said, in the second such attack in a government-held city this week.
Tense calm prevails in southwest Syria before truce (8 July 2017) Opposition activists report low-level violence in Deraa one day before a new ceasefire deal takes effect.
UN envoy says Syria cease-fire generally holding (11 July 2017) The U.N.’s special envoy for Syrian peace talks on Monday said a U.S. and Russia-brokered cease-fire in the country’s southwest was generally holding despite some “teething problems,” adding he hoped it would contribute positively to talks between the government and opposition.
Syrian Observatory says it has ‘confirmed information’ that Islamic State chief is dead (11 July 2017) The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights told Reuters on Tuesday that it had “confirmed information” that Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi has been killed.
Regional and International Perspectives
A photographer’s journey into the dying center of the Islamic State (3 July, 2017) Alice Martins writes “It took Ahmed Brazu and his family 20 terrifying hours to escape this ravaged city, the capital of the Islamic State’s imagined caliphate that has become an increasingly perilous battlefield.”
Where is ‘Islamic State’ leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi? (4 July 2017) Three years ago, video emerged of the leader of so-called Islamic State (IS), Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, commanding allegiance in a sermon at the Great Mosque of al-Nuri in Mosul. The Iraqi city had been freshly captured by the jihadist group and a “caliphate” declared.
How a Syrian NGO is rebuilding destroyed parts of Idlib (4 July 2017) The Violet Organization is working to restore schools, roads, parks and public spaces in the rebel-held province.
After criticism, France’s Macron seeks to reassure Syria opposition (5 July 2017) France’s new president, Emmanuel Macron, sought to reassure opponents of Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad on Wednesday after provoking concern among rebel groups by saying that he saw no legitimate successor to Assad.
Drumpf to Putin: Syrian President Assad Can’t Have Land Liberated From ISIS (6 July 2017) Little is known about exactly what President Donald Drumpf will discuss with Russian leader Vladimir Putin when the two meet for the first time on Friday. But one thing is certain to come up: the ongoing war in Syria.
When This Western Journalist Reports on Hezbollah (6 July 2017) What Sulome Anderson’s Latest Newsweek Article Reveals About the Standards of Western Journalism In The Middle East
Russia: No deal on de-escalation zones in Syria talks (6 July 2017) Russia, Turkey and Iran fail to reach an agreement in Astana on how to run the de-escalation zones, Moscow’s envoy says.
Lebanese army prosecutor orders forensic probe into Syrians’ deaths (8 July 2017) A Lebanese military prosecutor ordered forensics to examine the bodies of four Syrians who died in army custody last week following calls for an inquiry by rights groups, a judge said on Saturday.
Amid divisions with Macron, Drumpf to travel to Paris to discuss Syria, terrorism (12 July 2017) U.S. President Donald Drumpf will travel to Paris on Wednesday to meet with French President Emmanuel Macron where the two leaders will seek to work together on Syria and countering terrorism, while avoiding the thorny issues that have divided them.
Policy and Reports
Syria’s new war millionaires (1 June 2017) For those with the right connections and an appetite for risk, the war has opened up lucrative sources of revenue. For the new elite, peace would be bad for business.
Syria war: Almost 500,000 refugees return in 2017 – UN (30 June 2017) Almost 500,000 Syrians have returned to their homes this year, the UN says, describing this as a “notable trend”.
Assad appears on Syrian currency for first time (2 July 2017) President Bashar al-Assad has appeared on the Syrian currency for the first time, his portrait printed on a new 2,000-pound banknote that went into circulation on Sunday.
Former French judge to lead UN Syria war crimes probe (3 July 2017) Catherine Marchi-Uhel will head the UN body to document and prosecute serious violations of international law in Syria.
What ISIS Really Thinks About the Future (5 July 2017) Hassan Hassan writes “There is still a long way for Iraq and Syria to go before they can properly claim to have defeated the group.”
Global inquiry aims to report on Syria sarin attack by October (6 July 2017) An international inquiry aims to report by October on who was to blame for a deadly sarin gas attack in Syria in April, the head of the probe said on Thursday, as he appealed for countries to back off and stop telling investigators how to do their work.
The Maddening Maze Of Getting A Syrian Passport Abroad (6 July 2017) A Syrian passport once cost $9 and took only a few hours to issue. As the Syrian conflict enters its seventh year, Syrians in Turkey are paying up to $2,000 and waiting for months to get one of the world’s weakest passports.
Total of at least 600 civilians killed by coalition strikes in Iraq, Syria: report (7 July 2017) At least 600 civilians have been killed in strikes in Iraq and Syria by the U.S.-led coalition fighting Islamic State since the campaign began in 2014, according to a report released by the coalition on Friday.
Qatar charities and UN sign deals worth $8.5m for Syria (8 July 2017) The money will go towards aid workers on the ground in Syria through various UN agencies.
Berlin worries Drumpf’s Russia problems hampering policy (11 July 2017) Germany welcomes signs the United States is engaging with Russia on Ukraine and Syria, but worries it will struggle to play a constructive role as long as its policy aims remain confused and the furor rages on over Moscow’s role in the U.S. election, a senior German official said.
Secret Details of Drumpf-Putin Syria Cease-fire Focus on Iranian Proxies (11 July 2017) Former U.S. diplomats and observers question whether the agreement is truly enforceable, expressing doubts that Russia could act as a reliable guarantor for a cease-fire involving the Syrian regime, Iran, and its proxies.
Documentaries, Special Reports, and Other Media
How Syrian refugees battle against cancer (26 June 2017) Ammash is a four-year-old Syrian refugee living in Lebanon’s capital Beirut. He is fighting leukaemia with support from an NGO but the funds for his treatment are running out.
WhatsApp messages from Raqqa: Mama, save me (June 2017) Maha and her nearly 2-year-old son Odai are trapped in Raqqa, ISIS’ de facto capital in Syria and one of the most isolated places on Earth. When she can find a rare internet connection away from watchful eyes, Maha talks to her mother via WhatsApp voice message.
Cardigan residents’ bid to re-house Syrian refugees (9 July 2017) Communities across Wales desperate to help displaced Syrian refugees are raising money to fund the resettlement of families themselves.
They Wanted to Make it Better: Americans Killed By ISIS In Syria Wanted To Stop Islamic State (11 July 2017) The Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) announced Tuesday the deaths of three foreign volunteers, two from the U.S. and one from the U.K., amid the U.S.-backed force’s campaign to defeat the Islamic State militant group (ISIS) in its de facto capital of Raqqa, Syria.
Maps
Syrian Civil War Map A map of the Syrian civil war that shows who controls what after five years of fighting.
Syria cVDPV2 outbreak Situation Report # 3 (04 July 2017) Twenty-four (24) cases of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type-2 (cVDPV2) have been confirmed in Syria —22 cases are from Mayadeen (Al Mayadin) district, Deir Ez-Zor (Dayr Az Zawr) governorate, and 2 cases from Raqqa (Ar Raqqah) and Tall Abyad districts, Raqqa (Ar Raqqah) governorate. The most recent case had onset of paralysis on 28 May.
Inside Syria’s War: Arms and Resistance in Jobar (6 July 2017) The inside story of how the people of Jobar have defended their homes against the might of the Assad regime.
Arabic Links:
تعميم «أصالة»: ماذا بشأن آلاف التوقيفات الممنهجة في قضايا استهلاك المخدرات؟ (25 June 2017) This article comments on the news of the arrest of Syrian singer Assala Nasri at Beirut airport for allegedly carrying drugs.
مدنيّون فارّون من دير الزور السوريّة: الألغام تحدّد مصير حياتهم (28 June 2017) While fleeing the Islamic State, Syria’s Deir ez-Zor residents embark on a journey risking their lives while walking in minefields.
The English version of this article can be found here: Syrians brave dangers, mines to escape IS grip
ماذا يعني طرح العملة الجديدة بقيمة 2000 ليرة؟ (2 July, 2017) This article explores the reasons for issuing a new currency, a 2,000-pound with Bashar al-Assad and what does that mean for the country’s economy.
قول في القِيم الآن (2 July, 2017) Dr. Ahmad Barqawi shares his perspective about the status of “values” in the current crisis.
لن تبقى ولن تتمدّد (4 July, 2017) This is a reflection on the recent losses of ISIS and prediction of its soon end.
عملية تعبئة النشطاء السوريين: دراسة في طبيعة العلاقة الاعتمادية بين تقنيات الاتصالات الحديثة والثقافة السياسية (5 July, 2017) This study examines the role of information and communication technology in protest mobilizations in the Syrian uprising until August 2011.
شروط تركية تؤدي لتسريح مئات الموظفين السوريين من المنظمات (5 July, 2017) Turkish authorities have denied, over the past few months, to renew the work permits of hundreds of Syrian employees who work with international organizations.
جَسْر الهُوّة الرقميّة في توثيق حقوق الإنسان في سوريا (7 July, 2017) An Arabic version of “DATNAV How to navigate digital data for human rights research” is now available to help human rights professionals in the courtroom, when working with governments and journalists, and in documenting historical record.
القضاء في إدلب وريفها.. بين فض النزاعات وتعزيز سيطرة الفصائل (7 July, 2017) This article tackles the judiciary system in Idlib and its countryside and how it varies depending on the armed group dominating a particular area.
تحرير الموصل لن يكون نهاية “داعش” (8 July, 2017) History has proven that militarily defeating extremist groups such as al-Qaeda does not mean the end of their ideology, and it seems the Islamic State will not stop at the Mosul liberation.
The English version of this article can be found here: Mosul liberation will not be end of IS
أهمية حماية المقابر الجماعية في سوريا (10 July, 2017) This report discusses the discovering of new mass graves in Syria and mechanisms to allow families’ access to the graves of their loved ones.
قبل ربع قرن، مسرح صيدنايا السرّي (10 July, 2017) Malek Dagestani shares his experience in Syrian prison and how performance and theater played a role in alleviating it.
[This article is published jointly in partnership with Jadaliyya.]
بواسطة Media Roundup Editors | يونيو 19, 2017 | Media Roundups
This is a roundup of news articles and other materials circulating on Syria and reflects a wide variety of opinions. It does not reflect the views of the Editors. You may send your own recommendations for inclusion in each week’s roundup to info@SalonSyria.com by Monday night of every week.
Inside Syria
Syrian doctors plead for help, fearing the world is ‘bored’ with their conflict (13 June, 2017) A group of Syrian doctors based in rebel-held provinces said on Tuesday that aid had dropped markedly over the last two months because donors were losing interest, a factor that will make it harder for them to handle government assaults.
UN: ‘Staggering’ civilian deaths in Raqqa offensive (14 June, 2017) UN investigator says US-led air strikes on ISIL stronghold of Raqqa is causing a ‘staggering loss of civilian life’.
A Small Syrian Town’s Revolt Against Al-Qaida (15 June, 2017) Al-Qaida-linked factions have been widening their hold in the only Syrian governorate under near complete rebel control, but one small town in southern Idlib is once again rising up against extremist rule.
Red Crescent worker wounded in Damascus attack on aid convoy: ICRC (18 June, 2017) A staff worker for the Syrian Arab Red Crescent relief organization was wounded in an attack on a humanitarian convoy near Damascus, the International Committee for the Red Cross (ICRC) said in a statement on Sunday.
U.S.-Led Coalition Shoots Down Syrian Military Jet West Of Raqqa, Pentagon Says (18 June, 2017) The U.S. military says it shot down a Syrian Air Force jet that dropped bombs near U.S.-backed forces in the fight against Islamic State militants in Iraq and Syria.
Iran fires missiles at militant groups in eastern Syria (18 June, 2017) Iran fired missiles on Sunday into eastern Syria, aiming at the bases of militant groups it holds responsible for attacks in Tehran which left 18 dead last week, Iran’s Tasnim news agency reported.
Regional and International Perspectives
ISIL’s discourse is more common than you think (13 June, 2017) Hassan Hassan writes “Islamist discourse provides ideological logistics to terrorists and reluctance to speak about extremism creates the space for radicals to entrench their views.”
Putin warns Gulf crisis imperils Syria peace efforts (13 June, 2017) In a phone conversation with the Saudi king, the Russian leader cautioned against anti-Qatar measures.
Amid Continued Instability, Why Are States Investing in Syria? (14 June, 2017) “Several countries have already secured investment deals in Syria in an attempt at first-mover advantage, or to occupy key economic and political sectors before others which India, Brazil, and China already have. The Syrian regime uses this motivation to its advantage in soliciting countries to rebuild its industries.”
Long Read: Israel’s Quiet Campaign to Gain a Foothold in Southern Syria (15 June, 2017) Despite its official policy of non-intervention, Israel has taken on a very proactive role in Syria, working to establish an Israel-friendly zone in Quneitra, akin to its strategy in southern Lebanon during the Lebanese civil war.
The US risks war with Iran in eastern Syria. It should focus on fighting IS elsewhere (16 June, 2017) Some in Washington hope the US can cut off Iran’s regional influence in eastern Syria, but that’s a recipe for endless war.
Saudi-Qatar crisis puts Syria rebels in tricky position (17 June, 2017) The Syrian opposition has been plagued by rivalries between Riyadh and Doha as well as weakened by Russia’s military support of Assad
Russia claims killing ISIL leader Baghdadi (18 June, 2017) Russia’s defence ministry says Baghdadi was present at an ISIL meeting in Syria that was struck by Russian air force.
Policy and Reports
Syria: Key Concerns for Raqqa Battle (13 June, 2017) The United States-led coalition, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), and other local armed groups should make protecting civilians and respect for human rights a priority in the offensive to retake Raqqa from the Islamic State (also known as ISIS), Human Rights Watch said today. The offensive was announced on June 6, 2017.
The Arabic version of this article can be found here: سوريا: مخاوف إزاء معركة الرقة
Understanding What Syrian Refugees Want (13 June, 2017) An extensive survey of Syrian refugees in Turkey finds very few of them are en route to Europe. Syria Deeply spoke to one of the researchers who conducted the poll about what made Syrians flee, and what they want from the peace process and the future.
Researchers Investigate How Trust Collapsed in Syria (15 June, 2017) Trust, cooperation and shared values among Syrians have fallen sharply throughout the country since the civil war began. That’s according to a new report by the independent Syrian Center for Policy Research, which analyzed the influence of the armed conflict on social relations in the country.
The reports can be found here: Social Degradation in Syria
Syrian army declares city ceasefire as Russia, U.N. plan July peace talks (17 June, 2017) The Syrian army said it would suspend combat operations in the southern city of Deraa for 48 hours from Saturday, as mediators announced two separate attempts to convene new peace talks next month.
SyrianStudiesAssociationBulletin This link provides access to the new Syrian Studies Association Bulletin Vol 22, No 1 (2017).
The Arabic version of this article can be found here: نشرة رابطة الدراسات السورية
Documentaries, Special Reports, and Other Media
‘He survived Assad only to be killed in a tower block in London’: First victim of Grenfell fire is Syrian refugee Mohammed al-Haj Ali (15 June, 2017) The first victim of the Grenfell Tower fire has been named as Syrian refugee Mohammad al-Haj Ali, whom grieving friends say “came here for a better life” but the UK “failed him”.
Abandoned and abused: the forgotten Syrian refugee children on a Greek detention island (17 June, 2017) Stranded on Chios women and teenagers face new horrors, with reports of police beatings, rape and knife attacks
Syria’s displaced: ‘This Ramadan is full of grief’ (18 June, 2017) Displaced Syrians in Idlib are experiencing a harsh Ramadan after being evacuated from their hometowns.
Family of Syrian victim of London tower block fire allowed to come to UK (18 June, 2017) The UK Home Office says the family of Mohammed Alhajali are being granted visas for the UK on ‘compassionate grounds.’
Maps
Medical Workers Seek Accountability for Syrian Healthcare Attacks (13 June, 2017) Medical workers are monitoring attacks on healthcare facilities in Syria. Their aim is to provide data that can be used by international agencies to enforce legal protections and hold the perpetrators accountable for breaches of international law.
A U.S. aircraft has shot down a Syrian Govt. jet (18 June, 2017) Battle for Southern Al-Thawrah Area: The territorial control as of June 18, 2017.
Arabic Links:
روجدا فلات: سنهزم “داعش” حتّى في عقر داره وعاصمته (2 June, 2017) In an interview with Al-Monitor, Kurdish commander Rojda Felat, one of the leaders in the battle to retake Raqqa, shares her experience as a female fighter against the Islamic State.
The English version of this article can be found here: Meet the Kurdish woman leading battle against IS in northern Syria
راءة في تقرير (راند) “مستقبل العلاقات الطائفية في الشرق الأوسط” (8 June, 2017) Khader Zakaria provides an analysis of a new report RAND Corporation on the future of sectarian relations in the Middle East.
“داعش” خارج حلب … والنظام يوسع طريقه إليها (9 June, 2017) The Syrian regime is closing in on the Islamic State in Aleppo, while securing a foothold in Raqqa’s outskirts, where US-backed rebels launched their offensive to liberate the city.
The English version of this article can be found here: Syrian regime clears last IS bastion in Aleppo province
الغوطة الشرقيّة تستقبل شهر رمضان في ظلّ حصار خانق وظروف إنسانيّة صعبة (11 June, 2017) As the regime continues to impose its siege on eastern Ghouta, thousands of trapped residents are making do with the limited supply of food available and depending on NGOs to get them through the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
The English version of this article can be found here: Ghouta residents suffer under siege during Ramadan
لماذا لا يضرب السجناء السوريون؟ (12 June, 2017) Rateb Sha’abo provides his perspective on why Syrian prisoners do not use hunger strike for resistance.
أجواء رمضان في إدلب آخر معاقل المعارضة في شمال سوريا (12 June, 2017) Since the Syrian period lost control of Idlib in 2015, the city has become a melting pot of Ramadan traditions, as residents and refugees adapt to new lives.
The English version of this article can be found here: Syrian war has reshaped Ramadan for many
تقرير: تصدع المجتمع السوري وخسارة رأس المال الاجتماعي (15 June, 2017) This is an Arabic summary of the new report by the Syrian Center for Policy Research “Social Degradation in Syria.”
The reports can be found in Arabic here: التصدع الاجتماعي في سوريا
حشرة الجراد تشكل خطرا على الزراعة في إدلب والمعارضة تحاول مكافحتها وتشتكي من ضعف الإمكانات (15 June, 2017) A swarm of locusts have destroyed an estimated 60% of crops in Idlib province, reducing the livelihoods of thousands of residents.
The English version of this article can be found here: ‘Day of the locusts’ in Syria’s Idlib
ن الراديكالية الثورية.. هل يكرر التاريخ نفسه؟ (16 June, 2017) Mohammad Dibo reflects on revolutionary radicalism and the fallouts of the Arab Spring.
المعارضة السورية مرّة أخرى (16 June, 2017) This study reviews the types of Syrian oppositions and the possibilities of reforming it.
في شأن التعايش السوري (17 June, 2017) Rasha Omran reflects on the so-called “Syrian coexistence,” the silent majority, and sectarianism.
التمجّد والمثقف “العضوي” (17 June, 2017) Salam Al-Kawakibi reflects on Gramsci’s concept of organic intellectual and the current intellectuals’ positions in the Arab region.
[This article is published jointly in partnership with Jadaliyya.]
