Syria Media Roundup (August 31)

بواسطة Media Roundup Editors | سبتمبر 5, 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

Offensives target ISIL on Lebanon-Syria border(19 August 2017) Lebanese army starts operation near Ras Baalbek while separate Hezbollah-Syrian army offensive begins in Qalamoun.

Syria: Bashar al-Assad rejects security cooperation with west (20 August 2017) Assad praises Russia, Iran, China and Hezbollah for supporting government as shell kills several at international fair.

ISIL mine kills three Lebanese troops on Syrian border (20 August 2017) Lebanon army advances against ISIL in border battle and has recaptured two thirds of the territory, says military.

Living in a void: life in Damascus after the exodus ( 22 August 2017) During six years of civil war in Syria, novelist Khaled Khalifa has watched wave after wave of friends and family flee his home city. But despite everything, he has decided to stay.

Civilians in Raqqa under fire ‘from all sides’: Amnesty (23 August 2017) Rights group says civilians are at a greater risk as the battle to remove ISIL from its de facto capital intensifies.

“Spent Eid Holiday While the Father Detained” ( 24 August 2017) Account of the Disappeared Journalist Barzan Liani by Pro-Autonomous Administration Asayish Forces.

Syrian army surrounds Islamic State enclave in central Syria ( 24 August 2017) The Syrian army and its allies have surrounded Islamic State forces in a second large enclave in the center of the country, a military media unit run by Hezbollah said.

Lebanon, Syria declare ceasefires in fight against ISIL (27 August, 2017) Lebanon declares truce to pave way for release of ISIL-held troops as Syrian army and Hezbollah halt separate campaign.

Entire Families Are Being Killed by U.S.. Airstrikes in Raqqa, Syria  (28 August 2017) As the battle for Raqqa moves into the heart of the city, coalition airstrikes and artillery fire have been blamed for attacks that have resulted in civilian deaths.

US-led air attacks block ISIL evacuation deal (31 August 2017) Jets carry out two sets of air raids to block ISIL evacuees from reaching area held by the group near Syria-Iraq border.

Regional and International Perspectives

Rules for reconstruction in Syria (24 August, 2017) Steven Heydemann writes: “For the Assad regime…reconstruction is not seen as a means for economic recovery and social repair, but as an opportunity for self-enrichment.”

Netanyahu: Iran building missile production sites in Syria, Lebanon (28 August, 2017) Netanyahu said  that Iran is building sites to produce precision-guided missiles in Syria and Lebanon, with the aim of using them against Israel.

After Syria fall-out, Hamas ties with Iran restored: Hamas chief  (28 August, 2017) Hamas and Iran have patched up relations, the Palestinian militant group’s new leader in Gaza said on Monday, and Tehran is again its biggest backer after years of tension over the civil war in Syria.

Moscow’s mercenaries reveal the privatisation of Russian geopolitics (29 August, 2017) Further revelations regarding the role of Russian private military contractors in Syria exposes how, under Putin, “state” and “private” are often one and the same thing.

Victory for Assad looks increasingly likely as world loses interest in Syria  (31 August, 2017) States that were until recently committed to toppling the Syrian leader are now resigned to him staying.

When did protest against the Assad government turn to war in Syria? (31 August, 2017) Instead of serious political advice, the West, especially the US and their proxy Arab allies in the Gulf, then poured weapons into Syria – enough arms to destroy Syria but not enough to overthrow the regime, as one ex-rebel told me.

Policy and Reports

Reports of Khaled Sharrouf’s death ‘reliable’, defence minister says (18 August, 2017) Marise Payne says Australia has power to ‘red flag’ coalition attacks but declines to comment further on death of Sharrouf’s two sons in the airstrike.

Syria: ‘This case is about saving humanity’ (20 August, 2017) A group of Syrian torture victims, now refugees in Germany, have taken a key step on the long road towards justice.

Russia says 200 ISIL fighters killed in Syria air raid (21 August, 2017) Russia has intensified an air campaign this month to help drive ISIL out of its major stronghold of Deir Az Zor.

Two North Korean shipments to Syria intercepted in six months, UN told (22 August, 2017) Security council reportedly investigating suspected chemical and conventional arms cooperation between two countries.

U.N. calls for pause in air strikes to spare civilians in Syria’s Raqqa  (24 August, 2017) The United Nations called on Thursday for a humanitarian pause to allow an estimated 20,000 trapped civilians to escape from the Syrian city of Raqqa, and urged the U.S.-led coalition to rein in air strikes that have caused casualties.

Report: Saudi, UAE weapons end up with armed groups (27 August, 2017) Investigative journalist says Azerbaijan-owned carrier used to move large quantities of heavy weapons to conflict zones.

Syria: Talks Should Address ‘Disappeared’ (29 August, 2017) Human Rights Watch demand that international backers of negotiations to end the conflict in Syria should ensure that any transitional process includes a robust independent body to investigate thousands of “disappeared.”

The Arabic version of this article can be found here:سوريا: يجب أن تعالج ملف “المختفين”

Tortured and abused: hidden horror of ‘disappeared’ women in Syrian prisons (30 August, 2017) On International Day of the Disappeared, campaigners are calling on the UN to bring the world’s attention to the terrible plight of Assad’s detainees

Documentaries, Special Reports, and Other Media

Syrian actress who became icon of the rebellion against President Bashar Assad dies at 46 (17 August, 2017) Fadwa Suleiman, an outspoken Syrian actress who took center stage at anti-government protests in the early days of the uprising against President Bashar Assad, has died after battling cancer, Syrian opposition groups and friends of the actress said Thursday. She was 46.

The evolution of war photography (19 August, 2017) From Lebanon’s civil war to ISIL’s takeover of Mosul and Aleppo, how has war photography changed over the years?

‘Dragon’s Den’ for migrant entrepreneurs (23 August, 2017) An initiative is trying to turn Middle Eastern migrants in Europe into technology entrepreneurs.

Fairouz in Exile (Fall, 2017) How hellish could it be after the horrors of Syria? Until Ahmad got to Germany, he could never fathom the warnings from these lucky Syrians in Europe.

Is Hezbollah stronger after its involvement in Syria? (28 August, 2017) ISIL fighters moved from northeast Lebanon to Syria as part of deal with Hezbollah and Syrian government forces. Kamel Wazne, Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi, Sami Nader discuss with Richelle Carey what will this mean for Hezbollah’s future and the power dynamics in the region.

Zakaria Tamer: “On the side of the Syrian people” (31 August, 2017) Syrian writer Zakaria Tamer, 86, gives a unique interview reflecting on the current situation in Syria.

World Cup qualifying: Syria beat Qatar to keep hopes alive  (31 August, 2017) Syria earned a vital 3-1 win against Qatar to keep alive their hopes of qualifying for a first ever World Cup.

Maps

MAPPED: The battle against ISIL (20 August, 2017) In the past year and a half, ISIL’s territory has been shrinking steadily.

What is left of ISIL’s ‘caliphate’? (31 August, 2017) The armed group used to control one third of Iraq’s territory and a large part of Syria, but now it has lost most of it.

Arabic Links:

صور من الحياة في وادي النصارى Laial Hanna describes different scenes from daily life in Wadi al-Nasara, an area that is mostly populated by Christians.

حمص 2017: انحسار الطائفية وامتعاض الموالين من الإيرانيين Through interviews with different people from Homs city who have various political affiliation, this article shows people’s tiredness from sectarianism and the Iranian presence.

فدوى سليمان.. الموت قهرًا        Mohamad Dibo reflects on the death of Fadwa Soliman, a Syrian actress who was one of the most recognized faces of the Syrian Uprising.

أي سوريّة هذه يا فدوى؟ Ammar Daioub reflects on the death of Fadwa Soliman, a Syrian actress who was one of the most recognized faces of the Syrian Uprising.

فدوى سليمان: فارق الأنثى وتنميط الطائفة Subhi Hadidi reflects on the death of Fadwa Soliman, a Syrian actress who was one of the most recognized faces of the Syrian Uprising.

وقف الديانة التركيّ يرمّم المساجد في منطقة درع الفرات في ريف حلب  The Turkiye Diyanet Foundation embarked on a mission to rebuild and renovate a large number of mosques in Aleppo province that were destroyed by fighting that raged between the Free Syrian Army (FSA), the Turkish army and the Islamic State (IS).

The English version of this article can be found here: Turkish foundation helps Syrians recover from devastation of war

المنظّمات النسائية السوريّة بين الواقع والمأمول  This article explores the rise of several Syrian civil society organizations that focus on women’s issues since March 2011 and the opportunities and challenges that face such organizations.

حوار مع ميّة الرحبي: النسوية والإسلام  Rehab Shaker interviews Dr. Maia Al-Rahbi about her book “Woman and Islam” and her contextual, historical reading of this topic.

انتصار نظام الإبادة السياسية  In an interview, Yassin al-Haj Saleh describes how Syrians have been denied any meaning for their suffering.

The English version of this article can be found here: The Triumph of Politicide

عاصي: المواطن السوري يعيش يومه بأقل من 50 سنتاً من الدولار  Former Syrian minister of Economy says most of Syria’s population lives on less than 50 American cent a day.

تركيا تدعم المجلس المحليّ في مدينة الباب للنهوض بالمدينة وإعادة إعمارها  In a bid to facilitate the return of Syrian refugees in Turkey to their homes, the Turkish government has been making considerable efforts to reconstruct and rehabilitate the destroyed Syrian areas that were liberated during Operation Euphrates Shield.

The English version of this article can be found here: Why is Turkey so invested in rehabilitating Syrian city of al-Bab?

[This article is published jointly in partnership with Jadaliyya.] 

Syria Media Roundup (July 31)

بواسطة Media Roundup Editors | أغسطس 1, 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

Deadly ambush near Damascus hits pro-Assad forces (20 July 2017) Firefight in village east of Damascus comes as clashes between two anti-government factions continue in Idlib province.

Hezbollah makes gains in Syria-Lebanon border assault (22 July 2017) Pro-Assad forces capture several strategic hills on second day of assault to drive rebels from the border, say reports.

Russia: New ceasefire deal agreed in Syria’s Ghouta  (22 July 2017) Besieged Eastern Ghouta near Damascus is one of the last strongholds of rebels fighting Bashar al-Assad’s forces.

Syrian warplanes strike near Damascus despite ceasefire: Syrian Observatory  (23 July 2017) Syrian government warplanes carried out several air strikes in the Eastern Ghouta area east of Damascus on Sunday, a day after the Syrian military declared a cessation of hostilities in the area, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

Syrian army, allies advance against Islamic State east of Raqqa (23 July 2017) Syrian government forces and their allies have recaptured territory from Islamic State in countryside southeast of its stronghold Raqqa after air strikes in the area, a pro-Damascus military media unit and war monitors reported.

Hay’et Tahrir al-Sham take control of Syria’s Idlib (23 July 2017) Group formerly linked to al-Qaeda affiliate consolidates grip on Idlib as main rival rebels Ahrar al-Sham withdraw.

‘There Are Many Other Kids Here’: Child Tells of Labor in Syria  (24 July 2017) The economic strain of Syria’s six-year civil war has encouraged hidden forms of child labor, as an increasing number of youngsters take up work in dim factory buildings, dusty workshops and in the dingy backrooms of Damascene cafes.

Syria says U.S. halting aid to rebels is step toward ending war (25 July 2017) Syria views a U.S. decision to halt CIA support to rebel groups fighting to topple President Bashar al-Assad as a “start” toward ending the six-year conflict, a government minister told Reuters.

Against all odds, village republics take hold in Syria  (25 July 2017) Syrians are practising democracy and building their own institutions in the most difficult of circumstances, writes Robin Yassin-Kassab.

Militants stifle civil society in Syria’s Idlib (26 July, 2017) Civil society groups in Syria’s Idlib are doing what they can to provide aid to about 1 million citizens, despite pressure by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, an al-Qaeda-linked group that is trying to impose its own presence in the province.

Eyeing Deir al-Zor, Syrian army advances on Islamic State town (27 July 2017) Syrian government forces are nearing the last major town held by Islamic State (IS) in Homs province, part of their multi-pronged advance toward the jihadist group’s strongholds in the east of the country, a military source said on Thursday.

Coalition airstrikes ‘kill founder of Isis Amaq news agency’ and other senior media figures (27 July 2017) The US-led coalition fighting Isis has announced the death of the founder of the Amaq news agency, a crucial propaganda media arm of the extremist group.

Hezbollah and rebels agree ceasefire at Lebanese-Syrian border (27 July 2017) A ceasefire took effect on Thursday in a mountainous area of the Lebanese-Syrian border where Lebanon’s Hezbollah says it is on the verge of defeating Nusra Front militants in their last foothold at the frontier.

Assad troops enter ISIL-held town of al-Sukhna in Homs  (28 July 2017) Monitor reports artillery and rocket firing at ISIL positions in lead-up to entry into southwestern part of al-Sukhna.

Thousands to be evacuated from Lebanon-Syria border  (31 July 2017) Under a deal between Hezbollah and Syrian opposition groups, 9,000 fighters and their relatives will return to Syria.

Russia holds first ever military parade in Syria (31 July 2017) Navy Day marked with show of military might in St Petersburg, Crimea and Tartous in Syria, where Moscow has just cemented its military presence in deal with Syrian government.

Regional and International Perspectives

The post-IS proxy war  (18 July 2017) Vijay Prashad writes that the defeat of the Islamic State is inevitable. But the next conflict has already begun, with Iran in the gunsights of U.S.

Many foreign fighters likely to stay in Syria, Iraq: U.S. official (21 July 2017) In a new assessment, the U.S. intelligence community judges that large numbers of foreigners fighting for Islamic State in Iraq and Syria likely will stay to defend what is left of their self-declared caliphate rather than return to their homelands, a top U.S. counter-terrorism official said on Friday.

Russia not reason for U.S. ending CIA arms to Syria rebels: general (21 July 2017) A U.S. decision to halt a CIA program equipping and training certain rebel groups fighting the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad was not done as a concession to Assad ally Russia, a top U.S. general said on Friday.

Drumpf says Assad won’t get away with ‘horrible’ crimes (25 July 2017) Drumpf also called Hezbollah a ‘menace’ to the Middle East during a joint press conference with Lebanon’s PM Saad Hariri.

Mission Impossible? Investigating the Khan Sheikhoun Nerve Gas Attack in Syria (25 July 2017) Aron Lund writes “the Khan Sheikhoun investigation matters, because the use of chemical weapons resonates far outside of Syria. Challenges to the global norm against gas warfare tend to provoke international responses in ways that the daily churn of conventional war crimes in Syria do not, and the past four years of peacemaking and great-power diplomacy were strongly influenced by the disputes over Assad’s chemical weapons program.”

The story of Hayat Tahrir Al Sham’s rise to prominence and what it means for Syria (26 July 2017) Hassan Hassa writes “Jabhat Fateh Al Sham, as it was renamed, moved towards a consolidation of its influence in rebel-held areas in the north west. It sought to do so by leading a consortium of rebel factions to break the siege in Aleppo, which it briefly managed to do. The momentum was short-lived and the regime reimposed the siege and, in December, expelled the rebels from eastern Aleppo.”

Can refugees return to Syria, as many want them to? (30 July, 2017) Countries want Syrian refugees to go back, but have they done anything to stop the Assad regime creating more refugees?

Blaming the Victims (31 July, 2017) Syrian refugees in Lebanon are increasingly being manipulated to satisfy geopolitical agendas.

With an eye on Iran, US welcomes Moqtada Al Sadr visit to Saudi Arabia (31 July, 2017) Iraqi cleric’s meeting with crown prince boosts his standing and helps kingdom in countering Iran’s expansionism, former US ambassador to Baghdad says.

New Dangers Stalk Syrian Children Still Haunted by Horrors Under ISIS (31 July, 2017) Somini Sengupta and Hwaida Saad writes: “The boy did not want to see a beheading, so he held his mother’s hand tight and tried to close his eyes. But seeing it was mandatory when the Islamic State ruled his hometown in northern Syria: If you were out on the street, you had to watch.”

Policy and Reports

The Role of Jihadi Movements in Syrian Local Governance (14 July 2017) Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), exemplifies how international extremist jihadi organizations, such as Al Qaeda, have evolved in Syria. Informed by the experiences of Al Qaeda and other jihadi groups in Iraq, HTS has developed a governance strategy that depends on building support from the local Syrian population.

Reverse Moralism and the Response to the Syrian Refugee Crisis  (20 July 2017) Filippo Dionigi  writes: “Non-refoulement is a well-recognized principle of customary international law that forbids the forced deportation of refugees and asylum seekers to their country of origin.”

‘Drumpf ends CIA support for anti-Assad Syria rebels’  (20 July 2017) US president phasing out agency’s programme to arm and train groups in order to get closer to Russia, say US officials.

After Syria sarin attack, doctors train to treat chemical weapons victims (21 July 2017) Wearing chemical suits and gasmasks, Syrian doctors rush to a house where white smoke wafts over a group of people choking and coughing, some calling out for help.

Bringing facts back to Lebanon’s refugee conversation (26 July 2017) Beirut-based professor has launched campaign to challenge misperceptions in the online discussion about Syrian refugees.

U.S. pledges extra $140 million to Lebanon for Syrian refugees (26 July 2017) The United States will give Lebanon an extra $140 million to help Syrian refugees and the communities hosting them, the State Department said during a U.S. state visit by Lebanon’s Prime Minister.

Extremists Go From Mosul To The Mountains (27 July 2017) Having been driven out of Mosul, the extremist Islamic State group is doing what Al Qaeda did before them: setting up new bases in the rugged northern Hamrin mountain area.

Arsal: Hezbollah, Jabhat Fateh al-Sham agree ceasefire (27 July 2017) Group ‘close to military victory’ calls truce with Jabhat Fateh al-Sham, whose fighters will reportedly return to Syria.

Russia to stay in Syria for another half a century as Putin signs air base deal with Assad regime (27 July 2017) The base helped Russia turn the tide of the civil war in favor of the Syrian regime.

Syrian refugees rejected because of links to group that opposes brutal Assad regime (30 July 2017) The U.S. and more than 80 other countries have recognized the Syrian coalition group as legitimate.

Documentaries, Special Reports, and Other Media

Syria Retold  (11 July 2017) Chuck Mertz interviews Middle East politics professor Wendy Pearlman the author of We Crossed a Bridge and it Trembled: Voices from Syria.

Syrian refugees rebuild their lives in Istanbul  (21 July 2017) Since the outbreak of Syria’s war in 2011, Turkey has welcomed more than three million Syrian refugees.

Hani al-Moliya: Legally Blind, Photographer, Refugee  (23 July 2017) A photographer from Homs becomes a youth leader after his photos of life in a refugee camp are noticed in Canada.

What’s Next in Idlib? (24 July, 2017) The Century Foundation’s Sam Heller discusses the complexities of a governorate that continues to evade regime control.

The Arabic version of this article can be found here: ما الخطوة التالية في إدلب؟

Refugees: Between worlds in Israel, Turkey and Greece (25 July, 2017) Short docs about an Eritrean boarding school in Israel, refugee children in Turkey and a hotel-turned-squat in Greece.

Meet the LGBT anarchists who’ve gone to Syria to fight Isis (25 July, 2017) Fighters in the world’s first LGBT military unit tell The Independent the time has come to ‘announce our existence to people and governments who claim we do not exist’

Devastating fires in refugee camps highlight dangerous conditions Syrians in Lebanon are forced to live in (25 July, 2017) Expired fire extinguishers and haphazard construction contributed to recent blazes which killed two children and left 1,400 homeless.

Women raped daily by Isis are so damaged they are falling into deep sleeps and not getting up (28 July, 2017) ‘This is what they have done to our people,’ says Khalid Taalo, whose niece was captured.

Syrian comedy troupe’s brand of satire fails to amuse Assad government (30 July, 2017) Abby Sewell write “Every time he gets the chance, Ayham Hilal, an Internet cafe proprietor in the Syrian city of Saraqeb, squeezes into a small community center with about 200 fellow theatergoers and loses himself in a comedy show.”

Life after ISIL: Mosul musicians emerge from the shadows (31 July, 2017) Many musicians who lived under ISIL rule hid or destroyed their instruments and did not play for the three years that ISIL, or the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant group, controlled the city. But now they have begun to perform again.

Syrian refugee family featured in ‘lost family portrait’ find missing daughter in Turkey (31 July, 2017) Missing eldest daughter discovered safe and well in Istanbul is now hoping to get a passport in order to be reunited with her family

Clooneys to help 3,000 Syrian refugees go to school in Lebanon (31 July, 2017) George and Amal Clooney said on Monday they would help 3,000 Syrian refugee children go to school this year in Lebanon, where the United Nations says 200,000 children are not receiving an education after fleeing the war in neighboring Syria.

Maps

Aid credibility at stake as donors haggle over reporting rules (21 July, 2017) The world’s rich countries spend billions at home but report it as “aid”, exploiting a loophole that enables donors to mislead the public and cut vital development budgets. IRIN has dug into the data to reveal the worst offenders and the extent of a practice that topped $15 billion last year, seriously undermining the credibility of aid statistics.

Turkey | Syria: Developments in North-western Syria (as of 30 July 2017) From 19 – 25 July, infighting among non-state armed groups (NSAGs) disrupted the provision of humanitarian services in northwestern Syria.

Arabic Links

 حلبة الشرق الأوسطMichael Young interviews journalist Ibrahim Hamidi on how the conflict over Syria’s borders is being shaped by outside powers.

The English version of this article can be found here: The Middle East’s Playing Field

 وفيات وادعاءات بتعذيب سوريين في عهدة الجيش اللبنانيHuman Rights Watch said that Lebanese authorities should conduct an independent, thorough, and transparent investigation into the deaths of Syrians in military custody and allegations of torture and ill-treatment in detention.

The English version of this article can be found here: Lebanon: Deaths, Alleged Torture of Syrians in Army Custody

 مصرف سورية المركزيّ يصدر فئة جديدة من العملة الورقيّة بقيمة 2000 ليرة سوريّةSyria has issued a new 2,000-pound banknote sporting the face of President Bashar al-Assad; not surprisingly, the opposition refuses to use it.

The English version of this article can be found here: New Syrian banknote may be more than meets the eye

 «خرافة» إعادة إعمار سوريةRadwan Ziadeh describes the efforts of rebuilding Syria as a myth and outlines his personal rationale for this description.

 إجابات ذاتية جدا على أسئلة الحرب والكتابةUday Al Zoubi shares his personal experience in relation to questions on war and writing.

 سياسات النزاعJihad Yazigi discusses diplomacy in Syria, Iran’s aims, and whether the Assad regime still matters.

The English version of this article can be found here: The Politics of Conflict

العودة إلى دمشق من جمر النار إلى الجحيم Samira Al-Masalmah reflects on the recent wave of racist calls in Lebanon asking Syrian refugees to go back home.

إعفاء رئيسة مجلس الشعب من منصبها Hadiya Khalaf Abbas was exempt from her position as the head of the People’s Council of Syria.

زوجة الأسد تظهر في فيلم دعائي جديد Asma al-Assad will appear in a new film that promotes the Syrian regime narratives.

عملة سورية فوتوشوب..والمركزي يوضح Central Bank of Syria denies that new metal coins (50 and 100 Syrian pounds) will be issued.

هل ستقبل إسرائيل في نهاية المطاف بالاتفاق الأميركي- الروسي حول جنوب سورية؟ A regular survey of experts on matters relating to Middle Eastern and North African politics and security.

The English version of this article can be found here: Will Israel eventually accept the U.S.-Russian agreement over southern Syria?

 الفيدرالية الكردية تضم 3 أقاليم و6 مقاطعات… و«الرقة رهن التحرير»This article provides updates on Kurdish federalism in north Syria and how the new  electoral law and administrative divisions allow stateless people to run for election.

 [This article is published jointly in partnership with Jadaliyya.]