بواسطة Media Roundup Editors | أكتوبر 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 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
Countryside Dwellers and City Dwellers… About the Syria that we Know very well (10 September 2017) “Munira says that countryside dwellers have started to feel they are proud of their belonging to their small towns and villages only after the revolution.”
As War Rages, Tabqa Schools Offer Hope to Syrian Children (12 September 2017) “Local officials face numerous challenges as they struggle to get students back into the education system while the war continues, but several Tabqa schools are set to reopen for Syrian children this week, just months after the city was liberated from ISIS.”
Hundreds of Isis defectors mass on Syrian border hoping to flee (12 September 2017) Several dozen former fighters have already crossed into southern Turkey in recent weeks as terror group loses territory.
Turkey deploys 80 military vehicles near Syrian border (17 September 2017) Deployment comes after Russia, Turkey, and Iran agreed to send ‘de-escalation’ forces to Syria in the coming weeks.
SOHR: Israeli warplanes hit near Damascus airport (22 September 2017) The air raids reportedly struck sites controlled by the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah, says UK-based activist group.
Syrians vote in Kurdish-led regions of north (22 September 2017) Syrians voted in an election organized by the Kurdish-led authorities of northern Syria, the start of a three-phase process to set up new governing institutions that aim to shore up regional autonomy.
Syria to consider granting Kurds greater autonomy (26 September 2017) Discussions on extended powers for Syrian Kurds to begin once Assad government defeats ISIL, foreign minister says.
British film-maker killed by Isis militants in Syria (27 September 2017) Mehmet Aksoy, from London, was working as a press officer for Kurdish forces in Raqqa when military base was attacked
Behind the story: Meet the journalists who risk the wrath of all sides to cover Syria’s south (27 September 2017) Five journalists, two from Suwayda province, two from Daraa and one from Quneitra, who cover the Syrian conflict on the ground at great personal risk share their stories and talk about challenges they faced.
Suwayda residents, citing weak government authority, turn anew to tribal laws to resolve civil, criminal matters(27 September 2017) “Residents of regime-held Suwayda province in Syria’s south are turning to centuries-old tribal practices to combat lawlessness, solve familial disputes and handle marriages in the absence of an effective civil authority, residents and local leaders on the ground tell Syria Direct.”
Joshua Landis: Syria on track ‘to go back to what we had before’ (28 September 2017) In this interview, Joshua Landis says that the way forward is an economy revitalized by regional transportation, trade routes and tourism.
‘New Baghdadi tape’ posted by Islamic State group (28 September 2017) Islamic State militants have released what appears to be an audio recording of their leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.
Rare Islamic State victory in rural Homs splits displaced families apart (2 October, 2017) If confirmed, the capture of Qaryatayn is a rare victory for IS as the group’s forces suffer major losses in eastern Syria’s Raqqa and Deir e-Zor provinces, amid separate campaigns by US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces and the regime to eradicate the group from its remaining territory.
Deadly bombing hits Damascus police station (3 October, 2017) ‘Terrorist explosion’ in al-Midan area kills more than 10 people, including civilians and police, in continued violence.
Syrian Soldier Is Guilty of War Crime, a First in the 6-Year Conflict (3 October, 2017) “For the first time, six years into a war that began with Syria’s secret police accused of torturing teenagers and has escalated in brutality ever since, a member of the Syrian military has been convicted of a war crime.”
Regional and International Perspectives
The best weapon to de-radicalise Isis returnees? Our own humanity (15 September 2017) Extremists coming back from Syria must not be seen as one-dimensional, Bond-movie bad guys. Our task is to remember that perpetrators can be victims.
US funding cuts and the impact on Syrian refugee women (20 September 2017) How the US went from all to nothing at a maternity clinic in the world’s largest Syrian refugee camp.
Exclusive: Turkey to deploy troops inside Syria’s Idlib – Erdogan (22 September 2017) Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Thursday Turkey will deploy troops in Syria’s northern Idlib region as part of a so-called de-escalation agreement brokered by Russia last month.
Has the Syrian opposition lost the war? (23 September 2017) Journalist Patrick Cockburn and Syrian American Council adviser Mohammed Ghanem offer differing views on the Syrian war.
Moscow clashes with EU over aid to Syria (23 September 2017) Russia clashed with the EU over Syria, accusing the bloc of politicizing aid by linking reconstruction funds to a political transition that would end the war.
Evicted Refugees in Lebanon Have Nowhere Left to Run (28 September 2017) Lebanon wants to evict 12,000 refugees who live near an air base where foreign military assistance is delivered. The evictions, which began in spring and recently resumed after a short respite, have left refugees more vulnerable amid rising demands they return to Syria.
Expert Views: Is Jordan Headed Toward Detente With Damascus? (29 September 2017) Syria Deeply’s expert community weighs in on a possible rapprochement between Amman and Damascus and the drive in some quarters for improved relations between the two states.
Do Russians care about Syria? (30 September 2017) Two years into the Russian intervention in Syria, we ask what Russians think of the war.
Saudi king heads to Russia, with oil, investment and Syria on agenda (3 October, 2017) The leaders of Saudi Arabia and Russia, the world’s biggest oil exporters, are expected to discuss cooperation on oil production and differences over Syria and Iran on Thursday during the first visit to Moscow by a reigning Saudi Monarch.
Policy and Reports
EU launches “Brussels process” for Syria, Mogherini announces at UNGA (21 September 2017) The EU is ready to contribute to the stabilisation and early recovery of areas where violence has decreased, and will hold a second conference on Syria in Spring 2018. In parallel, the EU continues to support the Geneva talks with the aim of a credible and inclusive agreement.
The socio-economic roots of Syria’s uprising (21 September 2017) While the outbreak of revolution in 2011 took many by surprise, the pre-conditions for such an upheaval had accumulated for decades.
German justice handed 27,000 images of ‘torture and killings by Assad regime’ (22 September 2017) More than 27,000 images of torture and killings allegedly perpetrated by the Assad regime in Syria have been handed to German prosecutors who are investigating possible abuses, a rights group said on Friday.
Intolerable Living Conditions in “al-Rukban Camp” on the Jordanian-Syrian Border (25 September 2017) “Tens of Thousands of Displaced Persons have Difficulty Accessing Potable Water and Health Care”
Syria: Coalition Airstrikes Killed Dozens Near Raqqa (25 September 2017) Human Rights Watch said in a report that two aerial attacks near Raqqa, Syria in March killed at least 84 civilians, including 30 children, and raise concerns that US-led coalition forces fighting the ISIS did not take adequate precautions to minimize civilian casualties.
Post-ISIS Governance in Jarablus: A Turkish-led Strategy (26 September 2017) Turkey’s capacity to ensure the sustainability of its successes against ISIS depends largely on improving governance in Jarablus.
Will the U.S. Abandon the Kurds of Syria Once ISIS is Destroyed? by Landis, Itani, Simon (1 October 2017) Joshua Landis, Faysal Itani, Steven Simon shares their perspectives on whether the United States would stand by the Kurds of north Syria once ISIS is destroyed.
Jordan: Syrian Refugees Being Summarily Deported (2 October 2017) Human Rights Watch said in a report that Jordanian authorities have been summarily deporting Syrian refugees – including collective expulsions of large families.
The Arabic version of this report can be found here: الأردن: ترحيل مستعجل للاجئين سوريين
Documentaries, Special Reports, and Other Media
Campfire songs in a war zone: Syria’s girl scouts earn their stripes (19 September 2017) Arabic could become the fourth official language of the world Girlguiding movement, as Syria’s girl scout network wins international recognition
We felt so lucky to foster a young refugee. Don’t let Parsons Green tarnish a proud tradition (20 September 2017) Fostering a teenager from Syria has been a privilege and given us a new perspective on our lives. I hope this horrific attack does not deter future carers.
Syrian opposition activist and her journalist daughter murdered in Turkey (22 September 2017) 60-year-old Orouba Barakat and 22-year-old daughter Halla were found overnight in their apartment in Istanbul’s Uskudar neighbourhood.
How One Syrian Fought to the Death for a Free Internet (27 September 2017) Della Ratta says. “We should take it very seriously when the international community is dealing with Bashar al-Assad like he’s not doing what he’s doing, which is killing his people and executing people like Bassel. It’s a very sad story but it deserves to be told. Otherwise an entire chapter of this situation in Syria will be lost.”
Fatal Attraction: The Islamic State’s Politics of Sentimentality (28 September 2017) “The ability of the Islamic State (IS) to gain virtual and literal ground in terms of recruitment throughout the world is very much linked to its politics of sentimentality.”
5 amazing ways #MeWeSyria is helping young Syrian refugees (1 October 2017) The work that #MeWeSyria is doing to support and facilitate young Syrians in telling their stories is a fundamental part of the effort to bridge the gap between educational and emotional needs.
The 13-year-old Syrian refugee who became a prizewinning poet (1 October 2017) A year after learning to speak English, Amineh Abou Kerech has won this year’s Betjeman prize. She tells us how she found her voice.
Review: ‘The Impossible Revolution’ in Syria (3 October 2017) Lebanese writer Joey Ayoub reviews Yassin Al-Haj Saleh’s The Impossible Revolution: Making Sense of the Syrian Tragedy.
Maps
Mapping the Battle Against ISIS in Deir Ezzor (26 September 2017) Syria Deeply examines the pitched battle for Deir Ezzor, including advances by both the Syrian Democratic Forces and the Assad government against the so-called Islamic State in the oil-rich province.
The city fit for no-one (26 September 2017) A collection of maps and visuals that shows aspects from inside Raqqa, the ruined ‘capital’ of the Islamic State group
Mapping out Syria’s remaining battles (26 September 2017) Battles intensify as fighting in Syria now focused on three key areas.
Syria’s civil war explained from the beginning (1 October, 2017) The Syrian civil war is the deadliest conflict the 21st century has witnessed so far.
Deir Azzour Tribal Mapping Project (2 October, 2017) Deir Azzour is in the strategic eastern region of the country, on the border with Iraq, and the governorate is approximately 500 kilometers (311 miles) from Damascus.
Arabic Links:
إصبعٌ على الكيبورد.. وآخرُ في عين الكارثة Ola Hosamow writes about the growing number of Syrian artists who use digital arts as an expression of the Syrian tragedy.
إزاحة رأس النظام السوري وتناقض التصريحات This article examines the contradictory statements made by Western officials towards whether Assad should stay in power or leave.
بعد اعتقال دام 4 سنوات ..”حازم الحريري” قتيلاً في سجون النظام Family of Hazim Alhariri was informed that Hazim (22 years old) was executed in 2014. Hazim was a Law school student at the University of Aleppo and a musician.
الوجود الكردي في سورية تاريخيًا واجتماعيًا Abdulbaset Sieda, a Kurdish-Syrian academic and politician, writes about the socio-historical existence of Kurds in Syria.
أغاني العرس الفلّاحي في العراق والشام Anas Al-Asaad analyzes peasant wedding songs in Syria and Iraq.
المثقف النذل Gassan Jebai criticizes Arab intellectuals who supported oppressive regimes against their own people.
نص المداخلة الشفهية لرئيس المركز السوري للإعلام وحرية التعبير مازن درويش، خلال جلسة “بناء أسس العدالة في سوريا” The intervention of Mazen Darwish, Director of the Syrian Centre for Media and Freedom of Expression (SCM), “Accountability High Level Event” at the United Nations General Assembly, 72nd session
The English version of this article can be found: here.
إطلاق سراح لاعب سوري بعد وساطة من عمر السومة؟ Upon a personal request made by Syrian football player Omar Somah, Mohammad Kunis, a Syrian football player, was released from the regime’s prison.
حمودة صباغ .. رئيسا لمجلس الشعب السوري Hammouda Sabbagh was elected as the new Speaker of the People’s Council of Syria.
ما بعد السيطرة على جسد المرأة Jad Al Karim Jebaei criticizes the patriarchal structures and Arab/Islamic culture which control the body and deny individual freedom.
المرأة السورية ومنظمات المجتمع المدني! Syrian Women’s Network organized a workshop in Gaziantep to empower Syrian women.
لقاء مع مالك جندلي An interview with Malek Jandali, a Syrian-American pianist and composer.
14 الجاري.. “يوم الغضب السوري” في العالم Syrian activists call for “a day of rage” worldwide on October 14.
[This article is published jointly in partnership with Jadaliyya.]
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 16, 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 army bombs ‘safe zones’ killing civilians(10 August, 2017) Government bombs “de-escalation zones” while regime forces capture 30km border with Jordan from rebel control.
Idlib Residents Split Over Support for Al-Qaida-Linked Militants (10 August, 2017) Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham’s military dominance in Idlib has not been translated into total popular support. Today, the province is split between those who accept the extremist group and those who are pushing back against its rise to prominence.
Seven White Helmets medics killed in Syria’s Idlib (12 August, 2017) Armed attackers stormed the Sarmin office of the Syrian paramedic group that is active in opposition-controlled areas.
Syrian government doubles territory under its control (13 August, 2017) Russia says Syrian government forces have seized thousands of square kilometres from ISIL in the centre of the country.
Thousands of refugees and militants return to Syria from Lebanon (14 August, 2017) Hezbollah escorts more than 3,000 across border in latest phase of repatriation that aid groups say fails to guarantee welfare.
Syria’s White Helmets protest against killings of rescue workers (14 August, 2017) Civil defence volunteers hold vigils for seven colleagues shot dead by unknown perpetrators in Sarmin on Saturday.
I am a civilian in Raqqa. Surviving the siege is becoming harder every day (15 August, 2017) As well as the airstrikes and lack of food, those of us left here endure the severe mental strain of hiding our true personalities from Isis and the religious police.
Inside Aleppo: Residents return to rebuild Syria’s shattered city (15 August, 2017) With the permission of the Assad government, CNN reports from Aleppo’s eastern neighborhoods that used to be strongholds of the opposition.
Regional and International Perspectives
The two Syrias and the shrinking grey category (9 August, 2017) Ola Rifai comments on two pictures coming up from Syria painting a secular Syria ruled by Assad vs. an Islamic Syria led by rural Salfists stand as a solid fact.
A Deadly Delusion: Were Syria’s Rebels Ever Going to Defeat the Jihadists? (10 August, 2017) Sam Heller writes that “the counter-terrorism case for backing Syria’s rebels was bogus — an implausible claim by the Syrian opposition that was uncritically and irresponsibly repeated by opposition backers.”
Syria’s Assad has become an icon of the far right in America (13 August, 2017) Assad’s emergence as a popular hero for the right appears to have followed a series of tweets in March by the former Ku Klux Klan leader David Duke, in which he lavished praise on the Syrian president, describing him as an “amazing leader” — and more.
In 1939, I didn’t hear war coming. Now its thundering approach can’t be ignored (14 August, 2017) As a teenager I would just laugh at newsreels of Hitler and other fascists. I hope what happened next is not witnessed again by my grandchildren’s generation.
Turkey might seek more than mere reconstruction in northern Syria (14 August, 2017) Turkey’s ambitious and costly reconstruction projects in the Jarablus/al-Rai/al-Bab triangle of northern Syria suggest comprehensive society-building.
Why Syrian Constitutional Debates Are Unlikely to Bring Political Reform (14 August, 2017) Russia’s power broker role in Syria negotiations means that any future debates around a new constitution will be an attempt to solidify Moscow’s proposal for the de facto partitioning Syria, while maintaining Assad’s position, writes journalist Lorenzo Trombetta.
Policy and Reports
Inside Turkey’s NGO Purge (3 August, 2017) The Turkish government is targeting aid workers with intimidation tactics, inane red tape, and senseless deportations.
Syrian feminists: ‘This is the chance the war wave us – to empower women’ (7 August, 2017) Activists in Syria are challenging patriarchal norms, to ensure they have a place not just at the negotiating table, but in rebuilding the country after the war.
The Education Information Gap Facing Syrian Women Outside Syria (7 August, 2017) A major barrier to Syrian women’s education – both inside and outside the country – is the information gap that makes applying for asylum and finding education opportunities a labyrinth of confusion.
UK defence contractor billed US more than $50m in expenses (9 August, 2017) Expenses included luxury cars and salaries paid to ‘significant others’ of company’s top executives, according to Pentagon.
We Must Ask Refugees What They Feel About Returning to Syria (11 August, 2017) The founder of the consultancy behind the annual Arab Youth Survey explains why they did their first-ever poll of Syrian refugees and what the young refugees surveyed in Lebanon and Jordan said about the conflict and their attitudes toward going home.
US-led anti-Isis campaign in Raqqa ‘failing to avoid civilian deaths’ (11 August, 2017) Hundreds of residents in Syrian city reportedly killed by airstrikes on Isis stronghold amid changes in targeting policy under Drumpf.
Alleged Islamic State recruiter Neil Prakash receiving consular help from Australia (12 August, 2017) Coalition says ‘basic’ assistance being given due to hopes alleged conspirator will share intelligence on terrorist group.
UN says nearly 50,000 stranded at unsafe Jordan-Syria border (14 August, 2017) Nearly 50,000 people, most of them women and children, are stranded at Syria’s southern border with Jordan, an increasingly unsafe area where air strikes were reported in the last few days, the United Nations said Monday.
Syrian Businesses Around World Aim to get ‘Syrians to Help Syrians’ (14 August, 2017) The chairman of the newly established Syrian International Business Association, Samer Chamsi-Pasha, says the Syrian diaspora needs to mobilize to help countries hosting Syrian refugees.
Documentaries, Special Reports, and Other Media
The Sound of Syria (9 August, 2017) Syrian qanun virtuoso Maya Youssef explains why – to her – music is “the opposite of death” in this powerful and poignant talk.
We Crossed a Bridge and It Trembled review – voices from Syria (12 August, 2017) Wendy Pearlman’s remarkable collection of testimonies from Syrian refugees offers a strong anti-Assad narrative.
Can Iraq’s Kurdish region gain independence? (13 August, 2017) Iraq’s Kurds say they are going ahead with plans to hold a referendum on independence in September.
The battle for Raqqa – in pictures (14 August, 2017) The final phase of the campaign to reclaim Islamic State’s de facto capital was launched two months ago by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) – a confederation dominated by the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) and Arab auxiliary militia – and backed by a US-led coalition.
Requiem for Aleppo: ‘I couldn’t keep watching the news. I had to do something’ (14 August, 2017) A hard-hitting new dance show uses the stories of Syrians to capture the horrors of Aleppo – and the hope that will not die.
Maps
Displaced Syrians heading home in larger numbers: IOM (11 August, 2017) IOM says over 600,000 Syrians set off for their cities and villages in first seven months of 2017 amid new displacement.
Already displaced Syrians flee as airstrikes reach within 100 meters of remote camp (15 August, 2017) A military offensive by pro-regime forces along Syria’s southern border sent dozens of people in a remote displacement camp fleeing deeper into the desert for a fifth consecutive day Tuesday, sources told Syria Direct, days after regime airstrikes reportedly hit “only 100 meters” from the settlement’s tents.
Arabic Links
الأمانة السورية للتنمية، من الوجه المدني إلى البزة العسكرية Karam Mansour discusses the history of the Syria Trust for Development and the effects of the Syrian war on its structure, image, and finance.
هيئة تحرير الشام تخطط لخطوتها التالية في شمال سوريا 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.
The English version of this article can be found here: Hayat Tahrir al-Sham plots its next move in northern Syria
أتباع الشيطان Iraqi forces have killed thousands of Islamic State fighters. In death, what do they deserve? Seeking answers in the ruined city of Mosul, Kenneth R. Rosen unearths a terrible crime.
The English version of this article can be found here: The Devil’s Henchmen
الرقة وحرب المياه Feras Hanoush highlights the impacts of water insecurity on residents of Raqqa city and the surrounding countryside and how their inability to access drinking water forced them to rely on wells or untreated water drawn directly from the Balikh river.
The English version of this article can be found here: Raqqa’s Water War
بيان من عائلة باسل خرطبيل صفدي الى الرأي العام The family of Bassel Khartabil writes in their statement: “We, as a family, who’s been affected declare to the world that we stand for all of the detainees and we are terrified of the thought that another syrian family is having to go through what we suffered.”
The English version of this article can be found here: A statement from the family of Bassel Khartabil (Safadi) to the public opinion
هل تكون الفيدرالية الحل للصراع في سوريا؟ Hosam al-Jablawi discusses the federal solution for the Syrian conflict that was proposed by Russia and welcomed by the Kurds.
The English version of this article can be found here: Could Federalism Work for the Syrian Crisis After Years of Conflict?
مليار ليرة لترحيل أنقاض الدمار في داريا The Syrian regime’s reconstruction committee approved 17.8 billion Syrian pound to rebuild affected areas in Syria like Darya.
أرقام رسمية سورية “صادمة” لعدد ضحايا الحرب! The head of forensic medicine department at the Faculty of Medicine at University of Damascus says that more than 400 thousands victims have been documented in Syrian hospitals.
مقاربة روسية لتعزيز «الاستقرار المحلي المؤقت» والتنسيق مع دمشق Ibrahim Hamidi discusses a Russian proposal based on documents and correspondence between Staffan de Mistura and former US experts and officials.
[This article is published jointly in partnership with Jadaliyya.]
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.]
