Weekly highlights 11.01.25 - 19.01.25
Resistance in Tishreen
Turkish proxies of SNA continue their attacks on the outskirts of Tishreen dam and Qereqozah bridge. SDF is resisting the attacks, that take place with support of Turkish artillery and air raids with drones and fighter jets. Turkey is sending new reinforcements to continue their military operations, as SDF continue inflicting heavy blows to the occupation forces, targeting vehicles and advanced military equipment with SDF-produced FPV drones.
Turkey attacks on civilians
For almost two weeks the vigil on Tishreen dam has been ongoing, with civilian convoys arriving from different areas of northern Syria to maintain a protest and protect the dam. Turkish drones attacked the vigil on several occasions, killing already more than 10 people and leaving dozens of injured. Those numbers add to others being killed by Turkish drones all around norther Syria, especially in Kobane countryside. The cities of Derik and Qamishlo were also targeted with drone strikes.
Diplomacy towards kurdih unity
A high delegation of SDF including Mazlum Abdi visited Hewler (Erbil), administrative capital of the KRG (Kurdish regional Government) in Iraq. They met with Masoud Barzani and other hig representatives of KDP, ruling party of the KRG. In that meeting they discussed about the importance of Kurdish unity and negotiations with the provisional government of HTS in Damascus.
EU-Syria Diplomacy
Several foreign ministers of European countries visited Damascus to hold meetings with al-Sharaa, 'de facto' leader of the provisional government of Syria. A EU delegate of the crisis management commission also promised €235 million in aid for Syria during her visit in Damascus.
Syria relations with the Arab league
The transitional government of Syria is also reinforcing their relations with the state members of the arab league. After the visit of the Qatar prime minister in Damascus, a common statement condemning the expansion of occupied territories by Israel in southern Syria was made, calling to respect the 1974 agreement.
Resistance in Tishreen
Turkish proxies of SNA continue their attacks on the outskirts of Tishreen dam and Qereqozah bridge. SDF is resisting the attacks, that take place with support of Turkish artillery and air raids with drones and fighter jets. Turkey is sending new reinforcements to continue their military operations, as SDF continue inflicting heavy blows to the occupation forces, targeting vehicles and advanced military equipment with SDF-produced FPV drones.
Turkey attacks on civilians
For almost two weeks the vigil on Tishreen dam has been ongoing, with civilian convoys arriving from different areas of northern Syria to maintain a protest and protect the dam. Turkish drones attacked the vigil on several occasions, killing already more than 10 people and leaving dozens of injured. Those numbers add to others being killed by Turkish drones all around norther Syria, especially in Kobane countryside. The cities of Derik and Qamishlo were also targeted with drone strikes.
Diplomacy towards kurdih unity
A high delegation of SDF including Mazlum Abdi visited Hewler (Erbil), administrative capital of the KRG (Kurdish regional Government) in Iraq. They met with Masoud Barzani and other hig representatives of KDP, ruling party of the KRG. In that meeting they discussed about the importance of Kurdish unity and negotiations with the provisional government of HTS in Damascus.
EU-Syria Diplomacy
Several foreign ministers of European countries visited Damascus to hold meetings with al-Sharaa, 'de facto' leader of the provisional government of Syria. A EU delegate of the crisis management commission also promised €235 million in aid for Syria during her visit in Damascus.
Syria relations with the Arab league
The transitional government of Syria is also reinforcing their relations with the state members of the arab league. After the visit of the Qatar prime minister in Damascus, a common statement condemning the expansion of occupied territories by Israel in southern Syria was made, calling to respect the 1974 agreement.
📣 [Refocusing to weekly updates]
Dear friends,
As the military conflict cools down, we see how the media attention on Syria also decrease. We think it is important to keep updating about the ongoing situation, but as we mentioned earlier, we also need to take care of other works we tabled during the emergency situation. To balance this we will continue working on the weekly highlights to summarize important updates. We are also working on a new monthly report to give better context and perspectives about what is going on.
Friends also worked to have our last monthly report, that included some basic context of the current situation, in a nice zine that can be easily printed and shared. Feel free to spread it!
Any suggestions or feedback is welcome!
Dear friends,
As the military conflict cools down, we see how the media attention on Syria also decrease. We think it is important to keep updating about the ongoing situation, but as we mentioned earlier, we also need to take care of other works we tabled during the emergency situation. To balance this we will continue working on the weekly highlights to summarize important updates. We are also working on a new monthly report to give better context and perspectives about what is going on.
Friends also worked to have our last monthly report, that included some basic context of the current situation, in a nice zine that can be easily printed and shared. Feel free to spread it!
Any suggestions or feedback is welcome!
We also invite you all to check the reader about the Syrian revolution shared in the site RememberOmarAziz.net, giving a very good insights about what happened in Syria (mostly outside of NES) since 2011
Weekly Highlights 20.01.25 - 26.01.25
# NES
#WeAreTishreen action days
To support resistance in Tishreen Dam, the internationalist commune called for days of action on January 25th and 26th. 10 years ago, on these dates, the city of Kobane was liberated from the attacks of ISIS. Today, the attacks of Turkish forces are still ongoing. For more than 2 weeks civilian convoys have been arriving to maintain a vigil in Tishreen dam. The vigil is continually attacked by drones, with 18 civilians killed and over a 100 injured. Important representatives of the autonomous administration of North-East Syria who joined the vigil also got injured in those attacks, as well as some internationalists who also went there to support the resistance.
Int. org.s suspend operations in NES
International organizations providing humanitarian help have suspended their programs in northeastern Syria without providing a timeline for the suspension. This follows an executive order signed by the new U.S. President Donald Trump, which temporarily halts all U.S. foreign aid programs for 90 days. Several international organizations operating in northeastern Syria have informed their staff that program implementation will be paused pending a review by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). The executive order signed by Trump states that all heads of departments and agencies responsible for U.S. foreign development assistance programs must immediately suspend new commitments and the disbursement of development aid funds.
Realese of Syrian families from al-Hol
66 Syrian families currently in the al-Hol camp will be allowed to return to their home. Al-Hol camp hosts families of ISIS fighters, mostly women and children captured during the operations that brought the islamic caliphate to an end. This is the first time that detainees from Syria in al-Hol camp are allowed to leave the camp. Date for return of these families has not yet been disclosed. Talks about return of other Syrian and Iraqi families detained in the camp are on going. This announcement came together with a call to UNHCR and Red Cross to assist the camp administration to ensure the return of those families, as well as a call for the international community to take responsibility for foreign detainees.
# NES
#WeAreTishreen action days
To support resistance in Tishreen Dam, the internationalist commune called for days of action on January 25th and 26th. 10 years ago, on these dates, the city of Kobane was liberated from the attacks of ISIS. Today, the attacks of Turkish forces are still ongoing. For more than 2 weeks civilian convoys have been arriving to maintain a vigil in Tishreen dam. The vigil is continually attacked by drones, with 18 civilians killed and over a 100 injured. Important representatives of the autonomous administration of North-East Syria who joined the vigil also got injured in those attacks, as well as some internationalists who also went there to support the resistance.
Int. org.s suspend operations in NES
International organizations providing humanitarian help have suspended their programs in northeastern Syria without providing a timeline for the suspension. This follows an executive order signed by the new U.S. President Donald Trump, which temporarily halts all U.S. foreign aid programs for 90 days. Several international organizations operating in northeastern Syria have informed their staff that program implementation will be paused pending a review by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). The executive order signed by Trump states that all heads of departments and agencies responsible for U.S. foreign development assistance programs must immediately suspend new commitments and the disbursement of development aid funds.
Realese of Syrian families from al-Hol
66 Syrian families currently in the al-Hol camp will be allowed to return to their home. Al-Hol camp hosts families of ISIS fighters, mostly women and children captured during the operations that brought the islamic caliphate to an end. This is the first time that detainees from Syria in al-Hol camp are allowed to leave the camp. Date for return of these families has not yet been disclosed. Talks about return of other Syrian and Iraqi families detained in the camp are on going. This announcement came together with a call to UNHCR and Red Cross to assist the camp administration to ensure the return of those families, as well as a call for the international community to take responsibility for foreign detainees.
# Syria
HTS moves South and East
The Military Operations forces, linked to the transitional government of HTS, took control of a corridor along the M5 in southern Syria until the city of Daraa and the border with Jordan. This move divided the territory under control of the southern operations room in the Daraa region and the Druze defense forces in Suweyda region. They also sent military forces east of the coast cities, taking control of the oil and gas fields in the region of southern Raqqa. Since the fall of the regime those areas were under control of SDF, that deployed there to prevent ISIS expansion. This transfer of control was coordinated between SDF, HTS and the international coalition, but some media outlets spread false information of clashes between HTS and SDF that SDF denied.
Assad al-Shibani in Davos Forum
The Foreign Minister of Syria's transitional government, Assad al Shibani, joined the World Economic Forum held yearly in Davos, Switzerland. He met with important political figures, including an interview with Tony Blair and a meeting with Masrour Barzani, PM of the KRG. Shibani called to lift the economical sanctions on Syria. He invited foreign investment to Syria and stated their intentions to privitise state-run companies. Those are clear indicators of their will to apply a neo-liberal economical agenda in exchange for acceptance as legitimate government of Syria. Shibani also called for the SDF to disband, claiming they have no longer justification to exist since his government is promising to protect the rights of kurds and other minorities.
Israel military base in Quneitra
Israel army continue their operations to expand their occupation in southern Syria. Recently they started the construction of military base in Quneitra countryside, southern Syria. In some areas where recently deployed forces of the Military Operations, connected to the transitional government of HTS, videos with both military forces deploying together had been recorded. It is not clear how much this operations are coordinated.
HTS moves South and East
The Military Operations forces, linked to the transitional government of HTS, took control of a corridor along the M5 in southern Syria until the city of Daraa and the border with Jordan. This move divided the territory under control of the southern operations room in the Daraa region and the Druze defense forces in Suweyda region. They also sent military forces east of the coast cities, taking control of the oil and gas fields in the region of southern Raqqa. Since the fall of the regime those areas were under control of SDF, that deployed there to prevent ISIS expansion. This transfer of control was coordinated between SDF, HTS and the international coalition, but some media outlets spread false information of clashes between HTS and SDF that SDF denied.
Assad al-Shibani in Davos Forum
The Foreign Minister of Syria's transitional government, Assad al Shibani, joined the World Economic Forum held yearly in Davos, Switzerland. He met with important political figures, including an interview with Tony Blair and a meeting with Masrour Barzani, PM of the KRG. Shibani called to lift the economical sanctions on Syria. He invited foreign investment to Syria and stated their intentions to privitise state-run companies. Those are clear indicators of their will to apply a neo-liberal economical agenda in exchange for acceptance as legitimate government of Syria. Shibani also called for the SDF to disband, claiming they have no longer justification to exist since his government is promising to protect the rights of kurds and other minorities.
Israel military base in Quneitra
Israel army continue their operations to expand their occupation in southern Syria. Recently they started the construction of military base in Quneitra countryside, southern Syria. In some areas where recently deployed forces of the Military Operations, connected to the transitional government of HTS, videos with both military forces deploying together had been recorded. It is not clear how much this operations are coordinated.
# Analysis
As HTS government consolidates it's position, asserting their diplomatic influence and expanding their military presence over Syria, their position on the autonomous self-administration starts to be more aggressive. Recent military deployments on the gas and oil fields south of Raqqa were used by some media to calim military advances over SDF, exploiting also ethnic tensions and resentments that may arab nationalists still hold against Kurds. It is not clear how much it was a mistake or disinformation of some media, or how much it was an intentional move to portray the transitional government as strong and decisive against separatism. Assad al-Shibani, FM of the HTS government who recently got his PhD from an Istanbul private university, is calling to disband SDF in the (in)famous World Economic Forum of Davos, while anouncing a full embracement of neoliberal economical agenda for Syria.
Al-Sharaa, 'de facto' president of Syria, is also making declarations like "The Kurdish People's Protection Units alone did not respond to our call to restrict weapons to the authorities". Those statements dismiss not just the ongoing negotiations with SDF, but also how other armed groups also rejected his calls to reorganize the monopoly of violence under direct control of a centralized state. As SDF makes diplomatic moves to consolidate it's position and strength in the negotiation table, HTS seems to be more inclined to accelerate tensions towards confrontation, knowing they will have full support of Turkey for any military action against SDF. Turkish state media have a long history of fabricated news, and now already twice they spread false information of alleged car bombs going to Aleppo from SDF areas, indicating their readiness to create excuses to justify attacks on SDF.
Let's not lie, the situation in NES looks difficult. Still, the resistance in Tishreen is an example of the determination to resist against the invasion, to defend the advances of the revolution. We also remember how 10 years ago, 26th of January of 2015, YPG and YPJ announced the liberation of Kobane from the attacks of ISIS. We should not forget that, because at that time it looked much darker than today. And here we are, the revolution did not just defeat the caliphate, but have been also a key element to the collapse of the regime of Bashar al-Assad. It is also making impossible for Turkey to consolidate it's imperial aspirations in Syria and in Kurdistan. Revolutions are not the easy way, we know that, but difficulties won't deter us to pursue our dreams of freedom and liberation.
Revolutionary greetings! 🖤
As HTS government consolidates it's position, asserting their diplomatic influence and expanding their military presence over Syria, their position on the autonomous self-administration starts to be more aggressive. Recent military deployments on the gas and oil fields south of Raqqa were used by some media to calim military advances over SDF, exploiting also ethnic tensions and resentments that may arab nationalists still hold against Kurds. It is not clear how much it was a mistake or disinformation of some media, or how much it was an intentional move to portray the transitional government as strong and decisive against separatism. Assad al-Shibani, FM of the HTS government who recently got his PhD from an Istanbul private university, is calling to disband SDF in the (in)famous World Economic Forum of Davos, while anouncing a full embracement of neoliberal economical agenda for Syria.
Al-Sharaa, 'de facto' president of Syria, is also making declarations like "The Kurdish People's Protection Units alone did not respond to our call to restrict weapons to the authorities". Those statements dismiss not just the ongoing negotiations with SDF, but also how other armed groups also rejected his calls to reorganize the monopoly of violence under direct control of a centralized state. As SDF makes diplomatic moves to consolidate it's position and strength in the negotiation table, HTS seems to be more inclined to accelerate tensions towards confrontation, knowing they will have full support of Turkey for any military action against SDF. Turkish state media have a long history of fabricated news, and now already twice they spread false information of alleged car bombs going to Aleppo from SDF areas, indicating their readiness to create excuses to justify attacks on SDF.
Let's not lie, the situation in NES looks difficult. Still, the resistance in Tishreen is an example of the determination to resist against the invasion, to defend the advances of the revolution. We also remember how 10 years ago, 26th of January of 2015, YPG and YPJ announced the liberation of Kobane from the attacks of ISIS. We should not forget that, because at that time it looked much darker than today. And here we are, the revolution did not just defeat the caliphate, but have been also a key element to the collapse of the regime of Bashar al-Assad. It is also making impossible for Turkey to consolidate it's imperial aspirations in Syria and in Kurdistan. Revolutions are not the easy way, we know that, but difficulties won't deter us to pursue our dreams of freedom and liberation.
Revolutionary greetings! 🖤
# On the New Syrian Government's Victory Congress
The Military Operations Administration in Syria announced some dramatic shifts in the country’s governance as results of the so called 'Victory Congress'. This congress was organized with a high degree of secrecy and was held among military leaders of different factions, including SNA. SDF or DAANES delegates were no invited.
Announcements of the "congress":
- Ahmed al-Sharaa is now the official president of Syria’s transitional phase.
the 2012 Syrian constitution is abolished.
- A temporary legislative council will be established to govern the country until a new constitution is drafted and implemented.
- All military and security institutions previously loyal to the old regime are officially disbanded
- All armed factions and political-revolutionary bodies will be dissolved and integrated into state institutions
- The Ba’ath Party, which had ruled Syria for decades, is officially dissolved
Key priorities for the transitional phase:
1- Establishing a functioning authority to fill the political vacuum.
2- Ensuring civil peace and preventing further internal conflicts.
3- Building state institutions that can serve the Syrian people.
4- Developing a strong economic foundation to drive recovery.
5- Restoring Syria’s international and regional standing.
Major challenges for the new administration:
- Security threats from remaining militant factions and external actors.
- Economic hardship, exacerbated by years of war and sanctions.
- Political divisions within Syrian opposition groups and international stakeholders.
In short, the Military Operations Administration’s decision to dismantle Syria’s previous political and security structures represents the most radical restructuring of the country in decades. The move is expected to face both domestic and international scrutiny, especially as foreign powers —including Russia, Iran, and Turkey— have vested interests in Syria’s political and military landscape.
The Military Operations Administration in Syria announced some dramatic shifts in the country’s governance as results of the so called 'Victory Congress'. This congress was organized with a high degree of secrecy and was held among military leaders of different factions, including SNA. SDF or DAANES delegates were no invited.
Announcements of the "congress":
- Ahmed al-Sharaa is now the official president of Syria’s transitional phase.
the 2012 Syrian constitution is abolished.
- A temporary legislative council will be established to govern the country until a new constitution is drafted and implemented.
- All military and security institutions previously loyal to the old regime are officially disbanded
- All armed factions and political-revolutionary bodies will be dissolved and integrated into state institutions
- The Ba’ath Party, which had ruled Syria for decades, is officially dissolved
Key priorities for the transitional phase:
1- Establishing a functioning authority to fill the political vacuum.
2- Ensuring civil peace and preventing further internal conflicts.
3- Building state institutions that can serve the Syrian people.
4- Developing a strong economic foundation to drive recovery.
5- Restoring Syria’s international and regional standing.
Major challenges for the new administration:
- Security threats from remaining militant factions and external actors.
- Economic hardship, exacerbated by years of war and sanctions.
- Political divisions within Syrian opposition groups and international stakeholders.
In short, the Military Operations Administration’s decision to dismantle Syria’s previous political and security structures represents the most radical restructuring of the country in decades. The move is expected to face both domestic and international scrutiny, especially as foreign powers —including Russia, Iran, and Turkey— have vested interests in Syria’s political and military landscape.
# Other relevant news of the week:
- Tukish drones and war planes continued their attacks. Besides military targets, ivilians were targeted and killed in Tishreen, Kobane, Sirin and Zirgan.
- Delegations of high military officers and intelligence leaders from the Turkish state visited Damascus this weak.
- Turkey declared that SNA accepts the conditions of HTS to get integrated in the new Syrian army.
- Southern military room (Daraa) and Druze armed groups (Sweyda) also accepted an agreement to get integrated in the new Syrian army.
- SDF conditions to join the new Syrian army were not met, therefore rejected the request to joint under the conditions that HTS proposed, calling to continue negotiations. SDF is now the only force who did not reach an agreement.
- HTS forces deployed on Manbij to asses the security situation.
- Important HTS security operation in Syria-Lebanon border seized several weapon, cracking down on Hezbollah arms smuggling routs.
- HTS continued its operations against regime officials, arresting important figures like Atef Najib, cousin of the former regime president Bashar al-Assad, and former head of the Political Security Branch in Daraa.
- Several insurgent attacks against HTS in different areas has been claimed by the "popular resistance of Syria".
- EU announced that economical sanctions on sectors of finance, energy and transports will be lifted for one year if the interim goverment ensures an "inclusive political transition".
- Russian delegation visited Damascus, but allegedly they couldn't reach an agreement with the transitional government and agreed to continue negotiations.
Revolutionary greetings! 🖤
- Tukish drones and war planes continued their attacks. Besides military targets, ivilians were targeted and killed in Tishreen, Kobane, Sirin and Zirgan.
- Delegations of high military officers and intelligence leaders from the Turkish state visited Damascus this weak.
- Turkey declared that SNA accepts the conditions of HTS to get integrated in the new Syrian army.
- Southern military room (Daraa) and Druze armed groups (Sweyda) also accepted an agreement to get integrated in the new Syrian army.
- SDF conditions to join the new Syrian army were not met, therefore rejected the request to joint under the conditions that HTS proposed, calling to continue negotiations. SDF is now the only force who did not reach an agreement.
- HTS forces deployed on Manbij to asses the security situation.
- Important HTS security operation in Syria-Lebanon border seized several weapon, cracking down on Hezbollah arms smuggling routs.
- HTS continued its operations against regime officials, arresting important figures like Atef Najib, cousin of the former regime president Bashar al-Assad, and former head of the Political Security Branch in Daraa.
- Several insurgent attacks against HTS in different areas has been claimed by the "popular resistance of Syria".
- EU announced that economical sanctions on sectors of finance, energy and transports will be lifted for one year if the interim goverment ensures an "inclusive political transition".
- Russian delegation visited Damascus, but allegedly they couldn't reach an agreement with the transitional government and agreed to continue negotiations.
Revolutionary greetings! 🖤
# Some reactions to the "victory congress":
Declaration of the DAANES
As the DAANES, we emphasize that these decisions should have been taken at a 'National Congress' with the participation of everyone.
In particular, we do not accept the presence of some terrorists who have the blood of the Syrian people on their hands. Ehmed Ihsan Fayad al-Hayis, who brutally murdered Hevrin Xelef, Secretary General of the Future Syria Party and Mohammad al-Jasim, the head of the Abu Amsha group, complicit in many crimes committed in Afrin, were present at this meeting.
We emphasize once again that this meeting is not legitimate and does not represent the Syrian people.
Any decision to be taken in Syria without a National Congress including all political circles will be incomplete. The most appropriate solution to end the instability in Syria is a national congress. The exclusion or suspension of any party in Syria from the congress will be no different from the practices of the former regime. On this basis, we once again call on the government in Damascus to refrain from such mistakes. Everyone must take part in the making of the new constitution in Syria.
As the DAANES, we once again call for the unity of Syria as part of our national liberation perspective. We emphasize once again that everyone in Syria must have their say about the future of Syria.”
Reaction of a Syrian journalist, Hussam Hammoud, who covered the Syrian war for BBC, Guardian, al-Monitor and many other media, posted on social networks:
What happened yesterday at the so-called “Victory Conference” and the appointment of Sharaa as transitional president was disappointing on multiple levels:
1- A military council, not a revolutionary civilian body, approved it, resembling a coup rather than the revolution of a free nation.
2- Decisions were issued by an unknown legislative authority; there’s no clarity on who approved the dissolution of political institutions or the suspension of the constitution.
3- Civil and political voices were entirely absent, with decision-making confined to military actors.
4- A president was appointed while still technically listed on international terrorism sanctions.
5- “Victory” was declared without securing control over key areas like northeastern and southern Syria.
6- The entire discourse was military-focused, failing to address the Syrian people who sacrificed everything for freedom.
7- Calls for a “national dialogue conference” were actually nothing, what happened lacked civilian representation, reflecting a military-centered vision.
8- Revolutionary political and civil blocs were dissolved by decree and absorbed into the new state, illegally.
9- Military factions remain uncontrolled, a key reason why the conference lacked live coverage, with only select excerpts published to avoid backlash from dissenting military leaders that HTS couldn’t fully gain their trust.
10- The new president’s speeches are aimed at Western media only, not the Syrian people, with no direct address to those on the ground.
11- There was no official Syrian channel for such a critical announcement, Syrians found out about their “new president” through a Telegram message.
The conference was an all-male gathering, mostly Arab and Sunni. Syria is far more diverse than that.
Declaration of the DAANES
As the DAANES, we emphasize that these decisions should have been taken at a 'National Congress' with the participation of everyone.
In particular, we do not accept the presence of some terrorists who have the blood of the Syrian people on their hands. Ehmed Ihsan Fayad al-Hayis, who brutally murdered Hevrin Xelef, Secretary General of the Future Syria Party and Mohammad al-Jasim, the head of the Abu Amsha group, complicit in many crimes committed in Afrin, were present at this meeting.
We emphasize once again that this meeting is not legitimate and does not represent the Syrian people.
Any decision to be taken in Syria without a National Congress including all political circles will be incomplete. The most appropriate solution to end the instability in Syria is a national congress. The exclusion or suspension of any party in Syria from the congress will be no different from the practices of the former regime. On this basis, we once again call on the government in Damascus to refrain from such mistakes. Everyone must take part in the making of the new constitution in Syria.
As the DAANES, we once again call for the unity of Syria as part of our national liberation perspective. We emphasize once again that everyone in Syria must have their say about the future of Syria.”
Reaction of a Syrian journalist, Hussam Hammoud, who covered the Syrian war for BBC, Guardian, al-Monitor and many other media, posted on social networks:
What happened yesterday at the so-called “Victory Conference” and the appointment of Sharaa as transitional president was disappointing on multiple levels:
1- A military council, not a revolutionary civilian body, approved it, resembling a coup rather than the revolution of a free nation.
2- Decisions were issued by an unknown legislative authority; there’s no clarity on who approved the dissolution of political institutions or the suspension of the constitution.
3- Civil and political voices were entirely absent, with decision-making confined to military actors.
4- A president was appointed while still technically listed on international terrorism sanctions.
5- “Victory” was declared without securing control over key areas like northeastern and southern Syria.
6- The entire discourse was military-focused, failing to address the Syrian people who sacrificed everything for freedom.
7- Calls for a “national dialogue conference” were actually nothing, what happened lacked civilian representation, reflecting a military-centered vision.
8- Revolutionary political and civil blocs were dissolved by decree and absorbed into the new state, illegally.
9- Military factions remain uncontrolled, a key reason why the conference lacked live coverage, with only select excerpts published to avoid backlash from dissenting military leaders that HTS couldn’t fully gain their trust.
10- The new president’s speeches are aimed at Western media only, not the Syrian people, with no direct address to those on the ground.
11- There was no official Syrian channel for such a critical announcement, Syrians found out about their “new president” through a Telegram message.
The conference was an all-male gathering, mostly Arab and Sunni. Syria is far more diverse than that.
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Weekly highlights - 02.02.25 - 08.02.25
# Manbij car bomb and Kobane without water
Another car bomb detonated in Manbij killing 21 people, mostly women. SNA blames SDF, but SDF denies it and attributes it to SNA factions. SDF condemned the attack and called for an investigation, offering support to find the perpetrators.
Heavy clashes between SNA and SDF continued, with constant bombings of turkish air force on positions near Tishreen dam and Qereqozah bridge.
Turkish attacks rendered the main water station of Kobane out of order, leaving more than 200,000 people without drinking water. DAANES calls for international human rights organizations to condemn the attacks, calling it a war crime.
# US Making Plans for Withdrawal
With President Trump in office, the Department of Defense (DOD) is drafting plans for a possible withdrawal of all 2000 US troops on Syrian ground. Several proposals are being drafted, considering different time schemes of 20, 60, and 90 days. Pentagon officials stated that for now there is no order to evacuate, but that their work is to have plans for any possible situation.
# Syrian-Turkish 'Deep Strategic Partnership'
Following a visit of Al-Sharaa in Ankara, both presidents vowed to establish a close partnership. Al-Sharaa emphasized pressure of Israeli withdrawal, Erdogan cooperation on combating terrorism and pushing back on PKK in Syria. Announcements of a formal defense pact are not officially made yet, but there are clear indicators of Turkey willing to make us of air bases in Syria, as well as offering military support to rebuild a new Syrian army. This will include retaining influence on SNA forces that are expected to joint the new Syrian army.
# New deployments of HTS in SNA areas
The military operations command, linked to the transitional government of HTS, increased it's deployment of forces in SNA controlled areas. This followed the announcement of SNA joining the new Syrian army, as well as the promotion of several commanders of SNA to high ranks. Among those promoted there is Abu Amsha, leader of the joint forces (hamza and Suleiman Shah brigades), who was behind the assassination of the kurdish polititian Hevrin Xalef in 2019.
# New air raids of Israel and UN assessment
UN delegation arrived to Quneitra region to asses the situation after Israel forces organized a partial withrawal from the region. Israel air forces also re-started bombing campaigns, targeting different locations around Damascus, declaring that those are attacks directed to Hamas and weapons that Hamas may use against Israel.
# Common delegation PYD-ENKS
ENKS, political organization connected to KDP in Rojava, announced their intentions to have a common delegation with PYD to Damascus, with the objective to negotiate the political status of the kurdish regions of northern Syria. ENKS stated that rejects any proposals of autonomy for north-east Syria and calls for a federal model.
# Negotiations and new Political Council in Suwayda
Political, military and religious entities created a new council together, pledging to “fill the political void, unify perspectives, and mobilize efforts in line with the evolving needs of Syrians in the upcoming phase.” The transitional government sent a delegation and held meetings with druze authorities, negotiating the process of integration of druze armed forces in the new Syrian army, allegedly in exchange of some political benefits, but seems no definite agreement has been reached yet.
# Expectation for the message from Ocalan
According to DEM-Party, Ocalan prepares historic call for the February 15th, the day that will make 26 years of his imprisonment.
# People’s Tribunal on Rojava vs. Turkey
At the Free University of Brussels, jurists, human rights activists, affected people and witnesses take part in the 2-day event to investigate and publicize the human right violations in NES. Turkey declined the invitation.
# Manbij car bomb and Kobane without water
Another car bomb detonated in Manbij killing 21 people, mostly women. SNA blames SDF, but SDF denies it and attributes it to SNA factions. SDF condemned the attack and called for an investigation, offering support to find the perpetrators.
Heavy clashes between SNA and SDF continued, with constant bombings of turkish air force on positions near Tishreen dam and Qereqozah bridge.
Turkish attacks rendered the main water station of Kobane out of order, leaving more than 200,000 people without drinking water. DAANES calls for international human rights organizations to condemn the attacks, calling it a war crime.
# US Making Plans for Withdrawal
With President Trump in office, the Department of Defense (DOD) is drafting plans for a possible withdrawal of all 2000 US troops on Syrian ground. Several proposals are being drafted, considering different time schemes of 20, 60, and 90 days. Pentagon officials stated that for now there is no order to evacuate, but that their work is to have plans for any possible situation.
# Syrian-Turkish 'Deep Strategic Partnership'
Following a visit of Al-Sharaa in Ankara, both presidents vowed to establish a close partnership. Al-Sharaa emphasized pressure of Israeli withdrawal, Erdogan cooperation on combating terrorism and pushing back on PKK in Syria. Announcements of a formal defense pact are not officially made yet, but there are clear indicators of Turkey willing to make us of air bases in Syria, as well as offering military support to rebuild a new Syrian army. This will include retaining influence on SNA forces that are expected to joint the new Syrian army.
# New deployments of HTS in SNA areas
The military operations command, linked to the transitional government of HTS, increased it's deployment of forces in SNA controlled areas. This followed the announcement of SNA joining the new Syrian army, as well as the promotion of several commanders of SNA to high ranks. Among those promoted there is Abu Amsha, leader of the joint forces (hamza and Suleiman Shah brigades), who was behind the assassination of the kurdish polititian Hevrin Xalef in 2019.
# New air raids of Israel and UN assessment
UN delegation arrived to Quneitra region to asses the situation after Israel forces organized a partial withrawal from the region. Israel air forces also re-started bombing campaigns, targeting different locations around Damascus, declaring that those are attacks directed to Hamas and weapons that Hamas may use against Israel.
# Common delegation PYD-ENKS
ENKS, political organization connected to KDP in Rojava, announced their intentions to have a common delegation with PYD to Damascus, with the objective to negotiate the political status of the kurdish regions of northern Syria. ENKS stated that rejects any proposals of autonomy for north-east Syria and calls for a federal model.
# Negotiations and new Political Council in Suwayda
Political, military and religious entities created a new council together, pledging to “fill the political void, unify perspectives, and mobilize efforts in line with the evolving needs of Syrians in the upcoming phase.” The transitional government sent a delegation and held meetings with druze authorities, negotiating the process of integration of druze armed forces in the new Syrian army, allegedly in exchange of some political benefits, but seems no definite agreement has been reached yet.
# Expectation for the message from Ocalan
According to DEM-Party, Ocalan prepares historic call for the February 15th, the day that will make 26 years of his imprisonment.
# People’s Tribunal on Rojava vs. Turkey
At the Free University of Brussels, jurists, human rights activists, affected people and witnesses take part in the 2-day event to investigate and publicize the human right violations in NES. Turkey declined the invitation.
📣 [Brochure "Diaries of a new dawn"]
We are happy to share the new brochure we just put together after two months of the collapse of the regime. We compiled our evaluations and analysis shared here since the beginning of December, collecting reflections about the ongoing events in Syria with an anarchist perspective.
We share it in two formats, one for easy printing as a brochure, one in normal layout for easy screening.
Feel free to share it, print it and spread it out! 🖤
We are happy to share the new brochure we just put together after two months of the collapse of the regime. We compiled our evaluations and analysis shared here since the beginning of December, collecting reflections about the ongoing events in Syria with an anarchist perspective.
We share it in two formats, one for easy printing as a brochure, one in normal layout for easy screening.
Feel free to share it, print it and spread it out! 🖤
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