New ISIS Terrorist Attacks in Syria Signal a Problem That Never Went Away
Let us hope that ISIS members do not succeed in a large-scale prison break, which could lead to more atrocities in the Middle East, the West, Europe – or even the United States.Continue Reading
ISIS Launches All-Out Assault on Hasakah Prison
The attack began on January 20, 2022, when dozens of ISIS fighters used car bombs to launch an attack on the al Sina’a Prison, where thousands of ISIS members are held. The attack managed to breach the prison and allowed fighters to escape into surrounding neighborhoods and buildings, as well as take prison staff hostage.Continue Reading
NES News Roundup
A vehicle that was carrying fighters from the Tel Tamr Military Council to battle ISIS in Hasakah was struck by a Turkish drone strike, reportedly wounding the fighters inside the vehicle… there have been constant Turkish-backed attacks on the Ayn Issa region, leading to several SDF fighters being killed while repelling these attacks. Continue Reading
Afrin, Syria, Suffering After Four Years of Turkish Occupation
If Turkey left Afrin, it would be back in the good democratic hands of North and East Syria, and the region could again be home to an inspiring flourishing of a new type of democratic culture in the Middle East.Continue Reading
In Photos: Four Years of Turkish Occupation of Afrin
Why aren’t there more news media reports about the situation in Afrin? Turkey does not allow reporters into the Afrin region, unless they are strictly managed and do not stray from their official Turkish handlers.Continue Reading
As North and East Syria’s Economic Woes Worsen, Border Crossings Remain Closed
North and East Syria, where an estimated 5 million people live, and where 1.8 million people rely on humanitarian aid to survive, has steadily been cut off from the rest of the world during the past two years as its border crossings have become increasingly politicized.Continue Reading
Al-Hawl Camp Attack Serves as a Stark Reminder of the Enduring Threat of ISIS
The murder of Bassam Mohammed, a Kurdish Red Crescent medical worker in January, 2022 is a shocking indication of the enduring security threat the camp poses. Over 90 people were killed in the camp in 2021, making it the deadliest year at the camp so far. Continue Reading
NES News Roundup
The Council stated that the issue of Afrin is an issue for all Syrian people, as it is a case of a foreign and hostile state illegally occupying Syrian territory and changing its demographics. They further emphasized their disappointment with the international community, stating that their silence has given Turkey a green light to continue occupying parts of Syria and to expand their attacks.Continue Reading
US Congress Passes Defense Spending Bill, Continues Support for Syrian Democratic Forces
The bill authorizes $177 million in Train and Equip funding for counter-ISIS operations during the 2022 fiscal year. These funds will support the SDF’s continuous work to disrupt the activities of ISIS and protect the world from Islamic extremist terrorism.Continue Reading
US and SDF Military Forces Hold Joint Exercises in Deir ez-Zor
While the SDF and US have held joint exercises before, in particular in the Deir-ez-Zor region, these recent exercises were notable for their use of advanced equipment.Continue Reading
US Relaxes Syria Sanctions for Food Needs, Humanitarian Aid, Infrastructure Rebuilding, Other Purposes
Under the new amendment, nonprofit organizations can transact with entities in Syria to offer humanitarian aid, invest in non-commercial development projects, and generally conduct food/medical/education aid and assistance, as well as other activities.Continue Reading
Free Burma Rangers Continue their Support for North and East Syria’s Christians
Free Burma Rangers, a US nonprofit organization, has rebuilt an Armenian Apostolic church that was destroyed by ISIS in Raqqa, the former capital of the so-called “ISIS caliphate.”Continue Reading
AANES-wide Conference Convenes to Draft New Constitution
The new constitution has been on the agenda for the AANES for some time, however, Turkish attacks and the COVID-19 pandemic have long delayed further development and advancement of the region. Continue Reading
Our People Need Stability in Order to Thrive
Our people are ready to do the work of reconstruction. But first, we need the skies free of bombs and drones, so that we can see the sun rise on a stable, secure, prosperous Syria.Continue Reading
Commander Mazloum Abdi Confirms Lack of International Approval for Renewed Turkish Attacks
Commander Mazloum stated that “The United States said they were opposed to, and would not accept, any attack by Turkey against us.” This was relayed by the United States to the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria officially, and US officials told Commander Mazloum that President Biden told President Erdogan on the sidelines of the G20 that any attack was unacceptable.Continue Reading
State Department Official Ethan Goldrich Visits North and East Syria
Deescalation of military threats to North and East Syria, as well as economic stabilization of the region, were topics discussed with Ethan Goldrich, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs at the US Department of State, visited with top officials in the autonomous region of North and East Syria. Continue Reading
NES News Roundup
Turkish Air Force drones have been targeting Syrian Democratic Forces soldiers, civilian members of the AANES, and prominent families in the region. These attacks are a blatant violation of the ceasefires signed with Russia and the United States, and prominent members of the AANES have called on the international community to put an end to the attacks. Continue Reading
Narcotics Factory Revealed in Turkish-Occupied Area of Syria
While the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army (SNA) has touted a recent anti-drug operation that resulted in the arrests of several drug dealers and the seizure of approximately half a million Captagon pills as evidence of their opposition to the proliferation of narcotics, the number of users and scale of production has continued to increase.Continue Reading
SDC’s Washington Office Hosts Catalan Representative to the US
It is only natural that such a closeness in values between the AANES and Catalonia would lead to positive relations and solidarity. This culminated in the Catalan parliament officially recognizing the AANES as a legitimate political entity on October 20, 2021.Continue Reading
Cultural Genocide Is Destroying Afrin’s History
Construction vehicles, designed for heavy earthworks, not delicate archaeological sites, have been in use by Turkish-backed organizations at the site of “Nabi Hori,” about 23 km from Afrin. The site has witnessed large-scale excavation efforts by Turkish-backed organizations in full view of Turkish forces.Continue Reading
New Analysis Shows Escalation of Turkish Drone Attacks in Syria
At least 23 Turkish drone attacks have been launched against “Kurdish targets” since August 1, 2021, states the brief. This includes Turkish attacks in North and East Syria against AANES government officials, children, and civilians.Continue Reading
As We Mark World Kobani Day, the City Is Once Again Under Threat
During the past six years since ISIS was driven out of Kobani, the AANES has worked tirelessly to rebuild and provide for the people. Their resilience is what allows the city to be where it is today. Continue Reading
Interview with Meghan Bodette, Researcher on North and East Syria
“Their fight is not over. And because their fight is not over, ours isn’t either. Anyone with any interest whatsoever in peace and democracy must continue to talk about North and East Syria.”Continue Reading
US Officials Say Turkish Attacks Won’t Be Green-Lighted
“President Biden did not give a green light to a Turkish military operation in northern Syria,” said James Jeffrey, who was the US Special Envoy for Syria Engagement until late 2020.Continue Reading
US Congress Condemns Turkey in Open Letter to Secretary of State
US lawmakers called Turkey a “rogue state” engaging in “increasingly destabilizing behavior.” The letter is yet another sign of worsening relations between the United States and Turkey, both NATO member countries.Continue Reading
NES News Roundup
Kobani and Rojava Universities Celebrate Their Graduation; The SDC and Its Allies Mark World Kobani Day; COVID-19 Continues to Exacerbate the Economic CrisisContinue Reading
To Get the Syrian Constitution Right, We Must Focus on Democracy
Our Syrian Constitution should be based upon the future of Syria, not our past. It should propel us forward to a democratic Syria — one based on pluralism, diversity, human rights, feminism, decentralization, and religious freedom — our highest dreams.Continue Reading
Four Years After its Liberation, Raqqa is Setting an Example for Post-War Syria
In order to rebuild Raqqa both physically and socially, the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) has undertaken many actions to address the major issues plaguing the city.Continue Reading
Turkish Violations of Syria Ceasefire Agreement Continue Every Day
Experts estimate that Turkey violated its ceasefire agreement over 800 times in its first year of implementation, an average of 2.3 incidents per day. Continue Reading
New Inclusiveness Initiative for the Regional Government of North and East Syria
The Coalition of Civil Society Organizations in North and East Syria held its founding conference October 17 and 18, 2021, to support an initiative to strengthen the role of civil society organizations and institutions in society.Continue Reading
Catalan Government Recognizes North and East Syria
The government of Catalonia, Spain, voted to officially recognize the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) on October 20, 2021. Approving a resolution that was initially presented in parliament in July 2021, Catalan lawmakers voted to recognize the AANES as a “political entity.”Continue Reading
NES News Roundup
Turkish Drone Strikes Kill Two in Kobani, Syria; ISIS Families Repatriated from al-Howl Camp; Raqqa Marks Four Years Since Liberation from ISISContinue Reading
A Partnership for the Benefit of All
What we heard from US officials was hopeful. They know that the partnership between the United States and our region should be protected and supported.Continue Reading
SDC President Elham Ahmad Makes Requests of US Officials in Washington
The reception that Ahmad and her delegation received was friendly, with many legislators and officials expressing a willingness to protect the US partnership and further stabilize their region. Continue Reading
Delegation Reflects Diversity of North and East Syria
The delegation members came to Washington to represent the interests of the Syrian Democratic Council as well as to convey the messages of Syria’s many communities.Continue Reading
Elham Ahmad Visits Washington: A Photo Survey
During Executive President Ahmad’s visit to Washington DC in September 2021, she met with a wide variety of US officials.Continue Reading
UN Peace Talks on Syria Will Fail Without North and East Syria
If we remain excluded, democratic Syria may just refuse to accept the results of the peace talks. We must be included if these talks are expected to succeed.Continue Reading
Would Iraq or Syria be next?
Many are joining in the wishful thinking for a Kabul encore in North and East Syria. But this will never happen before a genuine peace treaty is established that transcends what is falsely projected as an internal Syrian affair.Continue Reading
With the Eyes of the World on Afghanistan, Turkey is Killing US Allies in Syria
As long as Turkey can hide behind their label as a NATO member state without consequence, they will continue to target genocide survivors, prominent anti-ISIS commanders, and advocates for womens rights in the region – targeted simply because of their ethnicity and belief in a democratic future for their country.Continue Reading
Turkey is Falsifying an Ottoman Archaeological Site in Afrin, Syria
Turkey seems to be trying to fabricate an ancient religious site called Nebi Huri, about 35 miles (45 kilometers) outside of Afrin, Syria, in the region of Syria occupied by the Turkish military and their proxies. They are replacing current Kurdish features with structures in the Ottoman style and destroying ancient Roman features of the site. Continue Reading
In Preventing an ISIS Resurgence, Money Matters
If stabilization and development assistance were taken more seriously, we would be well positioned to prevent another ISIS resurgence in the region formerly claimed by ISIS as their “caliphate.”Continue Reading
Children Dead After Turkish Military Bombing in Violation of International Law
This “terrorism fallacy” in the logic of international law is being erroneously applied to the people of North and East Syria. There can be no clearer picture of this error than the images of dead children and a one-year-old baby girl in a hospital in Raqqa — dead at the hands of Turkey.Continue Reading
US Troop Presence in North and East Syria Will Continue, says Top DOD Official
“The Biden administration is committed to retaining US military presence in northeast Syria,” said Ms. Dana Stroul, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for the Middle East. “It is also committed to addressing the humanitarian crisis.”Continue Reading
The Breadbasket for Our People Cannot Fail
When everyday people do not even have water to drink, farmers do not have water for their fields. Wheat crops are failing.Continue Reading
After Ten Years of War, Hope for a Democratic Syria is Alive and Well
In the wake of the redrafting of its social contract, the democratic, diverse, and egalitarian system of the AANES has continued to keep the democratic aspirations of the Syrian people alive in the face of jihadist terror and Ba’athist repression.Continue Reading
Expert David Pollock Comments on North and East Syria
“I hope the Syrian Kurds and their local partners continue to prioritize their friendship with the US, and their relations with the relatively successful autonomous Kurdistan Region right across the border in Iraq.”Continue Reading
President Macron of France Meets with Officials from North and East Syria
Macron, Ahmed, and other officials discussed peace talks on Syria and the need for the democratic project in North and East Syria to be supported.Continue Reading
UN Security Council Vote Leaves Key al-Yaroubiah Border Crossing Closed
The United Nations Security Council voted on July 9, 2021, to keep one UN humanitarian border crossing, Bab al-Hawa. The other major UN humanitarian crossings, Bab al Salam and al-Yaroubiah, remain closed. Russia was the UNSC member who blocked the re-opening of Bab al Salam and al-Yaroubiah. The closure ofContinue Reading
SDC and AANES Officials Join High-Level International Religious Freedom Event in US
“We are proud to be a place where all faiths — Yezidi, Syriac, Assyrian, Chaldean Christians, Armenians, Muslims, and others — can practice their faith openly and even change their religion if they choose to do so,” said Bedran Ciya Kurd, AANES.Continue Reading
Campaign for North and East Syria Recognition Goes Viral
A social media campaign that raged through Twitter last week called for recognition for North and East Syria. The campaign coincided with the anniversary of the proclamation of the Rojava Revolution. It was promoted by some of the most visible figures from North and East Syria and was rooted byContinue Reading