In honor of International Women in Diplomacy Day, the Kurdish Peace Institute in Washington DC held a panel with Kurdish representatives from Syria, Iraq, and Turkey. The panel included Ceylan Akca, a parliamentarian from Turkey, Treefa Aziz, the Representative of the Kurdistan Regional Government in Iraq, and the Syrian DemocraticContinue Reading
The Afrin region of North-East Syria continues to suffer under the Turkish occupation, as the demographic change in the region is further entrenched. After cutting down hundreds of trees, a Turkish NGO, the Istanbul-based Humanitarian Relief Foundation, helped fund the construction of a 300 house settlement in the al-Zaydiyah neighborhood.Continue Reading
North and East Syria has faced an increasingly existential threat in a water crisis that refuses to abate. Through a combination of climate change and Turkish weaponization of water, Syria’s Northeast has seen the water levels of the Euphrates River reach historic lows, and some parts, such as the KhaburContinue Reading
The sprawling, hostile environment of Central Syria’s desert has proven itself to be an ideal sanctuary for ISIS militants seeking to reestablish the terrorist organization’s brutal rule over the region. Syrian military forces, backed by their Iranian and Russian sponsors, have so far found themselves failing to effectively combat theContinue Reading
The Syrian Democratic Council (SDC) and the Syrian Women’s Council (SWC) met in Raqqa to discuss perspectives on Syria’s political situation and the future for the country. The meeting brought together the women’s office of the SDC with the SWC, an umbrella group representing women working within the DAANES, NGOs,Continue Reading
The Turkish military conducted eight drone strikes against members of the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces, a Kurdish Red Crescent ambulance that was responding to the scene, and civilian homes around the town of Amude.Continue Reading
Raqqa is witnessing significant growth of both its population and commercial activity due to its strategic location and relative safety. The bridge was built according to the standards of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) standards, a first for the region.Continue Reading
While CENTCOM did not specify the location or which actor, if anybody, provided assistance in the operation, the Syrian Democratic Forces, in a statement congratulation CENTCOM on the successful operation, clarified that al-Janabi was located in Turkish-occupied Afrin, which has become a hub for extremist groups, including ISIS and Hayat Tahir al-Sham, to operate freely in.Continue Reading
SDF General Commander Mazloum Abdi and SDC Co-Chair Mahmoud al-Muslat both spoke at the event, with Muslat emphasizing the need for a decentralized and democratic framework for the country, the importance of unity and support from the other Arab countries and allies, and encouraging the active participation of Syria’s tribes in the nation’s future.Continue Reading
The social contract of North and East Syria has stipulated that all government bodies must have one man and one woman sharing power in the executive seats. Continue Reading
Earlier this month the Syrian Democratic Council (SDC), the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), and the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) held a joint meeting to address strategic policy in North East Syria. The three groups form the backbone of the structure of the democratic project in theContinue Reading
This week the Wilson Center, the US congressionally funded bi-partisan think tank, hosted Amy Austin Holmes for a discussion about her book, “Statelet of Survivors, The Making of a Semi-Autonomous Region in Northeast Syria.” The book is based on nearly a decade of field work and research about the AutonomousContinue Reading
Turkish drone strike kills a Syrian Democratic Forces commander, three Christian security personnel killed by Turkish attack, pro-regime tribal militias attack in Deir ez Zor, SDC meets with Arab tribal leaders, and Yazidis celebrate New Year.Continue Reading
President of the Executive Committee of the Syrian Democratic Council Elham Ahmad was hosted by the Newlines Institute For Strategy and Policy in a panel discussion on the current situation in Syria, especially the Turkish threats, economic crisis, and the fight against ISIS. Elham Ahmad said that Turkey is attemptingContinue Reading
General Commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces, Mazloum Abdi, held a press conference on July 15 to address the current military situation in the region. The issues of ISIS detainees, Turkey’s threats, and military coordination with the regime were all topics of discussion. Commander Mazloum stated that he is certainContinue Reading
The Middle East Institute hosted a panel on the issue of ISIS detainees, An Uncertain Future: Prospects for ISIS detainees in Syria and Iraq. The panel had speakers from both the Biden Administration and various NGOs and nonprofits that were involved in addressing the ISIS detainee issue, both fighters andContinue Reading
July 19 marked the ten year anniversary of the Rojava Revolution, when the forces that would eventually become the Autonomous Administration first evicted the regime from the town of Kobani, and shortly after the towns of Derik, Afrin, and others. The achievements of the July 19 Revolution, as well asContinue Reading
The US Mission of the Syrian Democratic Council met with a Canadian parliamentary delegation at the SDC’s Washington office. The delegation included Kelly McCauley, MP for West Edmonton, Tom Kmiec, MP for Calgary Shepard, and Jamie Schmale, MP for Haliburton Kawartha Lakes. The MPs and SDC members discussed a varietyContinue Reading
With the entire world facing the increasingly perilous crisis of food insecurity and inflation, basic goods that people need to survive are increasing in price exponentially as a result of various factors, including the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, which has significantly disrupted the oil and wheat markets. For Syria,Continue Reading
For the first time, France has repatriated some of its ISIS-affiliated adults from Syria. On July 12, 2022, the French government repatriated 35 children and 16 women from camps run by the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria. Prior to this, France had repatriated only 35 children over theContinue Reading
Following the defeat of ISIS, much of North and East Syria was left in ruins. The terrorist organization’s apocalyptic ideology led to its fighters often battling to the bitter end, leaving IEDs littered inside buildings they formerly occupied. In March 2019 when North and East Syria was fully liberated, theContinue Reading
To prepare for the Armenian language’s inclusion in the curriculum of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) in the next school year, the Armenian Council of North and East Syria has held its first language training course for Armenian. The council is also planning lessons on theContinue Reading
On June 16 2022, troops of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, led by the United States, conducted an operation in the vicinity of Turkish-occupied Jarablus in northwest Syria, detaining a senior leader of ISIS. According to a statement released by the coalition, the ISIS leader was “assessed to beContinue Reading
Feuds that have been ongoing between Turkish-backed “Syrian National Army” militias escalated beyond sporadic clashes into open warfare between al-Jabha al-Shamiya and Ahrar al-Sham in the occupied Afrin region of northern Syria. Clashes reportedly began between the two groups in the city of al-Bab, following civilian protests against the allegedContinue Reading
Turkish forces targeted the Assyrian Christian village of Tel Tawil on May 29, near the settlement Tel Tamr, with artillery shelling. The Mar Sawa Church in the village was nearly destroyed by the shelling.Continue Reading
An Albanian delegation repatriated four ISIS-affiliated women and their nine children on May 27, bringing their overall number of repatriations to 38 since 2020.Continue Reading
According to the Asayish Internal Security Forces, one person was killed and three others were wounded when a car was targeted near the village of Segirka.Continue Reading
Turkey has long sought what it deems a 30 kilometer deep “safe zone” or “security zone” in North and East Syria, which would essentially lead to the occupation of all of Syria’s Kurdish-majority regions. Continue Reading
In just the ten days between April 20 and April 30, ISIS conducted at least 20 attacks. That is more than in the entire months of February 2022 and March 2022 combined.Continue Reading
Attacks conducted by Turkish and Turkish-backed militias increased in the month of April. These attacks resulted in the deaths of two civilians and a further 23 persons were injured. Five SDF personnel were killed as well.Continue Reading
Al-Mehbash is co-chair of the Executive Council of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES), a position he has held since October 2018. He was elected to succeed al-Qaftan as president by members of the Future Syria Party.Continue Reading
The conference was attended by 400 YPJ commanders and members, including SDF General Command members Newroz Ahmed and Sozdar Derik, as well as members of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, the Kongra Star Women’s Organization, and other officials of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES).Continue Reading
The Syrian regime has ended its siege of the AANES-governed Sheikh Maqsood and Ashrafiyyeh neighborhoods in Aleppo City, following a mutual agreement between the regime and Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES).Continue Reading
Since the start of April 2022, the Turkish military has again undertaken a near-daily drone strike campaign against the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) and its institutions, despite the existence of a ceasefire agreement that has been in place since 2019.Continue Reading
The aim of the meeting is to chart a common path forward among factions of the Syrian opposition who support democratic principles.Continue Reading
The fate of 200,000 Syrians remains in peril as Assad’s forces cut off food shipments, causing mass starvation in two neighborhoods under the control of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES).Continue Reading
The committee excludes the Syrian Democratic Council and Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria, despite the AANES governing significantly more territory and people than the Turkish-backed opposition that is represented at in the current negotiations. Continue Reading
General Michael Corella of CENTCOM emphasized the commitment of the United States to the anti-ISIS mission in North and East Syria, as well as the support provided by the US-led Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS to the SDF. Continue Reading
The Newroz holiday, which was celebrated by Kurds almost exclusively in secret during the Assad Regime’s rule, has become a prominent symbol of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) and its embrace of the region’s diversity.Continue Reading
Representatives of the US-led Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS joined the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in celebrating the occasion in Deir-ez-Zor.Continue Reading
On the fourth anniversary of the occupation of the region of Afrin, including its city, by Turkey and extremist militia groups that it supports, the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria has criticized the international community for its inaction and apathy.Continue Reading
The United States office of the Syrian Democratic Council (SDC) hosted an event marking the eleventh anniversary of the Syrian uprising, when the Syrian people first demonstrated against the Assad Regime, demanding basic human and democratic rights.Continue Reading
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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