SPREAD THE INFORMATION

Any information or special reports about various countries may be published with photos/videos on the world blog with bold legit source. All languages ​​are welcome. Mail to lucschrijvers@hotmail.com.

Search for an article in this Worldwide information blog

vrijdag 27 december 2024

WORLD WORLDWIDE MIDDLE EAST SYRIA - news journal UPDATE - (en) Syria Rojava, Tekosîna Anarsîst: WAR UPDATES, 16-24 DECEMBER 2024 (ca, de, it, pt, tr) [machine translation]


What follows is a compilation of updates from December 2024 shared by
internationalist anarchists working from NES: ---- Updates 24-12-24 ----
– After the SDF surprise counter attack in Manbij countryside, partly
possible due to the rainy weather where turkish drones can’t operate
well, SDF is reorganizing new defense lines. Ferhat Shami, media
responsible of SDF said: ---- “Our forces confronted an attack by SNA
this morning on the village of “Qabr Imo” east of Manbij city, where
violent clashes are currently taking place. ---- In the area of
​​​​Qozak Bridge, our forces blew up a SNA vehicle. ---- In the axis of
Tishrin Dam, the forces of the MMC thwarted an attack by the mercenaries
on the villages of Abu “Qalqal” district, where dozens of mercenaries
were killed and wounded. The forces also took control of two tanks, an
artillery weapon with its ammunition, in addition to destroying some
military vehicles belonging to the mercenaries. The clashes in those
areas are ongoing.”

– White Helmet Units proclaimed their arrival in Manbij. White Helmets
are a humanitarian and rescue organisation that opperated from Turkey
and worked in Syrian opposition controlled areas. It was founded in 2014
by James Le Mesurier, a british ex-officer who died in Istanbul in 2019.

– In Manbij city a car bomb exploded in front of the recruitment office
of the Turkish led SNA. Dead and wounded SNA fighters confirmed. No one
has claimed such action yet.

– US army is patrolling in Kobane city, aiming to divert the turkish
agressions.

– Several villages are constantly under mortar and drone attacks in the
M4 front lines, both in Ain Issa and in Til Temir areas. 2 SDF fighters
were injured today on a drone strike in Um al-Keif, less than 20km away
from Til Temir.

# Syria

– Syria’s de facto leader Ahmed al-Sharaa anounced an agreement with
rebel faction leaders to dissolve all groups and consolidate them under
the Defence Ministry, according to a statement from the new Syrian
general administration.

– Turkeish State claims that more than 25,000 Syrians have returned home
from Turkey since Assad was overthrown. Turkey has been the main
destination for Syrians who fleed the war, with estimations of 3 million
people, followed by Germany and then Lebanon with almost 1 million each
of them. Europe sheltered in total less than 2 milions.

# Forgein policy

– UN Envoy warns of “dramatic consequences” for Syria if tensions in the
north remain unresolved.

– A powerful blast happen in an ammunitions and explosives plant in
northwest Turkey, with at least 12 dead an a dozen more injured. The
cause was not known, some turkish authorities suggested sabotage and an
investigation is ongoing.

# International Solidarity

– Across the border of Kobane, members of the DEM party are protesting
the looming turkish invasion with a sit-in.

– Donations of 300.000€ have reached Heyva Sor. We want to pass on the
gratitude of our Heyva Sor friends, who have been working tirelessly to
take care of the refugees from Shehba and Aleppo.

– Alexandra Cordebard, Mayor of Paris’s 10th district, honours the
Kurdish community, calling for justice and solidarity on the anniversary
of the Second Paris Massacre.

# Analysis

HTS is consolidating their power, announcing the disarmament of
different factions and their integration into a new national army, under
control of the provisional ministery of defense. The provisional
goverment is also making concessions with Christian communities, that
organized big protests in Damascus after the arson attack on a christmas
tree in Hama. It looks a bit weird for us to see their demonstrations,
marching and holding corsses above their heads, playing with the
hegemony of christianity of western powers as a tool of deterence.

Anyway, it worked. Ahmed al-Sharaa anounced that those who burned the
tree were not Syrians, and that there is no place in the new Syria for
them. He learned fast to speak the language on western nation-states,
using racism and xenophobia to blame the other, to pin any crimes and
problems on some external threat, closing ranks under one flag, one
nation, one state. But it really seems that those who burned the tree
where not Syrians, but Chechens, Islamist veterans that were counted
among the elite fighters of the now dispursed al-Nusra front. As
Mussolini did one century ago, when he dumped his loyal ‘fascio di
combatimento’ paramilitaries once he got to the italian parliament,
al-Sharaa is now purging the ranks of HTS to consolidate his power.

But let’s not get lost in history. The important news for us are
happening here, next to the Eufrates river. The counter-offensive on
Manbij yesterday night had been an important victory, redefining the
dynamics of the SNA-SDF ongoing conflict. It proved that SNA stands no
chance against SDF without Turkish drones in the sky. It also means
that, from now on, every time it rains, SNA mercenaries will be exposed
to new SDF counter-offensives.

For those who had been in Rojava for some time, we remember how the
Turkish offensives of 2018 and 2019 advanced ruthlessly to fulfil their
aims (first Afrin, later Serekaniye and Gire Spi). Back then, they had
green light of Russia and US to do as they wanted. Now, with Russia
absent and US waiting for Trump to return to the white house, there is a
window of opportunity where SDF can use the rainy days to push back. The
first counter-offensive in Manbij has been a success, not just on a
military level but also on a psycological level, showing that the
revolutionary forces are ready to defend their land. This has sent a
clear message: Kobane is a red line. If anyone mess with it, the spirit
of the resistance that broke the advance of ISIS will once again burst free!

Revolutionary greetings!

———————–

Updates 23-12-24

– Since November 29th until December 22nd, RIC documented that
Turkish/SNA attacks on NES have killed 56 civilians (& injured a further
73), 138 military personnel and 19 Asayish.

## Firat

– After the fierce resistance in Tishrin and Qereqozh, the offensive of
SNA has collapsed. SDF took this opportunity to move forward, advancing
to Manbij from two axis.

– SDF media delegate Ferhat Shami declared that SDF in now 13km away
from Manbij.

SNA groups retreat into the city, with the sky too cloudy for turkish
drones to see. [This is already outdated and there seems to be reports
claiming for SDF to be in the city of Manbij. You can read here the
statement of SDF:
https://www.aanes-rep-eu.com/news/updates-from-the-sdf-operation-martir-aziz-arab-to-recover-manbij]

– Manbij residents talk about chaos inside Manbij city, with SNA groups
looting, stealing and kidnapping civilians. The residents demand the
entry of SDF.

– After a fighter of SNA kidnapped and raped a 7-year-old girl in Manbij
countryside on Sunday, many members of the al-Bubna tribe rose up in
arms against the occupation. Allegedly, the clashes that followed left
dozens of dead SNA fighters. Allegedly, tribe leaders made contact with
SDF anouncing the area was freed of mercenaries and that SDF is welcome
to return.

## Cizire

– A mass demonstration in support of the YPJ took place in Qamishlo
today. All-women YPJ units are taking part in the Tishreen Dam &
Qaraqozak Bridge resistance.

– A meeting between SDF command Mazlum Abdi with the leadership of ENKS
took place today, attended also by officials of the International
coalition (US).

# Syria

– People of Al-Sqailbiyyah are protesting the burning of their Christmas
tree by jihadists affiliated with HTS. Marching through the village,
they carry a large cross to show that they are Christians and not
afraid, shouting ‘Enough is enough!

HTS published a video apologising for the incident.

# Foreign policy

– Iraq has decided to cease providing crude oil to Syria starting from
December.

Operations at the Baniyas refinery on Syria’s coast came to a halt after
it stopped receiving crude oil shipments from Iran, which has been the
primary supplier of Syria’s oil imports.

– Parliament of Catalonia promises to support the DAANES. The Self
Administration must be at the table deciding over a new Syria, because
without all parties present there will be neither a resolution nor
lasting peace.

# Analysis

The SDF seized the opportunity and are making an advance towards Manbij.
Since SDF kicked out ISIS in 2016, Manbij had years of democracy and
stability. Now we see how the local population refuse to accept the
Turkish occupation and the violent fundamentalists groups of SNA. We can
see how the self administrations managed to get the vast majority of the
people behind the idea of this revolution.

This is a very important victory, not just for the military aspect but
also on the political side. Pushing back against the occupation is also
a psycological blow for the turkish proxy groups, that find themselves
in disarray in front of the advance of SDF. Phones and other devices
captured in the advance of SDF are now showing their comunications,
where desperate calls for help and scared comunications of fighters
running away are being circulated in whatsapp groups. Their dependancy
on Turkish military power makes them vulnerable to SDF counter attacks,
because they don’t have contingency plans for those situations.

Still, Turkish air superiority is a massive challange for SDF advance.
Advances towards Manbij are a big achievment, and we should celebrate
it. But the war is not over, Turkish planes can become a nightmare not
just for SDF but for all poeples of northern Syria. It is still not
clear how much Erdogan will try to play political in his alliance with
HTS, or how much he will go full on with military attacks.

But this will be something we will need to evaluate in the future, today
let’s ceebrate this amazing victory of SDF!

Revolutionary greetings!

————————————-

Updates 22-12-24

– Violent clashes continue around the Tishreen dam, with a new offensive
of SNA repelled by SDF. SDF also sent reinforcements to the area.

– Turkish occupation bombed the countryside of Kobani and occupied Tal
Abyad/Girê Spi, as well as 2 villages west of Tal Tamr. A 12-year old
girl and her mother were killed by a turkish drone strike in Kobane
countryside.

– In response to the martyrdom of 3 citizens targeted in a car,
including the head of the religious council in Tel Brak Sheikh Ahmed
Al-Tami, imams and preachers of the Democratic Islam Congress condemned
the attack, emphasising “our commitment to carrying the banner of
resistance, peace and brotherhood, and our determination to move forward
towards achieving these goals.”

# Syria and beyond

– Walid Jumblatt, Druze ex-leader of the progressive Socialist Party of
Lebanon, and his son Taymur Jumblatt, met today with Ahmed al-Sharaa
(aka al-Julani). In a press statement after the meeting al-Sharaa vowed
to end negative interferance from Syria in Lebanon.

– Turkish FM Hakan Fidan met today with Ahmed al-Sharaa,both calling for
the lifting of sanctions towards Syria. Al-Sharaa announced a process of
disarming and dissolving different armed groups into what will become
the new Syrian Army, remarking that this will also include the SDF.
Fidan called on the international community to help Syria and for
Syrians displaced to return. He also remarked the need for a new
constitution in Syria.

– Israeli forces continue to occupy more land in the south, moving up to
al-Baath town, near Quneitra.

– US army has sent reinforcements to Syria from Iraq amid Turkish
attacks on SDF in NE Syria.

– The women’s village of Jinwar, that sent a letter that adresses Europe:

“The EU is already discussing deporting people back to Syria and is
talking about a new beginning in Syria, while people are forced to flee
their homes here every day. Turkey attacks everywhere. There is no safe
place for people. Sleeping places, food, medicine for the displaced are
scarce. It is hardly possible to offer people security.

But the women here are determined. Determined to fight for the children
to learn in their own language and grow up with the values ​​of
democracy and freedom of women. Determined to counter violence and death
by building something beautiful that is full of life. ”

# Analysis

Very fast, al-Julani traded his military-style green shirt for a
business-style black suit and a tie, hosting several official meetings
this Sunday in the Syrian presidential palace. A new technocrat is born,
paving his way to the presidency of Syria and to the corridors of the
international Realpolitik.

This creates a very challenging situation for the DAANES, since it is
the game that kurdish polititians had been trying to play for the last
years. Diplomatic institutions had become an important work for the
bodies of the self-administration, moderating the revolutionary
narrative to look formal and acceptable to western audiences, aiming to
achieve recognition and status for North-East Syria. It worked for a
while, creating an illusion that office politics and diplomacy was the
right path to follow. But now this illusion is vanishing.

The negotiations of Mazlum Abdi for a ceasefire in Kobane, proposing a
demilitarized zone, rightly adressed the concerns that Turkey was
putting on the table. This exposed the hipocrasy of AKP, that was just
using those conditions as an excuse for their attacks. But with US
entering the game, and especially with the fierce resistance of SDF in
Tishreen and Qereqozah, the invasion got halted for now. SDF is crushing
wave after wave of the mercenaries that Erdogan is sending.

Erdogan has hopes that Trump will side with him when he takes office,
but the pro-kurdish positions from some senators of the republican party
-with a the bipartisan bill against Erdogan proposed in the US senate-
are now bringing doubts about that. Kurdish diplomacy has been playing a
pivotal role in the last years, and the revolutionary process also paid
a price for it, having to play the role that western powers (mainly US)
wanted to see “the kurdish partners” playing.

But the kurdish liberation movement is more than the diplomacy of
Rojava, and the resistance in kobane is proof of that. We made it that
far because the people of Rojava have always been ready to fight and
defend their land. If we want to push for revolutionary transformations,
we need to take initiative and go on the offensive.

Revolutionary greeting!

—————–

Updates 21-12-24

– Turkish backed mercenaries (SNA) launched another fierce attack in the
vicinity of the Tishreen Dam this morning, using heavy weaponry, armored
vehicles and tanks. SDF forces repelled the attack, eliminating 35
mercenaries and destroying one tank and two armored vehicles.

– An attack by SNA fighters in Hamid, on the M4 front lines in the
region of Ain Issa, was repelled by SDF forces.

– A Turkish drone attacked a civilian car south of Tel Brak in the
Hasakah province, killing three civilians: a woman of HPC (community
self defense), a member of the Council of Tel Brak and a religious figure.

– Turkish drones have targeted the wheat silos in Sarin, resulting in
significant damage and destruction.

# Syria

– Israel arrested two protesters in their newly occupied zone in
southern Syria

– The Syrian Women council made a press conferance in Hasakah to share
the statement they released in different languages.

# Foreign policy

– Two U.S. senators introduced a bipartisan bill aimed at imposing
sanctions on Turkey. The “Countering Turkish Aggression Act” is designed
to prevent further Turkish attacks on the SDF, which they warn could
lead to a resurgence of ISIS and pose a direct threat to U.S. national
security and global stability.

– Colombian President Petro said in a social media post: “In present-day
Syria, a free Kurdish journalist has been killed. I call on the leaders
of Russia, Iran, Turkey, Israel, and the United States to stop dividing
Syria. This division is heading towards a new genocide — the genocide of
the Kurdish people.”

# International solidarity

– Kurdish youth carried out a civil disobedience action in a Paris
airport against the attacks by the Turkish state and its affiliated SNA
gangs against NES. The police took the protesters into custody.

Revolutionary greetings!

—————————

Updates 20-12-24

– Kurdish Journalists Cihan Bilgin (ANHA) and Nazin Dashtan (ANF) were
killed yesterday in a drone strike after they filmed the effects of the
Turkish attacks on the Tishreen Dam.

– Cihan was a journalist for over 8 years. She covered the liberation of
Raqqa, bringing attention to the extraordinary struggle of the SDF and
the women of YPJ. She was deeply engaged with the philosophy of women’s
liberation.

– Nazim was among the first journalists to document the resistance of
Kobane in 2014. He reported on the brutality and oppression of the
Turkish state. He was a very kind-hearted person, and always ready to
support the work of international journalists.

– SNA groups launched an offensive in Qereqozah bridge, with heavy
weapons and support of Turkish drones. After fierce clashes, the
offensive was been repeled by the Manbij Military Council and other SDF
forces.

# Syria

– On Dec. 19, U.S. Central Command Forces conducted a precision
airstrike targeting ISIS leader Abu Yusif aka Mahmud in the Deir ez-Zor
Province, killing him and another ISIS operative.

– Former SAA soldiers who fled to Iraq during the fall of the regime had
been handed out to new Syrian authorities (HTS) as captives.

– Allegedly, former SAA soldiers in Latakia ambushed a group of HTS
fighters in Masyaf, inflicting several casualties. Remnants of Assad’s
army have vowed to continue fighting in the west coast region of Syria,
and are threatening to arm “popular organisations”. Local groups are
taking up weapons to defend demselves from the constant attacks they
received from HTS and SNA groups.

– In the western countriside of Daraa, several protests had been taking
place against the new israely occupation. In the village Ma’riya IDF
opened fire killing one protestor.

# Foreign politics

– Iraq FM called with british FM to inform that ISIS is reorganizing its
ranks, expanding control in several areas over Syria and Iraq with
seized weapons from syrian army depots that were temporarily abandoned
with the collapse of the regime.

– British media said on Thursday that counter-terrorism police in the UK
are on high alert for the potential return of British supporters of the
Islamic State (ISIS) following their potential release from prisons in
Syria.

– Pentagon Press SecretaryP.Ryder told reporters that there were in fact
2,000 US troops in Syria, not 900 as previously reported, adding that
“these additional forces are considered temporary rotational forces that
deploy to meet shifting mission deployments.”

– Turkish police have arrested ten Kurdish Journalists in Van for
protesting against the martyrdom of their two colleagues. This follows a
long list of arrests that started at the end of November, right before
the offensive of HTS started. Dozens of polititians, protesters and
journalists, including elected kurdish municipal mayors had been arrested.

– EU diplomatic envoy met with HTS in Damascus to discuss the agreements
of the Aqaba conferance, giving support for an inclusive Syrian led
political process that results in representative government, which
respects the rights of all Syrians. He expressed cautious willingness to
support rebuilding of Syria.

– Germanys FM A.Baerbock, who started her office with promising “a
feminist foreign policy” and 3 days ago talked about Kobane as a symbol
of resistance for kurds, today stated “The Kurdish groups must be
disarmed and integrated into the national security structure”.



– US department of Justice removed the page stating a $10 milion reward
for information on Syrian islamist leader Ahmed Al-Sharaa (al-Jolani).



# International Solidarity

– The International Federation of Journalists condemned the targeting of
Cihan Bilgin and Nazim Dastan by Turkey, and demanded that those
responsible for targeting journalists in war zones be held accountable.

– The Coalition for Women in Journalism issues a statement condemning
the Turkish drone strike that killed two journalists yesterday:
https://www.womeninjournalism.org/alerts/syria-turkish-drone-strike-kills-kurdish-journalsts-jihan-belki-and-nazim-dashdam

# Analysis

The assassination of two Kurdish journalists is a painful reminder of
how news and information is a weapon of war.

We are seeing elaborate schemes in social networks, where fake
information and fabricated war headlines are propagated, distorting
reality and creating confusion about the situation on the ground. This
is part of psychological warfare, another form of waging war employed by
our enemies. This broadcast channel is partly an answer to it. We know
that war has many sides, and that we need to give collective answers to
all of them, building mechanisms of self-defense against all kinds of
attacks. We also see attacks against health workers, with an ambulance
that was transporting injured recently being targeted in the Kobane
region. These kinds of attacks are not just attacks against civilians,
are attacks against basic ethical standards.

Western powers like to claim a moral high ground, talking about
democracy and human rights. Turkey is a NATO member that has been
spitting on any basic ethical standards, and still got a new bribe of 1
billion E in the form of aid to control refugees. HTS was on the
terrorist lists for its links with Al-Qaeda. But now, climbing the
ladder to the top of a Nation-State, that is not relevant for the other
heads of State anymore. As it already happened with the Taliban.

It deeply reflects how States are born, with brutal and murderous gangs
fighting and killing, until one big man manages to establish himself as
president, as king, or even as god. And then the other big men around
him applaude and congratulate his ascend. After that, maybe they put
some make-up and rewrite the history here and there, to make sure it
suits whatever is the current trend in present literature. And, voila! A
new goverment is born.

It is also pathetic to see Turkey and Israel building tensions, accusing
each other of the same crimes they are committing themselves. Especially
when their military intelligence agencies collaborate and negotiate the
occupation and partition of Syria behind the cameras.

“The Truth will not remain captive in the darkness”

— Nazim Dashtan

Comrade Nazim, comrade Cihan, all the brave fighters defending this
revolution:

Rest in Power!

Revolutionary greetings!

————————

Updates 19-12-24

# Syria

– Big demonstration on Damascus with special participation of many women
in reaction to misogin declarations from members of the provisional
government. The protesters chanted slogans such as “Free Civil Syria”
and “We want democracy, not theocracy,” holding placards that read
“Towards a State of Law and Citizenship” and “No Free Homeland without
Free Women.”

#NES

– Big demonstration in Qamishlo (with usual participation on many woman)
against the turkish ocupation. The “independance” flags were present,
waving next to SDF flags. The protestors chanted slogans such as “No to
the occupation,” “SDF is our strength,” “Long live the brotherhood of
peoples,” “Long live the unity of Kurds, Arabs, and Syriacs,” and “Our
resistance guarantees our freedom.”

## Eufrates Region

– Violent clashes on the outskirts of Kobane region during last night.
Turkish proxy forces continued gatharing troops arround Qereqozah Bridge
and Tishreen dam.

– Turkey is building defense lines and deploying heavy weapons in the
Turkey-Syria border next ot the city of Kobane, while simultaneously
building a border wall around the occupied territories. Communication
over phone and internet was blocked in Kobane region.

– After an ISIS attack near Raqqa, the SDF antiterror units performed a
sweep ov several villages in the area to maintain security and stability.

– After ISIS attack, SDF carrried out raids on the outskirts of Raqqa.

# Foreign politics

– FM of Turkey Hakan Fidan gave an interview to al-Jazeera saying that
they expect the Syrian goverment to crack down on the “terrorists of
YPG”. “If our concerns are eliminated, we have no reason to intervene or
remain in Syria”. He criticised the US for supporting “SDF terrorists”
and Israel for occupying syrian territory.

– Russian president V.Putin said: “We need to solve the kurdish problem…
Turkey has a problem with the PKK for decades. After the First World War
the Kurds were promised their own state, but they were deceived.”

– Former french president Hollande says “I cannot tolerate the
abandonment of the Kurds. I am calling on France and the International
Coalition to protect the Syrian Kurds.”

# International Solidarity

– Internationalists interrupted the EU Parliament session to denounce
Turkey’s assault on Rojava and call for the freedom of Kurdish leader
Abdullah Öcalan

– Brasilian activists gathered infront of the turkish embassy in Brasil
to protest the agressions against Rojava/ NES

Revolutionary greetings!

————————-

Updates 18-12-24

# NES Updates

– SNA violates the ceasefire by launching attacks in several locations
south of Kobani, Qaraqozah bridge and Tishreen dam, despite the
US-brokered ceasefire agreement. SDF successfully repelled the attack,
inflicting heavy loses to SNA.

– SDF successfully shot down another Turkish “Bayrakdar TB2” drone in
the vicinity of the Qaraqozah bridge and destroyed a mobile radar system
of the Turkish army near the Tishreen dam.

– Turkish occupation drones bombed a broadcast station for Radio Kobani
FM south of Kobani. All equipment was burned and the station damaged.

– ISIS attack on university checkpoint in Al-Kasrat killing two Asayish
forces yesterday evening. Two further Asayish and one civilian were wounded.

– the Syrian Federation for Human Rights and 98 Syrian human rights
organizations issued a statement condemning the attacks of the Turkish
occupation. The statement warned about the danger of return of ISIS
under new names and included a list of demands:
https://hawarnews.com/en/turkeys-crimes-threaten-civil-peace-and-restore-specter-of-isis

# Syria

– Local newspaper reports that HTS informed Palestinian organizations in
Syria that they are not allowed to have weapons and conduct trainings on
Syrian ground anymore.

– HTS is being blamed for having desecrated a christian graveyard and a
church in Hama. Tombs of saints and Christian historic personalities
from that region were opened, destroyed and desecrated, holy books
thrown on the floor.

– Spokesman for the new Syrian government says that women are not
qualified for certain government posts and that the hijab will not be
forced on “the Christian component or any other component.” Al-Jolani
says: “Syria will not be Afghanistan and I believe in educating women”

– An unknown fire broke out at Aleppo International Stadium in
Al-Hamdaniya neighborhood in Aleppo city, a short while ago.

– SNA factions are fighting each other in Manbij neighbourhoods over
stolen goods. Also in northern Aleppo the SNA group Ahrar al-Sharqiya
clashed against SNA military police.

– Since the beginning of the week, 10 civilians were killed by landmines
left behind.

# Foreign Politics

## In EU

– German Foreign Minister A. Baerbock posted on twitter: “Kobani is a
symbol of the brave Kurds’ struggle against ISIS. Spilling more blood is
the last thing people should experience after 14 years of war.” She also
urged Turkey to stop and maintain the integrity of Syrian territory.

– The parliament of Switzerland officially recognised the yezidi Genocide.

– Representatives of the Catalan government are visiting the DAANES on a
diplomatic mission. Catalonia is the first government worldwide to
recognise the DAANES.

– French Foreign Minister demands that DAANES is part of the political
transition in Syria.

## In US

– U.S. Senators L. Graham (Rep) and C. v. Hollen (Dem): “Turkey must
accept the ceasefire and demilitarized zone, or we will draft a
bipartisan sanctions list as we did in 2019.”

– US State Department: We are considering sending military personnel to
Syria

# International Solidarity

– The Internationalist Commune has issued a call for artists to create
revolutionary art in all mediums. The full call can be found at:
https://internationalistcommune.com/call-for-revolutionary-art-solidarity-with-rojava/

– 32 NGOs, trade unions and other organisations from Spain sent a letter
to the Spanish government in solidarity with the Kurdish people and the
DAANES. They list 3 demands: humanitarian assistance, a resolute stand
against Turkey and the recognition of the DAANES.

– In Berlin activists squatted the countries biggest news station ZDF,
demanding the threats of turkish invasion to become a focus point in
german news coverage

# Analysis

The General Commander of YPJ Rohilat Efrîn highlighted the ongoing
resistance against foreign occupation and stressed the significance of
safeguarding the region’s autonomy and women’s rights. She noted that
the Middle East is being redesigned, with paramilitary groups and
factions contributing to insecurity. The attacks against women symbolize
the broader destabilization of society. The importance of international
backing for the region’s self-management system is seen as vital for the
Kurdish, Arab, and broader regional populations.

Revolutionary greetings!

—————————-

Updates 17-12-24

# NES Updates

– The ceasefire agreement between Turkey and SDF has been extended
through US mediation until the end of this week. US state dep.: “We dont
want to see any party take advantage of the current unstable situation
to advance their own narrow interests…”

SDFs M.Abdi states: “we announce our readiness to propose the
establishment of a demilitarized zone in the city of Kobani, with the
redeployment of security forces under American supervision and presence.
This initiative aims to address Turkey’s security concerns and ensure
lasting stability in the region.”

## Eufrates region

– The forces of Manbij Military Council repelled an attack by the
Turkish occupation mercenaries on the Tishreen Dam this afternoon, where
fierce clashes lasted more than two hours, during which a number of
mercenaries were eliminated, forcing them to flee the area.

– Multiple drone strikes were reported in Ain Issa and Raqqa, while
protests against the turkish invasion plans continue in Kobane and Qamishlo.

– Tishreen Dam is non-operational. This means >2 million people are
facing severe water shortages. UNICEF, Committee of the Red Cross in
Syria and Syrian Red Crescent conduct joint mission to the Dam’s
technical management facility for urgent repairs.

## M4 area

– Power station in Til Temir was fixed with support of Russian forces,
but was bombed again few hours later as well as other villages of Til
Temir front lines.

# Foreign politics

## In EU

– A delegation of the DAANES is in Strasbourg for talks with parties in
the European Parliament. The talks are about the latest developments in
Syria after the overthow of Assad, the ongoing attacks by Turkey and its
proxy force SNA, the increasing threat from the so-called Islamic State
and the humanitarian situation on the ground.

– EU Left coalition leader M. Schirdewan has spoken out in the EU
Parliament in favor of recognizing the DAANES. “That would be credible
European foreign policy.”

– Head of EU parliament U.v.d.Leyen: “The EU-Turkey relationship is
important. Our economic relationship is growing stronger every year. And
Turkey remains a key partner on migration. An extra €1 billion for 2024
is on its way to support Turkey’s efforts to host Syrian refugees.”

## In US

– The Pentagon says the ISIS prison camp al-Hol presents a significant
security concern in the sense that were ISIS able to affect some type of
breakout, of any detention facility, that would be a significant setback
and something that would be very concerning. Which is why we continue to
work very closely with the SDF. (…) the SDF that maintains the facility
and the US military provides sort of a — kind of an outer layer of
security out there.

# Damascus government

– UN expects 1 mil. refugees to return to Syria within the next year

– More mass graves have been discovered outside Damascus. Estimations
say that up to 150.000 prison detainees had been killed, doubling
previous estimates.

# Analysis

We can see how EU and US are not concerned with the past of HTS as a
branch of Al-Qaeda, accepting their provisional government very fast. At
the same time very little support or recognition has been given to NES,
even when has been the main force on the ground fighting ISIS. Clearly
the deciding factors for western powers are not human rights, ethical
values and democracy as they like to claim, their decisions are being
guided by anti-refugee sentiments and economical interests on oil and gas.

As right-wing parties take more power in governments, their electoral
promises of harder migration laws guide their political programs. Those
governments end up supporting authoritarian regimes that promise order
and stability, hoping they will keep refugees away from their borders,
when its exactly those regimes that force people to flee. There is a
long history of western powers, especially US, supporting religious
fundamentalist groups over socialist revolutionary forces. This goes
against ethnic and religious minorities and especially against women and
queers, since religious fundamentalism and patriarchy always go hand in
hand.

A German organisation called GfbV (society for threatened peoples) warned:

“The new rulers of Syria are presenting themselves in the media as
moderate, but there are already many signs that they are not keeping
their promises. (…)

Turkish ruler Erdoğan has already sent his foreign minister to Damascus
to torpedo a peaceful solution between HTS and DANNES. Erdoğan’s policy
is extremely dangerous. The German government, especially the Federal
Foreign Office, must not rely on Erdoğan and the Syrian Islamists if it
really wants to create stability and a long-term peace order”

We see that the liberal left seems more aware of the situation, but they
are not gonna risk anything to stop it. As it already happened with
ISIS, there are threats that won’t be stopped with political diplomacy
and economic sanctions. Fascism can have many colors, and it is always
in deeply militarized and patriarchal environments where it thrives the
best. Religious fundamentalism is therefore a perfect ground for fascism
in the Middle East, as islamophobia and racist nationalism is in western
territories.

Fascism needs to be stopped before it’s to late. Even if having
different colors, authoritarian forces will eventually cooperate to
eradicate autonomy and diversity. The mentality of dominant male,
imposing their hegemony and dreaming of bigger and bigger nation-states
under their rule, is the main threat for any expression of free life.
But denouncing it is not enough, we have to take action to make sure
their ambitions are prevented. And if not you, who? If not now, when?

One solution. Revolution.

Revolutionary greetings!

————————————————————————————

Updates 16-12-24

# NES updates

– The ceasefire negotiations between SDF and Turkey failed. There are
significant military buildups of SNA forces around Kobane, that may
indicate an imminent attack. SDF is ensuring commitment to defend the
region, having positions around Qereqozah bridge.

– Ambulances and other vehicles that went to evacuate people in Manbij
had been prevented to access the city by SNA groups.

– In Tal Rifat, SNA groups called for all men between 18 to 60 years old
to leave the city in the next 48 hours. Many people rejected that call
and allegedly riots broke out. SNA imposed a curfew, not allowing anyone
to leave their homes

– A big demonstration on Kobane against the threat of Turkish invasion
happen today. Protests against SNA groups looting and killing also
continued in Manbij.

– Turkey continues the bombings of critical infrastructure all around
NES. The power station of Til Temir has been attacked again, cutting
electricity in all the city.

– Lekolin.org, a research institution of the self-administration,
published a file identifying 415 ISIS fighters operating within the
ranks of the SNA. Allegedly, it was found in a SNA fighter memory card
with instructions for the ISIS fighters to advance to Kobani after
capturing Qereqozah bridge.

# Syria political transition

– Ahmed Al-Sharaa (a.k.a. Abu Mohamed al-Jolani) met with Geir Pedersen,
special envoy from the UN, discussing about the ongoing process of
political transition in Syria. An statement emphasized they work for
“inclusive and credible political transition, led and owned by Syria,
based on the principles outlined in Security Council Resolution 2254”,
and also “the UN’s intention to provide all forms of assistance to the
Syrian people”.

– A top diplomat from the EU confirms that sanctions will remain in
place for now, due to ongoing concerns over Syria’s political landscape
and opposition dynamics.

– Convoys of the Military Operation Administration (linked to the HTS
military operation) arrived and deployed in Deir Ezzor city.

– US announced several strikes against ISIS, stating 12 fighters killed
and no civilian casualties.

– Israeli warplanes have carried out intense airstrikes targeting
multiple sites in the rural areas of Tartus and Latakia, including
warehouses and air defense bases.

– Explosions heard in Albukamal area, near the border with Iraq, when an
unidentified drone was flying over that region.

# Civil protests and International Solidarity

– Activists of women organizations and other kurdish political
organizations are organizing protest camps in both sides of the
Syria-Turkey border in the cities of Qamishlo-Nusaybin.

– Activists in Germany have occupied a former turkish embassy building
and the famous Brandenburger Tor in Berlin, hanging banners in
solidarity with Rojava and lighting fireworks.

– Activists in Vienna installed a “security zone for democracy” in front
of the turkish embassy, declaring Turkey responsible for the ongoing
escalation in NES and demanding a political solution.

# Analysis

Not much time for sharing analysis on the last days, but we have to
remark once again that the risk of an attack on Kobane is very hight. We
will follow the situation but internet cuts can also be common if the
conflict escalates. Keep updated and #DefendRojava

--------------------------------------------

15-12-24

# Political transition in Syria

– Declarations of Ahmed al-Sharaa (aka al-Jolani):

All factions will be dissolved and there will be no weapons except in
the hands of the state.

The first priorities are to rebuild the destroyed homes and return all
displaced until the last tent.

There will be no more compulsory military service.

Very important economic decisions will be taken.

# NES updates

– YPJ anounced that will soon publish a report on the attacks. Since
27.11 SDF is counting 112 shehids from SDF, Asayish, Komandos, YPG, YPJ,
Syriac military council, HRE and HPC

– American military convoy arrived in kobane and raised a US flag in the
main administration center, stating their intention to remain in the
city to deter a Turkish attack.

– Protests continue in Manbij after the occupation of SNA, with multiple
tribes expressing their support for SDF. A general strike was called to
start today, with many shops and workshops closing down in protest for
the crimes of SNA.

# ISIS resurgence

– Iraqi security officials warn of a looming ISIS plot to target prisons
in Syria controlled by the

SDF, potentially leading to a mass escape of terrorists.

– Humanitarian NGO working in Hol camp, that hosts more than 40.000
women and children of ISIS fighters, suspended it’s work due to fear of
a possible rebellion and attacks.

# International solidarity

– In the global Day of action, December 14th 2024, many protests and
actions in Defense of Rojava took place in many different cities. To
find more about it follow the campaign RiseuUp4Rojava

Revolutionary greetings!

Share this post:

Post navigation

-------------------------------------

Updates 14-12-24

# Political transition

– Al Julani made a several statements to consolidate his position as ‘de
facto’ head of Syrian state, using a moderate and conciliatory tone,
claiming no conflict with Israel or Iran, will to stop captaon
production in Syria (a drug that the regime was producing)

– The Aacqba arab conference concluded with a statement supporting the
current Syria transition and condemning Israel expansion of the
“security zone”.

– Turkey has been the first state to open embassy on Damascus, after
more than 12 years since they close their embassy in the Syrian capital.

– 150 mass graves containing what is estimated to be 75,000 bodies are
being digged in Al-Hussainiya area in the Damascus countryside, behind
the Conference Palace.

# Eufrates Region

– Bodies of SDF fighters are being buried, mostly in Kobane but also in
other places where those fighters came from.

– SNA is looting and destroying several locations in Manbij. They burned
an important library, they killed a restaurant owner while looting his
place and many more crimes are being reported.

– SDF command decleared that the ceasfire on the Tishrin dam has not
been implemented and that is therefore not effective. SNA is now
mobilizing big numbers of soldiers towards the Qereqozah bridge in the
kobane region border. Allegedly, turkey is also rallying forces on the
Turkey-Syria border around Kobane. Supply of water and electricity from
Tishrin to Kobane region dam has also been cut.

# ISIS resurge

– The Palmyra region and the Hamad Syrian desert are witnessing
continuous raids of ISIS. The number of ISIS attacks since toppling
Bashar al-Assad on December 8 is now 6, resulting in the deaths of 70
people, including civilians and soldiers.

# Context on the ceasefire disagreements –

The tomb of Suleyman Shah, short explanation Written by YPG/YPJ
International

Part of the negotiated ceasefire between #SDF and #Turkey was connected
to the location of the tomb of Suleyman Shah and its military
implications. Let’s dive into this a little deeper to understand what
this is all about:

Suleyman Shah lived in 13th century and, according to Ottoman legacy, is
the grandfather of Osman I, who founded the Ottoman Empire. Because
todays #Turkey likes to see itself as successor of the Ottoman Empire,
the tomb and remains are important for them.

The tomb of Suleyman Shah was Turkey’s only foreign enclave, located
more or less 30km from the Turkish border close to Qere Qozaq, on the
river banks of Euphrates. In 2014 the tomb and its 38 Turkish guards,
were completely surrounded by #ISIS.

So the tomb was brought to Ashme village, between #Kobane and Euphrates
river, a site closer to the Turkish border, where it was easier and less
risky to protect, but still on Syrian (and #SDF) territory. Turkey
stressed that the relocation would only be temporarily.

While now negotiating the ceasefire, it was offered to help transfer the
tomb again, but #Turkey instead requested that it will be given 1km of
land in this area, where they intend to deploy heavy weapons and build a
military base. Thus no agreement could be reached.

Revolutionary greetings!

https://tekosinaanarsist.noblogs.org/war-updates-december-2024/
_________________________________________
A - I N F O S  N E W S  S E R V I C E
By, For, and About Anarchists
Send news reports to A-infos-en mailing list
A-infos-en@ainfos.ca

Geen opmerkingen:

Een reactie posten