formerly known as
Women's Liberation Front
'Insight is the first step of resistance against any ideologic form of dictatorial and misogynistic oppression'
and
'Freedom is like a bird
that nests in ones' soul'

Welcome to cryfreedom.net, formerly known as Womens Liberation Front.  A website that hopes to draw and keeps your attention for  both the global 21th. century 3rd. feminist revolution as well as especially for the Zan, Zendegi, Azadi uprising in Iran and the struggles of our sisters in other parts of the Middle East. This online magazine that started December 2019 will be published every 2 days. Thank you for your time and interest. 
Gino d'Artali
indept investigative journalist
radical feminist and women's rights activist
 


Syria: Fall of Assad and aftermath
Update January 7, 2025

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Gino d'Artali
and: My mother (1931-1997) always said to me <Mi figlio, non esistono notizie <vecchie> perche puoi imparare qualcosa da qualsiasi notizia.> Translated: <My son, there is no such thing as so called 'old' news because you can learn something from any news.>
Gianna d'Artali.

Medyanews - January 6, 2025
<<Erdogan signals 'carefully planned policy' amid talks with imprisoned Kurdish leader Ocalan
Turkish President Erdogan has presented what he called a <carefully planned and meticulously thought-out policy> during an address in the northern city of Trabzon focusing on ongoing political developments, including their meetings with the DEM Party delegation. Rumours suggest a potential visit to Diyarbakır (Amed), which would mark a significant step amid apparent reconciliation discussions. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, addressing his party’s 8th Ordinary Provincial Congress in Trabzon, focused on ongoing political discussions, particularly the recent indirect talks with imprisoned Kurdish leader Abdullah Ocalan. He described his administration's approach as a <carefully planned and meticulously thought out> policy.
<We aim to achieve a Turkey where conflict, violence and instability are consigned to history. For this, we are pursuing a comprehensive policy where every step is intricately planned,> Erdogan said, adding, <We will not fall into the traps of imperialists or those who sow discord in these lands. No one can disrupt our ancient unity, and together, we will overcome terrorism and achieve our goals more swiftly.> The talks with Ocalan have been facilitated by a Peoples Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party delegation which has started a process of shuttle meetings. The delegation visited İmralı Prison on 28 December to meet with the Kurdish leader, and since then has been meeting with the leaders of governmental party leaders.
In the meantime there are rumours suggesting that Erdogan may visit the Kurdish-majority city of Diyarbakır (Amed) on 11 January, followed by a stop in Urfa (Riha) on 12 January. If confirmed, this would be his first visit to Diyarbakır since discussions of a renewed reconciliation process began, heightening the significance of such a visit. The DEM Party delegation is continuing its meetings with party leaders this week, including Future Party leader Ahmet Davutoglu and representatives of parliamentary parties, including the ruling Justice and Development (AKP) Party and the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP). DEM Party delegation members Pervin Buldan and Sırrı Sureyya Onder have characterised the current process as more promising than previous attempts at negotiations, emphasising the need for discretion and maturity in handling ongoing developments.>>
Source and read more: https://medyanews.net/erdogan-signals-carefully-planned-policy-amid-talks-with-imprisoned-kurdish-leader-ocalan/


Medyanews - January 6, 2025
<<Rojava rises in self-defence: Kurdish women in forefront of resistance against Turkey
Citizens in North and East Syria are rallying together to defend their land in response to intensifying Turkish assaults, with Kurdish women at the forefront. Meanwhile communities in Kobani (Kobane) and surrounding areas are organising efforts to safeguard their homeland from a potential impending ground invasion. Citizens in Kurdish-led North and East Syria (Rojava) are mobilising to defend their homeland against Turkish attacks, which have intensified over the past month following the fall of Syria's Assad regime, with Kurdish women at the forefront of the resistance. In Kobani (Kobane), a strategic border town of symbolic importance, civilians -including mothers and young people - are preparing to defend against a potential imminent ground invasion by collaborating on tasks ranging from preparing food for fighters to taking up arms. Leading the self-defence operations in the autonomous region, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have established security points across the region, carrying out regular patrols with the support of local Asayish (internal security forces) fighters and community efforts. Turkish airstrikes on North and East Syria, which escalated at the beginning of December and aim to undermine Kurdish autonomy, have resulted in numerous casualties, including the targeted killing of two journalists. The city of Kobani and its surrounding area have become a hotspot for Turkish attacks. A video report by the ANF news agency highlights the ongoing mobilisation in the city and the surrounding countryside, showing women playing a leading role in the activities. Emine Muslim, a mother from the town of Sheran in the Kobani region, has joined the local defence forces. "We want the Turkish state to know that we are not the Kurds of the past. This is our land and we will defend it even with our weapons," she said. "We will not allow fascism and its mercenaries to win."
Communities in Rojava mobilise in defence of their homeland, preparing food for local fighters
In the nearby village of Qaramux, villagers came together to prepare food for the fighters. Zeyneb Nehsan, a Kurdish mother, was among those actively involved in the preparations. "What we have to do, we will do without hesitation for our children," she said, concluding, “[Turkish President] Erdogan says <We will bury the Kurds,> but that will remain a dream. We, as mothers, will resist until the end." >>
Video and read more: https://medyanews.net/rojava-rises-in-self-defence-kurdish-women-in-forefront-of-resistance-against-turkey/

Al Jazeera - January 5, 2025 - By Belal Khaled
<<In Pictures - Features
Inside Syria's notorious Palestine Branch: Tales of torture and fear
Palestine Branch targeted rebellious neighbourhoods in Damascus during the early stages of the Syrian revolution. "Palestine Branch" prison guards of the Syrian Military Operations Department after the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime December 20, 2024.
Damascus, Syria - "Palestine Branch", also known as Branch 235, is an intelligence-run prison in Syria that everyone in the country feared and loathed. Established in 1969, the notorious building on the southern outskirts of Damascus became known for systematic torture by the Syrian regime against its opponents and the close eye it kept on its own people. The branch rose in the 1980s, expanding from its initial mandate of monitoring Palestinian groups and all matters concerning Palestine, it took on more and more files until it was handling more than any other branch and became widely known for its brutal torture methods and inhumane conditions. During the early stages of the Syrian revolution, the branch was said to specifically target residents of Damascus's southern districts, especially al-Midan, al-Qadam, Dafshok, and the Yarmouk Palestinian refugee camp.
Outside Palestine Branch, military trucks were parked haphazardly, mattresses, documents and pictures scattered on the floor along with military uniforms and boots left behind. On December 8, 2024, the Syrian regime fell and opposition forces freed prisoners as they went, allowing them to emerge from the regime’s grip, carrying harrowing tales of torture and suffering. Inside the branch, the cells tell the tale of the people who went through it. There are cameras in every cell, drawings and writing on the walls carved with fingernails or whatever else the detainees could find. A little bit of scabies ointment left over in one cell. It is difficult to move around the basement now, because the sewage system malfunctioned, filling some corridors and cells with stagnant water. Also in the basement are the toilets, where guards would take detainees once a day, in the morning, beating and insulting them. Abu Jaber, who was in cell seven, recounted the torture he endured in this branch, from the moment he entered: "They whipped us. It took two days to recover from the pain. After I left, I was afraid to pass near [our cell], even if it was on my way. I would take a longer route to avoid it." Each detainee had a number according to the cell they were in. For example, "33 on Group 2" would indicate the 33rd detainee in the second group cell. On the upper floor, there were what former prisoners referred to as <torture rooms>. Dim, grey rooms with a large glass window on one of the walls.

"I was detained here, and by God's grace, 10 years later, I guard it. Here, we had no names, just numbers," says Abu Jaber. [Belal Khaled/Al Jazeera]>>
View photos: https://www.aljazeera.com/gallery/2025/1/6/inside-syrias-notorious-palestine-branch-tales-of-torture-and-fear

Al Jazeera - January 5, 2025
<<Lawyer fears Egyptian poet could be tortured if extradited from Lebanon
A lawyer for activist and poet Abdul Rahman Yusuf has told Al Jazeera that he would be at risk if extradited to Egypt or the UAE. The son of Muslim scholar Yusuf al-Qaradawi was arrested in Lebanon following a visit to Syria.>>
Video: https://www.aljazeera.com/program/newsfeed/2025/1/5/lawyer-fears-egyptian-poet-could-be-tortured-if-extradited-from-lebanon-2

Al Jazeera - January 5, 2025
<<Syria's foreign minister urges US to lift sanctions during visit to Qatar
Syria’s new Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani has called on the United States to lift crippling sanctions on his country, as he visited Qatar as part of a regional trip to seek support after the fall of Bashar al-Assad. Following a meeting with Qatar's prime minister on Sunday, al-Shaibani told reporters that US sanctions on Syria were an obstacle to the war-torn country's rapid recovery. "These sanctions constitute a barrier and an obstacle to the rapid recovery and development of the Syrian people who await services and partnerships from other countries," he said. "We reiterate our calls for the United States to lift these sanctions, which have now become against the Syrian people rather than what they previously were: imposed sanctions on the al-Assad regime." Qatar's Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the Gulf country's premier also met with Syria's Defence Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra and the new head of intelligence Anas Khattab, as well as al-Shaibani. Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani "reiterated the State of Qatar's position in support of Syria's unity, sovereignty and independence", the statement said. Al-Shaibani presented the Qataris with a clear roadmap for the near future in Syria and steps that would be taken by the new Syrian administration, Qatar's Minister of State Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi told reporters after the meeting. "We are working together to prevent any foreign interference in Syrian affairs," Al-Khulaifi added. Al-Shaibani said the roadmap is meant to “rebuild our country, restore its Arab and foreign relations, enable the Syrian people to obtain their civil and basic rights, and present a government that the Syrian people feel represents them and all their components". Al-Shaibani's visit comes nearly two weeks after his Qatari counterpart travelled to Damascus to hold talks with officials from the new administration. Al-Khulaifi's trip had come days after Doha opened its embassy in Damascus after it had been closed for 13 years following al-Assad's violent repression of peaceful protests. Qatar did not join other Arab states in recognising al-Assad, who has taken asylum in Russia since fleeing Syria on December 8. He has been accused of committing war crimes against his own citizens. Syria's new government is eager for investment from wealthy Gulf states to help rebuild the country's infrastructure and boost the economy, shattered by more than a decade of war. Al Jazeera's Stefanie Dekker, reporting from Doha, said discussions between Qatari officials and the Syria delegation are likely to focus on "strengthening of ties, security, and rebuilding". "This is an interim government that faces huge challenges when it comes to getting Syria back on its feet. It needs money," she noted. Al-Shaibani is expected to visit the United Arab Emirates and Jordan this week to "support stability, security, economic recovery and build distinguished partnerships", according to his account on X. He embarked on Wednesday on his first foreign trip to Saudi Arabia, where Saudi officials discussed how to support Syria's political transition. Meanwhile, de facto Syria leader Ahmed al-Sharaa and Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati agreed in a phone call on Friday to restore calm along the 375km (233-mile) border following clashes between Lebanese soldiers and Syrian gunmen. Al-Sharaa heads the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group, which led the capture of Damascus from al-Assad's forces.>>
SOURCE: AL JAZEERA AND NEWS AGENCIES: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/1/5/syrian-foreign-minister-asaad-al-shaibani-arrives-in-qatar-for-talks

Medyanews - January 5, 2025
<<Colonialism and resistance in greater Middle East: Kurdish and Baloch peoples
The resistance of the Kurdish and Baloch peoples against oppression and genocide was the subject of discussion in an X space organised by the Ronahi Youth Centre for Public Relations on Saturday evening. The resistance of the Kurdish and Baloch peoples against oppression and genocide was discussed in an X space organised by the Ronahi Youth Centre for Public Relations on Saturday evening. The war in northern Syria is only the latest in a series of violent developments that have shaken the greater Middle East - from Gaza to the Balochistan region of Pakistan. Saturday's X space was held with the intention of shedding light on the war against women and minorities that seems to have no end in the Middle East. The focus was on the people of Kurdistan - straddling Turkey, Syria, Iraq and Iran - and the people of Balochistan - straddling Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan. These people have been working and struggling for decades for a future of freedom and non-violence. Four panelists joined the discussion. Taj Baloch from the Human Rights Council of Balochistan and Asghar Ali Baloch as former President of the Baloch National Movement (Germany Chapter) spoke, as did Mahir Amed from Ronahi and Elefteria Ali from the Internationalist Commune of Rojava. The discussion was moderated by Dur Bibi from the Baloch community. Speakers from the Baloch community explained that Balochistan - most of which has been part of the state of Pakistan since 1948 - is a region rich in natural resources. Despite this, it lacks services such as hospitals and roads, has been polluted by uranium dumping and has a high drug consumption rate. Structural and social decay has occurred with the cooperation of the Pakistani state, said Asghar Ali Baloch. The area is also a key transit point for the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The economic importance of this project clashes with the material and social situation of Balochistan, he said. Taj Baloch continued, saying that the Pakistani state perpetrates crimes against the Baloch people, and that the number of disappearances and extrajudicial killings has reached the thousands, underlining the human rights crisis. Since 2000, the Baloch people have organised themselves to ensure their existence and survival against the policies of oppression and annihilation. "The Baloch people are now facing two formidable adversaries: Pakistan and China. The resistance [...] is not only a struggle for independence, but also a struggle for the survival and dignity of the Baloch people," he concluded. Speakers from the Kurdish community pointed out that Kurdistan is treated like a colony. Mahir Amed explained that in Turkey, which encompasses most of the Kurdish region, the rights of Kurds are violated and their identity is denied. In Iran, Kurds are arrested and sentenced for human rights activities or cultural works related to Kurdish identity. Even in Iraq, the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and the ruling Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) support the war against the Kurdish people, paving the way for the Turkish army to carry out attacks in northern Iraq. However, in North and East Syria, also known as Rojava, the Kurdish people have established an autonomous administration based on confederalism in cooperation with the other people living there. "While nationalism divides people, confederalism unites them," explained Elefteria Ali. She also argued that the realities of Balochistan and Kurdistan are similar because of the similar imperialist and denialist approach that negates the identities of the Baloch people and the Kurdish people. She addresses the solution in terms of the democratic confederalism proposed by the founder of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), Abdullah Ocalan. His paradigm placed the figure of the woman at the centre as a pillar for the reorganisation of society on the principles of democracy, inclusiveness, equality, and representation of all ethnic and religious groups. The X space concluded with encouragement from the moderator Dur Bibi to all participants to read the books of Abdullah Ocalan. She stated that Öcalan is a leader for all oppressed people.>>
Read more here: https://medyanews.net/colonialism-and-resistance-in-greater-middle-east-kurdish-and-baloch-peoples/


Zenobia
Medyanews - January 5, 2025
<<Zenobia stands tall as Syrian national curriculum changes reveal fears over her legacy
The decision to remove the name of Queen Zenobia from Syria's national school curriculum by the country's interim government has sparked widespread criticism. The Zenobia Women's Gathering has condemned the move as an attack on the role of women and on Syria's cultural identity. The move also coincides with calls for other regressive measures such as making compulsory the wearing of the hijab. The decision by Syria's new rulers, who have taken control of significant parts of the country after years of conflict, to remove Queen Zenobia's name from the country's national curriculum has sparked widespread criticism, highlighting the enduring power of the queen's legacy and its perceived threat to oppressive ideologies. Despite the pressing challenges in Syria, such as devastated infrastructure, political instability and social fragmentation, the interim government has prioritised this controversial move, raising questions about its motives. Queen Zenobia, the third-century ruler of the Palmyrene Empire, is hailed as a symbol of strength, leadership and resistance. She led her empire to challenge Roman authority, creating one of the most powerful breakaway states of her time. Her achievements, particularly in a male-dominated era, have made her a revered figure not only in Syrian history but also in the wider Middle East. Palmyra, her capital, stood as a beacon of cultural and economic prosperity before its destruction by ISIS. The removal of Zenobia's name coincides with other regressive measures, including calls to make the wearing of the hijab mandatory. Recent reports highlighted groups roaming through Syrian neighbourhoods, broadcasting calls for women to wear the hijab and distributing religious materials, further increasing concerns about restrictions on women's freedoms and societal roles. The Zenobia Women's Gathering, named in her honour, condemned the move, stating: "We strongly protest the curriculum changes that erase the names and roles of leading Syrian women like Queen Zenobia. This is not merely about forgetting names but about losing Syrian history and identity. Women have always played a crucial role in the building of civilisations, and no force can deny their presence or contributions. Zenobia stands for everything they fear: strength, independence, and a historical role for women in shaping society." This controversy unfolds against the backdrop of escalating tensions in Syria. The region of Palmyra, historically Zenobia’s stronghold, was devastated by ISIS, who destroyed many of its historic buildings as part of their campaign to erase cultural heritage. Now, the removal of her name is seen as part of a similar effort to rewrite history and marginalise women’s contributions to it. The Zenobia Women's Gathering, active in addressing women's issues and preserving cultural memory, has also faced immense challenges. Recently, three of its members-Qamar al-Sud, Aisha Abdul Qader and a woman known only as Iman were killed in Turkish-led attacks on the town of Manbij. Their martyrdom highlights the sacrifices women continue to make in the region, both for their rights and for the preservation of their legacy. This struggle to keep Zenobia's name alive in educational materials has become symbolic of a larger fight for women’s recognition in Syrian society. As the changes in the national curriculum draw global attention, calls for solidarity with Syrian women grow louder, urging action to safeguard their rights and history. The Zenobia Women's Gathering has made a clear call to action: "We must stand together to protect our culture and identity against these destructive attacks. Women's roles and histories are not just a part of the past, they are the foundation of a just and equal future for Syria." Queen Zenobia's legacy continues to inspire, even as efforts to erase her name only go to highlight the power she still holds in the collective memory of a nation.>>
Source: https://medyanews.net/zenobia-stands-tall-as-syrian-national-curriculum-changes-reveal-fears-over-her-legacy/

Medyanews - January 6, 2025
<<Video: New Syrian Justice Minister involved in executions of women in 2015
Videos have emerged apparently showing the new Syrian Minister of Justice Shadi Al-Waisi taking part in the public executions of two women in the countryside of Idlib in northern Syria in 2015. Two videos claiming to show the new Syrian Minister of Justice Shadi Al-Waisi taking part in public executions in the countryside of Idlib in northern Syria in 2015 have been circulating on social media after his appointment as Minister of Justice in the new Syrian transitional government led by Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a successor of the jihadist al-Nusra front. In the first video, Al-Waisi appears to be standing behind a kneeling woman, reading out a sentence against her for alleged corruption and prostitution, and then signalling an executioner to kill her with a bullet to the head. In the other video, he can be seen among the spectators of a public execution where again a woman is executed with a bullet to the head. Both of these videos were recorded in January 2015, at a time when according to Wikipedia, Al-Waisi was an al-Nusra Front judge in Idlib. The videos were fact-checked by the "Verify-sy" webpage, which states that by comparing new videos of Al-Waisi and the videos of the public executions with the help of artificial intelligence they were able to verify that the man reading out the verdicts in the videos was in fact Shadi Al-Waisi. For further confirmation, Verify-sy also reached out to the new Syrian administration, and stated that "a senior official confirmed that the man in the videos is indeed the current Minister of Justice, Shadi Al-Waisi". The senior official reportedly calls the public executions "the enforcement of the law at a specific time and place, where the procedures were carried out in accordance with the laws in effect at that time" and that they reflect "a stage we have moved beyond, in light of the current legal and procedural transformations", so confirming that the executions were carried out according to the law under the Syrian Salvation Government, formed by Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) in northwest Syria in November 2017. Al-Waisi served as head both of the Civil Felonies Court and of the Criminal Appeals Court under the Syrian Salvation Government. He began serving as Minister of Justice in the Syrian transitional government led by HTS in December 2024 after a decision by the transistional administration that ministers of the Salvation Government would remain in place until March 2025. The videos increase concerns about violent practices against women in areas controlled by HTS, and have renewed fears of an escalation of violence against women under the new Syrian government led by HTS leader Ahmad al-Sharaa (formerly known as Abu Muhammad al-Jolani). These fears have also been reinforced by images of al-Sharaa in the company of Ahmad al-Hayes, leader of the Ahrar al-Sharqiya, known for ita group known for its involvement in the targeted assassination of Kurdish politician Hevrin Khalaf.>>
Video: https://medyanews.net/video-new-syrian-justice-minister-involved-in-executions-of-women-in-2015/ 

Medyanews - January 4, 2025
<<KCK's Sabri Ok: Ocalan's freedom crucial to peace in Middle East
Sabri Ok, a senior KCK official, emphasised Abdullah Ocalan's critical contributions to Middle Eastern democratisation, citing his peace initiatives and commitment to dialogue. Ok denounced Turkey's failure to embrace these efforts and highlighted the ongoing human and economic toll of the conflict. He called Ocalan's physical liberation a strategic goal for 2025, essential for resolving the Kurdish issue and achieving regional peace.
Sabri Ok, a member of the Executive Council of the Kurdistan Communities Union (KCK), spoke in an interview with Kurdish channel Sterk TV about the significant impact of Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan’s resistance on the Middle East’s political landscape. He highlighted how Ocalan's efforts have reshaped regional dynamics and referenced the visit to İmralı by a Peoples' Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party delegation, including Sırrı Sureyya Onder and Pervin Buldan. Ok emphasised Ocalan's dedication to democratisation and dialogue-driven solutions since 1993, stating:
"[Ocalan] declared a ceasefire six or seven times. He wanted the solution process to develop during the Turgut Ozal period and afterwards as well. Unfortunately, all these efforts and searches of Ręber Apo were ignored by the occupationist mentality in the Turkish state that even denied the existence of the Kurdish people. Today, the war has worsened, and the reason for this is the Turkish state. The pro-war, chauvinist, and fascist forces prevail in the Turkish state. The state was founded based on them, based on the denial and annihilation of the Kurdish people. They prevented Reber Apo's efforts from reaching their goal." Reflecting on the Turkish government's failure to uphold prior peace initiatives, including the 2013-2015 process, Ok added: "Some discussions are going on, but no one is able to give this situation a name, whether it is a new form of a process or not. It is not even clear in what format the talks with Ręber Apo are being held. What is important here is that for years Reber Apo has seen himself responsible for the future of the Kurdish people and the society in Turkey. He insisted on a democratic solution to the question and always pointed out that he was looking for an interlocutor." Ok stressed the importance of Ocalan's messages for fostering mutual understanding between Kurds and Turks and stated: "[Ocalan] has been saying for years that he is ready to take responsibility for the democratization of Turkey and the solution of the Kurdish question. He already stated what needs to be done for this. The important thing is for everyone to handle his messages correctly and fulfill their responsibilities. The leadership of our movement, the co-presidency of the KCK Executive Council, had given a statement quite recently in this regard. The position of our movement and our people is clear, without a doubt; for us, the interlocutor is always Ręber Apo. Of course, the struggle for Reber Apo to fulfill his historical role in a more comfortable and better way will always be increased. This is important." Addressing the severe human and economic toll of the ongoing conflict, Ok noted that 50,000 lives were lost in Kurdistan and Turkey within a year, and $3 trillion has been spent on the war. He reiterated that Ocalan's vision for democratisation remains vital, asserting that true democratisation in the Middle East cannot be achieved without resolving the Kurdish issue. In conclusion, Ok underscored the critical importance of Ocalan's physical liberation, calling it their primary strategic objective for 2025. He emphasised the necessity of seizing every opportunity to secure Ocalan's freedom and advance the cause of democracy and peace in the region.>>
Source: https://medyanews.net/kcks-sabri-ok-ocalans-freedom-crucial-to-peace-in-middle-east/

Medyanews - January 4, 2025
<<French foreign minister calls for political solution to include Kurds in Syria
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, during a visit to Damascus, stressed the need for the full political inclusion of Kurds in Syria's ongoing transition. Barrot also held talks with SDF leader Mazloum Abdi, emphasising democratic governance and recognition of all Syrian groups."A political solution must be found with France's allies, the Kurds, so that they are fully integrated into this political process that is beginning today," French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said during a meeting in Damascus on Friday, according to reports in French media. Barrot and his German counterpart Annalena Baerbock arrived in Damascus on Friday, the first official representatives of European countries to visit Syria since the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime four weeks ago. Their mission was to engage with the Syrian transitional government led by Ahmad al-Shara (formerly known as Abu Muhammad al-Julani), the leader of Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), and explore avenues for a new chapter in Europe-Syria relations.
On the eve of his visit to Damascus, Barrot also had a telephone conversation with Mazloum Abdi, the leader of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). "They discussed the ongoing transition in Syria, recalling the importance of democratic governance where each of the components of the Syrian nation will be fully recognised and represented," the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also took to social media platform X to dispute claims that they had called for Kurdish groups in Syria to disarm. "Our Minister has never declared that. This fake news was circulated by RT, a media that is prohibited in Europe for its disinformation operations. France calls for an end of fighting in Northern Syria and a political solution that gives a role to our Kurdish partners of SDF, with whom we have fought ISIS, for the future of Syria," the ministry said. Speaking ahead of their trip, German Foreign Minister Baerbock had said that there can only be a new beginning in Syria if the new society gives all Syrians - women and men, regardless of ethnic or religious group - a place in the political process, gives them rights, and provides them with protection, adding that these rights must be protected and “not undermined by very long periods of time until elections are held or if steps are taken to Islamise the justice system or education." Highlighting the commencement of talks with the Kurdish-dominated SDF as an important signal of progress towards moderation and understanding among key actors in Syria, Baerbock called on "all neighbouring countries, including Turkey and Israel ... [to] maintain the sovereignty and territorial integrity" of Syria during this new phase. Turkish-affiliated forces and the occupying Turkish army have continued their aggressive operations in northeastern Syria, targeting critical infrastructure with persistent airstrikes by F-16 aircraft, with Turkish warplanes most recently bombing Deir Hafar, its surrounding areas, and the Tishreen Dam.>>
Source: https://medyanews.net/french-foreign-minister-calls-for-political-solution-to-include-kurds-in-syria/

Medyanews - January 3, 2025
<<Turkey steps up assault on infrastructure in northeast Syria
Turkish-affiliated forces and the occupying Turkish army continue aggressive operations in northeastern Syria, targeting critical infrastructure with persistent airstrikes by F-16 aircraft. The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) Media Centre reported that Turkish warplanes bombed Deir Hafar, its surrounding areas, and the Tishreen Dam. The Tishreen Dam, a crucial hub for water and electricity in Syria, has been a focal point in these attacks. Reports confirm that Turkish fighter jets have conducted five airstrikes on the dam and three on Deir Hafar. Strategic locations near the dam remain under threat as the Turkish military maintains aerial surveillance over the region. Farhad Shami of the SDF confirmed the airstrikes via social media.
On Friday and Saturday, Turkish drones bombed civilian infrastructure, causing extensive damage. On Friday night, a sugar factory in the SDF-controlled town of Maskanah on the west bank of the Euphrates was destroyed. The Democratic Union Party (PYD) underlined the vital importance of the factory for the economy of the region. The sugar factory was badly damaged in the bombing, as seen in a video circulated by local media channel Ronahi TV. On Saturday afternoon, Turkish drones bombed the electricity station near the town of Al Jarniya. A Hawar News Agency reporter said the station was hit five times in a row, and that the bombings caused material damage. On 2 January, a bakery in the same town was severely damaged in another bombing by Turkish drones. Turkey-affiliated forces, including the Syrian National Army (SNA), have intensified operations across northeastern Syria, raising concerns about potential expansion into other regions. Following their capture of Manbij on 10 December, Turkish-backed forces turned their attention to the Tishreen Dam, located 30 km southeast of Manbij. As Syria’s second-largest hydroelectric facility, the dam's control is critical to the region's infrastructure and stability. Heavy fighting is ongoing around the dam as Turkish-backed SNA forces seek to seize it from the SDF. This is seen as a possible precursor to an assault on Kobani. However, the arrival of US-led coalition forces in Kobani, where they appear to be establishing a military base, could deter further Turkish advances. The SDF has successfully repelled recent attacks by the SNA and allied extremist groups on the Manbij countryside and the Tishreen Dam. Nevertheless, Turkish drone strikes continue to pose a serious risk to the structural integrity of the dam. The international community has largely condemned Turkey's aggression, calling for de-escalation and adherence to international laws. However, geopolitical complexities and competing interests among regional powers have hindered resolution efforts, leaving the situation unresolved and the region's critical infrastructure under threat.>>
Source: https://medyanews.net/turkey-steps-up-assault-on-infrastructure-in-northeast-syria/


Eziza Hiso
Jinha - Womens News Agency - January 3, 2025 - by RONIDA HACI
<<'Wars waged in the name of religion represent dirty policies of states'
"Wars waged in the name of religion represent dirty policies of sovereign states acting according to their own interests," said Eziza Hiso, member of the Democratic Islam Congress, pointing to the ongoing attacks on northeastern Syria.
Hasakah- Sovereign states follow policies in the Middle Eastern countries in the name of religion by using jihadist groups. In an interview with NuJINHA, Eziza Hiso, member of the Democratic Islam Congress (DIC), which aims to preserve all religions and beliefs in Mesopotamia and build a common life based on peace and justice in North and East Syria, commented on the points to take into account in the construction of a new Syria.
"The war in North and East Syria is a result of dirty policies," she said. "In the beginning of human civilization, there were no religions. In natural societies, women were seen as goddesses. Goddesses ruled societies based on equality, justice and peace. Patriarchal policies developed after the Sumerians and the process of class formation. Following the emergence of ISIS in Rojava, they attacked people in the name of Islam because the aim was to denigrate Islam. No religion accepts killing, rape, plunder, robbery and kidnapping. Therefore, wars waged in the name of religion represent dirty policies of sovereign states acting according to their own interests."
'Genocides committed against societies in the name of religion'
"The policies developed in the name of religion pose a threat to societies," Eziza Hiso emphasized, saying: "Recently, wars have been waged and people have been killed in the name of religion. Arabs, Alewites and Syriacs have been living together in Mesopotamia for centuries. ISIS targeted their values and religions and since the fall of the Assad regime, their holy sites have been destroyed. We see how Alewites are killed. Genocidal policies are carried out against societies in the name of religion. Therefore, we think that such policies pose a threat to Syria."
'The system in North and East Syria respects all religions'
Eziza Hiso also spoke about the system built by the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES). "The Democratic Islam Congress was founded to protect religions in North and East Syria. The system in North and East Syria respects all religions and ethnic groups. However, governments have tried to attack our system and commit massacres against people. This system must be taken as a model in the construction of the new Syria."
'Women must play a role in the construction of the new Syria'
Eziza Hiso thinks that women must play a role in the construction of the new Syria. "Because women have played a leading role in the rebuilding of life in this region and they have an important role in the construction of the new Syria. Women participated in all facets of life, including military, at the time of Prophet Muhammad. However, the patriarchal and sovereign powers use religion according to their own interests. Islam is the religion of peace, justice, unity, and equality. Women's roles in the construction of the new Syria are essential." >>
Video: https://jinhaagency.com/en/actual/wars-waged-in-the-name-of-religion-represent-dirty-policies-of-states-36277?page=1

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