formerly known as
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.
You are now at the section on what is happening in Syria |
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January 6 - 3, 2025 |
January 3 - 1, 2025 |
December 26 - 25, 2024 |
When one hurts or kills a women
one hurts or kills hummanity and is an antrocitie.
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
Women's
Liberation Front 2019/cryfreedom.net 2025