2025: Jan wk3 -- Jan wk2P2 -- Jan wk2 --  Jan wk1P2 -- Jan wk1
2024: Dec wk4P3 -- Dec wk4P2 -- Dec wk4 -- Dec wk3P4 -- Dec wk3P3 -- Dec wk3P2
Preface - Opinion: The developments after the fall of Assadmay look promising as far as the establishment of a democracy in Syria is concerned. Howver, there are multipleplayers on the 'new front' and not all apparently interestedin establishing such new horizon. Of course it is up to the
the people and in this especially the women who, as so often, play a keyrole, if not a leading role, in this.
Therefor I, as a forefighter for women's rights and indept investigative journalist/activist, want to, in my reporting, especially emphasize their role in the actual developments with, however, giving all parties a voice in this.
Gino d'Artali

 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 10, 2025
<<Kurdish journalist exonerated: appeals court orders release of Suleyman Ahmet
The Appeals Court of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI), overturned the three-year prison sentence of Suleyman Ahmet, editor of the Arabic section of Roj News, and ordered his release. Ahmet had been imprisoned for 440 days by the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP). On 6 January 2025, the Iraqi Kurdistan Region's Court of Appeals overturned the initial three-year prison sentence of Süleyman Ahmet, editor of the Arabic section of Roj News, based in Iraqi Kurdistan. Bashdar Hassan, one of Süleyman Ahmet's lawyers, told international media that the Appeals Court, citing a lack of evidence, vacated the case after three hearings, which had been imposed by the Criminal Court in Duhok (Dihok). Ahmet's lawyer further stated that his client's three-year sentence for <disrupting internal security> was based on Article 1 of Law No. 21, enacted in 2003. Bashdar also commended journalists and advocates for their efforts in overturning the sentence. Another of Suleyman Ahmad's lawyers, Nariman Ahmad, confirmed to the Metro Center for protecting Journalists Rights that the three-year sentence had been overturned, stating, "From the outset, there was no evidence of any crime committed by my client, which led to the decision to cancel the sentence." In parallel, to the Court of Appeal of the Kurdistan Region's ruling, the Metro Foundation issued a statement welcoming the decision. It also extended congratulations to the legal team, including Nariman Ahmet. Furthermore, the Metro Foundation implored authorities not to instrumentalise the courts for political reprisal against journalists and advocates for freedom, urging them instead to guarantee fair trials in cases concerning free expression. Suleyman Ahmet worked in Sulaymaniyah (Silemani), Iraqi Kurdistan Region. He left for Aleppo (Heleb), Syria on 1 October 2023, to meet his family, and on 25 October 2023, he was arrested by KDP forces at the Pish Khabour border gate (Simalka) when he was returning to the KRI. On 9 July 2024, the Duhok court sentenced Ahmet to three years in prison. Five days after his arrest, the KDP accused him of spying for the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), and announced that his arrest had nothing to do with journalistic activities. Suleyman Ahmet has been in the KDP's prison for 440 days, and although the order for his release has been approved by appealing court, he still remains in prison.>>
Source: https://medyanews.net/kurdish-journalist-exonerated-appeals-court-orders-release-of-suleyman-ahmet/


Ilham Ahmed
Medyanews - January 10, 2025
<<Ilham Ahmed: US, French troops could secure border in northern Syria
Foreign Relations co-chair of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) Ilham Ahmed calls on France to help secure the border of northern Syria. Ilham Ahmed, the Foreign Relations co-chair of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES), has indicated that troops from the US and France could move in to secure the border between northern Syria and Turkey. "The United States and France could indeed secure the entire border. We are ready for this military coalition to assume this responsibility," said Ahmed. "We ask the French to send troops to this border to secure the demilitarized zone, to help us protect the region and establish good relations with Turkey," said Ahmed, in a televised interview on French TV. French Minister of Foreign Affairs Jean-Noel Barrot stated on a recent visit to Damascus that the Kurds should be included in the reshaping of Syria. Last week, French President Emmanuel Macron said that France would not abandon the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).
Ahmed identified the position of Turkey as the key stumbling block in moving towards peace. "As soon as France has convinced Turkey to accept its presence on the border, then we can start the peace process," she said, encouraging France to intervene to help secure the border. "We hope that everything will be settled in the coming weeks," she concluded. French intervention could help to safeguard the territories controlled by the AANES from Turkish aerial bombardment, and attacks by the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army (SNA).>>
Source: https://medyanews.net/ilham-ahmed-us-french-troops-could-secure-border-in-northern-syria/

Jinha - Womens News Agency - January 10, 2024 - by RAMA HALAF
<<Women getting ready to play their role in new Syria
The Syrian Women's Political Movement held a meeting in Damascus on January 9, to discuss women's role in the new Syria.
Damascus- The Syrian Women’s Political Movement held a meeting in Damascus, the capital of Syria, on January 9 to discuss women’s roles in all facets of life, including politics and social life in the new Syria. At the meeting, women discussed how to empower women and their roles in the future.
Participants expressed their opinions
At the meeting, the participants also discussed the challenges faced by women in Syria due to the ongoing political, social and economic crises suffered by the country. "Promoting women's political participation" is needed to strengthen women's role in society," the participants said, stressing that women should participate in peacebuilding efforts and decision-making positions. The participants suggested that awareness-raising activities must be carried out for women so that they can participate in politics and social life more effectively. Another issue discussed at the meeting was women's economic empowerment. "Women entrepreneurs and small projects of women, especially in rural and war-torn areas, must be supported to promote women's economic empowerment," the participants said.
A support network to be formed
At the end meeting, the participants decided to form a women's support network to carry out awareness-raising activities, promote women's participation both in politics and social life, protect women's rights and combat discrimination. The participants also demanded the inclusion of women in the drafting constitution of the new Syria to ensure gender equality. The Participants expressed their determination to build a democratic Syria respecting women's rights.>>
Video: https://jinhaagency.com/en/actual/women-getting-ready-to-play-their-role-in-new-syria-36324?page=1


Destina Haleb
Jinha - Womens News Agency - January 10, 2024 - by RONIDA HACI
<<Destina Haleb of YPJ: Women's representation guarantees success
"A system without women's representation is doomed to collapse. Women's representation guarantees success everywhere," said Destina Haleb, member of the YPJ Military Council who participated in "Dialogue Workshop" held by women in Hasakah.
Hesekê (Hasakah)- A two-day "Dialogue Workshop" was held in Hasakah, a city in the Jazira canton of North and East Syria with the motto, “With women’s solidarity, we will build a democratic Syria," and with the participation of representatives of women's organizations, political parties and activists. At the workshop, women discussed the successes and gains achieved by women for 13 years thanks to the revolution led by women in northeastern Syria and expressed their concerns about Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a jihadist armed group taking control of Damascus following the fall of the Assad regime.
'Self-defense is indispensable'
"Women's struggle and resistance against the ongoing attacks on North and East Syria continues," said Destina Haleb, member of the Women's Defense Units (YPJ) Military Council, who participated in the workshop. "Women use their self-defense to build a free life and protect themselves because women are subjected to all forms of violence in society. Self-defense is indispensable for women to defend their lands and protect themselves."
'Women proved themselves in military'
Destina Haleb pointed to the historical resistance exhibited by the YPJ and said, "During the revolution in Rojava, women proved themselves in the military. The YPJ has fought ISIS and other armed groups. No one can ignore the heroism of the YPJ, because the struggle and sacrifice of the YPJ has echoed all over the world. The YPJ does not fight against individuals but the patriarchal mindset that aims to enslave women. We know that the recent attacks are against women."
'A system without women's representation is doomed to collapse'
Destina Haleb called on all women in Syria to be in solidarity with each other. "Thanks to the role played by women, we have a strong military force. The occupying Turkish state has recently intensified its attacks on North and East Syria. The YPJ has resisted the attacks for 29 days. In recent days, the Syrian Defense Minister has made statements saying that women should not be allowed to serve in the military. We criticize such statements because such statements are attacks on women's gains. The message of the workshop is: A system without women's representation is doomed to collapse. Women's representation guarantees success everywhere. The co-presidential system guarantees women's representation." >>
Video: https://jinhaagency.com/en/actual/destina-haleb-of-ypj-women-s-representation-guarantees-success-36317?page=1


Abdullah Ocalan
Jinha - Womens News Agency - January 9, 2024
<<Asrin Law Office: Efforts for peace are undermined
The false and manipulative discourses against Kurdish leader Abdullah Ocalan aim to undermine the efforts for solution and peace, the Asrin Law Office said in a statement on Thursday.
News Center- The Asrin Law Office has-issued a written statement on the false and manipulative discourses against Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan, who has been isolated in the prison island of Imrali for 26 years. Abdullah Ocalan has been waging a relentless struggle although he has been isolated from the world, the statement stressed, adding:
"In recent days, we have witnessed how our client, Mr. Abdullah Ocalan has made great efforts to fulfill his historical role in the construction of an equal, free and democratic common life. Despite the ongoing isolation imposed on him, he has been waging a relentless struggle to ensure an honorable peace against those who gain strength from polarization and the unsolved Kurdish question."
The statement criticized the false and manipulative discourses against Kurdish leader Abdullah Ocalan. "Instead of thinking of how they can contribute to a democratic solution in such a historical and sensitive period, they display manipulative approaches based on lies without respect. We also know that these low-quality discussions and discourses on channels or social media platforms in the name of understanding the process aim to undermine the efforts for peace and solution. Such approaches are against the personality of Mr. Ocalan, his power for solution and his ideology based on freedom that has spread all over the world with the "Jin, Jiyan, Azadi" philosophy. Therefore, we call on everyone to display a positive attitude and make efforts to have a democratic and peaceful life." >>
Source: https://jinhaagency.com/en/actual/asrin-law-office-efforts-for-peace-are-undermined-36311?page=1


5 civilians
Jinha - Womens News Agency - January 9, 2024
<<5 civilians killed in Turkish drone attack near Tishreen Dam identified
Five civilians killed in a Turkish drone attack targeting a civilian convoy near the Tishreen Dam on Wednesday have been identified.
News Center- On Wednesday morning, thousands of people from the Raqqa, Jazira, Tabqa and Euphrates cantons of North and East Syria departed to the Tishreen Dam to protest the attacks of the Turkish state and Turkish-backed Syrian National Army (SNA) on the Tishreen Dam and to be in solidarity with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). However, their convoy was targeted by a Turkish drone attack near the dam. Five civilians were killed in the attack.
Names of the killed civilians
The five civilians killed in the attacks have been identified. Their names are: Zozan Hemo, Kerem Ehmed (One of the managers of the Zenubiya Women's Community), Azad Ferhan Mihemed (member of the Syrian Revolutionary Youth Movement), Mistefa Ebdî and Elî Şaşo.
Vigil continues
Since morning, the Turkish forces and Turkish-backed Syrian National Army (SNA) have been bombing the area around the dam, where civilians have been holding a vigil. Despite the ongoing bombardment, thousands of civilians have kept holding the vigil on the dam.>>
Source: https://jinhaagency.com/en/actual/5-civilians-killed-in-turkish-drone-attack-near-tishreen-dam-identified-36310?page=1

Jinha - Womens News Agency - January 9, 2024
<<Five people killed in Syria
Five people were killed in Syria's Hama, Idlib and Homs cities.
News Center- The bodies of two people showing signs of bruises and gunshots in the chest, were found in a fodder at the eastern outskirts of Bari Village in Salmiya countryside in Hama countryside, after there were spotted by a shepherd due to the smell of the bodies, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), a Britain-based monitoring group, reported on Wednesday. According to the monitoring group, the two people were kidnapped on December 17, 2024 by unknown persons in the village of Al-Makhram Al-Fokani, Homs countryside.
Dead body of a young man found in Idlib A young man in his 20s was found shot dead after being missing for a few days in Ma’arat Masrin in northern Idlib countryside, the monitoring group reported. An unidentified armed group stormed the house of the singer “Bahaa Al-Youssef” in Jab Al-Jandaly neighborhood of the city Homs, killing two women and seriously injuring a young man. The young man then died from injuries. Since the fall of Assad's regime on December 8, the monitoring group has documented 115 murder crimes, which left 198 fatalities, including 185 men, eight women and five children.>>
Source: https://jinhaagency.com/en/actual/torch-of-resistance-lit-by-6-kurdish-women-goes-from-hand-to-hand-36308?page=1


Torch of resistance
Jinha - Womens News Agency - January 9, 2024 - by MEDINE MAMEDOGLU - AXIN BAHAR
<<Torch of resistance lit by 6 Kurdish women goes from hand to hand
Women resisting dictators are seen as a threat by states, DEM Party Women's Council Spokesperson Halide Turkoglu said, "The massacres that took place on January 4 and 9 were against revolutionary women."
Amed (Diyarbakır)- Throughout history, women have led revolutions and uprisings such as the French Revolution, the October Revolution in Russia, the Zapatista uprising and many more. The struggle of Kurdish women in four parts of Kurdistan for identity, freedom and equality has revealed that the 21st century is the "century of women". "A country cannot be free unless the women are free," Kurdish leader Abdullah Ocalan said, paving the way for the Kurdish Women's Freedom Movement to spread. As Kurdish women struggle for freedom, they face double oppression. On January 9, 2013, Sakine Cansız (Sara), one of the founders of the PKK, Fidan Dogan (Rojbin), Paris Representative of the Kurdistan National Congress (KNK), and Leyla Şaylemez (Ronahi) were murdered in Paris by Omer Guney, a gunman of the National Intelligence Organization of Turkiye. During the 24-hour curfews declared in the Silopi district of Şırnak province between 2015 and 2016, Seve Demir, member of the Democratic Regions Party (DBP) Assembly, Pakize Nayır, Co-chair of Silopi People's Assembly, and Fatma Uyar, activist of the Free Women's Congress (KJA) were killed on January 4, 2016 by Turkish forces. However, the massacres committed by the Turkish state could not prevent the torch lit by women; the torch of resistance lit by these six Kurdish women goes from hand to hand. Sakine Cansız was born in 1958 in Dersim's Tatxal village, to an Alevi Kurdish family. She had seven siblings and grew up listening to the stories about the Dersim massacre. Her search for truth began when she was very young. In 1971, she began to take part in revolutionary activities. On November 27, 1978, the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) was founded and Sakine Cansız was one of the founders of the PKK. In 1979, she was arrested in Xarpet (Elazıg) along with many of her friends. During the 1980 Turkish coup d'état, she was imprisoned in the Diyarbakır military prison, known as Prison No.5. She became a symbol of resistance in the prison. She fought against torturers in prisons in Xarpet (Elazıg), Meleti (Malatya), Amed (Diyarbakır), Çanakkale and Bursa. After her release in 1991, she stayed in Palestine and Syria, participating in congress and conferences of the PKK and the Kurdish Women’s Movement. In the mid-1990s, she went to Europe and took part in revolutionary acitivities until she was murdered in 2013.
Leyla Şaylemez
Leyla Şaylemez was born on January 1, 1988 in Mersin, to a Kurdish family, when the Halabja Massacre took place. She spent her childhood in Mersin until her family moved to Germany in 1994. She had seven siblings. In 2008, she began to take part in revolutionary activities. Then, she became a representative of the young Kurdish movement in France. She was 25 years old when she was murdered in Paris on January 9, 2013.
Fidan Dogan
Fidan Dogan was born on January 17, 1982 in Elbistan, Maraş. Since her family went to France after the Maraş massacre, she lived with her aunt and grandparents until she was nine years old. Then, she went to France to live with her family. She took part in Kurdish revolutionary activities when she was very young. When Kurdish leader Abdullah Ocalan was brought to Türkiye on February 15, 1999, she took part in the Kurdish Freedom Movement actively. In 2012, she became the representative of the Kurdistan National Congress (KNK) in Paris. She carried out many diplomatic activities in European countries until she was murdered on January 9, 2013 in Paris.
Seve Demir
Seve Demir was born in the Şute (Şenocak) village of Mardin's Stewr (Savur) district. In the 90s, she was displaced first to Amed (Diyarbakır) and then to Manisa due to intensified repression of the Turkish state. In 2002, she participated in politics. When the Free Women's Democratic Movement (Demokratik Ozgur Kadın Hareketi, DOKH) was formed in 2003, she took part in the women's freedom movement. In 2009, she was arrested in Nusaybin and transferred to the E-type prison in Diyarbakır. After her release, she started working in Merdin and Şirnex as a member of the Democratic Regions Party (DBP) Assembly. On January 4, 2016, she was killed by the Turkish forces during the 24-hour curfews declared in the Silopi district of Şırnak province.
Fatma Uyar
Fatma Uyar was born on August 28, 1988 in Şırnak's Dihok village as the second child of a family of seven children. In the 2000s, she began to take part in political activities. In 2009, she was arrested and spent five years behind bars. After her release in 2010, she carried out activities as an activist of the Free Women's Congress (KJA).
Pakize Nayır
Pakize Nayır was born in 1990 in Silopi's Ziristan village. When ISIS attacked Kobanê in 2014, she joined vigils started against ISIS attacks on Kobanê. Following the declaration of self-governance in Silopi, she started serving as Co-chair of Silopi People's Assembly. She was killed on January 4, 2016 by Turkish forces during the 24-hour curfews declared in the Silopi district of Şırnak province.
"The struggle of the murdered women spreads everywhere," said Halide Türkoglu, Spokesperson of the Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) Women's Council. "Women fighting for freedom were targeted in the massacres. Women resisting dictators are always seen as a threat by states. The massacres that took place on January 4 and 9 were against revolutionary women. Despite all the attacks, the struggle of the Kurdish people and women has become universal. We must talk about the freedom of Mr. Abdullah Ocalan by lifting the isolation imposed on him. We must struggle more to have a peaceful life with dignity." >>
Video: https://jinhaagency.com/en/actual/torch-of-resistance-lit-by-6-kurdish-women-goes-from-hand-to-hand-36309

France24 - January 8, 2025 - Video by: Catalina Marchant de Abreu
<<From the show
Truth or Fake
Following the state visit of the French and German foreign ministers to Syria on January 3, a photo where we see Germany's Annalena Baerbock blurred out in official photos of the visit have started to circulate online. Many claim that the Syrian government was behind these blurred photos, this after Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa declined to shake hands with the female minister during the visit. We tell you more in this edition of Truth or Fake.>>
Source: https://www.france24.com/en/tv-shows/truth-or-fake/20250108-was-the-german-female-foreign-minister-blurred-in-syria-state-visit-photos

France24 - January 8, 2025 - By: Assiya HAMZA
<<Seven years of torture by Assad's executioners: 'I will never forgive them'
From our special correspondant in Syria - Accused of belonging to the Palestinian group Hamas, which was then Bashar Al-Assad's bete noire, Mohamar Ouda was arrested by the Syrian army in Yarmouk in 2015. He spent seven years in prison, where his executioners inflicted all kinds of torture on him that still haunt him day and night. Once, they thought he was dead. Ouda was thrown on a pile of corpses. For two days, he remained there, among the remains of prisoners who had finally succumbed to their torture. "I only lost consciousness," says Ouda, who languished in Syrian jails for years. "When I woke up in the middle of all these dead, I heard [the jailors] say: 'Look, he's still breathing! He's moving his head!'"
Rendered unconscious, but not quite dead. Ouda had been unable to endure yet another torture session by the executioners of the "Palestine Branch", a prison in Damascus known for its cruelty. He may also have fainted due to hunger. "I have diabetes. They gave me honey and put me back in my cell." Seven years being tortured and starved. Ouda was arrested at the age of 54 by the Syrian army in the Palestinian refugee camp of Yarmouk, not far from Damascus, on July 7, 2015. He was then accused of possessing weapons and of belonging to Hamas, an enemy of the Assads because it had supported rebel groups during the Syrian civil war. The repression was fierce against those who lived in "little Palestine". Hundreds of people were arbitrarily arrested. Some are still missing.
'I suffered all kinds of torture'
Ouda's flesh bears the marks of his years of incarceration. His cyan gaze is a constant reminder that he was tortured: He lost an eye. "They hit my head with a bar. It opened me up all the way here," he says, lifting his cap to reveal a huge scar on the right side of his skull. "They tore out all my toenails." Ouda stops. He sobs. The painful memories never leave. How can he not be haunted, when for years everything was aimed at humiliating and breaking him? But Ouda wants to continue telling his story, to bear witness to an inhumanity unimaginable for ordinary mortals. "Since I was diabetic, they were forced to feed me. And that made them angry. They tortured me even more afterwards." He struggles to find the words. The horror is unspeakable. "I saw all kinds of torture. I suffered all kinds of torture. I saw people die." He chokes back a sob. "They didn't need us to talk during interrogations, they wrote whatever they wanted in their reports. I can't stop thinking about it. I can't sleep at night." His health deteriorated rapidly in 2022. "Because I was sick, they threw me out on the street." He weighed only 45 kilos. Ouda asked a passerby to lend him a phone. Despite the years of incarceration, he had not forgotten his wife's number. "When she picked up and I told her who I was, she didn't believe me. She screamed, 'You're a liar, my husband is dead!' And then she hung up." After seven years without news, it was indeed impossible to believe that Ouda was still alive. Few detainees ever returned home before the sudden fall of the Assad regime on December 8.
An estimated 15,393 people died under torture, according to the Syrian Network for Human Rights. But Ouda did not give up. His only thought was of seeing his wife again; he needs her. So he decides to contact his sister. "She told me that everyone thought I was dead. We had to send my photo to my wife for her to believe me. She kept saying, 'You were dead, you were dead.' And she was crying." Mohamar Ouda's house is located in one of the most destroyed parts of the Yarmouk camp. After being reunited with his loved ones, Ouda only wanted one thing: to settle back into his house in Yarmouk. But when he tries to do so, he is immediately summoned. Someone has seen him and probably reported him. Under the Assad regime, every move Syrians made was spied upon and denunciation was encouraged. The former prisoner realises he needs to hide; he knows that if he is re-arrested, he will never make it out again. Ouda and his wife are looking for a new apartment in Damascus. Far from the camp. He says he gets by, he "tinkers" here and there. He manages to survive. In addition to the psychological after-effects of his detention and his litany of suffering, Ouda must live without his three children. "My first wife (Ouda has multiple wives) left with them when I was arrested. She supported Bashar al-Assad. I haven't seen them for ten years." He cries again. His gaze darkens.>>
Source: https://www.france24.com/en/middle-east/20250108-seven-years-of-torture-by-assad-s-executioners-i-will-never-forgive-them


Women's conference in al-Hasakah
Medyanews - January 8, 2025
<<Building a democratic Syria: Women’s conference in al-Hasakah
Syrian women are holding a two-day conference in al-Hasakah (Heseke), North and East Syria, under the slogan 'With women's solidarity, we will build a democratic Syria'. The conference will discuss the future of women in Syria after the fall of the Assad regime. Five hundred delegates from Assyrian, Kurdish, Arab, Alawite and Armenian organisations across North and East Syria are participating in the conference. Syrian women are gathering in al-Hasakah (Heseke), North and East Syria (Rojava), for a two-day conference focused on shaping their future in a post-Assad regime. Under the slogan "With women's solidarity, we will build a democratic Syria," the event, organised by the Kongra Star Women's Movement, brings women's organisations together to discuss their role in the country's transformation. Five hundred women delegates from Assyrian, Kurdish, Arab, Alawite and Armenian organisations across the Kurdish-led region are participating in the conference. Many women from other Syrian cities, including Aleppo, Homs, Damascus, Suwayda and al-Sahel, are also joining the delegation online. Foza Yusif, a member of the Democratic Union Party (PYD) Presidential Council, celebrated the fall of the Syrian regime as a victory for all Syrian women. She emphasised that Syrian women have "proved to the world that they are not just supporters of the revolution, but its vanguards." Although she acknowledged the fall of the regime as an "important step in history", she stressed that there was still work to be done: "Our fight is far from over." Yusif highlighted the importance of continued resistance from women in Syria, warning: "We should not ignore what is happening in Damascus now. There are calls for radical patriarchal ideas." She criticised Aisha al-Dibs, the new head of the Women's Affairs Office under the Syrian interim government, describing her as a symbol of the "backward thinking" which aims to place women "under the control of patriarchal dominance". Corcet Bersûm, spokesperson for the Assyrian Women's Union, followed with a powerful speech, reminding the audience that "great sacrifices have been made in the fight against the male mentality" and stressing that Kurds, Assyrians and Arabs have fought these struggles together. She highlighted the ongoing attacks faced by Assyrian Christians in Syria, including "attacks on religious sites, the burning of Christmas trees, and the forced imposition of hijabs".
Related Article:
Protests erupt in Christian areas of Damascus after Christmas tree burned
Rohilat Afrin, a member of the Women Protection Units (YPJ) general command, delivered a heartfelt speech celebrating the resilience of YPJ fighters and honouring the martyrs of the Rojava revolution. She emphasised the vital importance of self-defence for women, urging them to organise and declaring, "Every woman whose heart beats for freedom must fight to defend her land." >>
Source and more: https://medyanews.net/building-a-democratic-syria-womens-conference-in-al-hasakah/

Jinha - Womens News Agency - January 8, 2024
<<Delegation to retrieve bodies of killed journalists arbitrarily stopped at border
A delegation travelling to the Kurdistan Region of Iraq to retrieve the bodies of murdered Kurdish journalists Nazim Daştan and Cihan Bilgin has been kept waiting at the Khabour Border Crossing for two days.
Şirnex (Şırnak)- A delegation travelling to the Kurdistan Region of Iraq to retrieve the bodies of murdered Kurdish journalists Nazim Daştan and Cihan Bilgin has been kept waiting at the Khabour border crossing for two days. The delegation consisting of eight people, including family members of the journalists, Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) Mardin MP Kamuran Tanhan, members of the Dicle Fırat Journalists Association (DFG) and the Lawyers Association for Freedom (OHD) and representatives of NGOs has been arbitrarily kept waiting at the border crossing for 43 hours.
'An arbitrary decision is implemented'
"There is no problem in entry and exit at the border crossing but the border crossing is closed only for us, a group of eight," DEM Party Mardin MP Kamuran Tanhan said, calling the practice an "arbitrary decision". "On the first day, at around 3 AM, a person, who introduced himself as deputy police chief of the district, invited us to the city to rest there. He told us 'You are tired; this place is not suitable for you to stay. You can return in the morning. You will be the first to cross the border in the morning.' We did not accept his invitation because we did not trust him. We believe that they aim to take us out of this area and not allow us to enter the area again. This morning, they attempted to take us out of this area again; they suggested that we should stay in a room assigned to us. We told them that we would stage a sit-in protest if they kept insisting. The right to take possession of a dead body for the purpose of burial has been violated. An arbitrary decision is implemented."
'We wait for news from Ankara'
The delegation has been kept waiting at the border crossing for more than a day on the grounds of "broken X-ray system". Over the reactions, the police chief of the district said, "We wait for news from Ankara." >>
Source: https://jinhaagency.com/en/actual/delegation-to-retrieve-bodies-of-killed-journalists-arbitrarily-stopped-at-border-36303

Jinha - Womens News Agency - January 8, 2024
<<#OpenHaburBorderGate: Social media hashtag campaign for killed Kurdish journalists
Two journalists' associations have started a social media hashtag campaign, supporting the delegation kept waiting at the Khabour Border Crossing to retrieve bodies of killed journalists.
Amed- The Mesopotamia Women Journalists Association (MKG) and the Dicle Fırat Journalists' Association (DFG) have launched an online campaign under the hashtag "#OpenHaburBorderGate" to support the delegation kept waiting at the Khabour Border Crossing to retrieve bodies of journalists Cihan Bilgin and Nazım Daştan, who were killed in a Turkish drone strike in northeastern Syria on December 19, 2024. The delegation consisting of family members of the journalists, Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) Mardin MP Kamuran Tanhan, members of the Dicle Fırat Journalists Association (DFG) and the Lawyers Association for Freedom (OHD) and representatives of NGOs has been kept waiting at the border crossing for 43 hours. "The delegation and the family members (of the journalists) travelling to retrieve the bodies of the journalists killed in North and East Syria have been kept waiting at the border crossing," said the associations, calling on everyone to support the delegation on social media platforms under the "#OpenHaburBorderGate" hashtag every night at 8 PM until the delegation retrieves the bodies of the journalists.>>
Source: https://jinhaagency.com/en/actual/openhaburbordergate-social-media-hashtag-campaign-for-killed-kurdish-journalists-36304?page=1

Medyanews - January 8, 2025
<<Turkish bar leaders protest probe into free speech crackdown
İstanbul Bar Association leaders faced questioning over social media posts honouring slain journalists Cihan Bilgin and Nazım Daştan, sparking protests by lawyers across Turkey. Critics denounced the probe as a violation of free speech, vowing to defend democratic rights and legal independence. İstanbul Bar Association President Prof Dr İbrahim Kaboglu and board members appeared at İstanbul’s Çağlayan Courthouse on Tuesday over accusations of <terrorist propaganda> and <spreading misleading information> following social media posts about murdered journalists Cîhan Bilgin and Nazım Daştan near Kobani (Kobane) in northeast Syria by a Turkish drone that directly targeted the vehicle they were travelling in. The investigation drew sharp criticism, prompting a show of solidarity from Erinç Sağkan, President of the Union of Turkish Bar Associations (TBB), and dozens of bar leaders nationwide, who gathered outside the courthouse. "This probe violates freedom of expression and undermines the independence of legal institutions," Sagkan said. "We are here to defend not just Istanbul Bar but the fundamental rights of 85 million citizens." Sagkan invoked historical parallels, recalling previous attempts to silence legal advocates. “During military coups, authorities tried to seal the Istanbul Bar's doors and prosecute its leaders," he said. "History showed who was condemned then-and it will again." Sagkan condemned the legal process, alleging constitutional violations. "The investigation bypassed procedural safeguards. A public announcement was made before formal steps were completed, and authorisation was hastily granted," he said. Further stressing their presence was not to legitimise the investigation, Sagkan reiterated, "We reject the process's legitimacy and are here solely to deliver statements, not as suspects." Calling the inquiry a politically motivated attack, Sagkan vowed resilience. "No bar association, no lawyer will cower in the face of such intimidation." Bar leaders pledged to defend free speech and judicial independence, committing to closely monitor the investigation as tensions between legal institutions and authorities escalate.>>
Source and read more: https://medyanews.net/turkish-bar-leaders-protest-probe-into-free-speech-crackdown/

Medyanews - January 7, 2025
<<Iron fist in a velvet glove: Erdogan's aggressive stance on Kurds and Syria deepen
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan reiterated ultranationalist rhetoric during the first Cabinet meeting of the year, issuing threats of a military incursion into Kurdish-led North and East Syria, known as Rojava. His speech included threats to the Kurdish political field, dismissed any dialogue with Kurdish leaders and underscored Turkey's readiness for severe measures, raising fears of escalated violence in the region. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan vowed to take swift action against Kurdish forces in Syria and domestic dissent, reiterating his commitment to a <terror-free Turkey> during the first Cabinet meeting of 2025 at Beştepe Palace on Monday. Erdogan accused Kurdish groups in Syria of threatening Turkey’s security and hinted at potential military operations. <Those who align with terror will be buried with their weapons,> Erdogan declared. <Turkey has demonstrated its resolve to protect its sovereignty and security countless times. If the situation demands, we will take swift action. Let no one doubt our ability to strike when the time comes. Everyone should plan accordingly.> The President dismissed any prospects of dialogue with Abdullah Ocalan, the jailed Kurdish leader, reinforcing his administration's rejection of negotiations on Kurdish rights. Referring to urban self-rule movements in Kurdish regions during 2015-2016, Erdogan warned: <Those seeking to provoke our nation or spread division will face the iron fist of the state. Just as we buried those digging trenches in the past, anyone attempting similar actions today will pay the price.> <If this path is blocked,> Erdogan added, <we will not hesitate to wield the iron fist wrapped in a velvet glove. Provocations and divisive rhetoric will not be tolerated. The safety and unity of our nation remain our top priority, and any who challenge that will meet the consequences.> His remarks come amid growing regional tensions and debates over Kurdish rights. Erdogan's comments also follow speculation about the government's stance on a new political process addressing the Kurdish question. While rejecting negotiations, his language reaffirmed an ultranationalist narrative central to his administration.
Beyond security, Erdogan targeted LGBTQ+ communities and raised concerns about declining birth rates. Declaring 2025 the <Year of the Family>, he called for a revival of traditional values, positioning his leadership firmly within conservative ideology. The Cabinet meeting highlighted Erdogan's continued reliance on nationalist themes to consolidate support amid economic challenges and public discontent. Threats of military action and suppression of dissent remain key elements of his strategy, raising fears of further instability in Kurdish regions of Turkey and Syria. Erdogan signals 'carefully planned policy' amid talks with imprisoned Kurdish leader Ocalan. Erdogan dismisses PKK from talks, repeats 'brotherhood' rhetoric without offering Kurdish rights. Erdogan's motives for intensified attacks in Kurdish-led North and East Syria>>
Source: https://medyanews.net/iron-fist-in-a-velvet-glove-erdogans-aggressive-stance-on-kurds-and-syria-deepen/

Syrian Free Women's Foundation
Jinha - Womens News Agency - January 7, 2024 - by NORŞAN ABDI
<<Syrian Free Women's Foundation aims to empower women
The Syrian Free Women's Foundation aims to empower women by organizing vocational training courses and awareness-raising activities.
Kobane - Following the revolution in North and East Syria, women started participating in all facets of life, including politics, military and education. The Syrian Free Women's Foundation was founded in northeastern Syria in 2014 to empower women in the region. In 2019, the foundation opened an office in Kobane.
'Women develop themselves by participating in our programs'
In an interview with NuJINHA, Şirin Muhammed, member of the foundation in Kobane, gave information about the activities of the foundation. "The aim of the foundation is to educate and empower women in order to change their status in society. We have organized many awareness-raising programs with the support of the communes to eliminate the patriarchal mindset. Women develop themselves and strengthen their bonds with each other by participating in our programs. Now, they participate in all facets of life."
Courses for women
The foundation also aims to promote women's economic empowerment. "We have organized vocational training courses for women. Our sewing and hairdressing courses last three months. After attending the courses, women receive certificates. Then, they join the labor force or start their own business. All women aged between 18 and 50 can join the courses. Women develop their skills thanks to the courses."
'Women have realized their own projects'
Şirin Muhammed pointed to the increase in the demand of women to participate in the vocational training courses. "Our foundation has organized six different vocational training courses with the participation of more than 250 women. Some women, who received their certificates, have worked for the foundation while some have joined the labor force. Some of them have already realized their own projects. In 2024, we carried out many activities for women. For instance, we opened health centers for women and children by cooperating with doctors and health organizations. These centers provide free healthcare service to women and children. In addition, we held six handicraft exhibitions in Kobane, Eyn Isa (Ayn Issa), Sarrin and Raqqa."
'Women must overcome obstacles'
The door of the foundation is open to all women, Şirin Muhammed told NuJINHA. "All women are welcome to the foundation in order to strengthen their representation in society. As the foundation, we are here to support women. Women must overcome obstacles and break down the walls of oppression." >>
Video: https://jinhaagency.com/en/actual/syrian-free-women-s-foundation-aims-to-empower-women-36292?page=1

Jinha - Womens News Agency - January 7, 2024 - by XWINDA DIYAR
<<YPJ commander: A historical resistance has been taking place on Tishreen and Qereqozax
"A historical resistance has been taking place on Tishreen and Qereqozax against the attacks," said YPJ commander Çiçek Zagros.
Qereqozax- The resistance of the Women's Defense Units (YPJ) against the Turkish attacks on North and East Syria continues. NuJINHA spoke to YPJ commander Çiçek Zagros about the resistance on the Tishreen Dam and Qereqozax Bridge. The attacks that started in the region on November 28, 2024 are still ongoing in a planned way, Çiçek Zagros said. "These attacks aim to destroy the gains of the people and the Rojava Revolution. These attacks directly target the will of the people in the region, aiming at depopulating the region by intimidating the people. These attacks are a dirty and immoral war waged against civilians."
'We promise the martyrs and our people'
Çiçek Zagros spoke about the previous attacks on the region and said, "The people of Kobane, Afrin, Gire Spi and Serekaniye were attacked. Prohibited weapons were used against them. The Turkish state still uses the same method. The YPJ, YPG and SDF fighters have been deployed and responded to the attacks. These attacks, of course, will be responded to because we have promised the martyrs and our people."
'The members of the armed groups have been fleeing'
The Turkish state does not have the courage to launch a ground attack, Çiçek Zagros emphasized. "The Turkish state attempted to launch two ground attacks on Qereqozaxe; however, the resistance of the YPJ and SDF fighters thwarted these attacks. The self-sacrifice of the fighters in response to the attacks has been proven in videos and the fleeing of the members of the armed groups has been documented."
'The stance of the fighters is reminiscent of the victory in Kobane'
The fighters have resisted the attacks with the support of their people, Çiçek Zagros said. "An unmatched resistance led by the young people of the region has been waged against the attacks. The military forces fight at the frontline, astonishing the people. This resistance is a historical and epic resistance. The stance of the fighters is reminiscent of the victory in Kobane."
'We will avenge the suffering of our people'
Çiçek Zagros told us that they would attack the enemy. "Despite the advanced technology used by the Turkish government against us we will attack the enemy without hesitation because we have years of experience; we have been fighting against ISIS and other armed groups for 13 years and now we resist on the Tishreen (Dam) and Qereqozax (Bridge). If the enemy aims to invade our region, we will turn this region into a grave for them. We have already promised our people that we will avenge the suffering of our people."
'We trust our own power'
Çiçek Zagros concluded her speech as follows: "There are two options here: The Turkish state will be defeated or we will have no chance of living in our homeland. We will protect our people to the end. The enemy trusts its weapons while we trust our own power. We will follow in the footsteps of our martyrs and defend our lands." >>
Video: https://jinhaagency.com/en/actual/ypj-commander-a-historical-resistance-has-been-taking-place-on-tishreen-and-qereqozax-36291


Bilgin - Dastan
Medyanews - January 6, 2025
<<Journalists Nazim Daştan and Cihan Bilgin mourned in northern Syria
Thousands of people in Qamishli (Qamişlo), northeast Syria, gathered to mourn and commemorate two Kurdish journalists killed by a Turkish drone strike near Kobani (Kobane) on 19 December. On Monday, thousands of people gathered to mourn and commemorate the two Kurdish journalists, Nazim Daştan and Cihan Bilgin, killed by a Turkish drone strike near Kobani (Kobane), northern Syria on 19 December. The ceremony took place in Qamishli (Qamişlo) in the northeast of the country. In addition to the two journalists, a fighter from the Women's Defence Units (YPJ) and two members of the Commando Forces of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) were mourned at the ceremony. The ceremony took place at the cemetery of the martyr Delil Saruxan in Qamishli city.
Thousands mourned in Qamishli, Syria, on Monday.
There was a great display of affection for the fallen journalists and fighters at the ceremony. Mourners carried their portraits and decorated the coffins with flowers and ribbons of red, green and yellow, the colours of the Kurdish flag. During the commemorative speeches, a representative of Jazira (Cizire) Canton recalled the courage and sacrifice of those fallen in the struggle to defend their homeland and to spread the truth through the media.
The crowd praised the courage and sacrifice of the two journalists and the three fighters killed.
Journalists Daştan and Bilgin were killed in a targeted Turkish drone strike while travelling by car south of Kobani on 19 December. Fighters Avzem Ciya, Diyar Qamishli and Lokman El Xemis died in action at the Tishreen Dam on the Euphrates on 2 January. Fighting has been ongoing in the area since early December, when mercenaries from the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army (SNA) began violent attacks on the territories under the control of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES).
Women raised portraits of journalist Cihan Bilgin as they carried her coffin.
Ekrem Berekat, a member of the Hawar News Agency, where Cihan Bilgin also worked, spoke on behalf of the Free Press Union (YRA) during the mourning ceremony. "Today we renew our promise to continue the work of the free press in memory of our friends Cihan Bilgin and Nazim Daştan," he said. "With their pens and cameras, they've brought the truth, the sacrifice and the heroism of the Kurdish people to the whole world".>>
Source: https://medyanews.net/journalists-nazim-dastan-and-cihan-bilgin-mourned-in-northern-syria/

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