2024: Dec wk2P2 -- Dec wk2

 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 - December 10, 2024 - by Ertugrul Mavioglu
<<Syria's 13-Year civil war: an economy in ruins
After 13 years of brutal conflict, Syria faces an unparalleled economic collapse, with millions displaced, livelihoods destroyed, and a currency in freefall. The 13-year civil war in Syria has led to catastrophic economic devastation, leaving the country in a state of unprecedented ruin. Despite the fall of the 61-year Ba'ath Party regime, the prolonged conflict has caused irreparable damage to Syria's economy. In 2011, just before the civil war erupted, Syria's gross domestic product (GDP) stood at $64.7 billion, ranking the country 87th globally. Although considered underdeveloped, Syria had a relatively diversified economy, with foreign investments accounting for 27.4% of industrial output. Agriculture made up 16.9%, while services and tourism constituted 55.7% of the economy. Economic challenges were not new to Syria. From 1982 to 1989, real per capita income declined by 22%. However, reforms introduced in the 1990s by the Assad regime led to a gradual recovery, with per capita income surpassing $4,000 by 2010.
Before the war, Syria's main revenue streams were agriculture, oil, and tourism. Yet, as the war escalated, these sectors collapsed under the combined weight of internal strife and international sanctions imposed by the USA, Australia, Canada EU, Arab League, and Turkey. The fragile economy, already vulnerable, was pushed to its breaking point.
Unprecedented economic loss
According to UN observers, the economic damage between 2011 and 2013 amounted to $143 billion, rising to $237 billion by 2015. The World Bank reported in 2018 that nearly a third of Syria's housing and half of its health and education facilities were destroyed during the war. Years of sanctions have crippled Syria's ability to trade, turning it into a near-isolated economy. With almost no production or imports, the population-now reduced to approximately 20 million-struggles to meet basic needs. Widespread hunger has driven people to forage for food in rubbish dumps.
Displacement and unemployment
The war has displaced around 6 million Syrians, with many living in dire conditions in refugee camps in neighbouring countries like Turkey and Lebanon. Meanwhile, domestic unemployment soared from 14.9% in 2011 to 57.7% by 2014. Over 3 million people lost their jobs during this period, and by 2015, Syria Policy Research Centre reported that 70% of Syrian workers were earning less than $100 per month. Five out of every six Syrians now live in poverty, unable to afford even basic necessities.
Impact of foreign occupation
The conflict in Afrin [Efrin] further exacerbated economic woes. Turkey's occupation of the region, alongside allied jihadist groups, caused widespread destruction of olive groves-a key resource for local farmers. These groups looted olive oil production facilities, depriving Kurdish communities of a vital income source.
Currency collapse
Syria's currency has been in freefall. After the Assad regime’s collapse in certain regions, the Syrian pound lost 42% of its value against the US dollar. In Damascus, the exchange rate climbed to 22,000 pounds per dollar, while in Aleppo, it surged to 36,000 pounds-a 64% depreciation. The plundering of Syria's Central Bank by jihadist groups only deepened the crisis, worsening poverty and signalling the continuation of a profound economic and political disaster.
Ertugrul Mavioglu is a journalist and author. He was imprisoned from 1980 to 1991 for opposing the 1980 military coup in Turkey. Mavioğlu has been active in journalism since 1985 and has published eight books. He faces ongoing legal challenges over his 2013 documentary 'Bakur', filmed in Kurdish guerrilla camps. His latest work, 'Bakur Notes', was released in 2013.>>
Source: https://medyanews.net/syrias-13-year-civil-war-an-economy-in-ruins/

Medyanews - December 10, 2024
<<Turkey's collaboration with ISIS exposed on live Turkish TV
A masked Islamic State (ISIS) fighter was filmed at a checkpoint operated by the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army (SNA) near Manbij (Minbic) during a live broadcast by the Turkish television HaberTurk. Footage of a masked fighter wearing an Islamic State (ISIS) arm patch inspecting vehicles at a checkpoint controlled by the Turkish-backed rebel Syrian National Army (SNA) near Manbij (Minbic), northern Syria, was aired live on Turkish television channel HaberTurk on 9 December, during a news programme covering SNA operations near the city. Backed by Turkish drones and warplanes, SNA mercenaries have launched intense attacks on the city of Manbij, which is under the control of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES), and established checkpoints around the city. Meanwhile, heavy clashes continue in and around Manbij between the SNA and the Manbij Military Council, which is supported by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). In the live broadcast, a HaberTurk reporter on the scene appears to move comfortably among the fighters, seemingly unfazed by the fact that one is wearing an ISIS patch. Ironically, while the fighter with the ISIS patch stands in armed guard of the adjacent car, the reporter states that the area of Manbij was only "gained by ISIS for a while".
The filmed SNA fighters, which the reporter refers to as as <opposition forces>, are known for committing war crimes such as executions and kidnapping, with recent video evidence showing the SNA executing injured civilians and SDF fighters in a hospital in Manbij. This is not the first time that cooperation between Turkey and ISIS has been captured on camera. In October 2014, footage showed ISIS fighters crossing the Turkish-Syrian border from the Turkish side Kobani in broad daylight, within sight of a Turkish military checkpoint.>>
Video: https://medyanews.net/turkeys-collaboration-with-isis-exposed-on-live-turkish-tv/


Evin Cumma
Medyanews - December 10, 2024
Syrian human rights official calls for accountability over Turkish war crimes
Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) Co-Director Evin Cuma labels Turkish drone attacks on civilians as war crimes and urges international bodies to act. Her appeal highlights the urgent need for global intervention to stop the ongoing violence in northern Syria. In a strong condemnation of Turkish military actions in northern Syria, Evin Cuma, co-director at the Syrian Observatory For Human Rights (SOHR), has called on international bodies to take immediate action. Cuma described recent drone attacks on civilian areas as "war crimes", highlighting the deliberate targeting of women, children, and the elderly. Speaking to Hawar News Agency (ANHA), Cuma referenced the 8 December drone strike on Misteriha village near Ain Issa, where 12 civilians, including women and children, were killed. "This is not an isolated incident," she said. "Turkey has repeatedly violated international laws, targeting not only civilians but also essential infrastructure and public services to force populations to flee." Cuma cited past atrocities in Afin (Efrin), Ras al-Ayn (Sere Kaniye), and Tel Abyad (Gire Spi), stating that Turkey's actions consistently breach international humanitarian law and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. She emphasised that targeting civilians constitutes a war crime under international law. The SOHR director further urged the United Nations Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Syria to document these violations and ensure accountability. She called on the UN Security Council to exert pressure on Turkey to cease its attacks and respect Syria's sovereignty.
Cuma's statements come amid heightened international scrutiny of Turkey's actions in the region, which have drawn criticism for their devastating impact on local communities.>>
Source: https://medyanews.net/__trashed-181/

Medyanews - December 10, 2024
<<French parties reiterate their support for Kurds after fall of Syrian regime
Several French politicians and parties have commented on the recent fall of the Syrian Assad regime and called for international support for Kurdish people, as the Turkish Army and Turkish-backed mercenaries escalate attacks on areas governed by the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES). French politicians and parties have commented on the recent fall of the Syrian regime, highlighting the potential risks this could bring for the Kurdish people living in Syria. They reiterated their support for Rojava, a region of northern Syria governed by the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES), and called for sovereignty for Syria. Olivier Besancenot, a prominent French political activist and a spokesperson for the New Anticapitalist Party (Nouveau Parti Anticapitaliste, NPA) said that he stands in solidarity with the Syrian people "after the fall of the tyrant Assad" and highlighted the need for international support for the "emancipatory project of the Kurdish forces", referring to the AANES. French Communist Party ((Parti Communiste Français, PCF) General Secretary Fabien Roussel said in a post on X that "war is spreading in the Middle East", adding, "The peace and security of the Syrian people, and that of the Kurdish people, under threat, must be guaranteed." The PCF also shared a statement, entitled Only Syrians can decide the future of Syria, expressing solidarity with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). They also affirmed their solidarity with all Kurds in Syria, saying that they now "more than ever are under threat" and that "their right to democratic sovereignity and to live in peace must be recognised". Commenting on the fall of the Syrian regime under Bashar al-Assad, the French Left Party (Parti de Gauche, PG) stressed that "the Syrian people must regain their sovereignty". They also said that "Rojava can serve as an example," explaining that the AANES' social model of democratic confederalism enables "different ethnic groups and communities" to live together under "very difficult circumstances".>>
Source: https://medyanews.net/french-parties-reiterate-their-support-for-kurds-after-fall-of-syrian-regime/


All-women YPJ pledge new defence tactics
Medyanews - December 10, 2024
<<Historic resistance in Manbij: All-women YPJ pledge new defence tactics against Turkish-backed mercenaries
YPJ Spokeswoman Ruken Cemal highlights the unwavering resistance of the SDF in northern Syria's Manbij (Minbic), amid intense attacks by Turkish-backed forces. She reveals the development of new defence tactics, including countermeasures against armed drones, as historic battles rages on.
Women's Protection Units (YPJ) Spokesperson Ruken Cemal has provided a powerful evaluation of the resistance against the escalating aggression from Turkish-backed mercenaries in Manbij (Minbic) and other regions of northeast Syria. Speaking to Ronahî TV, Cemal underlined the resilience of SDF fighters and shared details of innovative tactics being deployed to counter the invading forces. Cemal announced a significant achievement of the downing of a Turkish ANKA armed drone in Til Temir. "We have introduced new combat techniques against the Turkish army and its mercenaries," she said. "The ANKA drone, which has long been used to target our regions, is a symbol of their brutal aggression. This is just the beginning of our efforts to counter these drones with advanced tactics." An ANKA-type armed unmanned aerial vehicle was shot down by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in Til Temir, Heseke on 9 December. Manbij, known as a city of cultural and ethnic diversity, has faced relentless attacks since 26 November. Turkish-backed forces have targeted civilians with reconnaissance drones while carrying out heavy airstrikes. Cemal praised the courage and determination of the Manbij Military Council fighters: "Our fighters are crafting legends of resistance. Dozens of mercenaries have been killed, and vehicles used in the attacks have been destroyed. Manbij's streets and villages are witnessing a historic stand against occupation."

Ruken Cemal
Ruke Cemal refuted claims propagated by pro-government media that Manbij has fallen to Turkish-backed forces. "These reports are false. Manbij has not fallen, despite 13 days of intense assaults. Our fighters continue to resist with self-sacrificing spirit and unwavering commitment," she asserted.
The clashes extend to areas like Qere Qozaq bridge and Tishreen dam located on Euphrates River, where the SDF has inflicted severe losses on the attackers. Cemal promised the people of the region that the resistance would prevail, stating: "The SDF fighters' videos show the truth of our struggle. The resistance will endure, and these attacks will be crushed." As the conflict escalates, the resilience of SDF, and the YPJ fighters in particular, symbolises their unwavering commitment to defending the region and its people against aggression.>>
Source: https://medyanews.net/historic-resistance-in-manbij-all-women-ypj-pledge-new-defence-tactics-against-turkish-backed-mercenaries/

Medyanews - December 10, 2024
<<Turkish strikes and SNA violence escalate in Manbij, N Syria
Manbij (Minbic), a strategically vital city in northern Syria, remains under intense attack as Turkish forces and Turkish-backed mercenaries escalate their military campaign, resulting in significant civilian casualties and displacement. Reports from local councils and monitors, including the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), confirm the use of drone strikes, heavy artillery, and ground offensives. The latest violence underscores growing concerns over Turkey's broader ambitions in the region and the safety of its Kurdish population. Manbij (Minbic), a city that has become a flashpoint in northern Syria, is enduring relentless attacks by Turkish forces and their allied militias Syrian National Army (SNA), resulting in devastating civilian casualties and mass displacement. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported that artillery shelling in Zarfan village, east of Manbij, killed ten civilians, while a separate Turkish drone strike in Ain Issa wiped out an entire family of eleven, including six children. The assault comes amid a broader offensive launched by Turkish-backed SNA to seize control of Manbij, a city long considered crucial to Kurdish self-governance in the region. The Manbij Military Council, part of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), has confirmed that their fighters are holding the line against relentless incursions, describing the attacks as part of Turkey’s strategy to destabilise the region. In a statement, the council noted, "Our forces have demonstrated extraordinary resistance, repelling all advances while inflicting significant casualties on the attackers." The human cost of this escalation is severe. Entire families, such as those killed in Ain Issa, have been wiped out, and residents of Manbij are fleeing an masse to neighbouring areas like Kobani (Kobane) and the eastern Euphrates countryside. Witnesses describe scenes of looted homes and burning villages as Turkish-backed militias consolidate control in parts of the city. A displaced resident who fled to Kobani described the situation as "a nightmare of violence and destruction". Manbij's strategic location west of the Euphrates River has made it a target for Turkish military ambitions. Turkey regards the SDF, which played a key role in defeating the Islamic State (ISIS), as a terrorist organisation due to its ties with the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). For Ankara, the campaign against Manbij is framed as a necessary measure to <guarantee security> in northern Syria, but critics argue it is a thinly veiled attempt to expand Turkish influence and suppress Kurdish autonomy. The SDF, in a separate statement, urged global powers to act decisively against Turkey's aggression, warning that continued instability in the region could enable a resurgence of ISIS. Despite these warnings, the response from the international community has been muted, with key actors such as the United States focusing on counterterrorism operations elsewhere in Syria. While independent monitors such as SOHR and Kurdish media outlets have documented civilian suffering and the Turkish-backed SNA' brutality, prominent news agencies portrayed the offensive as a campaign to clear "terrorists" from Manbij, echoing Ankara's narrative without adequately addressing the impact on civilians or the broader implications of the conflict.
The ongoing violence in Manbij raises questions about the future of northern Syria and the ability of Kurdish forces to maintain control over the region. As the Turkish offensive continues, the SDF remains steadfast, vowing to defend Manbij against all odds. The crisis has left thousands displaced, homes destroyed, and families torn apart, with no end in sight. Manbij's struggle is not just a local tragedy; it is a stark reminder of the fragile balance of power in Syria and the devastating consequences of unchecked aggression. As the battle rages on, the people of Manbij face an uncertain future, caught in the crossfire of regional ambitions and global indifference.>>
Source:https://medyanews.net/turkish-strikes-and-sna-violence-escalate-in-manbij-n-syria/ 

France24 - December 5, 2024 - by Bahar MAKOOI
<<HTS rebel group sweeping Syria tries to shed its jihadist image
Unexpected alliances, seeing strength in "diversity" - Syria's Islamist insurgent group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a former branch of al Qaeda, is trying to soften its public image in a bid to become one of Syria's key political players. After seizing Aleppo in a lightning offensive, the armed group on Thursday broke Damascus's hold on the crucial city of Hama. They took Aleppo in less than three days. Now, the city of Hama, a crucial point on the road to Damascus - and the regime of President Bashar al-Assad - has also fallen. Who are the Islamist rebels of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the driving force behind a lightning offensive that has caught the Syrian regime so utterly off guard? The "Organisation for the Liberation of the Levant", more commonly known by its initials HTS, was the Syrian branch of al Qaeda before disassociating itself in 2016. The group owes much to its strategically minded leader Abu Mohammad al-Golani. This Syrian fighter, a former member of the Islamic State in Iraq - which later expanded into the Islamic State group - founded al-Nusra Front in 2012 before pledging allegiance to al Qaeda in 2013. The two groups reportedly severed ties by mutual agreement three years later. In January 2017, the former Nusra Front began trying to remake its image, declaring it had undergone an ideological transformation and adopting a new name - Hayat Tahrir al-Sham. The group also began to rid itself of some of its most radical figures - willingly or not.
'A rigid, conservative Islamist group'
In the beginning of 2019, HTS fighters took control of most of Idlib province in Syria's northwest - to the detriment of other rebel groups active in the area. In a 2023 interview with FRANCE 24's Wassim Nasr in Idlib, the group’s leader Abu Mohammed al-Golani said that he was working to ensure that the areas under his control would not be used as rear bases for preparing attacks against the West. Abu Maria al-Qahtani, one of the group's leading figures also interviewed in Idlib, said that the group was doing "all [that they could] to stop the youngest men from joining al-Qaeda or IS by showing them that another path was possible with what had been put in place in Idlib". "Not only has the HTS group broken ties with al Qaeda, but it's been fighting al Qaeda and Islamic State group on an equal footing for years," Nasr said, describing HTS as a "rigid, conservative Islamist group".
"It was even their fighters that killed the Islamic State group's fourth caliph [Abu al-Hussein al-Husseini al-Qurashi] in August 2023," he said.
Speaking on FRANCE 24, Arthur Quesnay, PhD candidate in political science at Paris's Pantheon-Sorbonne University, said that HTS - now almost entirely made up of Syrian fighters - had become "a revolutionary Syrian group that is fighting a war in Syria and has stopped trying to wage a global jihad and strike at overseas targets, but is just here to take Damascus". According to Nasr, al-Golani maintains that he has put global jihad and international terror behind him, believing "that these things 'bring nothing but destruction and failure'". For the Islamist leader, his group "has no problem with the West, his problem is with the Syrian regime as well as the Iranians and Russians that support it". HTS and its leader are still designated as terrorist organisations by the United Nations, the US and a number of European countries - a fact that has put something of a crimp in al-Golani’s political ambitions. "One of his objectives is to be taken off the international list of terrorist organisations so he can travel and become a leading Syrian political player," Quesnay said.
The new normal
The rebel leader has not been idle. Al-Golani set up the so-called Salvation Government in Idlib, a local administration that serves as a kind of laboratory for what his rule could bring if extended over the whole country. Nasr, who visited Idlib in 2023, said he had witnessed a limited freedom of religion, with Christian masses tolerated but no displays of crosses or ringing of church-bells allowed. He also described a policy of returning land occupied by foreign jihadists to their Syrian owners, even if they were Christians or Druze. Ever pragmatic, al-Golani tried to win the support of those living in the territories his group had conquered, Quesnay said. "In Idlib, the population is mostly Sufi - a popular and more classic form of Syrian Islam," he said. "We've seen HTS evolve little by little, abandoning its original Salafist line to better adapt itself to those it was supposed to be governing. Other experts have noted that minorities such as the Druze and the Kurds also enjoyed some protection. "It's the first time that a group with jihadist roots - that is to say radical Islam - has shown itself to be open to other forms of Islam or other religions," Quesnay said. “Certainly there has been localised repression against activists, but there have also been regular demonstrations against HTS, and in those cases, al-Golani engaged in the kinds of negotiations that we have usually seen elsewhere. We need to be cautious in how we look at it, but it's what they've been doing in Idlib for five years," Nasr said. "HTS is far from espousing democratic values or those of a liberal society, but they have taken something of a turn - or found an unexpected third way."
Charm offensive
Applying the same strategy after the conquest of Aleppo, al-Golani tried to reassure the population of his group's goodwill - in particular towards the city's religious and ethnic minorities. In a publicised statement, he called on his fighters not to mistreat the Christian community in Syria's second city. "Treat them well," he said, going on to tell local believers that HTS "had treated the Christians of Idlib and Aleppo well - you have nothing to fear". Speaking to the city's large Kurdish minority, HTS offered a message of unity that would have been unimaginable just a few short years ago.
"You have the right to live freely ... Diversity is a strength of which we are proud," the group said in a statement verified by Nasr. "We denounce the actions of the Islamic State group against the Kurds, including the enslavement of women ... We are with the Kurds to build the Syria of tomorrow."
The Islamist rebel group also offered Kurdish fighters the possibility to leave the city with their families. "They're working on a corridor to evacuate those who now find themselves in [HTS] territory towards the Kurdish bastions in the northeast, and in good agreement with the YPG - the main Kurdish militia in Syria - which is not necessarily to Turkey's liking," Nasr said. The apparent agreement with the Kurds could irritate the other rebel groups that took part in the seizure of Aleppo. Although HTS may have been the driving force behind the shock assault this past week, it's not the only one that has been fighting to claim territory.
Partners of convenience
As Aleppo fell, HTS was supported on the northern front by the Syrian National Army (SNA) a coalition of a dozen rebel groups largely financed, equipped and trained by Turkey. Based across a long stretch of the Turkish border, these groups are united by a fierce anti-Kurdish sentiment.
"Ankara was surprised by HTS's lightning offensive against Aleppo," Nasr said. Faced with the new facts on the ground, Turkey launched the SNA into the fray "to cut any possible link between the Kurdish bastions of Syria's northeast and those remaining in Aleppo", as well as to prevent al-Golani from setting himself up as the sole master of the rebel-held area. Although HTS and these Turkish-backed armed groups are often referred to as allies, Nasr said, they should more accurately be seen as being in a "balance of power that we can't call friendly relations". It's a relationship marked by much friction - particularly on the Kurdish question. Al-Golani has not been shy about publicly criticising the SNA’s armed groups - over the reported looting of a factory in Aleppo on December 3, for example. For Ankara, returning the 3 million Syrian refugees currently residing in Turkey to their homeland is the main priority. A larger and more secure area under rebel control would certainly be a welcome step towards this goal. But it remains to be seen just how much Turkey is prepared to tolerate the fragile entente struck between HTS and the Kurds, who Ankara continues to see as its sworn enemies.
This piece has been adapted from the original in French by Paul Millar.>>
Source: https://www.france24.com/en/middle-east/20241205-hts-rebel-group-sweeping-syria-tries-to-shed-its-jihadist-image

France24 - December 10, 2024
<<Live: Syrian rescuers end search of Assad regime's notorious prison
A man breaks the lock of a cell in the infamous Saydnaya military prison, just north of Damascus, Syria, Monday, December 9, 2024.
Syria's White Helmets rescue group on Tuesday ended its search of Sednaya prison, synonymous with the worst atrocities of ousted president Bashar al-Assad's regime. The Islamist rebel leader who led this weekend's lightning offensive against the capital vowed to pursue former senior officials for torture and war crimes.>>
Video: https://www.france24.com/en/middle-east/20241210-live-israeli-airstrikes-destroyed-most-important-military-sites-in-syria-says-war-monitor

Al Jazeera - Dec 10 2024
<<Barrage of Israeli attacks destroys 'important military sites in Syria'
Some 250 Israeli air strikes have hit Syria in 48 hours, reports the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
Israel has unleashed a barrage of aerial attacks across Syria, battering key military sites amid a security vacuum after opposition forces ousted President Bashar al-Assad. Near the port city of Latakia, Israel targeted an air defence facility and damaged Syrian naval ships as well as military warehouses. In and around the capital, Damascus, strikes targeted military installations, research centres and the electronic warfare administration.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), a war monitor, said Israel had "destroyed the most important military sites in Syria, including Syrian airports and their warehouses, aircraft squadrons, radars, military signal stations, and many weapons and ammunition depots in various locations in most Syrian governorates". Israel, which borders Syria, sent troops into a buffer zone on the east of the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights after al-Assad's fall, in what Foreign Minister Gideon Saar described as a <limited and temporary step> for <security reasons>. It has also carried out <about 250 air strikes on Syrian territory> over the last 48 hours with the aim of destroying the former regime's military capabilities, according to SOHR. "Israel's attacks on Syria are systematic," said Al Jazeera's Resul Serdar, reporting from Damascus. "They are aiming to destroy Syria's defence bases". Serdar said Israel's latest raids targeted three major airports - in Homs, Qamishli and Damascus - as well as weapons depots and other strategic military sites. "Israel claims it is doing this because it is concerned that these strategic facilities and military equipment could fall into the hands of the opposition," said Serdar. There was no immediate reaction from Syria's incoming Salvation Government, which al-Assad's Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali agreed on Monday to hand power to. The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), a US Muslim group, blasted the US government for its continued support to Israel despite its escalating attacks in the region, saying the "Syrian people deserve to rebuild their country free from foreign occupation and violence".
Pushing 'beyond' the Golan
The flurry of air strikes came after Israeli troops also seized more territory in a buffer zone near the occupied Syrian Golan heights. The incursion trampled on a 50-year ceasefire agreement with Syria, which established the buffer zone, according to United Nations peacekeepers. Al Jazeera's senior political analyst Marwan Bishara said "Israel has taken the opportunity of Damascus being preoccupied with a change of regime to expand their presence in the Golan Heights and perhaps beyond". Israel "called it temporary, but we know the implications when Israel says temporary," Bishara said. "In the occupied West Bank, for example, it's been almost six decades". While Syria had been at war for more than 13 years, the al-Assad government's collapse came in a matter of days in a lightning offensive led by the opposition group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). Syria's parliament, formerly pro-al-Assad like the PM, said it supports "the will of the people to build a new Syria towards a better future governed by law and justice".
The Baath party said it will support "a transitional phase in Syria aimed at defending the unity of the country".>>
SOURCE: AL JAZEERA:
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/12/10/barrage-of-israeli-attacks-destroys-important-military-sites-in-syria


Women journalists in Raqqa
Jinha - Womens News Agency - December 10, 2024 - YUSRA AL-EHMED
<<Journalists: The people of Syria must unite against attacks
Women journalists in Raqqa say they will keep being the voice of the truth and call on the people of Syria to unite against the ongoing attacks of the Turkish state and Turkish-backed factions in northeastern Syria.
Raqqa- Women journalists in northeastern Syria condemn the ongoing attacks of the Turkish state and Turkish-backed factions, saying they will keep reporting the truth.
Call on the international community to support displaced people
Leyla Al-Mustafa, reporter of JIN TV based in the Raqqa canton of North and East Syria, condemned the ongoing attacks on the region and said: "Thousands of families from Aleppo, Shahba and Til Rifat were forced to leave their homes by the attacks of the Turkish-backed factions. As journalists, we will keep reporting the violations committed by the Turkish state and its factions to the world and we will be the voice of truth. The people of Aleppo, Shahba and Til Rifat told us what they faced while using the humanitarian corridor opened by the Autonomous Administration (of North and East Syria) to arrive in safe places. The international community must see the suffering experienced by the displaced people and support them."
'Tens of thousands of people have been displaced'
North East Syria is among the safest and most stable regions in Syria, said Heba Fateeh, reporter of Ronahi TV. "The Autonomous Administration does its best to protect the people of the region. Due to the recent attacks of the Turkish state and Turkish-backed factions, tens of thousands of people have been displaced. About 80,000 families have already arrived in Tabqa. They have been placed in shelter centers. About 240 schools have been turned into shelters for the displaced people."
'Many displaced children died while trying to reach safe places'
Women journalists witnessed the tragic situations while covering forced displacement in northeastern Syria. "We did our best to report what people faced during the forced displacement. Many displaced children died from the freezing cold on the roads. Many people were killed and kidnapped while fleeing to safe places. Despite the international law and conventions, the international community remains silent against violations committed against civilians. The international community has remained silent against rights violations committed by Turkish-backed factions against civilians in northeastern Syria for 13 years. I call on all people of Syria to unite and close the ranks in order to ensure peace and stability." >>
Video: https://jinhaagency.com/en/actual/y-36137?page=1


Manbij leads strong resistance
Medyanews - December 9, 2024
<<Manbij leads strong resistance against Turkish-backed SNA
The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in Manbij are fiercely resisting attacks by the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army (SNA), despite Turkish media propaganda portraying the city as having been defeated. Fierce fighting continues between the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army (SNA) and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in Manbij (Minbic), a strategic canton governed by the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES). Contrary to media propaganda the people's resistance in Manbij has not been defeated, the Manbij Military Council, a local SDF-affiliated militia set up to coordinate the liberation of Manbij from ISIS in 2016, stated. The SDF reported that the Turkish-backed SNA, having been attempting to infiltrate and occupy the city of Manbij and surrounding areas for several days, has suffered a decisive blow, with the capture of 14 SNA mercenaries and the killing of two. Turkey has been directly supporting the SNA attacks with air strikes on the entire Manbij canton, including a bombing of the Manbij Military Council premises while a journalist was conducting an interview inside the building. As the Ba'ath regime fell on Sunday, Turkish-backed mercenaries launched intense attacks in the Manbij region. "The citizens of Manbij today [Sunday] celebrated the fall of the Ba’ath regime. Some mercenary cells took advantage of the situation and tried to take control of the city," explained Farhad Shami, head of the SDF's press office. "The internal security forces [Asayish] responded to the mercenaries with great courage," he added, catagorically denying a defeat.
Shami also highlighted how Turkish state media outlet Anadolu Agency had reported the city as having fallen, allegedly in order to scare people and convince them to leave. He made it clear that the military initiative in the Manbij region is firmly in the hands of the SDF, and that the SDF and the people are mobilising to fight the Turkish-backed mercenaries. "Occupying Manbij is not that easy," he added. The AANES said in a statement that: "The aim of these attacks [on Manbij] is to break the will of the people and reverse the truth of what is happening on the ground." Local media outlets such as Ronahi TV and ANHA news agency reported on a 'special war' to distance the people of Manbij from their own land, coupled with media propaganda that plays down the SDF's resistance. Elsewhere in Syria, the movements of the jihadist Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and the Turkish-backed SNA still continue after the fall of Assad, and in the meantime the US Air Force is reported to have carried out nearly 100 strikes against ISIS and other groups across Syria. The fighting goes on…>>
Source: https://medyanews.net/manbij-leads-strong-resistance-against-turkish-backed-sna/


Leandro Albani
Medyanews - December 9, 2024
<<Remembering Abu Leyla: Legendary commander who died for liberation of Manbij
Manbij (Minbic), a multi-ethnic city in northern Syria liberated from ISIS in 2016, is now facing renewed attacks by Turkish-backed mercenaries. Among the those who gave their lives in its liberation was Abu Leyla (Arabic: Father of Leyla), an SDF commander who embodied the spirit of the Rojava revolution with his commitment to unity, gender equality and a better future for all. As the intense battle for the northern Syrian city of Manbij (Minbic) unfolds, it is an important time to remember legendary Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) commander Abu Leyla, who played a pivotal role in liberating the city from ISIS in 2016. Known for his courage, humanity and commitment to unity, Abu Leyla's life and sacrifice continue to inspire. Born as Faisal Saddoun in Kobani (Kobane), Abu Leyla grew up in Manbij, embodying the multicultural essence of the region. He broke with patriarchal traditions by taking the name "Abu Leyla" (Arabic: Father of Leyla) in honour of his daughter. "I am proud to be Leyla's father," he declared, rejecting the traditional emphasis on male lineage. His choice reflects the spirit of the Rojava Revolution, in which Kurds in Syria declared autonomy from the government, embracing grassroots democracy based on gender equality and social justice. Abu Leyla etched his name into history with his pivotal role in the 2014 battle for Kobani, a critical turning point in the war against ISIS. Footage from that time shows him saving the life of a trapped member of ISIS, a group notorious for its brutality. When asked why he had rescued an enemy fighter, Abu Leyla famously replied: "We stand for humanity, unlike ISIS, which spreads death wherever it goes." This act in the midst of conflict brought him international fame and demonstrated his commitment to the principles of humanity and peace. Footage from the time often shows him smiling on the front lines, inspiring those around him with his optimism amid the chaos. He was also remembered for his love of music, often singing songs to his comrades during lulls in the fighting. In both his actions and his demeanour, Abu Leyla was a person full of joy and love - for people, for his comrades, and for the dream of a free Syria. Abu Leyla was known for his hands-on approach, often fortifying positions and laying mines where he anticipated enemy infiltration. Journalist Ersin Çaksu recalled: "Abu Leyla's hands always had dirt on them. When he wasn't fighting, he was working tirelessly to prepare the defences". His comrades often heard radio calls urging him to return to safety: "Heval (Kurdish: friend/comrade) Faysal, return to your post!" and "Heval Feysal, you've exhausted our ammunition!" Tragically, Abu Leyla lost his life during the operation to liberate Manbij on 5 June 2016. He was fatally shot by an ISIS sniper. His death sent waves of grief through Kurdish communities and beyond. Brett McGurk, then the US special envoy for the global coalition to defeat ISIS, paid tribute, tweeting: "Praying with #FSA Commander #AbuLeyla who lost his life in the ongoing operations to liberate his hometown of #Manbij from #ISIL terrorists". In honour of his sacrifice, the operation to liberate Manbij was renamed ‘Operation Martyr and Commander Faysal Abu Leyla’. His legacy continues to inspire those fighting for a free and democratic Syria. Poignantly, Abu Leyla wrote a letter to his daughter during the battle of Kobani. He messaged: "Our path is clear. It is our duty to defend and persevere. We will fight for you and children like you. We will shield our chests from all dangers so that children of this land can live in a better and free future. So that when you grow up, you won’t say that I didn’t do anything for us. Leyla, I miss you dearly. You will be proud of your father, whether I am alive or martyred." These words reflect his deep commitment to humanity and his unwavering dedication to ensuring a better future for generations to come, including his beloved daughter Leyla. Abu Leyla's legacy is a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made in the struggle for freedom and justice among all the peoples of Syria.>>
Video: https://medyanews.net/remembering-abu-leyla-legendary-commander-who-died-for-liberation-of-manbij/

Medyanews - December 9, 2024
<<Rojava: Is a new Syria emerging?
"New waves of conflict loom as the people of North and East Syria (Rojava), with armed forces like the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), prepare to defend territory that has been liberated since 2012. This is a land where, for the first time in their history, they have been able to coexist and chart their own future." Thousands are celebrating the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime in Syrian Kurdistan (Rojava). Are they rejoicing because groups like Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) have seized power in Damascus? Those familiar with the history of Kurdish-led struggle and resistance in North and East Syria know how distant their ideals are from those of HTS or similar factions, such as the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army (SNA). The celebrations mark decades of resistance against the Ba'athist regime's oppression, identity denial, imprisonment, torture and state-enforced poverty. They are the celebrations of comrades, brothers, sisters, mothers, spouses, grandchildren and other relatives of the 15,000 martyrs who stood against ISIS and achieved victory in 2019. These martyrs were Kurds, Arabs, Assyrians, Armenians, Turkmens, Muslims Christians and Yazidis. There are plenty of challenges for the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES), which grew from the roots of the Rojava revolution. Turkey seeks to dismantle this project that champions women’s rights, ecology, communal organisation and coexistence among diverse nationalities. New waves of conflict loom as the people of North and East Syria, with armed forces like the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), prepare to defend territory that has been liberated since 2012. This is a land where, for the first time in their history, they have been able to coexist and chart their own future. But the threats are palpable. The Turkish state has already mobilised SNA mercenaries to attack the city of Manbij (Minbic) in a bid for illegal occupation. And the legacy of HTS stands in stark contrast to the principles embraced by the peoples of northeast Syria. The coming days will be critical for this Kurdish-driven project, an unprecedented initiative in the Middle East. Remarkably, it finds its roots in the ideas of a man imprisoned and isolated for 26 years on Turkey's İmrali Island, Abdullah Ocalan. Despite the bars separating him from his people, his philosophy transcends confinement, lighting the path toward a hopeful future.
Leandro Albani is an Argentinian journalist specialising in the Middle East and Maghreb, and author of several books on the Kurds, including 'Revolution in Kurdistan', 'ISIS. The Army of Terror', 'Women of Kurdistan' and co-author of 'Kurdistan. Insurgent Chronicles'.>>
Source: https://medyanews.net/rojava-is-a-new-syria-emerging/


Varisheh Moradi
Jinha - Womens News Agency - 9 Dec 2024
<<Cairo Center for Kurdish Studies expresses support to petition launched by NADA against death penalty
The Cairo Center for Kurdish Studies has expressed its support to the "No to death and Yes to Life" petition launched by the Democratic Women's Alliance (NADA) against the death penalty in Iran.
News Center- The Democratic Women's Alliance in the Middle East and North Africa (NADA), a women's alliance consisting of more than 18 women's organizations in MENA region, launched a petition called "No to Death and Yes to Free Life" to protest the death sentences handed down to Warisha Moradi, a Kurdish political prisoner and a member of the East Kurdistan Free Women Society (KJAR), and Pakhshan Azizi, Kurdish journalist and activist, and demand the release of all political prisoners in Iran. The Cairo Center for Kurdish Studies has released a written statement, announcing its support to the petition. The center condemned all the unjust sentences against activists and protesters in the Islamic Republic of Iran and called on international human rights organizations to put pressure on Iran to stop the executions.>>
Source: https://jinhaagency.com/en/actual/cairo-center-for-kurdish-studies-expresses-support-to-petition-launched-by-nada-against-death-penalty-36135?page=1
Related link to Varishehs' heroic fight!


Manbij Military Council
Medyanews - December 9, 2024
<<Turkey kills 13 civilians, including 6 children in Syria’s Ain Issa,
Reports are coming in of 13 civilian deaths and at least six other casualties as a result of Turkish drone strikes on the village of al-Mistriha (Misterîha) village, close to the town of Ain Issa (Eyn Îsa) in northeast Syria on Sunday night. The strikes carried out by Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) of the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) targeted several civilian houses, resulting in the deaths of at least 13 civilians, including at least six children, and the injuries of at least six more people. Footage released by the ANHA news agency shows the aftermath of the attacks, including horrific images of massacred children and adults lying in pools of blood outside their homes. The drone strikes took place at the same time as the Turkish Armed Forces and Turkish-backed Syrian National Army (SNA) mercenaries were carrying out a heavy assault on the city of Manbij (Minbîc). Up to six Turkish drones bombarded several places in the city of Manbij, including buildings belonging to the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES), yesterday. Since early 2024, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) has reported 191 airstrikes carried out by Turkish drones on different positions in areas controlled by the AANES. These attacks have killed 55 people, and injured over 49 combatants and 73 civilians, including six women and three children.>>
Source: https://medyanews.net/turkey-kills-13-civilians-including-6-children-in-syrias-ain-issa/

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