Today’s news from Syria reveals a range of critical developments highlighting the ongoing struggles and complex dynamics in the region. From the desperate decisions of displaced Syrian fighters to become mercenaries in Africa, to the US military’s reinforcement in Kurdish-controlled areas, and initiatives like outdoor cinemas in Raqqa aimed at healing cultural scars left by Daesh, the situation remains fluid and multifaceted. Additionally, the death of Luna al-Shibl, a high-ranking official in Assad’s regime, raises questions about internal power struggles and the EU’s controversial role in deporting Syrian refugees back to Assad-controlled territories, revealing a tangled web of political, military, and humanitarian challenges.
Leaving Syria’s civil war to be a mercenary in Africa
BBC published a report on many Syrian fighters, displaced by the long-running civil war and struggling to survive in dire conditions, who are being recruited as mercenaries to work in Niger. This recruitment is facilitated by Turkish-backed factions and is driven by the fighters’ need for financial stability. Despite being told they will protect Turkish interests, many end up fighting under Russian command against jihadist groups in West Africa’s Sahel region, which has been destabilized by recent conflicts and military coups.
For over a decade, Abu Mohammad and his family have lived in a tent in northern Syria, displaced by the civil war. Struggling to survive on less than $50 a month from Turkish-backed opposition forces, he decided to work as a mercenary in Niger, where recruiters offer $1,500 a month. Despite deductions for faction taxes and agents, he hopes to retain most of the earnings, and his family would receive $50,000 in compensation if he dies in battle.
The deteriorating situation in West Africa’s Sahel region, marked by conflicts with jihadist groups and military coups in Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso, has created demand for mercenaries. Since December 2023, over 1,000 Syrian fighters have travelled to Niger via Turkey, initially under the guise of protecting Turkish interests but often ending up under Russian command fighting jihadists.
Other fighters like Ali and Raed also see mercenary work in Niger as their best option for financial stability, despite the harsh conditions and risks. Turkey’s involvement in Niger, including political influence, business operations, and military support, complicates the situation. Russia has emerged as a new ally for Niger, offering military resources and training without the stringent conditions imposed by Western countries.
US Army sends reinforcements to Hassakeh base in Syria
The United States has sent military reinforcements to its base in Hassakeh province which is under the control of the Kurdish YPG in northern Syria, Anadolu Agency reported.
Local sources told the Agency on Monday that a convoy of American vehicles entered Al-Hassakeh on Sunday evening, from the Al-Walid border crossing between Iraq and Syria.
The convoy, consisting of approximately 40 vehicles, included Bradley armoured vehicles carrying American soldiers, ammunition, prefabricated housing and weapons from the American Avenger air defence system.
On 25 June, the US Army sent military reinforcements consisting of 40 vehicles to the military base in the village of Qasrak in Hassakeh, which is occupied by Kurdish militia groups.
US forces are deployed in the provinces of Al-Hassakeh, Raqqa and Deir Ez-Zor, in areas where the country’s oil fields are located.
Miyazaki and Tom and Jerry Help Erase Daesh’s Impact in Raqqa
In Raqqa, Syria, the Balloon and Peace Screens associations are hosting outdoor cinema events for children, showing cartoons like Tom and Jerry and Adnan wa Lina.
This initiative aims to help children forget the traumatic images from the Islamic State’s (Daesh) control (2014-2017) and rebuild social ties. Since Daesh’s ousting in 2017, these screenings have brought joy and a sense of normalcy to the community, overcoming the cultural destruction inflicted by the extremist group. The project highlights the power of film in fostering resilience and healing in post-conflict areas.
The excitement is a far cry from the days of the Islamic State’s (Daesh) control over Raqqa (2014-2017), when the city was filled with screens broadcasting jihadist propaganda. Ossama Al Takhera explains that the initiative aims to help children forget the traumatic images of beheadings and extremist songs by showing films and cartoons. Balloon’s project, which began in 2013, gained momentum after Daesh was ousted from Raqqa in October 2017.
Overcoming Daesh’s Cultural Destruction
During its reign, Daesh systematically destroyed and looted cultural heritage in Raqqa and Mosul, imposing a brutal interpretation of Islam. They targeted religious, archaeological, and ancient sites, including the destruction of two large Assyrian lion statues from the Arslan Tash site. Raqqa, once home to over twenty cultural centers, saw its cultural landscape devastated, with books, music, and art banned and destroyed.
Demise of Syria’s “Second Lady” Shakes Up the Assad Regime
Erik Yavorsky and Andrew J. Tabler, from Washington Institute, provide insight into the intricate power struggles and potential ramifications of Luna al-Shibl’s death within the Assad regime. Their analysis underscores the volatile nature of Syrian politics and the regime’s ongoing efforts to maintain control amid internal and external challenges.
On July 5th, the Syrian government announced the death of Luna al-Shibl, head of President Bashar al-Assad’s Media and Information Office. The exact cause of her death remains unclear, with the government citing a traffic accident but speculation suggesting possible assassination.
Potential Reasons for Assassination
- Iran-Russia Rivalry: Shibl’s brother, Brig. Gen. Mulham al-Shibl, disappeared three months ago after allegedly leaking information about Iranian military activities in Syria. This incident, along with Shibl’s rumored ties to Russian officials and her family’s planned relocation to Sochi, suggests a possible motive linked to the Iran-Russia rivalry in Syria.
- Overstepping Boundaries: Shibl, along with her husband and Khodr Ali Taher, was reportedly involved in economic activities without the Assad family’s knowledge. This overreach, coupled with rumours of an affair with Bashar al-Assad, might have led to her elimination as a warning to others.
Regime’s Response
The regime’s reaction to Shibl’s death was muted. Mansour Azzam, head of the Presidential Palace’s General Secretariat, attended her funeral, but other regime figures were notably absent, and no Syrian flag was draped over her coffin. Her burial in Damascus, rather than her home province of Suwayda, where Druze protests have been calling for Assad’s ouster, underscores the regime’s attempt to manage the narrative.
Implications for the Assad Regime
Shibl’s death hints at potential internal shifts within the Assad regime at a crucial time. With First Lady Asma al-Assad battling cancer and the regime seeking to re-engage with the Arab world, the removal of key figures like Shibl could signify a tightening of control by the core regime. This change could also affect non-Alawite figures within the regime, potentially leading to wider unrest.
The circumstances surrounding Shibl’s death highlight the complex and often dangerous dynamics within the Assad regime, where internal rivalries and external pressures continue to shape the political landscape in Syria.
Yes, the EU intended to deport Syrians back to Assad all along
Alongside its regional henchmen, the EU has helped sponsor and subsidise the forced return of Syrian refugees back to Assad’s regime, argues Omar Sabbour in The New Arab.
Perspectives
The European Union (EU) has been involved in facilitating the forced return of Syrian refugees to the Assad regime, despite warnings from human rights groups. This effort, in collaboration with regional allies like Lebanon and Iraq, has resulted in the deportation of Syrians, including those at risk of torture and conscription.
In May, the EU announced a €1 billion aid package to Lebanon aimed at reducing Syrian migration to Europe and promoting returns to “safe areas” in Syria. Following this, the Lebanese government began deporting Syrians back to Assad, leading to arrests and even deaths under torture.
EU’s Collaboration with Regional Forces
Key Western allies such as Iraq have also engaged in deportation campaigns. Both Lebanon and Iraq have targeted registered refugees without allowing them to appeal. Shia political parties and militias, including Hezbollah and the PMF (Popular Mobilization Forces), are integral to these campaigns. These militias, some of which receive state and Iranian funding, continue to perpetrate violence in Syria and play a role in the forced returns.
Political and Humanitarian Implications
Western powers, including the EU, tend to prefer deportation over increased migration flows. This stance aligns them with regional actors like Hezbollah, despite their public opposition. The EU’s approach also reflects a strategy of outsourcing instability abroad to maintain stability at home, a policy that can have long-term negative consequences.
Human Rights Concerns
The forced returns are occurring in violation of international legal obligations, with human rights organizations like Amnesty International calling for sanctions and the withholding of military aid to complicit countries. The EU’s actions contradict its stated values, as it quietly supports the rehabilitation of the Assad regime and overlooks the risks faced by returning refugees.
In summary, the EU, along with regional partners, has played a significant role in deporting Syrian refugees back to Assad-controlled areas, where they face severe human rights abuses. This approach underscores a broader policy of prioritizing deportation over addressing the root causes of migration and ensuring the safety of refugees.
