Born Samir Aso in Afrin, Hamo began his political and military trajectory in 1994 when he joined the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).
If the zero-sum battle continues—the worst-case scenario—the result may resemble what happened in Suweida and the coast: the further isolation of Kurds from Syria, Basheer Amin argues in Daraj.
The Presidency stated: In case of agreement, Syrian forces “will not enter the city centers of Hassakeh and Qamishli and will remain on their outskirts.”
Eli Nakouzi, Director-General of Shams said he had agreed to conduct the interview in hopes of “preventing further bloodshed” and sending “a reassuring message to the Kurds”.
The moral test of any new political order lies not in how it treats the majority, but in how it engages those with the least demographic weight, Wael Sawah writes for Daraj.
Speaking during his party’s parliamentary group meeting in Ankara, Bakırhan declared: “Let Ilham Ahmed come to Turkey. Let them sit down and agree.”
“”Weapons must become an integral part of the youth, living with them, inseparable like a cartridge belt”, Abdullah Ghannoum said in a mosque sermon, according to al-Hal.
A study by the “Day After Organization” evaluating the electoral process found outcomes that contradict the Higher Committee’s aspirations for representation.
Aleppo’s current mood captures a pivotal juncture, Sohaib Al-Agha argues.
While Damascus acknowledged the right of “religious or national groups to express their political views, hold meetings, and establish parties within a national legal framework”, it strongly condemned the event for “hosting separatist figures involved in hostile acts”
If we fail to act now, Syria’s map will be redrawn in blood, not ink, Nabil al-Mulhem warns in an article published on the MENA Media Monitor.
A delegation from the AANES is expected to travel to Damascus soon to continue talks with the central government, al-Hal writes.
Hafez al-Assad won by ensuring that his logic of domination, fear, and tribal loyalty would outlive him, Shukri Rayan writes in Daraj.
The Minister of Education, despite his Kurdish background, has not publicly addressed the long-standing Kurdish demand for mother-tongue education, Daraj writes.
SDF leader Mazloum Abdi confirmed the date in a post on X, calling Kurdish unity “a national necessity for resolving the Kurdish question in Syria.”
The battle for Syria’s soul is far from over – and may, in fact, be entering its most decisive phase.
Syrian analysts consider the agreement a crucial step toward aligning positions between Damascus and the Autonomous Administration in North and East Syria, North Press writes.
While discussions between Damascus and the SDF continue, the Syrian National Dialogue Conference is being positioned as a parallel effort to shape Syria’s future.
Bashar al-Assad’s regime in December, negotiations between the Damascus government and the SDF have been ongoing, though no formal agreement has been reached on all key issues.
The president’s visit to Lattakia has sparked discussions about a potential trip to Qardaha, the Assad family’s ancestral village, according to al-Modon.
The leader of the Syrian Democratic Forces said they “envision a unified Syria and have no separatist intentions”, according to Shaam News.
“Kurds are an inseparable part of Syria’s social fabric”, the de-facto leader of the country said, adding that talks are ongoing with the SDF.
All roads leading to the security squares in the cities of Hassakeh and Qamishli have been reopened, Shaam Network reports.
Bahceli commended the stance of the Kurdish National Council in Syria, which refused to endorse the elections in the Northeast and declared a boycott.
The SDC intends to establish new diplomatic representations in Arab and foreign nations, Enab Baladi says.
A Kurdish official linked the new contract with perceived blockage in the Syrian political process, according to al-Modon.
Your daily brief of the English-speaking press on Syria.
The reason provided for the arrest of these individuals is their alleged violation of the residency system, according to Orient Net.
The regime employed a legal arsenal to restrict the rights of displaced and refugee returnees, according to Syria TV.
The Yezidis Council of Syria issued a statement condemning the abduction and recruitment of minor children by PYD militias, according to Zaitoun Agency.
The co-chair of the Syrian Democratic Council, Riyad Dirar, claimed the reshaping of the opposition coalition fits only the interests of Turkey, according to North Press.
An Iraqi official warned that the al-Hol camp in Syria must be dismantled to avoid the resurgence of ISIS, according to al-Araby al-Jadeed.
Freedom of the press in Syria is more fragile than ever, as both the Syrian regime and the AANES are repressing journalists, according to Baladi News.
Protests against the arrests carried out by the SDF continued in al-Busayrah in the eastern Deir-ez-Zor countryside for the second day, Baladi News writes.
The city of as-Suweida has witnessed violent clashes after regime forces arrested civilians in the state’s hospital, according to Zaman al-Wasl.
An arrest campaign targeting mainly Syrian Kurds is currently occurring in Damascus and its outskirts, according to Orient News.
American officials are reportedly intent on moving forward with these talks, according to North Press
A senior AANES official has accused Hassakeh’s governor of trying to ignite ethnic tension after clashes broke out between pro-government and opposition forces.
The KNC believes the attacks aim at derailing ongoing talks between Kurdish parties, Al-Souria says
The newly promoted Luna al-Shibl has posted on her Facebook page, that the Syrian army will soon be conducting an assault on northern Syria reports Baladi News.
Ilham Ahmed has announced that talks with the regime have not proffered any positive results and that their attitude was to blame writes Alsouria Net.
Turkey and Turkish-backed groups have been accused of looting goods from Kurdish homes and occupying residences in previously Kurdish dominated regions writes North Press.
The Islamic State is continuing to conduct operations in Syria and without a workable plan, their effect will continue to be felt for a long time to come writes Syria TV.
Syrian Kurds, who are holding a large number of Islamic State suspects, have requested judicial and technical help from other countries writes Asharq Al-Awsat.
Yet another car bomb attack has hit a town in the Turkish-controlled area of northern Syria, killing and injuring innocent people reports Zaman Al Wasl.
Turkey has accused the YPG of detonating a car bomb in the border town of Ras al-Ayn, killing and ijuring a number of civilians reports Zaman Al Wasl.
A village near Ras al-Ayn was hit with a car bomb attack that killed 17 people, and marks a rise in the use of car bombs writes Zaman al-Wasl.
With Turkey expected to begin operations in northern Syria, PYD gunmen have started to make preparations including fortifications writes Zaman Al Wasl.
The former head of the Syrian opposition delegation in Geneva published a series of inflammatory tweets against the Kurds reports Etihad Press.
The Syrian National Coalition has discussed the situation in Afrin and how they might work with everyone in the area to ensure a safe and functioning region.
Academics and politicians meet to discuss the Islamic State, changes at the top across security branches, Lebanon cracks down on Syrian refugees and casualty figures for Idleb released. Catch up on everything that happened over the weekend.
The Syrian Democratic Forces have held a number of meetings with the Assad regime, but residents remain concerned about their fate writes Asharq al-Awsat.
After a long battle, the Syrian Democratic Forces have prevailed against the Islamic State and have captured a large number of fighters in the process writes Alsouria Net.
While this bout of fighting killed four, internal conflicts between Kurdish groups in Syria are rare writes Zaman al-Wasl.
Syrian-Kurdish women marched to end gender-based violence to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women writes Al-Araby al-Jadeed,
Jaish al-Islam, which is seeking a new role after its demise from eastern Ghouta, may contribute to Turkey’s potential onslaught on the Kurds east of the Euphrates, a pro-regime outlet is saying
Yasser al-Saleem was arrested after he called for Kurdish people in Syria to have equal rights reports Etihad Press.
Despite the issuing of Legislative Decree No. 49 in 2011, thousands of Kurds still lack the basic rights that come with being a registered citizen reports Asharq al-Awsat.
The High Elections Committee has designated 85 electoral districts, although they can be moved to other area if security cannot be ensured writes Al-Watan
Despite the decision by the Syrian Democratic Council to enter into talks with the government, the situation east of the Euphrates remains unclear writes Al-Watan
The residents of Raqqa, who have returned to the city, have been shocked by the amount of destruction and complain about the behaviour of the SDF writes Enab Baladi
A new campaign hopes to bridge the divide between Kurdish and Arab communities in the Afrin area following Operation Olive Branch writes Enab Baladi
Ankara says its army ‘will not stop’ if pro-Assad forces enter Afrin to protect Kurdish YPG
Appointment of Hammoudeh Sabbagh, a Syriac from Hassakeh, is part of regime efforts to nip Kurdish separatism in the bud, activist tells Alsouria Net
The enforcement of the Kurdish curriculum in northern classrooms has led to a rise in ethnic tensions and a large number of dropouts, Sada al-Sham writes
Ibrahim Hamidi explains the decision by Kurdish figures to divide northern Syria into three regions, including Raqqa after its liberation from ISIS
In northeastern Syria, families seek to hide their children from the forced conscription imposed both by the Kurdish and regime forces
Zaman al-Wasl describes a city paralyzed by fear, where young men go into hiding to avoid being arrested and tortured by government security, or escape to the countryside to die on the front lines fighting regime forces
Damascene Kurds celebrate their holiday in the capital with the festivities well attended by Syrian officials, including Jaafari, who made remarks on the occasion
The Kurdish celebration of spring, Newroz, banned in Syria for decades, is an occasion for Syrians to share some joy as the brutal war in their country enters its seventh year
The Syrian regime has used war to displace residents from strategically located cities and townships to northern areas of the country, a calculated policy of demographic change aiming at creating a factual religious and ethnic divide
PYD-affiliated group called Revolutionary Youth attacks a commemoration event organized by the rival Kurdish National Council in Qamishli
SDF’s attempts at forced conscription for Raqqa and Manbij battlefronts meet with censure from majority Kurdish areas on charges that Kurds should avoid fighting others’ wars
Senior Kurdish opposition politician shifts position towards Syrian regime and says his party is seeking self-rule
What is now the solution? It may need time and perhaps another revolution which brings us back to its famous first demands, of freedom, dignity and a Syria free of corruption, oppression, repression, and political prisons, writes Walid Bunni
The PYD lives in a state of confusion, a lack of balance and self-reconciliation and a loss of direction. It pretends it is with the Syrian opposition but coordinates with the regime, it pretends to fight liberalism and capitalism but runs to coordinate and ally with them.
What better way to achieve this than join a music or dance group?
ISIS allows civilians to leave the northern city by car and foot as Western-backed rebel forces lay siege to the strategic city
National Council says attack by militants in northern Syria represents an act of revenge against its bid for Kurdish statehood
“The minimum education is better than no education… I accept under our circumstances that my son can read and write, but we wait for a free tomorrow when I will teach him everything if life is destined for me and him”
KNC says project was removed from the national and geographic particularities of Syrian Kurdistan, adding the greatest damage will be done to the regional and national struggle
Residents stress importance of unity after Kurds declare de-facto federal region in Syria’s north
Hadiyeh Youssef and Mansour Saloum elected joint presidents of federalist Kurdish areas of northern Syria
Activists campaign against opposition member’s recent comments claiming that the Kurdish people are shoe shiners and waiters
Kurdish self-administration proposes “compulsory service” draft law requiring youths to join the People’s Protection Units
KNC head calls for refusing the Democratic Union Party representation in the opposition negotiating body, which aims to meet with an Assad regime delegation in Geneva
In what seems a regime-sponsored deal between local rebels and radical group, ISIS fighters have left al Hajar al-Aswad, a next-door district to the Palestinian Yarmouk refugee camp, after almost two-year siege.
PYD crackdown on peaceful rally in northern province sparks condemnation from Coalition members
Report by monitoring group details the horrifying executions carried out by the Islamic State in Syria over the past year
KNC calls for the release of all prisoners, and an end to the PYD’s policy of kidnapping, forced recruitment, and ethnic cleansing
ISIS arrested and tortured up to 4,100 detainees in Syria, human rights groups reports
The People’s Protection Units serve all Syrians – not only Kurds, says YPG commander
Over a dozen opposition factions release joint statement warning of consequences of ethnic cleansing by Kurdish forces
“If it is proven that PYD and YPG forces have formally participated in violations, I will be at the forefront of warriors fighting against them”, says Colonel Agidi
Attack targeting Kurdish Democratic Union Party kills one and injures four others
Islamist group launches major offensive in the southern regions of Hassakeh, forcing regime forces to retreat to the city’s neighbourhoods for cover
Kurdish forces continue their push to liberate Syria’s northern cities from regime and ISIS control
Regime dismisses Gen. Khadour after allied Kurdish militias call for change of command
New committee to investigate situation in the volatile area of northeastern Syria, disputed by a number of factions including Kurds, regime forces and ISIS
Villagers in the countryside of Lattakia move towards Turkish border for fear of sectarian killings by regime forces and militias
Syrians divided on who holds responsibility for the crisis, but united in views on “state reform” , a new report by The Day After organization suggests
Kurdish and opposition forces regain strategic hill south of Kobani
The recent formation of new pro-regime militias could spell the end of a PYD-regime alliance
Demonstrators carried banners urging the PYD to release kidnapped minors in Hassakeh province
A new program near Hassakeh aims to provide a safe place for the displaced, while also defusing Arab-Kurd tensions
The majority of those killed are ISIS fighters
Abductions are believed to be an attempt to draw the Druze to fight alongside the regime
The PYD leader denied any cooperation with the Syrian regime
Attack follows assassination of Nusra leader in Aleppo countryside
Maarouf addressed the Nusra leader, Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, saying he has tarnished the name of Islam
Government forces, the armed opposition, ISIS, and the Kurds all now include female militants
Many left-wing Alawite intellectuals continue to believe that the Syrian uprising was the result of foreign subversion, not an expression of the needs of the Syrian people
Geographic, demographic and military conditions of Hama have significant implications for the future of the war
Baath party source said the regime threatened the Kurds that he will give up the city of Hassakeh to the Islamic State if they insist on their demand to recognize the self-administration
The Great Battle of Badr al-Sham continues its victories in the face of attempts by Assad forces to recapture positions lost in the liberated areas
NCC leader says the units are helping to confront the Islamic State
When it comes to an external threat, Kurds gather around the PYD’s People Protection Units for protection
Statement stresses unity of Syrian territory
Abu Bahr chose to leave the coastal city of Jableh to fight with rebels in Homs
Move comes as part of ongoing institution-building efforts in Kurdish provinces
Christian Syrians do not occupy a specific geographic space, despite their reasonable numbers (around 6 to 9 percent of the population)
Despite disagreement between YPG and some Kurdish factions allied to the Free Syrian Army, they are cooperating against ISIS
Nabil Kassis accused the media of depicting the party as a the political arm of the Muslim Brotherhood
Kurdish language courses are organized by several different institutions, including political parties and independent organizations
It is the first time the Kurdish festival is celebrated in the Opera House
Close to 500 of those killed were civilians
Party to defend the right of Kurds
Damascene Kurds migrated in larger numbers during the period of Ottoman rule, traveling with pilgrimage caravans coming from southern Turkey
The opposition and Kurdish forces now control most of the oil and gas production in Syria
The announcement was made after talks in the mostly-Kurdish town of Qamishli, and comes after Kurdish leaders announced plans to create the temporary government in July
The first marathon of its kind will be held in the city of Qamishli on Friday.
The Kurdish Military Council in Hasakeh Province and the Revolutionary Council of Kurdish Syrians join the Syrian Free Army
Saleh Muslim says calls for autonomous administration are temporary
The draft constitution for a Kurdish state drew criticism from other Kurdish factions
Commander says western media focused on Islamists
Assad tells Kurdish officials he wants to start negotiations and resolve the Kurdish issue
Decision to lift Syria sanctions will have little effect
Every day, the activists from an organization called Shawishka meet in a small apartment in one of the neighbourhoods of Qamishli, a majority Kurdish city in Syria’s Hassaka Governorate, to come up with new projects to empower women.
Air Force Intelligence forces arrest twelve young journalists who were sitting at a café down town the capital city of Damascus
Economic realities make sectarian statelets improbable.
Syrian Kurds mediate between the rebels in Aleppo and Shiite militias, which uncover the regime’s claims
Islamist radicals may be gaining strength, but the spirit that sparked this uprising survives in the unlikeliest of places.
The Kurdish National Council (KNC) will hold its second conference on January 10 to discuss the Kurdish position vis-à-vis Islamist groups and other Kurdish groups.
The Kurdish National Council (KNC) will hold its second conference on January 10 to discuss the Kurdish position vis-à-vis Islamist groups and other Kurdish groups.
The National Current to Salvage Syria said in a statement issued at the conclusion of its founding conference on Thursday in Beirut that the coalition called for exposing the flagrant human rights violations by extremist groups in Syria and divulging the connection between the Doha Coalition and the terrorist al-Qaeda-linked groups, pointing to incontestable documents in this regard.
136 martyrs, including 6 women and 16 children. 42 martyrs were reported in Damascus and its suburbs; 44 in Hama, including 23 martyrs from the village of Maan and 16 from Hasraya.