Update December 4: Northern Syria Offensive

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Highlights - As displaced families continue to pour in to NES, the DAANES estimates that numbers of IDPs will soon reach 120,000. - Critical shortages of essential supplies, food, water, medicines and accommodation for IDPs. - SNA commits…

Translation: North and East Syria’s Anti-Terrorism Act used to try local ISIS suspects

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Note: this is the original piece of legislation used to try local ISIS suspects captured by the Syrian Democratic Forces or Asayish (internal security) in North and East Syria. It is based on internationally-recognized Syrian law, but has…

Six months on: political, security and humanitarian outcomes of Turkey’s 2019 invasion of North and East Syria

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  On 9 October 2019, Turkey attacked border cities throughout North and East Syria (NES), with the aim of occupying the areas around Sere Kaniye and Tel Abyad. This resulted in the displacement of over 200,000 civilians…

Interview: Adil Haji Hassan, kidnapped and released for ransom by SNA in Sere Kaniye

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Adil Haji Hassan is an IDP who fled from Sere Kaniye during the Turkish invasion in October 2019. He was interviewed in Qamishlo on 8 May 2020. Syrian National Army fighters and Turkish soldiers after the invasion of Afrin, 18 March 2018 My…

Briefing: Coronavirus risks and preventative measures in Hol camp

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Contents: Key pointsHol camp overviewAid crossing closureCamp overview - from internal briefing for NES NGOs Health service provision in Hol camp - from NES health working group report Key points No suspected or confirmed cases…

Al-Monitor – US, allies press Russia to allow UN aid to Syria from Iraq

Though the United States and allied countries are working to convince Russia to reopen a border crossing between Iraq and Syria to UN humanitarian aid, Moscow could not only refuse but block aid through other points. Russian soldiers stand…

Open Democracy – Rojava: statelessness in a time of pandemic

Lack of international recognition as a state has disastrous consequences on an area already suffering from war and displacement. Cleaning operations carried out by the municipality in Qamishlo, April 2020 | Courtesy…

US Commission on International Religious Freedoms – 2020 Annual Report: Turkey’s policy in Syria recommended as of particular concern

Original report KEY FINDINGS n 2019, religious freedom in Syria remained under serious threat, particularly amid the country’s ongoing conflict and humanitarian crisis. The most notable positive development was the successful conclusion in March…

Human Rights Watch – Syria: Aid Restrictions Hinder Covid-19 Response

UN Should Reauthorize Assistance from Iraq; Damascus Should Allow Passage Original Article Published on Human Rights Watch, 28 April 2020 Health workers disinfect a street in the government-controlled city of Qamishli in…