Entries by Rojava IC

Explainer: What is happening in Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyeh?

Background: From 2015, the neighborhoods of Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyeh in Aleppo were governed by the Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria. The people there self-governed under a model of local governance, marked by a degree of relative autonomy from the rest of Aleppo. This autonomy came to an end in early January […]

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Interview: “They may take our braids, but our dignity and our ideas cannot be eradicated” – Ruksen Mohamed, spokesperson of the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ)

Ruksen Mohamed, spokesperson of the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ), speaks about the role of women taking up arms since the beginning of the revolution and YPJ’s future in the integration process with the Syrian Transitional Government (STG), in an interview from early February 2026. There’s a new agreement between the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and […]

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Interview: “After all the martyrs, sacrifices, and coexistence, how could we suddenly switch sides and ally with parties whose mentality we do not believe in?” Sheikh Akram Mashoush

Q: What is the history of your tribe in this region? How was it during the Assad government? The tribal connections between different tribes and communities go back decades, not only to the Assad era, but even to the Ottoman Empire. In particular, the links between Arab and Kurdish communities date back to Ottoman times, […]

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Attacks, Escapes and Withdrawals: A timeline of events at al-Hol camp on January 20

Key Takeaways: Foreigners’ Annex breached during government assault on al-Hol; unknown number of fugutives Attack began with revolt of local al-Hol residents, but assaulting force from southwest included well-prepared men driving HTS-linked cars; likely coordinated SDF/Asayish compelled to withdraw due to two-pronged attack & threat of mass revolt at camp Despite STG claims, no evidence […]

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Interview: “This does not mean building a new Syria, it means ethnic cleansing.” Mkrtich Varoujanm, Armenian Civilian

  RIC spoke to three Armenian civilians. They gave their analysis on the current situation and shared historical background. Nairi Antranik: The current situation is a result of Turkish policies. The Turkish-backed factions, along with the policies and agendas they follow, are mainly behind the divisions and the spread of terrorism. We, as Armenian people, […]

22/01 Emergency Update

Map from 21/01 still accurate on 22/01, as far as RIC records Key points Two days left of four-day ceasefire between Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and Syrian Arab Army (SAA), amid mutual accusations of ceasefire violation SDF commander: “we remain open for dialogue” but “cannot just sign any draft” issued by Syrian Transitional Government (STG) […]