Update December 4 – Northern Syria Offensive

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…

Targeting of journalists and obstruction of information-gathering by Turkey and the SNA in northern Syria

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Protestors hold placards condemning Turkey's targeting of journalists at the funeral of Nazim Dashtan and Cihan Bilgin, Qamishlo, 06.01.2025 [RIC] Press freedom under attack Threats and violence against journalists – particularly those…

Interview: “We aim to ensure that women play a part in constructing the new constitution” – Mona Youssef, Syrian Women’s Council

Mona Youssef, administrator of the Jazira Canton office of the Syrian Women's Council spoke to RIC about the recent developments in Syria, potential avenues for change and action in the current situation, and the work of the Syrian Women's…

Update December 30 – Heavy Fighting in Manbij Countryside as NES Death Toll Tops 250

Highlights  Ground fighting between SDF and SNA concentrated in eastern Manbij countryside but SDF commander says Turkish threat to Kobane "still very high" SDF-HTS communications are limited to "field coordination" to avoid clashes…

Update December 23 – SDF counter-offensive at the Tishreen Dam

Highlights • SDF launch counter-offensive at the Tishreen Dam, re-taking several villages between the Euphrates River and Manbij city • Dire living conditions for Shehba IDPs; UNICEF notes possibility of further large-scale displacement…

Update December 18 – Threat To Kobane Remains Despite Ceasefire

Highlights -US-mediated ceasefire announced, yet clashes on Tishreen Dam and Qereqozak Bridge continue -SNA media channels report mobilization for an attack on Kobane; NES’ political and military institutions call for international…

Interview: “They were even firing indiscriminately” – IDP Hassan Hassan after the Turkish-backed SNA’s attack on Shehba

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Hassan Hassan is an English teacher and works with the NGO S.O.S. Afrin.  He is originally from Afrin and lived almost seven years in Shehba. His family and he were displaced to North and East Syria following the Turkish-backed Syrian National…

Update December 13 and 14 – Turkish-backed SNA Mobilization Geared Towards Assault on Kobane, Say SDF officials

Highlights • While a ceasefire is in place after a multi-day Turkish-backed SNA assault on the Tishreen Dam and Qaraqozak bridge (connecting SNA-controlled Manbij to SDF-controlled Kobane), SDF officials say that a fresh Turkey/SNA…

Update December 12 – SNA/Turkish strikes on Tishreen Dam

Highlights SNA/Turkish strikes on Tishreen Dam risk catastrophic structural damage to essential electricity source. Civilians in Manbij report looting, theft, violence and intimidation by the SNA in the city, with DAANES employees…

Update December 11 – Turkish/SNA attacks on NES ongoing despite Manbij ceasefire

Highlights At least 37 civilians killed in past 3 days during Turkey’s ongoing military offensive against North and East Syria, including from targeting of ambulance Ceasefire announced in Manbij; threat to Kurdish city of Kobane…

Update December 10 – Escalation in NES, Turkish/SNA assault threatens Kobane

DAANES reports that Tishreen Dam is out of service after Turkish/SNA strikes, depriving the Euphrates area of electricity Highlights - At least 31 civilians killed in past 48 hours during Turkey’s ongoing military offensive against Kurdish-led…