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…

‘The regime blockade suffocates this region’ – Health worker on coronavirus crisis in Shehba region

, ,
Health workers in the isolated enclave, home to 200,000 Kurdish IDPs, are struggling to deal with the outbreak Q: Is coronavirus spreading in Shehba? Frankly, it is very difficult to know if someone has coronavirus because the symptoms…

“This is the first time, after thousands of years, that our identity has been accepted and valued” – Eisha Sido, Yazidi Women’s Union of Afrin

, ,
The Yazidi Women’s Union of Afrin works for the protection of the Yazidi culture and promotes the integration of Yazidi women in all spheres of society. Eisha Sido, member of the organization, explains how the establishment of the Autonomous…

After ISIS: Ensuring a future for Christians and other minorities in North and East Syria

, ,
RIC Dossier 0409 SP2Download North and East Syria is both religiously and ethnically diverse. It is inhabited not only by (primarily Sunni Muslim) Arabs and Kurds, but also by Syriac-Assyrian Christians, Armenian Christians, Turkmen, Circassian,…

Update: Coronavirus crisis in North and East Syria – week ending 6 September

, ,
Our latest weekly report on the coronavirus crisis in North and East Syria finds: Detected coronavirus cases double in Euphrates region despite severe under-testingSlowdown in reported cases and deaths in worst-hit Jazira region and…

Report: US-Russian tensions and killing of top sheikh drive rise in ISIS sleeper cell and Syrian Government militia attacks

, ,
  Coalition, SDF and AANES officials have all been meeting with tribal figures in Deir-ez-Zor in the context of rising tensions and security challenges Key Points - Assassination attempts doubled in August (7 to 14) including…

“What is very important for us is to see there is willingness to help us” – Gulistan Sido from the University of Rojava

, ,
The University of Rojava recently launched an appeal for support to universities and academics around the world. RIC interviewed Gulistan Sido, responsible for external relations at the University of Rojava, to learn more about its history,…

Update: coronavirus in North and East Syria – week ending 29 August

Our latest update on the coronavirus crisis in North and East Syria finds: • First coronavirus cases confirmed in Hol and Arisha camps• Water has been restored to some neighbourhoods in the Heseke region, but many areas stillhave…

Update: Coronavirus in North and East Syria – week ending 22 August

Our latest weekly coronavirus update finds: Turkey shuts off water, leaving key coronavirus facilities, Hol Camp, c. one million civilians struggling to follow basic hygiene measuresNew cases in NES this week reach 145, an 81% increase,…

Explainer: NGOs in North and East Syria – political and humanitarian obstacles

, ,
Kurdish Red Crescent Center for Covid-19 treatment             Developments in aid delivery and NGO sector in NES since 2011 In the face of the mass displacements the region has seen in recent…

Interview: “These ‘cafes’ manipulate women, and so we shut them down” – Raqqa Women’s Office

, ,
A recent ruling from the Raqqa Civil Council bans women from working in “cafeterias” in the city, as well as banning the public consumption of alcohol. On the one hand, the ruling provides an example of North and East Syria’s devolved…