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…

November Sleeper Cell Report – SDF Commander Says ISIS Benefits From Iran-Backed Militias-U.S. Tensions

Personnel from the anti-terror branch of NES’ Internal Security Forces (HAT) during an operation briefing this month. Key Points 11 confirmed ISIS sleeper cell attacks across NES in November, a decrease from October’s 17 4 military…

October Sleeper Cell Report – Increased ISIS Attacks Amid Turkish Escalation

Capture of ISIS intelligence officer Muhannad al-Dandah on October 26th.  Key Points 17 ISIS sleeper cell attacks across NES in October, almost a threefold rise from September 13 SDF and Asayish killed, 8 injured, 3 civilians killed,…

September Sleeper Cell Report – UNSC Sets End Date for UNITAD ISIS Accountability Mission

Key Points Violent unrest during the SDF “Security Enhancement Operation” during the first half of September sees fewer raids but also fewer explicitly ISIS-claimed attacks. 6 confirmed ISIS sleeper cell attacks occurred in NES;…

August Sleeper Cell Report – unrest in Deir ez-Zor takes headlines.

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Deir ez-Zor Military Council leaders in al-Kasra town, Deir ez-Zor. Key Points 22 confirmed ISIS sleeper cell attacks occurred in NES; more than double that of July. 10 military personnel were killed, 14 military personnel were injured,…

July Sleeper Cell Report – ISIS Psychological Warfare Remains Strong in Deir ez-Zor, UN Joins Calls for Repatriation

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Children of ISIS during training. Screen capture from a video report of YPJ Information which includes footage collected from foreign women affiliated with ISIS. Key Points: 10 confirmed ISIS sleeper cell attacks in July, a decrease…

After the Earthquake: Impacts of the Natural Disaster Within War-Torn AANES Territories

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The earthquake that hit the regions of southern Turkey and north-west Syria in the early morning of February 6th 2023 with a magnitude of 7.8 was the strongest in the region since 1939. The epicenter was the city of Pazarcık, Turkey. While…

June Sleeper Cell Report – Trials of Foreign ISIS Fighters to Commence Amid Repatriation Woes, US Soldier Pleads Guilty to Aiding ISIS

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A Danish delegation meets with the Autonomous Administration to repatriate a woman and two children from Roj Camp, June 22. (Photo: AANES) Key Points: 24 sleeper cell attacks in June, an 85% increase from 13 in May  11 military…

When Jihadism Learns to Smile: HTS’ Evolution and its Current Presence in North and Northwestern Syria

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Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) has spent the last year branching out from its Idlib stronghold to plant itself within SNA-held northern Syria. As it expands politically and militarily into northern Syria, HTS - a designated terrorist organization…

May Sleeper Cell Report – Turkish Strikes Weaken Security of Al-Hol Camp, ISIS Cells Expand Extortion Efforts

Weapons, equipment, and documents captured from an ISIS cell during an SDF raid in al-Dashisha, Heseke region. (Photo: SDF Press) Key Points: 13 confirmed sleeper cell attacks across NES in May, a decrease from 20 in April One military…

Overcoming the Siege: Shehba Region Beyond the Refugee Camps

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Shehba region is another example of the absence of a solution for the Syrian Civil War, and the consequences that this entails. The limbo in which the region finds itself is the result of the development of the war, but also of the aspirations…