Turkish Assault on NES Humanitarian Infrastructure: October 5th, 2023, Day 1 Report

A full report from day 1 of Turkey's ongoing wave of airstrikes against humanitarian infrastructure in Kurdish-led North and East Syria, including a list and map of all strikes and targets, plus data, comment and background. HIGHLIGHTS: -…

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,…

Explainer: Deir ez-Zor

  Abu Khawla, leader of the Deir ez-Zor Military Council. On the 27th of August, with the advent of a "Security Enhancement Operation" in the Deir ez-Zor area, reportedly targeting ISIS sleeper cells and drug dealers, the Syrian Democratic…

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…

Environmental leaders in North and East Syria – interviews with Jazira Canton Municipality and ‘Keziyen Kesk’ organization

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In the face of an array of ecological challenges, a range of actors in NES have been working to cultivate an “environmentally minded population”. RIC spoke with Berivan Omer, a member of Jazira region’s leadership board and the women’s…

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…

Elections opportunity for Kurdish-Turkish de-escalation – US think tank

QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – The upcoming Turkish elections on May 14, especially if they yield an opposition victory, will be “a rare opportunity” for the US to broker a Turkish-Kurdish peace, argues a new report by the New Lines Institute,…