Bio
Walid Al Nofal
Reporter
Walid Al Nofal is a journalist with Syria Direct originally from Daraa province in southern Syria. He worked as a field reporter shortly after the Syrian revolution began in 2011 until he moved to Jordan in 2013. Today, Walid’s work focuses on documenting humanitarian violations committed by various actors in the Syrian conflict.
Latest Articles
‘Organized corruption’: Money rules in Turkish-backed Syrian National Army areas of northwestern Syria
The release of a former regime soldier accused of abuses against civilians sparked protests in northwestern Syria this week and pointed to “organized corruption” within opposition military and security institutions.
‘We hope that he’s alive’: Thousands of Syrians gather in public squares looking for detained loved ones following amnesty decree (Photos & Video)
Since Bashar al-Assad issued an amnesty for terrorism charges on April 30, more than 200 detainees have been released. Hundreds of Syrians gathered in Damascus and elsewhere this week, hoping their loved ones are next.
Amid war in Ukraine, Russia withdraws and Iran expands in Syria
Amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Moscow’s forces in Syria have withdrawn and repositioned. Iran is looking to fill the gap.
Mergers and tensions within the Syrian National Army: A ‘struggle for existence’
As Turkish-backed Syrian National Army factions merge and pick sides, a map of the SNA’s near future and its components’ relations with Ankara takes shape.
The case of Abu Amsha: How commanders of Turkish-backed factions in northwestern Syria go unpunished
Following months of investigation into accusations of abuses and violations by Abu Amsha—a Turkish-backed opposition commander—an investigative committee recommended he be dismissed. Local faction leaders agreed. Then, nothing happened.
On the 11th anniversary of the revolution, Syria is no place to return to
Despite international talk of “voluntary return” for Syrians, deteriorating security, economic, and living conditions give them little to go home to, eleven years after the revolution began.
Lifting subsidies, Damascus deals its citizens an economic blow
With the average government salary just $23 a month, losing access to state-subsidies on essentials such as bread and fuel is a heavy financial burden for Syrian citizens.
Damascus lifts subsidies as it explores futile solutions to its economic woes
The economic tools used by the regime are unlikely to bring about positive results for the official Syrian economy, but they will deepen the suffering of civilians who have lost access to subsidized goods and services.
In the Islamic State’s Hasakah attack, warnings of an expected return
The IS attack on al-Sinaa was a test of its adversary, to find out the SDF response, Through it, IS learned that the SDF was unable to thwart an attack without the participation and support of US forces.
Months into new Daraa settlement, assassinations continue unabated
Amid continuing assassinations in Daraa province and the convergence of some parties’ interests against others, the pattern of assassinations remains the same, supporting the idea that the perpetrators, too, remain the same.