Bio
Walid Al Nofal
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
From obscure figure to Syrian opposition heavyweight: How did Abdurrahman Mustafa rise?
Abdurrahman Mustafa, the head of the Syrian Interim Government, was a relatively obscure figure with little background in politics before 2014. Today, he sits at the top of Syria’s political opposition, bolstered by major Turkish support. How did his star rise?
Hadi al-Bahra: President of a dead institution?
The Syrian political opposition’s highest body elected Hadi al-Bahra as its new president this month, in a process overshadowed by leaks, controversy and allegations he was hand-picked by an influential group of politicians linked to Ankara.
After Deir e-Zor’s clan revolt: ‘Lost prestige’ and fears of SDF domination
In Deir e-Zor province, nearly two weeks of clashes between the Syrian Democratic Forces and Arab clans calling for self rule have come to an end, but residents are uneasy about what the future holds “after the clans were defanged.”
Private generator networks expand around Damascus as state gives way to war profiteers
The use of private generators for electricity has been widespread for years in Syria, but expanded around Damascus in recent months amid signs of regime authorities moving to increasingly codify and regularize the informal trade.
‘Everyone’s movement’: Suwayda bets on the staying power and solidarity of its protests
As anti-Damascus protests in Suwayda move into a second week, they are developing and becoming more organized, while Druze religious leadership appears divided on what kind of change is needed.
Futile salary increase and fuel price hikes: Assad angers citizens and drags Syria towards a ‘true catastrophe’
Recent economic moves by Damascus impacted the cost of most basic goods and services, sparking a wave of protests in the country’s south and anger all the way to the coast.
In thirsty Daraa, uncontrolled well drilling drives groundwater deeper
Across Daraa province, groundwater is receding deeper into the earth. On top of climate factors like rising temperatures and fluctuating or delayed rainfall, human activity is taking a toll: Thousands of unlicensed wells have been drilled in recent years due to a lack of state oversight and a struggling public water network.
Seized properties sold ‘dirt cheap’ in Afrin
In Afrin, there is a widespread trade in properties belonging to displaced residents known as “cost houses,” which are sold by Ankara-backed military factions and civilians for “dirt cheap” prices: the cost of repairs.
‘Granary of Rome’: Can the Houran’s wheat survive climate change and war?
Syria’s fertile Houran was once so productive it was called the “granary of Rome.” Today, farmers in southern Syria battle climate change and the economic fallout of war to make a living and preserve this traditional agriculture.
Three Syrian survivors counter Greek authorities’ Pylos shipwreck narrative: ‘They tied a rope, we capsized, they sailed away’
Around 150 Syrians were among the estimated 750 people on board the vessel that capsized near Pylos last Wednesday. Only 104 people survived, including between 30 and 40 Syrians. Survivors held Greek coast guards responsible for the shipwreck and delayed rescue efforts.