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
Is there a road forward for Suwayda’s Druze and Damascus?
Activists in Suwayda who were once open to the Damascus government weigh in on how their views have changed following a wave of sectarian violence—and whether any path forward remains.
Damascus begins Suwayda withdrawal after days of bloodshed
The Syrian army began to withdraw from Suwayda city on Wednesday night local time, following two days of clashes with local Druze forces that killed and injured hundreds and provided an opening for expanded Israeli intervention.
With the fires contained, what is the future of Latakia’s forests?
Massive wildfires that swept through Syria’s coastal forests in Latakia have been largely contained, but their impact—and the lessons learned—will be long-lasting.
Daraa security forces plagued by vendettas, abuse and controversial recruits
Syria’s southern Daraa province has seen serious violations and abuses by new general security personnel—including killings, the abuse of corpses and personal revenge operations by “controversial” personnel.
Turkey in Syria: Temporary necessity turned permanent presence?
As Turkish-linked commanders with dubious human rights records are commissioned as officers and appointed to top military positions in Syria, questions arise over the future of Ankara’s influence in the state and its armed forces.
‘Zero season’: Syrian farmers face worst drought in decades
Syria’s worst drought in decades has wiped out rain-fed crops and diminished yields across the country, devastating farmers and raising the risk of food shortages.
Damascus and the AANES: Complex negotiations at a pivotal moment
Planned talks between the AANES and Damascus were postponed this week, while efforts to implement the March 10 agreement remain slow and complex. Two separate delegations from the northeast aim to negotiate, while Damascus still rejects decentralization.
University students latest pressure point in Damascus-Suwayda tensions
University students who returned to Druze-majority Suwayda during recent sectarian tensions on their campuses were stopped by a local armed group as they tried to go back to school last week. Some fear education is being politicized amid tensions with Damascus.
As tensions run high, will Suwayda’s security agreement hold?
After a short-lived period of calm, clashes returned to Suwayda province on Tuesday, raising questions about the durability of a recent security agreement and the risk of a new wave of violence in southern Syria.
Escalation and appeals for calm: Is civil peace crumbling in Syria’s Druze communities?
This week’s violence in Druze-majority Jaramana and Sahnaya reignited longstanding questions surrounding civil peace and the impact of sectarian violence on social cohesion in Syria.