In Assad’s footsteps: Media restrictions make northwestern Syria another ‘kingdom of silence’
In the last opposition-controlled parts of Syria, journalists and media activists face restrictions, red lines and retaliation.
11
11, 2022
22
10, 2022
Is Hayat Tahrir al-Sham withdrawing from the Aleppo countryside, or staying in the shadows?
Some HTS forces that entered northern Aleppo province during recent infighting between Turkish-backed opposition factions withdrew to Idlib this week, but concerns about the hardline faction’s sustained influence remain.
14
10, 2022
Interests over ideology: Why al-Jolani is expanding into northern Aleppo, and how Turkey might respond
Hayat Tahrir al-Sham’s expansion into northern Aleppo can be explained not through ideology, but strategic interests. Whether or not the hardline faction holds on to its recently captured territory hinges on how Turkey responds.
12
10, 2022
Displacement camps in the line of fire as northwestern Syria’s factions clash
As opposition factions clash, residents of displacement camps in the area between HTS-controlled Idlib and SNA-controlled Aleppo are in the line of fire and fleeing, if they can.
12
10, 2022
‘Accountability, or fall’: Syrian National Army’s Hamza Division under fire after assassination of opposition activist in northern Aleppo
This week, the Syrian National Army’s Hamza Division was implicated in the assassination of a prominent opposition activist and his pregnant wife, sparking ongoing clashes, protests and calls for the faction to be eliminated.
26
09, 2022
Northern Syria’s cholera outbreak spreads, reaches Idlib displacement camps
A cholera outbreak in northern Syria has spread to Idlib displacement camps, and fragile health systems across all areas of control face their latest test.
20
09, 2022
Years of stopgap solutions do little to solve entrenched water crisis in northern Aleppo’s al-Bab
In 2017, Damascus cut off the main supply of water to the northern Aleppo city of al-Bab. Every year since, finding safe water for drinking and agriculture has grown increasingly difficult. This year was the worst yet, and the city’s stopgap solutions are growing less effective.
2
09, 2022
‘Crimes against nature’: Forest clearing around Afrin’s Maydanki Lake sparks anger and shock
Videos and pictures showing tree cutting in Syria’s Afrin district sparked horror and shock on social media this week. Local environmental activists accuse Turkish-backed factions of involvement in “crimes against nature.”
31
08, 2022
Unsustainable water pumping in Syria’s northwest spells trouble for coming generations
Amid a historic drought, dozens of new wells are being drilled across northwest Syria to meet a rising demand for water. But the overpumped water table is dropping, while farmers struggle with skyrocketing costs and decreasing water quality.
26
08, 2022
Erdoğan hints at normalization with Assad: Unpacking Turkey’s U-turn
With Turkey’s 2023 elections in sight and a surge in anti-refugee rhetoric shaping voter preferences, Erdoğan hints at possible reconciliation with Damascus. How could this apparent 180-degree policy shift play out in Syria?