Highlights
23.02 - 01.03.26

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# SDF PRISONERS IN STG HANDS

In the last months during various attacks and skirmishes, the STG has taken an unknown number of SDF POW. While prisoner's release is supposed to be a part of the integration agreements, little headway has been made on the issue. In Qamishlo families have been protesting this, demanding information about their loved ones from STG. Often no information is know at all, not even if they are alive or dead.
There are also a number of civilians unaccounted for with no information of their status or whereabouts. Two journalists were also disappeared from Raqqa, one of them is an internationalist woman.

# CONTINUED INCREASE OF ISIS THREAD AND ATTACKS

ISIS issued a new call for jihad against the STG, calling al-Sharaa an apostate who is serving western powers. While al-Sharaa himself has his history in al-Qaeda, his pragmatism and willingness to (at least on the face) moderate his Islamist agenda has been causing frustration with more radical Islamist forces both within the STG and with other groups such as ISIS.
The monthly average of ISIS attacks is still up at 20. With prisoner transfers to Iraq, STG releasing prisoners when taking over previously SDF administered facilities, escapes from al-Hol and the general instability in the region, ISIS is taking its chances where it can to advance and disrupt.

# ILHAM AHMED AND ROJHILAT AFRIN AT EU PARLIAMENT

Ahmed and Afrin have been meeting with EU committees about the situation of the Kurdish population in NES. They emphasized the role the SDF has played against ISIS, the need for constitutional rights and the obstacles for IDP's to return to their homes. They also demanded that the EU take a more active stance as a guarantor.

# PRESSURE ON SHENGAL

Tension in Shengal has been increasing as Turkish foreign minister Hakkan Fidan has threatened operations in Shengal, Makhmur and Qandil to be carried out by the Iraqi Hashd al-Shaʿbi forces. Iraqi military presence has visibly increased in the region. Iraqi forces have been disarming Yezidi's, while effectively surrounding Shengal with the army. There are ongoing negotiations to integrate Sinjar Resistance Units (YBŞ) into the Iraqi army. YBŞ has shown openness to dialogue on the matter, though with the red-lines that forces in their areas need to remain fully Yezidi, and that they will not integrate into Hashd al-Sha'bi. The YBŞ stated that if Shengal will be attacked, they will fight back fiercely.

# IRAN WAR

The recent attacks of US and Israel on Iran will impact Syria in ways we can only speculate. As for now, Iranian missiles already landed on Syrian soil, some even killing civilians on southern Syria. Syrian aviation authorities also decided to close airspace in southern Syria, probably under requests of US. Beyond immediate consequences like that, the ongoing attacks will influence not only the fate on Iran but of the whole middle east. The imperialist aggressions of US and Israel aim for the collapse of the regime of the ayatollahs in Iran, and the regime will answer desperately in front of such an existential threat.

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#Syria #NES #SDF #DAANES #AANES #SNA #SDF #PYD #YPJ #YPG #HTS #Rojava #Kurdistan #Revolution #DefendRojava #Anarchy #Anarchism #Comrades #Internationalism #AbdullahOcalan #Öcalan #PKK #WomenLifeFreedom #TekosinaAnarsist

Ofensywa dyplomatyczna

https://kurdystan.fediblog.pl/kurdystan/ofensywa-dyplomatyczna/

Highlights
16 - 22.02.26

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# AL-HOL EMPTYING OUT

Last week we reported on the exodus from the ISIS foreigners section of the al-Hol camp to the point of being nearly empty. Now it seems the camp as a whole, including the Iraqi and Syrian section are emptying since security at the camp has collapsed since the takeover of STG. There is little official information on where all the people have gone. It is likely some have moved to other parts of Syria, and that some have crossed illegally into Iraq and Turkey. STG is calling it an evacuation and says they are preparing the closure of the camp.

# US WITHDRAWS FROM SYRIA

The US has been present in Syria since the 2014 coalition against ISIS. Recently they left al-Tanf and Shaddadi bases, now they are also reported to be leaving Qasrik base near Heseke. The stated reason for this is that now the Syrian government is willing and able to take over "combating terrorists within its own borders". Through al-Sharaa, they are now able to extend their influence in the region through other methods than direct military involvement. At the same time, there are also US officials who are skeptical of the STG's ability to handle security risks of ISIS. Simultaneously, there is the question if this is not simply a re-distribution of troops closer to Iran, in case of a regime change there.

# DAMASCUS STARTS PROCEDURE

Citizenship of "Unregistered" Kurds
A significant part of the Syrian Kurdish population has no citizenship or official papers. This stems from policy in 1962, during which many were stripped of citizenship and civil rights. The repercussions of this have severely limited prospects of life for many Kurds for decades. Damascus said they are now opening a bureaucratic procedure to grant this group citizenship again. There is careful optimism, with caution as to how this will work out in practice.

# RETURN OF IDPs TO AFRIN

A joint security delegation from NES and STG traveled to Afrin to assess the situation. There is a plan to start returning IDPs to their homes soon. Some families have previously traveled back on their own initiative. However some of these families have faced issues such as theft, kidnapping, torture, etc. This is the first attempt at a structured return with some security considerations.

# MUNICH SECURITY CONFERENCE

The attendance of Mazlum Abdi and Ilham Ahmed at the Munich Security Conference seems to have been directly facilitated by the US. Abdi and Ahmed were not part of the delegation from Damascus. There is speculation that the main reason for their presence was a diplomatic one to calm the US parliament, as part of US congress is uneasy with STG expansion and the US withdrawal, having the SDF and STG together at a high-level meeting in Munich presents a picture of successful integration.
There are no clear binding outcomes of the conference. Though the following interviews with Abdi and Ahmed respectively give an insight into their perspectives on it.

Abdi: https://www.theamargi.com/posts/the-amargi-exclusive-with-general-mazloum-abdi-did-munich-change-syrias-future

Ahmed: https://www.theamargi.com/posts/syrian-kurdish-leader-calls-for-constitutional-guarantees-to-prevent-renewed-fighting-in-syria-at-munich-security-conference

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# EVALUATION

That the clearing of al-Hawl camp leading to unclarity about all the ISIS fighters' and sympathizers' whereabouts poses a massive risk, we do not need to repeat, it should be clear by now. Otherwise, careful cautious steps are continuing on the path of integration and normalization. With the same caveats, concerns, and risks, but also possibilities continuing to unfold. That imperial powers such as the US are in the end only pursuing their own ends, need to be all too familiar and expected for us.

In lieu of further own evaluation for this particular week, we want to share a quote by writer Cihad Hammy:

"The coexistence of diverse cultures is not a fantasy but rather a sociological reality in our regions. Our regions are woven from multiple histories, memories, and identities. What prevents differences from thriving is not their nature, but rather the structures of the nation-state and ideologies that operate through the hierarchical binary of “we” and the “Other.” We should not fall into the trap of such logic; instead, we must cultivate a consciousness capable of embracing unity within diversity and recognizing our shared human community.

The Syrian tragedy has shown how fragile revolutionary ideals can be when confronted by power politics, regional rivalries and internal miscalculations. But retreating into cynicism would only confirm the narrative that pluralism was always impossible.

I refuse to accept that conclusion.
The democratic nation remains, in my view, the only viable framework for Syria and for the broader region. Not because it is perfect, but because every alternative we have tried has led to catastrophe.

The revolution did not fail because the aspiration for coexistence was misguided. It faltered because we did not protect and institutionalize those values strongly enough.
The answer is not to mock them — but to deepen them."

Here you can read the entire comment:https://www.theamargi.com/posts/ocalans-vision-of-democratic-society

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#Syria #NES #SDF #DAANES #AANES #SNA #SDF #PYD #YPJ #YPG #HTS #Rojava #Kurdistan #Revolution #DefendRojava #Anarchy #Anarchism #Comrades #Internationalism #AbdullahOcalan #Öcalan #PKK #WomenLifeFreedom #TekosinaAnarsist

Remember Omar Aziz!

On February 16th Internationalists in Rojava commemorated Syrian anarchist Omar Aziz. Work and struggle of Omar in the early years of Syrian revolution to organize neighborhood councils echo in Rojava's communes today. It continues to inspire and serve as a reminder of self-organized and egalitarian roots of Syrian revolution.

Today diverse communities across Syria - be it Christians, Druze, Alawites, Kurds or many others - face existential struggle for self-determination in the face of new Syrian nation-state imposing one flag, one nation and one language for everyone. It is incredibly relevant today to remember the struggle of such people as Omar and many women, youth and men who pursued the aim of liberation and fell martyrs in the hands of Assad regime.

The new centralized state and mercenaries in its control are determined to suffocate and take the revolutionary society of Rojava off the map.
We remember Omar Aziz and continue to stand together with peoples of Rojava in defense against authoritarian regime and in walking towards free life: Omar's dreams, hopes and aspirations live on with our struggle.

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#Syria #NES #SDF #DAANES #AANES #SNA #SDF #PYD #YPJ #YPG #HTS #Rojava #Kurdistan #Revolution #DefendRojava #Anarchy #Anarchism #Comrades #Internationalism #AbdullahOcalan #Öcalan #PKK #WomenLifeFreedom #TekosinaAnarsist

Rojava rumeta me ye !!!
Le Rojava est notre dignité

Rojava, Rojhilat e !!!
Kurditan yek welat e !!!
Le Rojava est le Rojhilat
Le Kurdistan est un (seul) pays

📅 Samedi 21/02 - 14H
📌 Toulouse - M. Jean Jaurès

Venez Nombreux·ses !
Faites tourner dans vos réseaux !!!

#Bijirojava #alleyesonrojava #defendrojava #YPG #YPJ #SDF #FDS #AANES #Kurdistan #Rojava #communalisme #riseup4rojava #Syrie #Iran #Rojhilat #Toulouse #manifestation #solidarite

YPJ-Kommandantin Newroz Ehmed: Unsere Eigenständigkeit ist nicht verhandelbar

Die YPJ werden sich an der militärischen Neuordnung in Syrien beteiligen, aber ihre autonome Kommandostruktur, Ideologie und Organisierung nicht aufgeben. Die Existenz der Frauenverteidigung sei nicht verhandelbar, sagt Kommandantin Newroz Ehmed.

https://deutsch.anf-news.com/frauen/ypj-kommandantin-newroz-ehmed-unsere-eigenstandigkeit-ist-nicht-verhandelbar-50346

#Rojava #YPJ #Frauenrechte #Kurdistan

Souvenons-nous d'Omar Aziz !

Le 16 février, les internationalistes du Rojava ont commémoré l'anarchiste syrien Omar Aziz. Son combat et son œuvre, menés au début de la révolution syrienne pour organiser des conseils de quartier, résonnent encore aujourd'hui dans les communes du Rojava. Ils continuent d'inspirer et de rappeler les racines égalitaires et autogérées de la révolution syrienne.

Aujourd'hui, de nombreuses communautés à travers la Syrie – chrétiennes, druzes, alaouites, kurdes et bien d'autres – sont confrontées à une lutte existentielle pour leur autodétermination face au nouvel État-nation syrien qui impose un seul drapeau, une seule nation et une seule langue à tous. Il est plus que jamais d'actualité de se souvenir du combat de personnes comme Omar et de tous ces hommes, femmes et jeunes qui ont poursuivi l'idéal de libération et sont tombés en martyrs sous le régime d'Assad.

Le nouvel État centralisé et les mercenaires à son service sont déterminés à étouffer et à faire disparaître la société révolutionnaire du Rojava. Nous nous souvenons d'Omar Aziz et continuons de nous tenir aux côtés des peuples du Rojava pour lutter contre le régime autoritaire et pour cheminer vers une vie libre : les rêves, les espoirs et les aspirations d'Omar perdurent à travers notre combat.

#Bijirojava #alleyesonrojava
#defendrojava #YPG
#YPJ #SDF #AANES #kurdistan #Rojava #communalisme #riseup4rojava #Syrie #Internationalisme

Highlights
09 - 15.02.26

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# DAANES AND STG AT MUNICH SECURITY CONFERENCE

Highest DAANES co-representative Ilham Ehmed and SDF highest co-command Mazloum Abdi participate in the 62th Munich Security Conference, a renown conference of high-ranking actors of the fields of politics, diplomacy, and security. STG foreign minister al-Shabani too is taking part. Locally, people protest the STG participation and legitimization through the Western political powers.

# STG TAKES OVER AL-TANF AND SHADADI BASES

The Al-Tanf base is near the border area of Syria, Jordan and Iraq. The base and the area around it has been in US control since 2016 and played a role in monitoring border movements of ISIS. The hand-over was negotiated between the US and STG, as both sides have put out official statements. STG also took control of the Shadadi base also after a negotiated hand over.

# DEVELOPMENTS ON AL-HAWL CAMP AND ISIS PRISON-TRANSFERS

The area for foreign ISIS women and children of Al-Hawl camp is reported to be almost empty. Since little has changed in the repatriation status of those people, most have been smuggled to Idlib, others quietly moved into the Syrian side of the camp.
In the meanwhile prisoner transfers from Syria to Iraq continue, with Baghdad asking for more money to support the operations.

# YPG WELCOME HESEKE GOVERNOR

A delegation of high-ranking YPJ fighters and commanders visited the newly appointed governor of Heseke Nûredîn Îsa Ehmed, greeting him after his inauguration. They stressed good collaboration on the topic of security.

# TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTER FIDAN VISITS IRAQ

After Hakan Fidan had pressured Iraq in a TV interview to take more profound actions against PKK, the Iraqi foreign ministry invited Fidan for diplomatic talks. Iraq pushed back against the Turkish state's will to interfere with Iraqi affairs.

# WOMEN'S CONFERENCE IN BOGOTA

Women of Abya Yala and Kurdistan are gathering for a large conference in Colombia discussing colonialism and resistance. Other focal points were the connection to and defense of the land, and linkage of struggles in solidarity. The discussions can be followed via livestream.

# EU PARLIAMANT ON NES

The EU passed a non-binding resolution February 12th condemning violence against civilians in NES. They also stated that the planned 620 million euro in financial assistance to the STG should be conditional on respecting the cease-fire, civilians protection and human rights progress.

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#Syria #NES #SDF #DAANES #AANES #SNA #SDF #PYD #YPJ #YPG #HTS #Rojava #Kurdistan #Revolution #DefendRojava #Anarchy #Anarchism #Comrades #Internationalism #AbdullahOcalan #Öcalan #PKK #WomenLifeFreedom #TekosinaAnarsist