Recent news:STG sets up roadblocks on the roads leading to Suwayda, pursuant to the ceasefire agreement.
Remaining tribals in Suwayda governorate launch a last-ditch attack on Suwayda city.
Tribals enter some of the city's northwest areas. They suffer heavy casualties and retreat from the city on the same day.
Straggler tribals launch a few attacks on Druze villages here and there, nothing significant.
Overall ceasefire holds up after that. STG prevents further entry of tribals and their numbers keep dwindling.
STG releases their report on the massacres of Alawites in March of this year. They say that they aren't directly responsible.
Saudi announces they will buy a bunch of property in Syria.
Israeli and Syrian officials meet in Paris. A second meeting in Baku was cancelled.
Accusations that the STG is doing a soft siege on Suwayda governorate and worsening the humanitarian situation.
Turkey/SNA starts threatening the SDF and launches a few attacks against them in Deir Hafer and Tishreen dam.
Links:t.me/Medmannews - Well known channel (Egyptian owner). Posts frequently about MENA
t.me/Middle_East_Spectator - Iranian owner
t.me/Suriyak_maps - Posts maps/latest news. Less prone to hype/hysteria but slower.
https://nitter.poast.org/SAMSyria0 - Local Syrian army soldier. Used to post in Arabic. (Account deleted. RIP)
https://nitter.poast.org/WarMonitorshttps://nitter.poast.org/bosni94https://nitter.poast.org/Sy_intelligencehttps://nitter.poast.org/sayed_ridhahttps://syria.liveuamap.com 111 posts and 54 image replies omitted.<Nearly 10,000 killed in Syria since 'diversity-friendly jihadists' seized power: Report>Sectarian violence and massacres against Alawites, Druze, and Christians have skyrocketed since former ISIS commander Ahmad al-Sharaa became president in December.>The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) has documented the violent deaths of nearly 10,000 people in Syria since the former ISIS commander, Ahmad al-Sharaa, was installed in power in Damascus. >SOHR reported on 7 August that “due to ongoing violence and violations by local and foreign actors, coupled with widespread security chaos,” at least 9,889 people have been killed since 8 December 2024, the day Damascus fell.
>The SORH said that 7,449 civilians were among the victims, including 396 children and 541 women.(very zionist of them, mind you)
>It also stressed that there has been no accountability for killings carried out by members of Syria's security forces and affiliated armed factions, while “in some cases, perpetrators are being covered up and facts are being distorted.”https://thecradle.co/articles/nearly-10000-killed-in-syria-since-diversity-friendly-jihadists-seized-power-reportwhere are the human right advocates in the west, the progressive screeches and "leftist", the libs calling for massive sanctions and listing the government as terrorist, doing videos about the massacres and violence that cried tears with Assad?
>>2432025Israeli's bombing Idlib?
Would it be safe to assume stuff they're keeping back from the capital and in their stronghold tactically?
28 more civilians killed in Suwayda
Following the aggression launched on 13 July by jihadist mercenaries affiliated with the Syrian Interim Government, the attacks and blockade on the Druze city of Suwayda continue despite a ceasefire.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) announced that the death toll on both sides from the attacks that began on 13 July and continued until the 20 July ceasefire has risen to 1,653.
SOHR reported that the identities of 28 more civilians, including 12 women, executed by members of the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Interior of the Interim Syrian Government have been documented. This raises the number of people summarily executed in the city by groups affiliated with the jihadist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) to 429, including 38 women and 14 children. Among those killed were 20 medical personnel from the al-Suwayda National Hospital, executed by personnel of the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Interior.
In Suwayda, 724 people have been killed, including 166 civilians, among them 21 children, 56 women, and two journalists. On the side of the armed groups affiliated with the Damascus government, 535 were killed in the clashes.
<Attacks on sacred sites
It was reported that members of the Ministries of Defence and Interior affiliated with the jihadist HTS targeted religious sites and places of worship in villages surrounding the city. According to local eyewitnesses, around 30 Druze religious shrines and at least four churches in the villages of al-Sourah al-Kabeera, Radimah al-Lua, Ta’arah, and al-Duwairah were attacked and damaged. In the second half of July, the Masjid al-Haram in the city of Suwayda was directly targeted.
The Interim Syrian Government released 28 captives from Suwayda, including elderly people and women. The captives had been arrested in connection with events following an armed clash in July between local armed groups and jihadist mercenaries, which resulted in casualties and the arrest of dozens.
Local sources reported that the releases may have been part of a prisoner exchange agreement, and that the Druze side likely released a similar number of people in return. Occasional negotiations between the two sides had taken place for such exchanges.
Hevin Suleiman: Transitional government responsible for violations
Forces of the Syrian transitional government carried out an attack on the Sheikh Maqsoud (Şêxmeqsûd) and Ashrafieh (Eşrefiye) neighborhoods of Aleppo, injuring two members of the Internal Security Forces.
In her remarks on the attack, co-chair of the General Assembly of Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh, Hevin Suleiman, told ANHA: “Some armed groups and soldiers affiliated with the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Interior of the Syrian transitional government have not yet severed their ties with the occupying Turkish state; on the contrary, they are directly implementing orders coming from Turkey against our region.”
Hevin noted that last week, armed drones were deployed over both neighborhoods by armed groups of the transitional government. She said, “Such attacks against our neighborhoods are illegitimate provocations. The transitional government is responsible for these violations. If necessary, we will defend our neighborhoods and our dignity without hesitation.”
<We have effective defense experience
Hevin further stated that any potential conflict would serve the interests of no party and emphasized that the residents of both neighborhoods possess effective experience gained since the time of the revolutionary people’s war and will not hesitate to defend themselves against any attack they face.
<The April 1 agreement remains in effect
Hevin Suleiman underlined that both neighborhoods are part of Aleppo and that Arabs, Kurds, Syriacs, Turkmens, and other ethnic groups live together on the basis of the brotherhood of peoples.
Hevin noted that it remains in force, with the General Security Forces of the Syrian Interim Government and the Internal Security Forces continuing their duties at joint checkpoints to protect the residents of both neighborhoods, on the agreement signed on April 1.
Hevin expressed hope for the establishment of peace throughout Syria and concluded: “We are in favor of resolving all problems through dialogue.”
One killed, three wounded in security operation by Deir ez-Zor Military Council
The Media Office of Deir ez-Zor Military Council reported that a group of four fighters from Deir ez-Zor Military Council—who were off duty and engaged in a non-military errand to receive medical treatment at a pharmacy in the town of Garanij, east of Deir ez-Zor —were subjected to a terrorist act by an armed group believed to be affiliated with the ISIS terrorist organization on the evening of Wednesday.
In response, Deir ez-Zor Military Council conducted a precise military operation that resulted in the killing of one of the abductors and the wounding of three others. “The operation is continuing according to plan, and we affirm that any attack on our forces or our people in the region will be met with a firm and decisive response,” the statement on Thursday said.
Deir ez-Zor Military Council announced the launch of an immediate and comprehensive investigation to uncover the circumstances of the incident and determine responsibilities, while withholding all information and details related to the case until the investigation is concluded and necessary measures are completed.
“Our Deir ez-Zor Military Council rejects any attempts to undermine the security and stability of the region and reaffirms its determination to pursue terrorism wherever it may be, and to escalate operations against all those who threaten the lives of our people and the achievements of our struggle,” the Council stated.
I think there are potentially power games being played in the SDF. looks like the YPJ are putting their foot down on the army integration stuff.
Çiğdem Doğu: YPJ cannot hand over weapons
Çiğdem Doğu, a member of the Coordination of the Kurdistan Women’s Community (KJK), took part in a special program on Medya Haber TV, which broadcasts in Turkish, where she offered important assessments on the situation in Syria and in North and East Syria. She underlined that the key to solving the Syrian crisis lies in decentralization and developing systems that enable communities to manage themselves democratically.
She pointed out that the “Conference on Unity of Position for the Components of North and East Syria,” held in Hasaka on August 8 with the participation of representatives of different peoples, was meaningful, considering it a reflection of the idea of a “Democratic Syrian Republic.”
She said: “In Syria, decentralized systems must be developed that allow peoples to govern themselves democratically. The issues that emerged 100 years ago remain unresolved to this day, and the same is true in Turkey. Leader Abdullah Ocalan defines this as the ‘democratic society,’ which includes mechanisms enabling the community to govern itself to a certain extent. Even if there is state administration, the community must have its own autonomous administration domains. This is also the case for Syria.”
Çiğdem Doğu emphasized that Syria is characterized by great diversity in terms of sects, ethnic identities, and religions, in addition to the role of women. She continued: “In North and East Syria, we see the women’s revolution and women’s organization, while in the regions of the Alawites and Druze many massacres have taken place, and violence against women and massacres against peoples continue.”
She stressed: “In such circumstances, imposing the surrender of weapons on the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) is tantamount to saying, ‘Come, let us cut your throat.’ It means nothing else. The idea of ‘integration’ is also illogical; there is no real Syrian army in Syria today. What exists now are only different gang-like groups. These bloodthirsty groups carry out random attacks against different identities: national, ethnic, and sectarian. There is no logic in forcing the SDF to surrender their weapons or integrate; there is no real army to integrate into, and no guarantee of life.”
She added: “The people here have struggled and fought for years, achieving great values, and they have tens of thousands of martyrs and wounded. As for the women’s revolution, it has brought great achievements, allowing women to live in freedom and to continue their lives.”
She continued:“For example, the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ) are an armed force, and they cannot hand over their weapons to such an army. In this region, Arabs, Armenians, Kurds, and Syriacs live together, and no one has the right to speak on their behalf.”
Çiğdem Doğu concluded by affirming that the Conference on Unity of Position for the Components of North and East Syria, held in Hasaka, was of great importance, with the participation of Alawite, Druze, and Sunni representatives. She explained that this conference is significant for setting a common stance and reflects the idea of a Democratic Syrian Republic, where everyone will participate democratically, fight when necessary, and defend when necessary.
She stressed: “This process is very important to safeguard the women’s revolution and the democratic revolution of peoples. Since it will become an example for the Middle East and Turkey, it is vital to continue the struggle and resistance.”
A-H
ANHA
More hospital CCTV footage shows a civilian that was executed later.
Turns out the camera in the second video in
>>2427259 was only a few metres away from an execution.
>>2434171>>HTS affiliated journalist reports that the SDF has besieged the towns of Gharanij and Al-Kashkiyah ( these guys >>2430025 (You)) east of Deir Ezzor to launch raids there. SDF affiliated journalist reports a massive campaign targeting ISIS and remnants of the regime.For clarification this is probably more than just a rumour because they were threatening to do so yesterday after the kidnapping incident, in relation to: ( One killed, three wounded in security operation by Deir ez-Zor Military Council
>>2432426 ) There's speculation that government troops were involved, maybe this will resolve but also maybe it will be the spark.
(yesterday)
Deadly Clashes and Abductions in Deir ez-Zor as Tensions Escalate Between SDF and DamascusEastern Deir ez-Zor witnessed a sharp escalation after armed assailants in the town of Gharanij surrounded members of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) inside a pharmacy they were visiting on an unofficial mission. The incident triggered intense clashes, leaving three attackers injured and one dead, while six SDF members were abducted. Two were later released, but four remain in captivity. The attackers also seized a military vehicle accompanying the SDF personnel.
According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), the assault coincided with mortar shelling from the western bank of the Euphrates River, in areas controlled by the Syrian government, targeting SDF positions.
In response, the SDF initiated a wide-scale combing operation to locate the abducted members, warning that it may storm the area if they are not freed. Accusations were directed at the commander of the 86th Brigade, known as Hatem Abu Shaqra, alleging that the assailants operated under his orders. The claims are linked to reports that he had been “provoking” the SDF and facilitating the entry of Iranian operatives and Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) fighters into the area — actions which, according to sources, prompted U.S. officials to demand his departure from Deir ez-Zor.
Neither side has issued an official statement regarding the latest escalation.
In a separate development, SOHR sources reported that the Damascus government abruptly shut down two key commercial crossings: the Deir Hafer crossing in eastern Aleppo countryside and the Salamiya crossing, also known as the “Tabqa” crossing. This move halted all commercial truck movement and fuel transportation between SDF-controlled areas and government-held territories.
The closures applied only to commercial traffic, with civilian passage still permitted. The decision sparked concern and uncertainty over the government’s motives and future plans for these vital routes.
SOHR documented heightened military activity on the contact lines between Turkish-backed factions under the Syrian Ministry of Defense and the SDF. Reinforcements have been deployed to areas stretching from Deir Hafer in eastern Aleppo to the town of Aqirash in eastern Raqqa.
Factions known as “Sultan Suleiman Shah” (Al-Amshat) and “Al-Hamza Division” (Al-Hamzat) sent additional forces, including armored vehicles and medium-to-heavy weapons, along the road connecting the two provinces.
Amid this military buildup, SDF forces have raised their alert levels and reinforced positions along the contact lines, anticipating possible sudden developments. The mounting tension has raised fears of a renewed military confrontation.
SOHR sources denied media claims that the United States had warned the SDF the “International Coalition” might not protect it if Damascus launched a military offensive, unless it adhered to the March 10 agreement. According to the sources, such reports were merely pressure tactics aimed at forcing Damascus to choose between integrating the SDF into its ranks or facing its collapse, adding that the Syrian government’s survival hinges on such integration.
Earlier reports by Middle East Eye and other outlets, citing regional and security sources, alleged preparations for a Syrian military operation against the SDF with indirect Turkish support, alongside U.S. warnings tied to the March 10 agreement. These claims were categorically dismissed by North Press and SOHR sources.
SDF Source to North Press: No U.S. Pressure, Only New Joint Tasks
Separately, an SDF source told North Press on Wednesday evening that there was no U.S. pressure on the SDF, but rather new joint tasks under discussion.
According to the source, “The claims in the Middle East Eye report are fabricated, repetitive, and do not reflect reality. They aim to mislead public opinion.”
The source stressed that “there is no U.S. pressure on the SDF; on the contrary, there are new missions being discussed jointly.”
He added, “Washington affirms the importance of the SDF’s presence within the Syrian army, noting that without it, the situation would be catastrophic for the government.”
The source concluded, “We reaffirm our commitment to dialogue and value the role of allies and international mediators in seeking a final agreement with Damascus.”
Syrian army plans to seize eastern provinces if Kurds fail to co-operate
The Syrian military is planning a major offensive by October to capture two main provinces on the Euphrates River from a mostly Kurdish militia that has refused to submit to Damascus, security sources told The National.
If the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) does not hand over the bulk of its territorial possessions, a Syrian attack force of 50,000 being assembled near the desert city of Palmyra will sweep north and capture the governorates of Raqqa and Deir Ezzor with support from their overwhelmingly Arab tribal populations, the sources said.
One of the sources, who holds a sensitive security position in Syria and requested anonymity, said the offensive would not go ahead “without an American green light”. Another key would be ensuring non-intervention by Israel, which last month bombed Damascus to repulse a government offensive on the southern provincial capital of Sweida.
US-sponsored talks have failed to make progress in bridging differences between the two sides. The secular SDF is increasingly being seen as recalcitrant in Washington by not handing any significant powers to Damascus, the source said – a view closer to that of Turkey, which wants the SDF's demise.
<Deadly clashes
Re-establishing central control of SDF territory has emerged as a major obstacle to stabilisation since the removal of former Syrian president Bashar Al Assad in December by Hayat Tahrir Al Sham (HTS), an al Qaeda splinter group now in control of the state.
Deadly clashes have increased between the SDF and forces loyal to Damascus since the US-sponsored talks between the two sides faltered last month. The two sides signed a deal in March to integrate the SDF into the Syrian army, but relations have soured since then.
At Saudi and Turkish urgings, the US embarked in May on normalisation with Damascus. President Donald Trump met President Ahmad Al Shara in Riyadh, giving a glimpse of a potential alliance that could weaken Iran and Russia, and their allies in the Middle East.
<Staging grounds
Another source said that staging grounds for the offensive are being prepared in the desert areas of Rasafah, on the road between Palmyra to Raqqa, and in Sukhnah, which links Palmyra with Deir Ezzor. Turkish proxies in the governorate of Aleppo, now part of the new Syrian army, would move against SDF positions east of the Euphrates river, near Tishreen Dam, once the multipronged attack begins.
In the past eight years of the Syrian civil war, Turkey had carved out a zone in northern Syria, reliant on rebel allies now in power in Damascus, to limit the territorial expansion of the SDF.
Arab tribesmen, thousands of whom had joined the SDF, would be expected to turn against the group at the start of military action, the source said. Around 30 per cent of the 70,000 core SDF members are members of Arab tribes.
“They have so many scores to settle with the Kurds,” the source said, referring to an SDF land grab of Arab areas since the US set up the Kurdish force in 2015 as the main ground component in the war against ISIS in Syria.
Syrian troops could step in to tackle one of the main obstacles to the new regime in consolidating power. EPA
Even a major advance by the government would leave the SDF with the province of Hasakah, where the Kurdish population is significant. Raqqa and Deir Ezzor are overwhelmingly Arab. The Kurds account for around 10 per cent of Syria’s 23.8 million population, according to the CIA’s World Factbook. However, currently SDF-held areas account for most of Syria’s output of commodities, electrical power, and energy.
US State Department officials have been urging the SDF to compromise, although it is seen as retaining strong support within US security branches. The SDF wants a federal system, an anathema Damascus, and to remain as a single unit, even if it joins the Syrian army.
During the civil war, Russia, Iran, Turkey and the US built their own zones of influence in the country. But only Turkish and American forces have remained in Syria, as well as Russian troops confined to two main bases. Most of an estimated 20,000 Turkish force are deployed near SDF areas, while the 1,000 American troops are mainly on bases within SDF territory.
>>2436075Nah, some factions probably want to but others, such as YPJ, clearly do not.
>>2436073No, you're legitimately retarded. Facebook or something may be more your speed.
Pentagon reveals fragility of transitional government forces, presence of "terrorism" in SyriaAn assessment prepared by the Pentagon for members of the US Congress revealed that the so-called "New Syrian Army" affiliated with the transitional government in Syria lacks a cohesive organizational structure and relies on a fragile and fragmented alliance comprising leaders from Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (formerly Jabhat al-Nusra) and several "extremist Sunni militias."
The report showed that groups designated as dangerous by Washington, such as the Guardians of Religion Organization, have regained significant influence in Damascus despite announcing their dissolution after the fall of the Assad regime. They continue to influence the transitional government's policies, despite previous disagreements between them and Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham.
<Strengthening the Influence of the Syrian Democratic ForcesThe detailed report, which consists of approximately 70 pages, indicates that the Pentagon has expressed caution regarding expanding the transitional government's powers or increasing its resources. The report suggests that this situation will likely strengthen the influence of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in the northeast of the country, granting them greater autonomy than ever before.
The report indicates a shift in the US position away from supporting the idea of integrating the SDF with Damascus to ease the burden of protecting it from Turkish threats, emphasizing that preserving the SDF serves US national security interests. The report also clarified that Israel is leaning toward expanding the safety zone on its border with Syria, and perhaps controlling parts of southern Syria, bringing it closer to the capital, Damascus.
<Congressional Concerns and SanctionsThe report raised concerns within Congress about any easing of sanctions imposed on Damascus, making it difficult for the US administration to renew exemptions or allow the implementation of economic memoranda of understanding signed by the transitional government with certain countries.
A report published by Al-Monitor revealed that some followers of the Guardians of Religion Organization are seeking "influence within the new government in Damascus."
According to estimates by US Defense Intelligence Agency officials, groups linked to al-Qaeda continue to operate with a degree of autonomy under the auspices of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, giving former Guardians of Religion mercenaries freedom of movement and the ability to influence the policies of the transitional government in Syria.
The report indicated that US Special Operations Forces have killed dozens of Guardians of Religion mercenaries in drone strikes in northwestern Syria since the group's founding in 2016.
Although Guardians of Religion announced its dissolution after Sharaa came to power in Damascus late last year, all of its members remained outside the operational control of the new administration, nearly seven months after the overthrow of the Baath regime.
The report confirmed continued concerns in Washington about Sharaa's inner circle, even as the US military reduces its presence in Syria and Iraq.
Last May, the transitional government in Syria appointed mercenary Ahmed Ihsan Fayyad al-Hayes as commander of the 86th Army Division, responsible for Deir ez-Zor, Hasaka, and Raqqa.
The United States imposed sanctions on al-Hayes in 2021, accusing him of committing war crimes against Syrian minorities. The US State Department described his appointment at the time as "a serious mistake that the United States does not support."
Last June, Washington's envoy to Syria, Thomas Barrack, confirmed that the US administration had limited itself to monitoring the activities of foreign fighters and sharing intelligence on them, after withdrawing its demand that al-Sharaa expel all fighters
ANHA
Deir ez-Zor Military Council warns of growing ISIS threat in the region
The Military Council of Deir ez-Zor has warned of a growing threat from the terrorist militia ISIS and other armed groups. Since the beginning of the year, there have been at least 150 attacks on security forces and civilian facilities in the region, commander Abdulkarim Awad Fandi al-Awad told the ANHA news agency. According to him, the targets included military outposts, checkpoints, and public infrastructure. Last month alone, there were more than ten targeted attacks in which six local security forces were killed.
<ISIS changes tactics after phase of reorganization
Al-Awad emphasized that ISIS is exploiting the political instability following the collapse of Bashar al-Assad's government to regroup. "The terrorists are attacking not only the military and police, but also civilians and public institutions. Behind this is an attempt to regain control of the region and destabilize the population." The rural areas surrounding Deir ez-Zor are particularly affected. The vast areas on both sides of the Euphrates River, with fields and desert areas, offer the extremists places of retreat. ISIS cells can move and operate there undetected.
<Counteroffensive with YPJ participation
An attack about a week ago showed how targeted the groups were: An ISIS unit raided a pharmacy in the village of Garanij where fighters from the Deir ez-Zor Military Council were staying. The four-member group was abducted. The day after the attack, the Military Council launched a large-scale operation in Garanij together with the Women's Defense Units (YPJ). The abducted fighters were freed and twelve suspects with alleged links to ISIS were arrested.
The operation continued into the early hours of August 16. According to Commander al-Awad, extensive weapons and evidence of further cells were seized. The investigation is ongoing.
The Military Council emphasized that the operations to secure the region would be carried out not only militarily, but also with the support of local tribes and the population. “Our goal is to protect the civilian population and prevent ISIS from reestablishing itself permanently in the region,” al-Awad said.
Deir ez-Zor Military Council: 150 attacks against our forces since beginning of year
In an exclusive statement to ANHA Agency, Abdul Karim Oweid Fendi Al-Oweid, a senior commander in the Deir ez-Zor Military Council, provided a detailed briefing on the latest security and military developments in the countryside of Deir ez-Zor, particularly in the eastern region.
He stressed the Council’s readiness to confront any threat aimed at civilians or public facilities, highlighting the sharp increase in ISIS sleeper-cell attacks in recent months.
Al-Oweid stated:"With regard to the current security and military situation in the Deir ez-Zor countryside, we have observed since the beginning of this year a notable rise in ISIS attacks targeting military and security forces, service facilities, and even civilians. The frequency of these assaults has increased, and they are being carried out with new tactics by sleeper cells."
He added: "We believe ISIS has shifted its strategy and tactics following the chaos that accompanied the collapse of the regime. The organization exploited these conditions to regroup, recruit new members, and launch attacks against civilians and both public and military institutions."
The commander further explained:"From our extensive experience in counterterrorism, we know that ISIS sleeper cells are behind the majority of these operations.
The organization has taken advantage of our engagement with Turkish occupation forces to reorganize. Its main objective remains to destabilize the region, instill fear among civilians, and revive its ambition of territorial control."
Al-Oweid pointed to the geographical conditions that ISIS mercenaries exploit: "Deir ez-Zor is a vast desert region. In addition, the Euphrates River and the dense vegetation along its banks provide an environment conducive for concealment and movement beyond surveillance."
He also described a recent abduction of Council fighters in the town of Gharanij:
"On the night of August 14, while a group of our fighters were stationed at a health center in Gharanij, they came under attack by an armed group we strongly suspect was affiliated with ISIS. Several of our fighters were taken hostage. We immediately launched an investigation and identified the area where they had been moved. Our forces carried out an intervention that resulted in clashes, during which one attacker was killed and three others wounded. The following day, in coordination with the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ), we conducted a wide-scale combing operation in Gharanij. This led to the liberation of four of our kidnapped fighters and the arrest of 12 individuals suspected of ISIS affiliation."
He noted that the operation "continued through the night until the morning of August 16 and resulted in the seizure of significant quantities of ammunition. Interrogations with the detainees are still underway to determine their involvement in the attacks."
Regarding losses incurred by the Council, Al-Oweid revealed: "Since the beginning of the year, our forces in the Deir ez-Zor area have endured nearly 150 armed attacks by ISIS mercenaries. Just last month alone, in addition to 10 attacks against military and security points, leading to the martyrdom of six of our fighters."
The commander concluded by reaffirming the Council’s commitment to restoring security and stability:
"We remain fully prepared to counter any threat. The recent combing operations have proven effective, as calm has returned to the region following the elimination of several active cells. Our ultimate objective is to protect civilians and prevent ISIS from exploiting any security vacuum or climate of disorder."
Two days earlier, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) issued a statement confirming that "forces of the Deir ez-Zor Military Council, with the participation of the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ), carried out a wide-scale combing operation in the town of Gharanij," during which "12 gangs were captured in addition to dismantling of ISIS sleeper cells and the liberation of four abducted fighters, emphasizing that the campaign was carried out with the support of local tribes and residents, as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen security and stability in the eastern countryside of Deir ez-Zor.”
>>2439727Mint are prety dogshit on Syria, btw. They're OldBO tier about 'the kurds!!!!1'.
Syria, Israel hold rare talks as Damascus struggles to maintain grip over Druze-majority southERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani on Tuesday held a rare meeting with Ron Dermer, Israel’s Strategic Affairs Minister and top aide to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in Paris. The discussions, reportedly mediated by the US, come as Syria struggles to maintain control over Druze-majority areas in the south, where protesters recently called for separation from the Syrian state.
The state-run Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) reported Tuesday that Shaibani met with “an Israeli delegation” in Paris to “discuss a number of issues related to enhancing stability in the region and southern Syria.” The talks, “held under US mediation,” are “part of diplomatic efforts aimed at promoting security and stability in Syria and preserving its unity and territorial integrity.”
While SANA did not disclose the identities of the Israeli officials involved, Israeli media reported that Shaibani met with Dermer - reports confirmed on Wednesday by another Syrian state outlet, al-Ikhbariya channel.
According to SANA, the discussions centered on “de-escalation, non-interference in internal affairs, reaching understandings that support stability in the region and monitoring the ceasefire in the [predominantly Druze] Suwayda province” in southern Syria.
Clashes broke out on July 13 between Druze fighters and Bedouin tribes in Suwayda. The conflict escalated with the involvement of Syrian government forces before a US-brokered ceasefire was announced on July 19.
The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported in mid-August that the death toll from the Suwayda violence had reached 1,677, including “452 civilians field-executed” by Syrian government forces. The monitor has reported near-daily ceasefire violations since mid-June.
<Israeli roleAmid the Suwayda violence, Israel conducted airstrikes targeting Syrian military and government sites.
Israel’s stated reason for the strikes - which included the bombing of a Syrian defense ministry building in Damascus - was to protect the Druze community, citing deep cultural and familial ties between Israeli and Syrian Druze.
However, beyond humanitarian concerns, Israel's intervention seems to have also been driven by long-standing strategic interests in Syria - particularly its aim to maintain a demilitarized buffer zone in southern Syria near its borders.
In early December, a coalition of opposition forces - then spearheaded by the now-dissolved Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), under Ahmed al-Sharaa, led a swift offensive toppling the regime of longtime Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad. Sharaa in late January became Syria’s interim president.
Since then, Tel Aviv has intensified efforts to destroy Damascus’s military stockpiles and its forces have entered buffer zones east of the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights.
Israel had captured most of the Golan Heights from Syria during the 1967 Six-Day War. In 1974, a US-brokered Disengagement Agreement created a UN-monitored buffer zone to reduce tensions by delineating separation lines between Syrian and Israeli forces without establishing formal peace.
According to SANA, Shaibani’s meeting with the Israeli delegation also discussed “reactivating the 1974 agreement.”
<Backchannel diplomacyDespite being technically at war since 1948, this Paris meeting marks the second recent engagement between Shaibani and Dermer. A previous meeting took place in Baku, Azerbaijan, on July 31, also prompted by the Suwayda unrest.
The Baku talks reportedly included US envoy to Syria, Tom Barrack, who later confirmed the meeting stating, “Our goal was dialogue and de-escalation, and we accomplished precisely that.”
On Tuesday, Barrack posted a photo on X with Sheikh Muwaffaq Tarif, the spiritual leader of the Druze community in Israel, who had urged Israeli intervention during the Suwayda clashes. Barrack described their meeting as “warm and informative,” adding: “We discussed the situation in Suwayda and how to bring together the interests of all parties, de-escalate tensions, and build understanding.”
Shaibani’s Paris meeting also followed protests in Suwayda on Saturday, which saw Druze demonstrators wave Israeli flags and call for self-determination. In video footage shared online, some protesters were heard demanding to join Israel.
In response, interim President Sharaa, speaking during a dialogue session with dignitaries from Idlib province late night on Saturday, warned against any movement toward partition.
“We have toppled the [Assad] regime in the battle for the liberation of Syria, and we still have another battle ahead to unify Syria. This must not be with blood and military force,” he said.
Hinting at the Suwayda protests, Sharaa added, “Some parties are trying to seek strength from a regional power - Israel or others. This is a very difficult matter and cannot be implemented.” He called the idea of dividing Syria “impossible.”
In a similar vein, Shaibani and Dermer were cited by the state-run media outlet al-Ikhbariya on Tuesday as reaffirming “commitment to the unity of Syrian territories and rejecting any projects aimed at their division.”
The two sides emphasized that “Suwayda is an integral part of Syria and that the Druze citizens are an authentic part of its national fabric.”
Just in case you guys didn't know, here's how the September parliamentary elections would work:
>parliament has 210 district seats, of which 70 (a third) would be directly appointed by Julani. so only 140 are elected >the way a seat is won via an electoral college system for each district, where a subcommittee appointed by the government (how convenient) chooses a list of local candidates and elects one of them>zero direct votingAll of this is publicly known info.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_Syrian_parliamentary_electionNot directly Syria, but part of the PUK that connects Syria, so it's worth to publish it here.
Civil war at the Talabani families.
>Civilians are documenting the chaos from their balconies. Many are calling this a Kurdish Saydiya — a reference to Baghdad’s recent street battles.
>No official comment yet from the Iraqi Joint Command.>Pavel Talabani’s forces have launched a full-scale assault on the residence of Lahur Sheikh Jangi in Sulaymaniyah, deploying helicopters and incendiary bombs against the hotel compound where Sheikh Jangi and 400–500 armed loyalists are holding out.
>Masrour Barzani has warned that the fighting threatens the security and stability of the Kurdistan Region and urged an immediate halt, saying the youth must not be made victims of internal power struggles.
>Lahur released a rooftop video saying: “This may be my last message”.A quick rundown of who
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lahur_Talabani is.
>>2442010 (me)
>Lahur Talabani >Pavel Talabanibtw, both figures have a close relationship with the PKK/YPG (seen photographed, assisted to ceremonies, and visited high Syrian-Kurdish figures in North-Eastern Syria). Which is interesting, but Lahur is
more pro-Kurd independence, more autonomous, and even pushing for a more intense co-operation between the SDF and the Iraqi Kurdish forces in Erbil, trying to lay the ground for a future Kurdistan. If Lahur is killed, all of that is gone.
Is Ankara behind this feud? note that Qubad Talabani is out of the picture (for now), and he was the less affectionate Iraqi-Kurdish Talabani politician towards the SDF.
>>2442010Does anyone have a decent rundown of what the power dynamics and so on at an international level are at play here? What's the Turkish involvement?
From this morning:
Former PUK co-chair Lahur Şêx Cengi taken into custodyFormer PUK co-chair and the head of Berey Gel (People’s Front), Lahur Şêx Cengi (also spelled Lahur Sheikh Jangi Talabani), was taken into custody in Sulaymaniyah.
Cengiwas detained by Sulaymaniyah security forces along with his brothers, Polad Şêx Cengi and Aso Şêx Cengi.
It is reported that clashes began at 3:00 a.m. and lasted for 4 hours.
A warrant for the arrest of Cengi was issued on Thursday evening on the grounds of “disrupting security and stability.”
>>2442184As I understand from my years following the events in Iraq, Turkey had mixed feelings about these events: the take over of Jalal Talabani as Iraqi president, then got angry that the PUK participated in the reinvigoration of the PKK political forces inside Iraq after Saddam was gone, with subsequent military incursions inside Iraq and bombed positions of the Kurds inside Iraq. Once the Talabani father died, the once president of Iraq by de-facto ruler appointed by the US through the "Interim Iraq Governing Council", it began a power struggle between the Talabanis, Lahur and Pavel. The former being the most PKK friendly of all of the Talabani family.
I am sure, because of the factions affected, that what is going on is the erasure of the potential supporters of the PKK in Iraq, which undoubtedly will weaken the Kurds position in Syria, too, and might be the results of Turkey pressure inside Iraq.
With the fall of Assad in Syria, and the weakening of Hezbollah, one could see that the factions in Iraq could've felt more relaxed to act on behest of Turkey's demands, but all of this are pure guesses.
Where does Barzani stands in all of this? he's a fervent Turkish lover, with economic, energy, and even security ties with Ankara. He's the antithesis of the dream of a Kurdistan, so if I were to throw a long stretched guess, yes, Ankara is behind these clashes. Only time will tell.
This is an interesting video from when the siege of Tishrin dam was going on. Footage and interviews with fighters.
>>2443044Thanks.
>>2443867Unluckily for you nobody with any relevance is petitioning you for your opinion on the matter, anon. Try actually reading the work of the flag you LARP.
Focusing on the essence of the conflict in SulaymaniyahClashes broke out between internal security forces and Lahur Sheikh Jangi’s forces in Sulaymaniyah city center early Friday morning. As a result of the confrontation, which lasted four hours, Lahur and his brothers Aso and Polad were taken into custody. However, the contradictions between the two sides will continue to be on the Kurdish agenda for a long time to come.
For a period, Bafel Talabani and Lahur served as co-chairs of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK). Tensions between the two escalated in the following period. In fact, it was this contradiction and power-sharing issue that led them to serve as co-chairs of the party. As tensions deepened, Lahur left the PUK and formed a new political party called Bereyi Gel (People's Front). Although it did not achieve significant success in the 2024 local elections, it managed to secure two seats in parliament. However, the tension between Lahur and the Talabanis did not end. Both sides continued to accuse each other. It was also noteworthy that Lahur established his party in Hewlêr (Erbil) after he left the PUK.
The Sulaymaniyah security forces demanded Lahur's surrender in line with a court ruling issued one day before the start of the operation on the grounds that Lahur was allegedly preparing a coup. Lahur, however, stated that he had not received any court ruling.
Of course, we cannot know the inside of the affair. However, it has been rumored for some time that Lahur has been trying to form a peshmerga force affiliated with his party, and that the PUK is very uncomfortable with this. Both sides have been engaging in mutual smear campaigns in the press from time to time. However, no one expected things to reach this point until recently. Another claim that has been circulating in recent days is that Lahur Sheikh Jangi was planning a coup. Some well-known figures in Bashur (South Kurdistan) politics were even mentioned in connection with Lahur. When the other side made the move, Lahur and his brothers came to the forefront, while the other names are not being uttered for now.
As of today, we are no longer talking about behind-the-scenes information, tension, etc., but rather about the conflict between the parties. Sulaymaniyah turned into a war zone from Thursday night to Friday morning. Security measures, which had been intensified at the city's entry and exit points in the evening, were extended into the city center. By 3:30 a.m., the tense wait gave way to clashes. The skies over Sulaymaniyah echoed with gunfire, and the streets and alleys were filled with the smell of gunpowder. Lahur's house in the Sarchinar neighborhood and the Lalezar Hotel, which belongs to Lahur and is located in the same area, were surrounded by security forces. As clashes intensified in the area where Lahur was located, forces loyal to him launched a drone attack on the Dabashan area, where the Talabani family's home is located. During the four-hour attack, four security personnel were reported killed in official statements. No information has been provided regarding the number of casualties among Lahur's forces.
So, what is the problem? At the root of inter-party conflicts in South Kurdistan lies a struggle for political power and authority. Capital plays a pivotal role in the consolidation of political power. When armed forces are added, a situation of power spreading across all areas of life becomes inevitable. Indeed, the underlying motive behind the tensions between political parties has never been the establishment of a more democratic system. Despite having a federal status and a parliament, power is divided among the parties, meaning that it is not the parliament that holds sway in regional governance, but rather the political parties that wield power.
The root cause of the problem is the absence of a constitution, a common political mind, a functioning parliament, and the politics and mindset focused on the common interests of the country and its people. This situation has led to the division of the federal region into different administrative centers. To such an extent that a few years ago, the PUK submitted an application to Baghdad and asked for autonomy for Sulaymaniyah. As a result of this fragmentation, the KDP-PUK effectively govern the areas under their control as two separate governments. They have their own peshmerga forces, intelligence services, special forces, and security forces.
As a result, a structure emerges that is oriented toward common goals, governed by its own laws and regulations, and lacking any center of accountability or oversight; characterized by partisan domination and self-interest. The growing problems inevitably lead to party dominance, economic interests, and the military power that these necessitate. Consequently, in regions where there are no fair courts or justice, tensions based on the desire to hold power escalate into armed conflicts. The reality that power cannot be seized democratically makes the opposite inevitable. This situation paves the way for all kinds of factionalism, polarization, rent-seeking, and corruption. In a place where political power is divided among cronies, it is certain that the system will not be democratic and will not prioritize the interests of the people and society.
It is necessary to look at the problems from the perspective of the linked forces involved. The events in Sulaymaniyah were sad for all Kurds. However, there are undoubtedly those who rejoiced. Who are these forces? This is one of the main questions.
There is no doubt that those who derive power from the fragmentation and internal conflicts of the Kurds are satisfied with the current situation and are encouraging further conflict. They are deepening these contradictions in Bashur and deriving power from their transformation into conflict. It therefore seems extremely unlikely that the political contradictions leading to conflict will not have external connections. In fact, the influence of these forces must definitely be taken into account behind the dysfunctional parliament, the unwritten constitution, and the deepening partisanship mentioned above. As long as Bashur politics fails to overcome this internal fragmentation, it will always be prone to such provoked conflicts.
As a result, rather than getting bogged down in the details of last night's clashes in Bashur Kurdistan and missing the essence of the problem by focusing on who did what and who said what, it is best to focus on the mindset behind the issue, the distorted system and administrative structure, and try to identify the root cause of the problem. As long as this is not done, and as long as every party in the region has its own military force and administrative authority, there will be no room for the development of any alternative or democratic power. Moreover, in a system where even civil society organizations take shape as formations affiliated with political parties, it is impossible for a movement on behalf of the people to develop. As long as the mentality of grabbing a share of the pie, whose distribution is not even guaranteed, prevails, it is inevitable that internal tensions will turn into greater conflicts. The opposite would be contrary to the nature of things. Perhaps those in power may change places; those who today call themselves the opposition (which is certainly not an opposition acting on behalf of the people) may come to power tomorrow. However, structural problems will continue to persist, growing more complex and intractable.
<Source: Yeni Özgür Politika DAANES: Elections are neither democratic nor reflective of the will of the Syrian peopleThe Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (DAANES) released a statement regarding the so-called "People's Assembly elections," scheduled to be held by the transitional government in Syria next September. The North and East Syria region and Suwayda have been excluded from these elections.
The DAANES statement on Sunday includes the following:
“All the steps taken since the fall of the Assad regime until today—the National Dialogue Conference, the formation of the Interim Government, the declaration of the constitution, and now the announcement of parliamentary elections in Syria—have contradicted the goals of the Syrian revolution, which called for justice, democracy, equality, and freedom for all components of Syria. Syrians have made sacrifices for true citizenship rights, foremost among them the right to free and fair candidacy and elections.
Yet, we see history repeating itself, as this right is once again stripped away from all Syrians. These elections are neither democratic nor reflective of the will of the Syrian people in any form, but rather a continuation of the marginalization and exclusion that Syrians have suffered for the past 62 years under Ba’ath rule.
The conduct of what is called “elections” at this time excludes nearly half of the Syrian people from the process—whether through forced displacement or through systematic policies that prevent the participation of communities and active forces in shaping the country’s future. This very exclusion is clear evidence that what is being presented as elections is nothing more than a formal step that does not meet the requirements of a comprehensive political solution needed by Syrians.
We would also like to stress that labeling our regions as “unsafe” to justify the denial of the rights of more than five million Syrians is baseless. Compared to other parts of Syria, the regions of North and East Syria are the safest.
As an inseparable part of Syria and its people, we reject any measures or decisions imposed with a unilateral mindset that disregards the sacrifices and legitimate rights of all components. Any decision taken in such an exclusionary approach will neither concern us nor be considered binding on the peoples and regions of North and East Syria. We call on the international community and the United Nations not to recognize these elections, which are in direct contradiction to Resolution 2254.
Finally, we reaffirm that the solution in Syria will not come through reproducing the same old policies, but rather through a comprehensive political process in which all Syrians, with their diverse components and free will, participate—leading to a democratic, pluralistic, and decentralized Syria that guarantees rights and opens horizons for peace and stability.”
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