Khabat Abbas is an independent journalist and video producer based in Northern Syria. Since 2011 She has extensively covered the developments that have shaken her country starting with the popular demonstrations, to the frontlines until the fight against the so-called Islamic State and its ...

Abeer Ayyoub is a freelance journalist from Gaza, with an MA in New Media.  Abeer worked for various international media outlets covering the situation in Gaza, Palestine for seven years. She also worked as a podcast producer, and TV reporter in Amman for the last two years.

Reopening Syria-Jordan border crossing: An economic lifeline for Amman

02 Oct 2023  |  Middle East Eye  |  English  |  Refugees

The reopening of the Naseeb border crossing between Syria and Jordan, after three years of closure, is seen as a significant economic and diplomatic development. The move is expected to boost tourism and trade, benefiting both countries economically. Jordanian travel agencies have resumed operations, offering affordable trips to Syria and Lebanon. The reopening is also viewed as a diplomatic win for the Assad regime, which has been isolated since the Syrian civil war began. The border closure had severely impacted Jordan's economy, and its reopening is anticipated to be a turning point. The article highlights the positive reactions from various stakeholders, including tourists, refugees, and economic analysts.

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Assad regime Syrian regime Jordanian government Israeli government

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I’m a journalist based in Beirut covering Lebanon, Syria and Jordan. Available for lives, both video and audio. I specialise in covering humanitarian and refugee issues.

Control, censorship and ‘penalties’: inside the Assad regime’s propaganda arm

30 Dec 2024  |  the Guardian  |  English  |  Assad Regime

The article delves into the oppressive control and censorship exerted by the Assad regime over Syria's national news agency, Sana. Journalists faced severe penalties for deviating from the regime's narrative, including detention and torture. The regime's propaganda efforts were highlighted, with journalists forced to report misleading information. Despite the fall of the Assad regime, the legacy of fear and control lingers, as journalists cautiously navigate newfound freedoms under the oversight of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham.

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Syrian Intelligence Assad Regime Sana Hayat Tahrir al-Sham

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Megan Clement is a journalist and editor specialising in gender, human rights, cities, international development and social policy. She also writes about Paris, where she has lived since 2015. Her reporting has appeared in The Guardian, The Sydney Morning Herald, Bloomberg, Al Jazeera, The New ...

Women on the Run From Abusers Face Being Returned From Denmark to Syria

01 Oct 2023  |  New Lines Magazine  |  English  |  Immigration Policy

The article highlights the plight of Syrian women asylum-seekers in Denmark, focusing on the case of Faten, who faces the threat of being returned to Syria where her abusive ex-husband awaits. Denmark's immigration policies, which have been criticized for being disproportionately punitive towards women, have led to the revocation of residence permits for many Syrian women. The article discusses the broader implications of these policies, including the gendered risks faced by women and the systemic challenges within the Danish asylum system. It also touches on the recent ruling that granted Afghan women asylum-seekers stronger protection, contrasting it with the treatment of women from other nationalities.

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Syrian Regime Danish Immigration Service European Council on Refugees and Exiles Danish Refugee Appeals Board UN Refugee Agency Taliban Danish Refugee Council Lighthouse Reports

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Norma Costello is a journalist based in Dublin, Ireland.

Cork travel YouTuber criticised for Syrian visit

03 Oct 2023  |  Irish Examiner  |  English  |  Social Media

Ms Newenham, a Cork travel YouTuber, has been criticized for spreading disinformation about the Syrian Civil War after visiting Homs. Her videos, which align with the Assad regime's narrative, have drawn backlash from researchers and the public. The Department of Foreign Affairs has issued a travel warning for Syria, and other Irish figures have also faced criticism for similar visits.

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Assad Regime Syrian Government Department of Foreign Affairs

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Sara Creta is an Italian multimedia-journalist, specializing in coverage of humanitarian issues worldwide. With an emphasis on stories that dignify the human struggle, she works closely with NGOs and social service groups to document on-the-ground conditions in forced migration situation, human ...

The Great Drug Trafficking of the 'Fighter': From the Syrian Regime to the Friend of Italian Clans

01 Oct 2023  |  www.editorialedomani.it  |  Italian  |  Middle East Politics

In the summer of 2020, Italian authorities seized 84 million Captagon pills in Salerno, marking one of the largest drug busts in history. The investigation revealed an intricate network involving the Syrian regime, Italian mafia, and Libyan intermediaries. The Captagon, a potent amphetamine, is produced in Syria and trafficked globally, with significant involvement from high-ranking officials and criminal organizations. The article highlights the roles of key figures like Bashar Al-Assad, Maher Al-Assad, and Alberto Eros Amato, and underscores the international implications of this illicit trade.

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Syrian Regime Guardia di Finanza New Lines Institute Hezbollah Italian Mafia Libyan Government

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Borzou Daragahi is a longtime foreign correspondent now working full-time for The Independent. He covers Turkey, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Egypt, Libya, Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia and the Arabian Peninsula as well as the Balkans and global issues such as public health, international crime and security ...

Families left to suffer in uncertainty over Syria deaths, report says

01 Oct 2023  |  The Independent  |  English  |  Forced Disappearances

The Syrian Network for Human Rights (SNHR) has published a report revealing that the deaths of hundreds of Syrians, previously abducted by the Syrian regime, have been registered without informing their families. The report highlights the systemic efforts to suppress information about the fate of approximately 112,000 disappeared individuals during the Syrian conflict. The SNHR has obtained 1,600 death certificates over the past five years, many of which were discovered by families during unrelated civil registry visits. The report underscores the regime's contempt for its citizens' lives and the psychological trauma inflicted on the families of the missing. The article details specific cases, including Ahmad Hassan al-Dghiem and the Hijazi family, whose members were confirmed dead years after their abductions.

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Syrian Regime Syrian Network for Human Rights

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María Elorza Saralegui is a freelance journalist and illustrator who is currently completing an Erasmus Mundus Master in Aarhus, Denmark. She focuses on environmental and social issues with a special interest in investigative reporting on climate change and human rights abuses.
Feature articles ...

Why is Denmark expanding its cruel Syrian refugee policy?

02 Oct 2023  |  The New Arab  |  English  |  Human Rights

Denmark has expanded its controversial asylum policy, increasingly deeming more Syrian regions safe for return despite international opposition and the ongoing instability in Syria. This policy has led to the revocation of refugee protections for many Syrians, causing significant distress and uncertainty. The Danish government's stance has been criticized by various human rights organizations and is seen as setting a dangerous precedent in the European Union. The policy has also inspired other countries to adopt similar restrictive measures, further complicating the plight of Syrian refugees.

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Syrian Regime Danish Immigration Service UN Commission of Inquiry into Syria EU Parliament Amnesty International Human Rights Watch Danish Institute for Human Rights Refugee Appeals Board

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Ali Fathollah-Nejad is a political scientist based in Berlin, Germany.

Iran: Fighting ‘terror’ publicly, mourning the dead secretly

01 May 2018  |  www.aljazeera.com  |  English  |  ISIL

Since the Syrian uprising in 2011, Iran's military presence in Syria has grown significantly, initially providing military advisors and later commanding Shia militias. The rise of ISIL in 2014 allowed Iran to justify its involvement as a 'war on terror.' Major-General Qasem Soleimani's visit to Moscow in 2015 led to coordinated Russian-Iranian operations that bolstered the Assad regime. Despite increasing casualties and economic strain, Iran continues to justify its military expenditures in Syria by emphasizing potential economic benefits and the protection of Shia shrines. However, public discontent in Iran is growing as the justification for the military presence becomes less tenable with ISIL's defeat.

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Syrian Regime Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps Hezbollah Russian Military

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Clothilde Goujard is a journalist based in Amman, Jordan. 

She was previously a senior tech policy reporter with POLITICO in Brussels, Belgium. 

She has also freelanced in Canada as a video journalist for Agence France-Presse (AFP) and CBC. Her work on Canadian politics, migration and the ...

Fear, hope and bitterness: Syria’s refugees contemplate life after Bashar Assad

16 Dec 2024  |  www.politico.eu  |  English  |  Bashar Assad

The article explores the varied emotions and decisions of Syrian refugees contemplating life after the fall of Bashar Assad. Manal al-Mouqdad is fearful and uncertain about returning to Syria without her husband, who is stuck in Libya. Hind al-Hariri is hopeful but faces challenges due to her child's special needs. Shereen Mankash is conflicted, experiencing a mix of happiness and confusion about the future. Mohamed Adnan Kadadihi is bitter and opposed to returning, feeling that his dreams were shattered by the Syrian regime. The piece highlights the complex emotions and decisions faced by refugees in the wake of political changes in Syria.

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Syrian regime

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Ali Haj Suleiman is a journalist based in Idlib, Syria.

Joyous celebrations across Syria after al-Assad's fall

08 Dec 2024  |  www.aljazeera.com  |  English  |  Middle East Politics

Syrians celebrated the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime, marking the end of years of oppression and tyranny. The article captures the joy and relief of citizens in cities like Homs and Damascus, who express hope for a democratic future. The overthrow was achieved by a coalition of opposition fighters, and the sentiment towards the Assad regime is overwhelmingly negative, while the opposition is viewed positively. The narrative highlights personal stories of loss, resilience, and the aspiration for justice and freedom in a post-Assad Syria.

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Syrian Opposition Bashar al-Assad's Regime Russia

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Freelance journalist covering war and humanitarian situations in Syria. Experienced collaborator with media agencies including Al Jazeera, The Guardian, Middle East Eye, and other media outlets.

‘Won’t back down’: Druze Syrian town gathers after regime kills protester

01 Mar 2024  |  www.aljazeera.com  |  English  |  Human Rights

Syrian regime forces killed a protester, Jawad al-Barouki, in Sweida, sparking increased discontent and protests against President Bashar al-Assad. Activists demand the overthrow of the Assad regime, improved living conditions, and the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2254. The Druze community mourned al-Barouki as a martyr, emphasizing the need for peaceful protests. Suspicious attacks in Sweida raised concerns about the regime provoking armed confrontation. Activists call for international support to stop crimes against Syrians.

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Syrian Regime UN Security Council

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Davide Lerner is a freelance journalist based in Ankara, Turkey. He graduated from the London School of Economics and the London School of Oriental and African Studies. He has previously worked for Agence France Presse and Associated Press, as well as done live radio and TV. He freelances widely in ...

In Syria, Wine is Born Under the Shadow of the Regime

01 Oct 2023  |  www.editorialedomani.it  |  Italian  |  Syrian Conflict

Domaine de Bargylus, the only high-quality wine producer in Syria, navigates the challenges of operating under the Assad regime and the broader Middle Eastern conflict. Despite the war and economic difficulties, the Saadé family manages the vineyard from Beirut, ensuring international distribution. The brand has gained recognition in 30 countries, with the help of distributors like Ghilardi Selezioni. The article highlights the resilience and strategic efforts of the Saadé family to maintain and grow their wine business amidst regional instability.

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Syrian Regime Saadé Family

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Multimedia journalist (print/audio/video) -  BBC, Al Jazeera, The Irish Times, Global Post, Forbes, European Voice (now politico.eu) and many others. Westminster-based - over the past decade, I have covered subjects as diverse as Brexit, Scottish independence, Canadian native rights, narco-...

A refugee camp of shattered lives as Kurds flee to Iraq

21 Oct 2019  |  The Irish Times  |  English  |  Turkish Invasion

Kurds fleeing the Turkish invasion in northeast Syria have found refuge in Iraq's Kurdistan region. The invasion, aimed at creating a 'safe zone' for refugees in Turkey, has led to significant displacement and ethnic conflict. The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, previously allied with the US, are now turning to the Assad regime for support. The article highlights the personal stories of refugees, their perilous journeys, and the broader geopolitical dynamics at play, including the betrayal felt by the Kurds after their sacrifices in the fight against Islamic State.

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Assad regime Syrian Democratic Forces Islamic State

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Independent journalist covering Russia's war against Ukraine, based in Kyiv

In Syria, a Bittersweet Return to a Damascus Suburb

04 Feb 2025  |  WhoWhatWhy  |  English  |  Rebuilding Efforts

In Eastern Ghouta, a suburb of Damascus, the recent overthrow of Bashar al-Assad's regime by Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) has allowed refugees to return home for the first time in years. The return is bittersweet, as many find their homes destroyed and loved ones lost. The area, once a battleground in the Syrian civil war, is now under the control of HTS, which faces ongoing threats from Assad loyalists and Daesh. Returning residents, like Abu Rami and Abdul Rahman, are tasked with securing their neighborhoods while grappling with the challenges of rebuilding their lives amid the ruins. Despite the hardships, there is a sense of hope and determination to live in peace and rebuild their community.

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Free Syrian Army Assad Regime Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham Faylaq al-Rahman Al-Nusra Front Daesh

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Spanish journalist based in İstanbul, Turkey. Currently working for newspapers, TV, radios and video agency –as a producer– from Istanbul and also from the region of the Middle East. I use to cover topics such as politics, migration or social issues. Regular contributor for CNN, Ruptly, Ara, El ...

The father who made his daughter laugh under the bombs in Syria, now homeless due to the earthquake: 'I couldn't bear another misfortune'

28 Feb 2023  |  www.ara.cat  |  Catalan  |  Humanitarian Crisis

The article narrates the plight of a Syrian family, previously known for a viral video of a father making his daughter laugh amidst bombings, now rendered homeless by the recent earthquake in Turkey. The family, who had sought refuge in Turkey, lost their home again and are struggling to survive. The father, Abdul·lah, shares their harrowing experience during the earthquake and their ongoing challenges, including racism and lack of support. The article also touches on the broader issue of Syrian refugees in Turkey, many of whom are returning to Syria due to the dire conditions. It highlights individual stories of struggle, discrimination, and resilience among the refugees.

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Syrian Regime Turkish Government

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William Neal is a journalist based in Tbilisi, Georgia.

Report: Extortion in Syrian Prisons Funding Assad Regime

25 Jan 2021  |  OCCRP  |  English  |  Human Rights Violations

Since 2010, forced bribery payments to Syrian prison and military officials by families of detainees have likely reached around $900 million, turning forced disappearances and arrests into a state-benefiting industry. The Association of Detainees and the Missing in Sednaya Prison (ADMSP) reports that over 100,000 people have been forcibly disappeared and 250,000 arrested and released since 2010. The Assad regime, continuing tactics from Hafez Al-Assad's era, has systematized bribery payments, especially after losing control of large areas post-2012. Most arrests occur at military checkpoints, with Idlib being a significant source of detainees. International outcry has followed reports of mass executions and torture in Syrian prisons. The Syrian government condemns U.S. sanctions as 'crimes against humanity'.

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Syrian Foreign Ministry Syrian Network for Human Rights Assad Regime Association of Detainees and the Missing in Sednaya Prison (ADMSP) Amnesty International

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Sofia Nitti is a journalist and videoreporter working for French, Italian and English-speaking media outlets.

Rebuilding Raqqa: Hope amid the ruins of war

13 Apr 2021  |  The New Arab  |  English  |  Economic Crisis

Raqqa, once the capital of the Islamic State in Syria, is struggling to rebuild amid severe economic challenges and the aftermath of war. The city faces significant obstacles, including a lack of funding, skilled labor, and legal issues related to property ownership. Despite these challenges, residents show resilience and a strong attachment to their city. Security concerns persist due to the presence of IS sleeper cells, but the situation inside Raqqa is improving with increased security measures. The article highlights the daily struggles and small victories of Raqqa's residents as they work to restore normalcy.

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Bashar al-Assad's regime Syrian Democratic Forces Islamic State

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Richard Spencer is Middle East Correspondent for The Times of London, based in Beirut, Lebanon.

Who are HTS? Syrian rebels who toppled Assad

09 Dec 2024  |  www.thetimes.com  |  English  |  Middle East Politics

HTS, originally known as Jabhat al-Nusra, is a Syrian rebel group that emerged during the civil war and was initially affiliated with al-Qaeda. Led by Abu Muhammad al-Jolani, HTS has evolved into a significant force in northwest Syria, maintaining autonomy compared to other groups constrained by foreign backers. Despite rebranding and efforts to present a more moderate image, HTS's jihadist roots remain a concern. The group has capitalized on regional instability, with Jolani positioning himself as a pragmatic leader aiming to unite Syria while facing challenges in gaining widespread support. The Assad regime, despite military victories, struggles with economic collapse and international isolation.

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Assad regime Syrian Democratic Forces HTS al-Qaeda Islamic State Russia Hezbollah Turkey Kurdistan Workers’ Party SDF

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Multimedia journalist based in İstanbul. Focuses on Turkish politics and foreign policy and economy. Also interested in labour rights and feminism.

The Fall of the Syrian Drug Empire and the King of Captagon, Maher Asad

13 Dec 2024  |  www.elmundo.es  |  Spanish  |  Drug Trafficking

As the regime of Bashar Asad crumbles, high-ranking Syrian officials are fleeing to Russia via Libya, facilitated by Cham Wings. The article highlights the downfall of the Syrian drug empire, implicating Maher Asad in the illegal Captagon trade. The narrative underscores the regime's collapse and the geopolitical movements of its officials.

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Syrian Regime Cham Wings

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Legu Zhang is a journalist based in Washington, United States of America.

Chinese Cartoon Falsely Portrays US as Looting Syrian Oil, Echoing Russian, Iranian Disinfo

09 Apr 2023  |  www.polygraph.info  |  English  |  Syrian Conflict

China Daily published a cartoon falsely depicting U.S. soldiers as stealing oil in Syria, echoing disinformation from Russian, Iranian, and Syrian sources. The article refutes these claims, explaining that U.S. troops are in Syria to combat ISIS and protect oil fields. The Biden administration ended a waiver allowing a U.S. company to operate in Syria, and the U.S. military continues to support Kurdish fighters. The article highlights the strategic importance of the oil fields and the role of various stakeholders, including the Trump and Biden administrations, the Syrian Democratic Forces, and the Assad regime.

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Assad Regime Syrian Democratic Forces China Daily U.S. Military ISIS Biden Administration Trump Administration

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