While Google Maps’ stitched-image street view coverage does not include Syria, users have been able to upload geotagged 360-degree panoramas using supported devices since 2012. Most of these images have been uploaded from locations in the country’s major cities, particularly along the coast. In Afrin, several dozen such panoramas exist on Google Maps, shared byContinue reading “Afrin 360: Street View user uploads to Google Maps”
Author Archives: akmckeever
On SETA’s Deleted ‘The Syrian National Army’ Report
Bu metin Dünyadan Çeviri tarafından Türkçeye çevrilmiştir. On November 18, Turkish think tank SETA published a report written by research assistant Ömer Özkizilcik titled “The Syrian National Army.” This work was reportedly based on field research and a survey of Syrian National Army (SNA) fighters conducted by the author. After Twitter users highlighted that someContinue reading “On SETA’s Deleted ‘The Syrian National Army’ Report”
Recent Contributions to STJ
Desertification Threatens the Ghab Plain after TIP Removed Irrigation Pipes Fed by the Orontes River Syrians for Truth and Justice, November 10, 2020. Government Policies Contributing to Growing Incidence of Using Syrians as Mercenary Fighters Syrians for Truth and Justice, November 02, 2020.
Popular Front: the Turkish Backed Syrian Mercenaries Fighting for Azerbaijan
I spoke to Jake Hanrahan of Popular Front about Turkey’s deployment of SNA mercenaries to Azerbaijan, the evidence proving the reports, and Turkey’s rationale behind this move.
SNA mercenaries in Azerbaijan: the Visual Evidence
Bu metin Dünyadan Çeviri tarafından Türkçeye çevrilmiştir. In late September 2020, unconfirmed reports began to circulate on social media alleging that members of the Syrian National Army (SNA), Turkey’s proxy forces in northern Syria, had been sent to Azerbaijan. Initially, as there was no definitive evidence and there appeared little reason for Turkey to sendContinue reading “SNA mercenaries in Azerbaijan: the Visual Evidence”
Contributions to STJ, Summer 2020
Front Lines Aflame: Crop Fires Ravage Syria’s Jazirah Region, Scorching Fields and Destroying Harvests Syrians for Truth and Justice, 24 August 2020. -Investigated reports and open sourced information relating to crop fires along the frontlines of Tel Tamer, researched information relating to grain harvesting in northeastern Syria, and wrote the majority of this report, integratingContinue reading “Contributions to STJ, Summer 2020”
The Looting of Northeastern Syria’s Grain Silos by Turkish-Backed Forces
An investigation I help conduct at STJ, looking into allegations of Turkish-backed militants plundering grain silos across Northeastern Syria, and reselling the stocks for profit…
STJ’s reports of Syrian mercenaries in Libya
Two reports reports published by Syrians for Truth and Justice that I contributed to covering the recent recruitment and deployment of Syrian mercenaries to both sides of the ongoing civil war in Libya…
Siyaset Podcast: What is happening in Afrin?
I spoke to Ariz Kader about Afrin for his new podcast Siyaset, covering Middle Eastern politics from a (slight) Kurdish perspective. We discussed the region’s unique history as well as the current situation under Turkish occupation…
Spring 2020 research work
A number of projects I contributed to, as well as some research work of my own, covering the destruction of PKK cemeteries in Turkey by the state, marketplaces in Idlib targeted by Russian and Syrian aircraft, the history of Afrin’s Alevi community, and more…