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…
Tag Archives: SDF
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…
STJ/al-Monitor Research Contributions Spring 2020
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…
Afrin Reference Guide
Over the last several years I’ve come across a number of resources relating to Afrin, its history and the current situation under Turkish occupation. I’ve begun to compile such here with the hope that it can be of assistance to others looking to research Afrin’s past and present…
The Militarization of Jebel Laylun: Turkish Fortifications in Eastern Afrin
originally published on Popularfront.co In an article published on 16 April 2019, Rojava based Hawar News Agency reported on what it called a ‘separation wall’ being constructed along the eastern stretch of the Afrin district. This story was soon picked up by a number of local outlets and activist networks, sparking protests by native inhabitantsContinue reading “The Militarization of Jebel Laylun: Turkish Fortifications in Eastern Afrin”
STJ Research Contributions Early 2020
Three reports published by Syrians for Truth and Justice I contributed to, covering the murder of AANES Health Authority employees, the bombing of marketplaces in Idlib by Russian and Syrian aircraft, and a look into video allegedly showing civilians killed by Turkish-backed forces…
Murder, Looting, and Displacement: Two Months into Turkey’s Invasion of Eastern Syria
Dubbed “Operation Peace Spring,” Turkey’s most recent intervention into Syria has by now been going on for more than two months. Green-lit by the withdrawal of American troops from the border region, Turkey’s invasion of the country’s northeast seeks to remove Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) from the area. Over the course of the offensive,Continue reading “Murder, Looting, and Displacement: Two Months into Turkey’s Invasion of Eastern Syria”
Wrath of the Olives: Tracking the Afrin Insurgency Through Social Media
originally published on bellingcat.com Concluding in late March 2018, Operation Olive Branch resulted in the capture of Kurdish-populated Afrin district of Aleppo by the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) and allied Free Syrian Army (TFSA) factions. The bulk of Afrin’s YPG and YPJ defenders and over a hundred thousand of its inhabitants fled east to the nearby ShahbaContinue reading “Wrath of the Olives: Tracking the Afrin Insurgency Through Social Media”
alexander mckeever 