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: TAF
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”
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”
STJ Reseach Contributions: New Evidence…in the Murder of the Kurdish Politician Hevrin Khalaf
Syrians for Truth and Justice’s deep dive into the murder of Hevrin Khalaf by Turkish backed forces, including open sourced analysis I contributed…
Afrin – Turkish-backed groups undertake live ammunition exercises in Iron Age temple
originally published by Syrians for Truth and Justice On 20 September 2019, opposition news outlet “Nedaa’ Syria” published a video[1] highlighting a live-fire training exercise undertaken by a special force’s unit of the National Front for Liberation (NLF). At just under three minutes long, the video shows fighters using small arms, including hand and rocket-propelled grenades,Continue reading “Afrin – Turkish-backed groups undertake live ammunition exercises in Iron Age temple”
STJ Research Contributions Fall 2019
Contributions to three reports published by Syrians for Truth and Justice, covering the destruction of a shrine in Afrin, civilian buildings hit by Turkish artillery, and a deep dive into the early stages of the civil war in the city of Ras al-‘Ain…
Popular Front Bonus Ep: A Closer Look at Turkey’s Syrian Militias
I spoke with Jake Hanrahan for a (Patreon-only) Popular Front bonus episode about Turkey’s proxy militias in Syria, within the context of Turkey’s October 2019 Operation Peace Spring…