Highlights
27.01.26 - 28.01.26
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# ONGOING CLASHES
The extension of the ceasefire is still preventing major military conflict. Still, clashes and attacks are taking place in the front-lines. SDF made a statement reporting an attack repelled in the mountains Abd al-Aziz south of Hasakah where at least 4 attakers lost their lives. STG forces attacked with kamikaze drones SDF positions in Chil Axa, a town in the Qamishlo-Derik road that, if falling under control of STG forces, will cut the connection between Qamishlo and the border with Bashur.
# ISIS RESURGENCE THREAT
With the instability in the region, risks for further re-expansion of ISIS are high. While ISIS was never gone, the SDF did a decent job containing it. With multiple prisons and al-Hol camp now in STG's hands, they have many more chances to regroup. According to Iraqi officials, ISIS membership has grown from 2000 to 10000 in the last year since Jolani took power in Syria. Iraq has increased its border security with Syria for worry of escaping ISIS trying to make their way to Iraq. Iraq and the US made an agreement that Iraq will take 7000 ISIS prisoners from Syria. Bagdad said it will prosecute the individuals once in Iraqi custody. The stated reason for the current 15-day ceasefire was the moving of these prisoners.
# NEW ROUND OF NEGOCIATIONS SDF AND STG
On the evening of 27th of january a delegation from the SDF met with the STG in Damascus. No official statements yet.
# RUSSIAN REPOSITIONING
As we said in our last update, Russian forces have left their Qamishlo base. Now only two bases remain in Syria, Tartus and Khmeimim. Russian (military) power in the middle east is waning after the fall of Assad and with the war in Ukraine on going. Tartus and Khmeimim are now Russia's only two bases outside the territory of former Soviet-Union.
Jolani and Putin have met today in Moscow palace. No official statements yet. The extradition of Assad and his wife is a matter Jolani has been pushing with Moscow since his ascention to power.
# INTERNALLY DISPLACED PEOPLE'S (IDP) SITUATION CRITICAL
It is estimated by the AANES office for IDP's and refugees that about 350.000 people have become IDP's in recent weeks because of the STG's attacks. Important to note is that many of these people were already displaced from Afrin, Sheba, Aleppo, Serekaniye and Tel Abyad and now are IDP for a 2nd, 3rd or 4th time. In some place more than 40 families are allocated in a single school with nowhere near enough basic facilities or access to water and food or heat and blankets.
Aid is coming in, from the UN, Heyva Sor, Barzani Foundation an other NGO's, but it is not nearly enough to fulfil the basic needs of the people.
# ARREST OF THE HEAD OF SDC
The Syria Democratic Council (SDC) condemned the arrest of Ghassan al-Youssef, deputy co-chair of SDC presidency, by the Syrian government, describing the move as arbitrary and a serious violation of political norms. The council said their decision to remain in their communities and continue political and administrative work under complex wartime conditions “was not an act of confrontation, but an expression of national and moral responsibility. (...) Targeting individuals who chose peaceful political work and holding local communities accountable for national choices that protected them from the brutality of the former regime is unacceptable and illegitimate.”
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