[This is a roundup of news articles and other materials circulating on Syria and reflects a wide variety of opinions. It does not reflect the views of the Syria Page Editors or of Jadaliyya. You may send your own recommendations for inclusion in each week's roundup to syria@jadaliyya.com by Monday night of every week.]
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Inside Syria
Al Jazeera: Deaths Reported After Israeli Airstrike in Syria’s Homs Province (14 October 2021)
Following an Israeli attack east of Palmyra, one Syrian soldier and three pro-Iranian fighters were killed. Just days earlier, the Syrian air defences reported that it intercepted an Israeli missile attack above the Homs countryside that wounded six soldiers.
The Guardian: ‘A Lull not a Loss: Islamic State is rebuilding in Syria, say Kurdish forces (14 October 2021)
Kurdish forces warn that Islamic State is strengthening particularly in Deir ez-Zor province and fear that a US exit from Syria could exacerbate the situation.
OCHA: Situation Report #31: Recent Developments in Northwest Syria and RAATA (13 October 2021)
Key developments observed by OCHA in Northwest Syria during the month of September 2021 include: an increase in COVID cases with 1,000 daily cases reported, the death of 99 civilians and injury of 261 others during an uptick in hostilities, and significant gaps in humanitarian assistance related to winterization, food, and education.
IMMAP: Wheat-to-Bread Processing Facilities Mapping Study for northeast Syria July 2021 (11 October 2021)
A map created by IMMAP in partnership with North East Syria Food Security and Livelihoods Working Group highlights key findings with regards to wheat-flour bread processing facilities in Northeast Syria in July 2021, including: facilities’ functionality stood at less than 50% of their full production capacity, the majority of bakeries assessed indicated a need for maintenance and rehabilitation support, drought-induced shock of wheat production affected the availability of local wheat grain and locally milled flour, and price increases for both imported and locally milled flour reported.
The New Arab: Inside Details of Rifaat Al-Assad’s Return to Syria (11 October 2021)
Rifaat Al-Assad returned to Syria after leaving Syria in 37-years ago following an alleged coup attempt. According to reports, Rifaat left France months before his return to Damascus, leading many to criticize the French for allowing him to leave before he was sentenced in a Paris appeals court for misappropriating Syrian public funds and money laundering.
Al Jazeera: Car Bomb Kills Several in Syria’s Afrin (11 October 2021)
At least four people were killed and six wounded by a car bomb in the city of Afrin.
SJAC: The New Child Rights Law in Syria will Not Protect Children (7 October 2021)
A new law released in Syria in August 2021 claimed to expand the rights provided to children, however, there continues to be a significant gap in the laws provided on paper to children and the practices of the Syrian government.
OCHA: Humanitarian Situation Report in Dar’a Governorate, Situation Report Number 2 (4 October 2021)
Key developments observed by OCHA in Dar’a over the month of September 2021 include: a stabilizing security situation in Dar’a al-Balad following the 9 September ceasefire agreement, the return of approximately 36,000 displaced people to their homes in Dar’a al-Balad, damage assessed to homes in Dar’a al-Balad of IDPs living in local communities as well as explosive hazard contamination hindering the return of other, the reopening of schools, and ongoing efforts to restore public services.
Al Monitor: Humanitarian Agency Reduces Food Aid to Displaced Syrians in Idlib (1 October 2021)
The World Food Programme (WFP) has reduced food aid provided in northwest Syria. According to a statement released by the Syrian Response Coordination Group (RCG), the reduction will provide significant challenges for civilians to meet their nutritional needs.
Regional and International Perspective
Al Monitor: Erdogan Threatens Fresh Military Campaign in Syria (15 October 2021)
President Erdogan has raised threats of a new military campaign against Kurdish forces in northern Syria after two Turkish special force policemen were killed while in Tell Rifaat. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu furthermore held Russia and the US responsible for the attacks.
The Guardian: UK ‘Colluding in Torture’ by Leaving Women and Children in Syria Camps (13 October 2021)
Rights and Security International (RSI), a human rights group, accuses the UK of being involved in torture and the abandonment of its own people by refusing to repatriate women and children held indefinitely in Syrian prison camps despite the poor humanitarian conditions at the camps.
Middle East Monitor: Syrian Refugees Flee from Denmark to Netherlands, Belgium (11 October 2021)
After the Danish government declared in March 2021 that Damascus and government reclaimed territories are safe to return to, Syrians have been fleeing Denmark in fear that their resident permits could be revoked.
The New Arab: UAE, Syria Agree on Plans to Enhance Economic Cooperation (11 October 2021)
According to the UAE’s Economy Ministry, the UAE and Syria discussed enhancing economic cooperation and exploring new sectors of cooperation.
Open Democracy: Educating the Host: It’s not Just Refugees who Need ‘Integrating’ Programmes (11 October 2021)
Data collected in relation to the Southern-led Responses to Displacement from Syria project indicate the need to educate local hosts on the experience of war and forced displacement to prevent refugee phobic rhetoric and create improved conditions for refugees in host communities.
The New Arab: Iranian FM Arrives in Damascus for Talks on Syrian Reconstruction (9 October 2021)
Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian led a delegation to Damascus to discuss reconstruction efforts with regime officials and hold consultations with Russian and Lebanese officials.
The New Arab: Jordanian Intelligence Targets Syrian Refugees as Amman Moves Closer to Damascus (7 October 2021)
Following the forced closure of Syria Direct, The New Arab learned of a months-long intimidation campaign against Syrian journalists and activists led by the Jordanian security services.
The New Arab: Lebanon, Syria, Jordan Set Roadmap for Deal to Solve Crippling Lebanese Fuel Shortages (6 October 2021)
Energy ministers in Syria, Jordan, and Lebanon agreed on a roadmap for an electricity and natural gas transfer plan to address Lebanon’s fuel shortages.
Al Jazeera: Jordan’s King Receives First Call from Syria’s al -Assad in Decade ( 3 October 2021)
Following Jordan’s decision to reopen its border with Syria, Jordan’s King Abdullah II received the first call from Assad in a decade. According to the Jordanian Royal Court, the leaders discussed enhancing relations between the two countries.
The New Arab: Syria Re-added to INTERPOL, Risking Potential for Abuse (2 October 2021)
Syria was re-added to INTERPOL’s global police communications network, providing the regime a dangerous set of tools it can use to pursue and harass opposition figures and refugees worldwide.
Policy Reports
The Middle East Institute: Why Washington has Provided King Abdullah with Political Cover to Engage the Assad Regime (5 October 2021)
The Biden Administration has allowed Jordan to resume ties with Syria as the kingdom seeks to boost bilateral trade, increase security cooperation, potentially strike a water deal to get its share of water from the Yarmouk River, and present itself as a key interlocutor in the region after being marginalized under the Trump Administration.
Arts and Culture
Syria Untold: Book Review: Ottoman Syrians at Home in the American Midwest (5 October 2021)
Syria Untold speaks to Dr. Edward Curtis about his forthcoming book exploring the lives of Syrian refugees in the American Midwest entitled Muslims of the Heartland: How Syrian Immigrants Made a Home in the American Midwest.
Arabic Links
عنب بلدي: ثماني عمليات قتل واغتيال في درعا منذ بداية تشرين الأول الحالي (١٥ أكتوبر ٢٠٢١)
"شهدت محافظة درعا، منذ بداية تشرين الأول الحالي، عدة عمليات قتل واغتيال تزامنت مع عمليات “تسوية” أمنية تجريها قوات النظام في مختلف بلدات وقرى المحافظة."
الجزيرة: خلف مقتل جندي دمشق تؤكد تصدي دفاعات الجوي لهجوم إسرائيلي استهدف وسط البلاد (١٤ أكتوبر)
"قال النظام السوري -أمس الأربعاء- إن دفاعاته الجوية تصدت لهجوم إسرائيلي استهدف منطقة تدمر بريف حمص الشرقي وسط البلاد، وأسفر عن مقتل جندي وإصابة 3 آخرين، فضلا عن خسائر مادية."
العربي الجديد: طلاب سوريون بلا كتب.. والوزارة تشكو عدم وجود سيارات لتأمينها (١٤ أكتوبر ٢٠٢١)
"على الرغم من مضيّ أكثر من شهر على افتتاح المدارس في مناطق سيطرة النظام السوري، ما زال الكثير من الطلاب بلا كتب، الأمر الذي يعطل سير العملية التعليمية، فيما تتذرع وزارة التربية في حكومة النظام بعدم توافر سيارات لنقل الكتب من العاصمة السورية دمشق إلى بقية المناطق، بسبب عدم توافر الوقود، وعدم رضى سائقي الشاحنات الخاصة عن التعرفة التي وضعتها الحكومة للنقل."
العربي الجديد: ازدهار العملات المشفّرة شمالي سورية (١٤ أكتوبر ٢٠٢١)
"مع الانتشار الواسع للعملات المشفرة (الرقمية) وسرعة تداولها على مستوى العالم، شهد سوقها انتعاشاً في الشمال السوري الخارج عن سيطرة النظام السوري، رغم غياب خدمات الكهرباء والإنترنت بشكل منتظم والتي تعتبر الأساس في تداول هذه العملات.
وبسبب هذا الانتشار شنّت حكومة الإنقاذ التابعة لهيئة تحرير الشام (جبهة النصرة سابقاً)، أخيراً، حملة على محال الصرافة التي تتداول هذه العملات في إدلب، وأمرت بوقف التداول حتى إصدار تعليمات تنظيمية."
عنب بلدي: المرة الثانية في أسبوع.. “وتد” ترفع أسعار المحروقات في الشمال السوري (١٣ أكتوبر ٢٠٢١)
"رفعت شركة “وتد” للمحروقات بالشمال السوري أسعار جميع أصناف المحروقات، في زيادة طفيفة (قروش) على أسعار المحروقات من مازوت وبنزين، وزيادة بالليرات على مادة الغاز."
عنب بلدي: تركيا تحمّل واشنطن وموسكو مسؤولية استهداف قواتها في سوريا (١٣ أكتوبر ٢٠٢١)
"قال وزير الخارجية التركي، مولود جاويش أوغلو، إن روسيا والولايات المتحدة تتحملان مسؤولية الهجمات التي استهدفت القوات التركية في سوريا."
الجزيرة: الإمارات و سوريا تتفقان على خطط لتعزيز التعاون الاقتصادي (١٠ أكتوبر ٢٠٢١)
"قالت وزارة الاقتصاد الإماراتية أمس الأحد إن الإمارات وسوريا اتفقتا على خطط لتعزيز التعاون الاقتصادي واستكشاف قطاعات جديدة."
عنب بلدي: صحيفة: رفعت الأسد يعود إلى سوريا بعد 37 عامًا (٨ أكتوبر ٢٠٢١)
"أفادت مصادر مقربة من عائلة رفعت الأسد، عم رئيس النظام السوري، بشار الأسد، وشقيق والده حافظ الأسد، أنه عاد ليستقر في سوريا."
درج: “وثائق باندورا”: حلفاء النظام السوري في لبنان وعالم تحويل الأموال (٣ أكتوبر ٢٠٢١)
"في وثائق "باندورا"، يقترن إسم مستشار رئيس الجمهورية اللبنانية أمل أبو أمل زيد كشريك مؤسس ومدير في شركة "آغون هولدينغ أس. أي."، وهي شركة جرى تسجيلها في جزء العذراء في الأوّل من حزيران 2007."