Ayman Mohammed Talk has been circulating about the possibility of Western countries, and specifically the United States, staging a military operation against the Syrian government. However, since the beginning of the peaceful protests, most activists have been unified in their refusal of any direct external intervention. They see this as a war on the local, home-grown uprising to topple President […]

During the recent events in Egypt that the led to the ousting of President Mohammad Morsi, Muslim Brotherhood opponents have accused Syrian refugees of endorsing Egypt’s Islamists and taking part in violent demonstrations. These accusations have been made on mainstream and social media.

Rahif Ghanem* Note: The editorial team changed some names to ensure interviewees’ security (Homs, Syria) - Hanan, 34, was drinking coffee over the melodies of Fairuz on a May morning this year when she heard a missile fall on her neighborhood of Akrama in Homs. Silence prevailed for a few seconds before pandemonium spread and residents began running towards the […]

Yasmine Maree (Gaziantep, Turkey) - Syrian activist Noura al-Amir, 26, recalls the demonstrations of early 2011 in which she participated. “‘Oh Sniper Sniper…here are our necks and heads’ was not merely a silly chant,” Amir said. “Demonstrators were singing it knowing the snipers lurked in wait for them. It’s the revolution, the spark that started in Tunisia and lit up […]

The Sharia Council in Aleppo was formed by several Islamist groups in the opposition-controlled part of the city and has taken over security and judicial duties in the city.  

Razan Zeitouneh There are many stories about Abu Ali Khibbiyeh. He is frequently reported to be dead, although these reports have turned out to be only rumours. Some say he has been reckless on the battlefield. Others praise his courageous and chivalrous nature.

Salem Nassif (Damascus, Syria) - The Syrian regime has retaliated against many public employees who support the opposition by dismissing them from their jobs following their arrest. This is taking place in violation of Syria’s labour law governing state employees, which only allows for the termination of employment as punishment in specific cases, and then only with the approval of […]

Citizens of Aleppo who live in opposition-controlled parts of the city complain that armed groups in the city are not organized, which is a source of chaos and insecurity as undisciplined armed men roam the streets.

Youssef Shaikho To an observer of Syrian affairs, the city of Jarablos in the governorate of Aleppo, seems to be among the most calm and stable “liberated” areas of Syria. But Jarablos, which did not undergo much change immediately following the withdrawal of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s forces, when the city council was running its affairs, found itself several weeks […]

Piroz Perik Surour Sheikhmous, 33, a Syrian activist, has made a habit of stopping by the Center for Civil Society and Democracy in Syria in the city of Gaziantep, Turkey, to debate the future of Syria with fellow exiles. During one such recent visit, he was pointing to the map hanging on the wall to denote areas of sectarian and […]