And Conflict in the 21St Century

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

And Conflict in the 21St Century REPORTING WAR AND CONFLICT IN THE 21ST CENTURY beyaz zemin turkuaz zemin zemin siyah zemin beyaz Edited by Dr. Tarek Cherkaoui siyah zemin turkuaz zemin REPORTING WAR AND CONFLICT IN THE 21ST CENTURY Edited by Dr. Tarek Cherkaoui Project Coordinator Hajira Maryam beyaz zemin siyah zemin turkuaz zemin © TRT WORLD RESEARCH CENTRE ALL RIGHTS RESERVED PUBLISHER TRT WORLD RESEARCH CENTRE APRIL 2021 REPORTING WAR AND CONFLICT IN THE 21ST CENTURY Edited by: Dr. Tarek Cherkaoui Project Coordinator: Hajira Maryam Photo Cover: Anadolu Agency Design: Ekrem US TRT WORLD İSTANBUL AHMET ADNAN SAYGUN STREET NO:83 34347 ULUS, BEŞİKTAŞ İSTANBUL / TURKEY www.trtworld.com TRT WORLD LONDON PORTLAND HOUSE 4 GREAT PORTLAND STREET NO:4 LONDON / UNITED KINGDOM www.trtworld.com TRT WORLD WASHINGTON D.C. 1620 I STREET NW, 10TH FLOOR, SUITE 1000, 20006 WASHINGTON DC / UNITED STATES www.trtworld.com researchcentre.trtworld.com www.trtworld.com Printed by: HERMES TANITIM OFSET BASKI HİZ. KAG. LTD. ŞTİ. BÜYÜK SANAYİ 1. CAD. NO: 105 İSKİTLER / ANKARA Certificate Number: 47869 ISBN: ????????? REPORTING WAR AND CONFLICT IN THE 21ST CENTURY Edited by Dr. Tarek Cherkaoui Project Coordinator Hajira Maryam beyaz zemin siyah zemin turkuaz zemin REPORTING WAR 4 AND CONFLICT IN THE 21ST CENTURY FOREWORD This book on war coverage by the TRT World Research Centre is an invaluable addition to the literature on the topic. The book’s personal and enlightening perspectives display a different side of conflicts and their many dynamics to the reader. This is especially so because of the fact that reporting on wars has always been a precarious endeavour, a fact that has still not stopped TRT World journalists from scouring the globe to deliver their journalistic mission. They have been to many di- verse battlegrounds, including but not limited to: Syria, Palestine, Lib- ya, Azerbaijan and Afghanistan. These countries have suffered from enduring conflicts that have unfortunately led to countless deaths and widespread destruction, with some conflicts having no end in sight. The journalists’ primary purpose has been to report on the human sto- ries that are oft-forgotten in the quagmire of war, with ordinary civilians taking the brunt of the impact. War coverage is not a passive process, and many aspects are required to ensure that it is conducted responsibly. A narrative needs to be con- structed, and TRT World journalists work tirelessly to discover the facts and define fast-moving events faithfully for their viewers. This is an im- portant facet that characterises TRT World’s overall aim of contributing “to the narrative of how stories are told and to provide new perspectives of thought”. How events affect people on the ground are critical, with TRT World putting an “emphasis on the humanitarian angle of each REPORTING WAR AND CONFLICT IN THE 21ST CENTURY 5 story, prioritising how the event influences the people rather than the stakeholders”. This book embodies those sentiments. In it, journalists have documented their personal experiences in war reporting, hoping to inform readers of the effects of their coverage and the potential ob- stacles that can arise. The characteristics of an individual journalist can also be important in war coverage. The personality, experience, education, and location of the journalist, all play a role in how a story is reported. Likewise, their knowledge of the social, cultural, and political background of the con- flict, can help improve the standard of their journalism. As they be- come more abreast of the many nuances, they distinguish which stories are urgent and how to sift through the many sources of information. Countless risks are taken every day, and their bravery is only equipoised by their desire to perform their jobs effectively. Each journalist makes tremendous sacrifices when attempting to inform viewers on develop- ments, including the high risk of becoming collateral damage in wars where often no one is held accountable. It is an admirable and chal- lenging career, but it is also one that is pivotal and indispensable. By showing events on both sides, the international community is better informed to take proactive measures to bring an end to wars that have devastating consequences. This book is also an effort to display the lessons learned by TRT World journalists, and to offer recommendations for news media outlets on best practice. Conflicts occur in complex regions where nuance is crit- ical, and some media often fail to provide a balanced and faithful view of developments. Western coverage can be tainted by orientalist or jingoistic undercurrents, while regional outlets can sometimes resort REPORTING WAR 6 AND CONFLICT IN THE 21ST CENTURY to binary constructions that neglect the facts. Conversely, TRT World journalists aim to go beyond the established agendas and the contest of narratives by using their journalistic acumen to report events as they truly occur. This book can help aspiring war correspondents under- stand the multifaceted nature of war coverage, and be better prepared for their own deployments. This can be rewarding, as there will always be a place for objective reporting, especially in the current environ- ment where false or misleading information is pervasive. Overall, war coverage is a crucial part of journalism. This book exhibits the personal experiences of TRT World journalists as they went about their jobs in different countries, and it also serves as an educational as- sessment of the various dynamics of war. That they aim for objectivity in their coverage is a testament to their desire for ethical journalism, and it is likewise a demonstration of TRT World’s aim of facilitating hon- est perspectives, alongside war’s humanitarian angle. Ultimately, this book is a valuable addition to the literature on the topic, benefitting casual readers, aspiring war correspondents, and policymakers alike. İbrahim Eren, Director General and Chairman of TRT REPORTING WAR AND CONFLICT IN THE 21ST CENTURY 7 PREFACE This book, compiled by the TRT World Research Centre, emphasises the importance of war coverage. It is a compilation of different personal ac- counts of TRT World journalists in their experience covering conflicts, such as in Syria or Kashmir. In providing a voice for the voiceless, TRT World journalists endeavour under dangerous conditions to uncover the truth behind the conflicts of today. There are many victims of war, and the consequences need to be highlighted through responsible journal- ism that allows viewers to be better informed. This is an indispensable role as it allows for the unravelling of events and provides a basis for the international community to understand and react to developments on the ground. Objectivity is crucial for journalists attempting to faithfully report on conflict and its various dynamics. As a result, TRT World journalists aim to ensure that any potential biases are removed to provide an accurate view into fast-moving events, allowing the audience to make up their own minds. This is a fact that our team prides themselves in, as there will always be a place for journalism that is uninhibited by distorted agen- das. Furthermore, the phenomenon of fake news, while not novel, has grown at a tremendous rate due to the proliferation of unaccountable mediums such as social media. This has only increased the importance of objectivity and news that represents events on the ground as they happen, and not how the outlet would have preferred them to happen. The main aim of TRT World has been, and always will be, the delivery of high-quality journalism. The media environment has never been as competitive as it is today, increasing the value of outlets which offer ex- REPORTING WAR 8 AND CONFLICT IN THE 21ST CENTURY cellent and truthful coverage. While war conditions are particularly diffi- cult for journalists to gather reliable information safely, our team sees no obstacle that is too challenging. Indeed, the pressure has only led TRT World journalists to new heights to cover the world’s many conflicts. This book exhibits that, and is an exceptional and personal testament to the many aspects that go into war coverage. TRT World is an award-winning public broadcaster that acknowledges the value of an informed citizenry. It is one of the requirements of a co- hesive society, and TRT World does its part by covering pertinent news every day. While media has become over-commercialised, TRT World strives to offer its viewers comprehensive and informative coverage that is free from the market forces from which many suffer. Increased knowl- edge that is rooted in an accurate understanding of current politics and policy also helps build a civic nation. Overall, TRT World presents this book on war coverage as an invaluable contribution to the literature on the discourse. The unprecedented in- sights of journalists from the ground makes for an instructive read, with the consequences of war well defined. While this may not stop future conflicts from developing, decisions that have a wide-reaching impact should never be taken lightly moving forward. Pınar Kandemir, Director of Research and Training REPORTING WAR AND CONFLICT IN THE 21ST CENTURY 9 Foreword 4 Preface 7 Editor’s Note 10 Covering Palestine (1999-2013) 18 by Bora Bayraktar Syria’s Swan Song 40 by Shamim Chowdhury Reporting Syria 66 by Sara Firth Reporting Afghanistan 82 by Tanya Goudsouzian The Last Prayer: Surviving Christchurch Massacre 104 by Ali Mustafa Reporting Kashmir, a Forgotten Conflict 132 by Baba Umar Contributors 152 References 156 REPORTING WAR 10 AND CONFLICT IN THE 21ST CENTURY EDITOR’S NOTE Over the past forty years, global news television has been a critical fea- ture of media coverage, particularly when it comes to war coverage. Large audience segments still rely on global news television as a central conduit to obtain their news and shape their worldviews.
Recommended publications
  • A Blood-Soaked Olive: What Is the Situation in Afrin Today? by Anthony Avice Du Buisson - 06/10/2018 01:23
    www.theregion.org A blood-soaked olive: what is the situation in Afrin today? by Anthony Avice Du Buisson - 06/10/2018 01:23 Afrin Canton in Syria’s northwest was once a haven for thousands of people fleeing the country’s civil war. Consisting of beautiful fields of olive trees scattered across the region from Rajo to Jindires, locals harvested the land and made a living on its rich soil. This changed when the region came under Turkish occupation this year. Operation Olive Branch: Under the governance of the Afrin Council – a part of the ‘Democratic Federation of Northern Syria’ (DFNS) – the region was relatively stable. The council’s members consisted of locally elected officials from a variety of backgrounds, such as Kurdish official Aldar Xelil who formerly co-headed the Movement for a Democratic Society (TEVDEM) – a political coalition of parties governing Northern Syria. Children studied in their mother tongue— Kurdish, Arabic, or Syriac— in a country where the Ba’athists once banned Kurdish education. The local Self-Defence Forces (HXP) worked in conjunction with the People’s Protection Units (YPG) to keep the area secure from existential threats such as Turkish Security forces (TSK) and Free Syrian Army (FSA) attacks. This arrangement continued until early 2018, when Turkey unleashed a full-scale military operation called ‘ Operation Olive Branch’ to oust TEVDEM from Afrin. The Turkish government views TEVDEM and its leading party, the Democratic Union Party (PYD), as an extension of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) – listed as a terrorist organisation in Turkey. Under the pretext of defending its borders from terrorism, the Turkish government sent thousands of troops into Afrin with the assistance of forces from its allies in Idlib and its occupied Euphrates Shield territories.
    [Show full text]
  • IDP Camps in Northern Rural Aleppo, Fact Sheet.Pdf
    IDP Camps in Northern Rural Aleppo, Fact Sheet www.stj-sy.com IDP Camps in Northern Rural Aleppo, Fact Sheet 58 IDPs and Iraqi refugees’ camps are erected in northern rural Aleppo, controlled by the armed opposition groups, the majority of which are suffering from deplorable humanitarian conditions Page | 2 IDP Camps in Northern Rural Aleppo, Fact Sheet www.stj-sy.com Syrians for Truth and Justice/STJ recorded the presence of no less than 58 camps, random and regular, erected in northern rural Aleppo, which the armed Syrian opposition groups control. In these camps, there are about 37199 families, over 209 thousand persons, both displaced internally from different parts in Syria and Iraqi refugees. The camps spread in three main regions; Azaz, Jarabulus and Afrin. Of these camps, 41 are random, receiving no periodical aid, while residents are enduring humanitarian conditions that can be called the most overwhelming, compared to others, as they lack potable water and a sewage system, in addition to electricity and heating means. Camps Located in Jarabulus: In the region of Jarabulus, the Zaghroura camp is erected. It is a regular camp, constructed by the Turkish AFAD organization. It incubates 1754 families displaced from Homs province and needs heating services and leveling the roads between the tents. There are other 20 random camps, which receive no periodical aid. These camps are al- Mayadeen, Ayn al-Saada, al-Qadi, Ayn al-Baidah, al-Mattar al-Ziraai, Khalph al-Malaab, Madraset al-Ziraa, al-Jumaa, al-Halwaneh, al-Kno, al-Kahrbaa, Hansnah, Bu Kamal, Burqus, Abu Shihab, al-Malaab, al-Jabal and al-Amraneh.
    [Show full text]
  • Weekly Conflict Summary | 3 – 9 June 2019
    WEEKLY CONFLICT SUMMARY | 3 – 9 JUNE 2019 WHOLE OF SYRIA SUMMARY • NORTHWEST | Government forces made advances in the southwest corner of the Hayyat Tahrir ash Sham (HTS)-dominated Idleb pocket. HTS and other opposition groups conducted a counter attack focused on Tal Mallah. Attacks were also recorded in the Turkish-controlled Euphrates Shield and Olive Branch Areas. • SOUTH & CENTRAL | In addition to low-level attacks against government- aligned personnel in the south, ISIS claimed to have conducted an attack on the Nimr – Gherbet Khazalah Road this week, the first since 2018. ISIS activity against government patrols was also recorded in central areas of the country. In Rastan town, in northern Homs Governorate, anti- government graffiti appeared. • NORTHEAST | Routine small arms fire and improvised explosive device (IED) activity against Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and their allies continued despite large-scale security operations in previous weeks. Further north, an IED attack occurred in Hassakeh City. Figure 1: Dominant Actors’ Area of Control and Influence in Syria as of 9 June 2019. NSOAG stands for Non-state Organized Armed Groups. For more explanation on our mapping, please see the footnote on page 2. Page 1 of 7 WEEKLY CONFLICT SUMMARY | 3 – 9 JUNE 2019 NORTHWEST SYRIA1 This week, Government of Syria (GOS) forces made advances in the southwest corner of the Hayyat Tahrir ash Sham (HTS)-dominated Idleb enclave. On 3 June, GOS Tiger Forces captured al Qasabieyh town to the north of Kafr Nabuda, before turning west and taking Qurutiyah village a day later. Currently, fighting is concentrated around Qirouta village. However, late on 5 June, HTS and the Turkish-Backed National Liberation Front (NLF) launched a major counter offensive south of Kurnaz town after an IED detonated at a fortified government location.
    [Show full text]
  • Turkish Invasions
    Turkey’s Invasion Campaigns in Syria Washington Kurdish Institute September 8, 2020 The report highlights the activities of ISIS since the Turkish invasion of the Kurdish region and Turkey’s three invasion campaigns in Syria since 2016. 1 www.dckurd.org Islamic State Sleeper-Cell Activities from October 2019 - July 2020 Since the beginning of the Turkish invasion into the Kurdish region of Syria, the so-called “Operation Peace Spring” of October 2019, the activity of ISIS sleeper- cells has changed significantly over the course of late 2019 and the first 7 months of 2020. There was a noticeable increase in attacks that correlated with the Turkish invasion, likely as a result of the Kurdish -led and US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) needing to reroute manpower and equipment towards the frontlines near where Turkey occupied in Gire Spi (Tal Abyad) and Serekaniye (Ras al-Ain). Following the end of offensive operations by the Turkish-backed forces, the activities of sleeper-cells dipped significantly, including arson attacks on the farmlands under the control of the SDF. However, in June, activity significantly decreased again, directly correlating with the beginning of the “Deterrence of Terror” operation that the SDF began conducting with Coalition forces. This led to a major increase in raids, which directly seemed to impact the activity and number of attacks. Notably in some cases, despite the number of attacks decreasing, the efficiency in terms of casualties (especially assassinations of political and tribal figures) seemed to increase. Overall, what can be concluded is that Deir Ez Zor province will continue to be a hotbed of instability for the Kurdish-led Autonomous Administration of North and East of Syria (AANES), due mostly to ISIS activity, but also partially because of the Syrian regime influence, and increasingly, sleeper-cell activities of the Turkish-backed groups.
    [Show full text]
  • HEALTH CLUSTER BULLETIN May 2021 Fig: a Health Care Worker in NWS Receiving His First Dose of Astrazeneca Vaccine
    HEALTH CLUSTER BULLETIN May 2021 Fig: A health Care worker in NWS receiving his first dose of AstraZeneca vaccine, Turkey Cross-Border produced by the Serum Institute of India. Emergency type: complex emergency Reporting period: 01.05.2021 to 31.05.2021 3.1 MILLION 12.4 MILLION* 4.2 MILLION** 10 ATTACKS*** PEOPLE IN NEED OF PEOPLE IN NEED OF SYRIAN REFUGEES AGAINST HEALTH CARE HEALTH ASSISTANCE HEALTH ASSISTANCE IN TURKEY (***JAN - MAY 2021) * figures are for the Whole of Syria in 2020 IN NWS HNO 2021 ** Source UNHCR ( (All figures are for the Whole of Syria) HIGHLIGHTS ▪ On May 1st, the COVID-19 vaccination campaign 133 HEALTH CLUSTER MEMBERS was kicked off in northwest Syria (NWS). The first 42 IMPLEMENTING PARTNERS REPORTING 2 batch of AstraZeneca vaccine, produced by the MEDICINES DELIVERED TREATMENT COURSES FOR COMMON Serum Institute of India, will target 21,313 health 70,318 DISEASES care workers, 25,000 non-health community FUNCTIONAL HEALTH FACILITIES HERAMS workers in addition to high-risk population groups FUNCTIONING FIXED PRIMARY HEALTH with associated chronic comorbidities. The total 181 CARE FACILITIES target to be vaccinated with the first batch is 72 FUNCTIONING HOSPITALS 855,000 people (to cover 20 % of the population). ▪ Until May 31st, a total of 137,577 RT-PCR tests 83 MOBILE CLINICS 3 carried out in NWS, 23,541 laboratory-confirmed HEALTH SERVICES cases of COVID-19 were detected, 673 were COVID- 873,258 CONSULTATIONS DELIVERIES ASSISTED BY A SKILLED 19’s associated deaths and 2,644 recovered. 8,438 ATTENDANT ▪ On May 31st, on the “World No Tobacco Day”, the 17,657 REFERRALS World Health Organization (WHO) echoed its voice 949,340 MEDICAL PROCEDURES supporting people quitting tobacco to reduce their 29,700 TRAUMA CASES SUPPORTED risk of severe COVID-19.
    [Show full text]
  • Turquie : La Mort De 14 Prisonniers Turcs En Irak Sert De Prétexte À La Relance De La Répression Intérieure
    INSTITUT KURDDE PARIS E Bulletin de liaison et d’information N°431 FEVRIER 2021 La publication de ce Bulletin bénéficie de subventions du Ministère français des Affaires étrangères (DGCID) et du Fonds d’action et de soutien pour l’intégration et la lutte contre les discriminations (FASILD) ————— Ce bulletin paraît en français et anglais Prix au numéro : France: 6 € — Etranger : 7,5 € Abonnement annuel (12 numéros) France : 60 € — Etranger : 75 € Périodique mensuel Directeur de la publication : Mohamad HASSAN Numéro de la Commission Paritaire : 659 13 A.S. ISBN 0761 1285 INSTITUT KURDE, 106, rue La Fayette - 75010 PARIS Tél. : 01- 48 24 64 64 - Fax : 01- 48 24 64 66 www.fikp.org E-mail: [email protected] Bulletin de liaison et d’information de l’Institut kurde de Paris N° 431 février 2021 • TURQUIE : LA MORT DE 14 PRISONNIERS TURCS EN IRAK SERT DE PRÉTEXTE À LA RELANCE DE LA RÉPRESSION INTÉRIEURE • ROJAVA : LA TURQUIE COUPABLE DE CRIME CONTRE L’HUMANITÉ, DANS LE SILENCE INTERNATIONAL • IRAK : DISCUSSIONS SUR LE BUDGET TOU- JOURS EN COURS; TIRS DE ROQUETTES SANS PRÉCÉDENT SUR ERBIL • IRAN : VAGUE D’ARRESTATIONS AU KUR- DISTAN, PLUS DE 150 PERSONNES INCAR- CÉRÉES DEPUIS JANVIER TURQUIE : LA MORT DE 14 PRISONNIERS TURCS EN IRAK SERT DE PRÉTEXTE À LA RELANCE DE LA RÉPRESSION INTÉRIEURE a Turquie vit décidé- tives de contrôle de la société tentatives ont dérapé. Sa tenta- ment un début d’année civile et répression tous azimuts. tive début janvier pour contrôler difficile. La crise écono- Les provinces kurdes du pays l’université Boğazici (Université
    [Show full text]
  • Fact Sheet Syria Landesverteidigungsakademie 01
    FACT SHEET IRAK FACT SHEET SYRIA LANDESVERTEIDIGUNGSAKADEMIE 01. February 2018 – 19. March 2018 Nr. 67 The regime and its allies shifted their attention to rebel- Kobane, Qamishli and Manbij. Turkish military presence IFK controlled areas in Idlib, Ghouta and in Syria’s south-west, in the city of Manbdisch could lead to possible clashes Institut für Friedenssicherung und Konfliktmanagement all of which are considered de-escalation zones. Weeks with the USA, whose soldiers are stationed in the area. of Russian and Syrian airstrikes on the last rebel-held en- Since early February, four states involved in the Syrian clave in eastern Ghouta, near Damascus, resulted in the conflict entered into a direct conflict with each other; A collapse of civilian infrastructure and in 1,400 deaths. UN US airstrike took place in response to the convergence of Security Resolution 2401, calling for a 30-day ceasefire in pro-regime forces and numerous Russian mercenaries to Eastern Ghouta was not implemented. The mass exodus an American base in Deir ez-Zour; One of the most serious of civilians, isolated evacuation agreements with rebel confrontations between Israel and Iran since the onset of groups and ongoing ground offensives carried out by re- the Syrian war occurred when the Syrian missile defen- gime forces will shape the immediate future in Eastern se shot down an Israeli jet. The jet was part of an Israe- Ghouta. li airstrike in Syria, in response to an entry of an Iranian Turkish soldiers and Syrian combatants, fighting under drone into Israeli airspace. The 9th round of the Astana the banner of the FSA, seized the center of Afrin, a Kur- peace talks took place alongside military offensives in dish enclave, from YPG forces and would, according to which Russia, Iran and Turkey- the three negotiating sta- Erdogan, advance to further Kurdish territories such as tes, are deeply entangled.
    [Show full text]
  • Housing, Land and Property and Access To
    Reality of Housing, Land, and Property Rights in Syria HLP Working Group - Research 2020 Housing, Land and Property and Access to Documentation Outside of Regime-Held Areas in Syria Case Studies of Six Areas in Syria Housing, Land and Property and Access to Documentation Outside of Regime-Held Areas in Syria December 2020 - Copyright © The Day After (TDA) is a Syrian organization that works to support democratic transition in Syria, and its scope of work is focused on the following areas: Rule of law, transitional justice, security sector reform, electoral system design and Constituent Assembly election, constitutional design, economic reform and social policies. Istanbul - Turkey Pürtelaş Hasan Efendi Mahallesi, Cihangir Caddesi, No:3, D:1 - İstanbul. Tel: +90 (212) 252 3812 Website: www.tda-sy.org Email: [email protected] Operations and Policy Center (OPC, formerly Orient Policy Center) is an independent think tank and service provider based in Gaziantep, Turkey. Established in 2014, OPC conducts original research and provides consulting services to enhance policymaking, development programs, and humanitarian response projects. Syrian-led and owned, OPC combines local knowledge with technological and scientific expertise, utilizing in-house statisticians and graphic designers to create original and intuitive final products. Between 2014 and 2018, OPC was an exclusive service provider to the Orient Research Center (ORC) in Dubai. Since then, OPC has focused on cultivating relationships with governmental and non-governmental bodies working in Syria or with the Syrian diaspora. Currently, OPC is in a stage of growth after significantly upscaling its capabilities due to increased demand from a growing clientele.
    [Show full text]
  • To Read the Report in Full As a PDF
    stj-sy.org Ongoing Violations Without Accountability: Islamic State Members in the Syrian National Army The present report provides detailed information on 27 IS leaders and fighters who joined the ranks of the SNA Page | 2 stj-sy.org Executive Summary The present report is concerned with the issue of Islamic State (IS) members joining the ranks of the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army (SNA) of the Syrian Interim Government (SIG), operating under the National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces. In this report, Syrians for Truth and Justice (STJ) cites 27 names of former IS members now positioned in the SNA as 11 first and second-level leaders, 6 security officials, and 10 members of different ranks. We collected detailed information on these 27 individuals as part of a total of 65 former IS members currently active in the ranks of the SNA which we will share with UN bodies. STJ obtained evidence of violations committed by these individuals while they served in IS, and later in the SNA. Furthermore, we identified which SNA groups the individuals joined — many which recruited Syrian civilians and fighters to fight as mercenaries in Libya and Azerbaijan. While preparing this report, our team noted that the SNA concealed the identity of multiple leaders and fighters in member lists provided to the Turkish government. For this paper, STJ conducted 28 interviews with leaders and fighters within the SNA and their families, as well as witnesses acquainted with the individuals discussed. This report is a part of a wider effort to collect information on former IS members who are now active in the Syrian territories among various parties in the conflict.
    [Show full text]
  • Cultivating Chaos: Afrin After Operation Olive Branch © Ceasefire Centre for Civilian Rights and YASA E.V
    Cultivating Chaos: Afrin after Operation Olive Branch © Ceasefire Centre for Civilian Rights and YASA e.V. – Kurdish Centre for Studies & Legal Consultancy July 2020 This report has been produced with financial support from the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD). Cover photo: Syrian civilians ride their cars through Ain Dara in Syria's northern Afrin region as they flee Afrin city on March 12, 2018 amid battles between Turkish-backed forces and Kurdish fighters. © Stringer/AFP via Getty Images This report was drafted by Miriam Puttick, with additional research and writing by Yomn Al-Kaisi and Mariam Bilikhodze. Ceasefire Centre for Civilian Rights The Ceasefire Centre for Civilian Rights is a new initiative to develop ‘civilian-led monitoring’ of violations of international humanitarian law or human rights, to pursue legal and political accountability for those responsible for such violations, and to develop the practice of civilian rights. The Ceasefire Centre for Civilian Rights is registered as a charity and a company limited by guarantee under English law; charity no: 1160083, company no: 9069133. YASA e.V. – Kurdish Centre for Studies & Legal Consultancy YASA is a non-governmental and non-profit organization working to promote and advocate for the human rights of Kurds in their country of origin and in the diaspora. YASA was founded in August 2005, in Bonn, and now works for the interests of Kurds in the areas of human rights, integration and culture. On the political level, YASA operates through the use of national, regional and international legal instruments and works with governmental and non-governmental organizations, which also promote the implementation of human rights.
    [Show full text]
  • The Recovery of the Local Economy in Northern Aleppo: Reality and Challenges
    The Recovery of the Local Economy in Northern Aleppo: Reality and Challenges Sinan Hatahet Wartime and Post-Conflict in Syria (WPCS) Research Project Report 25 March 2021 2021/05 © European University Institute 2021 Content and individual chapters © Sinan Hatahet 2021 This work has been published by the European University Institute, Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies. This text may be downloaded only for personal research purposes. Additional reproduction for other purposes, whether in hard copies or electronically, requires the consent of the authors. If cited or quoted, reference should be made to the full name of the author(s), editor(s), the title, the year and the publisher. Requests should be addressed to [email protected]. Views expressed in this publication reflect the opinion of individual authors and not those of the European University Institute. Middle East Directions Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies Research Project Report RSCAS/Middle East Directions 2021/05 25 March 2021 European University Institute Badia Fiesolana I – 50014 San Domenico di Fiesole (FI) www.eui.eu/RSCAS/Publications/ cadmus.eui.eu Funded by the European Union The Recovery of the Local Economy in Northern Aleppo: Reality and Challenges Sinan Hatahet* * Sinan Hatahet is a senior research fellow at the Sharq Forum and the Omran Centre for Strategic Studies. He is also a researcher in the Wartime and Post-Conflict in Syria project in the Middle East Directions programme at the Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies (EUI, Florence). Hatahet’s research interests include: the dynamics of Syria’s national and local economies; non-state actors; the Kurdish political movement; and the emerging regional order in MENA.
    [Show full text]
  • Assessing the Post–July 15 Turkish Military
    THE WASHINGTON INSTITUTE FOR NEAR EAST POLICY ■ 2019 ■ PN59 Assessing the Post–July 15 Turkish Military Operations Euphrates Shield and Olive Branch METIN GURCAN Since the July 15, 2016, military uprising in Turkey, many have speculated on how this event, and the purges and reforms that followed, has reshaped the operational effectiveness of the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF). Yet so far, no analytical piece relying on primary sources and on-the-ground insights has emerged assessing the TAF’s effectiveness. This study aims to fill this gap, drawing comparisons and contrasts between the post–July 15 TAF’s two critical cross-border operations into northern Syria: Operation Euphrates Shield (OES; August 2016–March 2017), against the Islamic State, which occurred in the Jarabulus–al-Rai–al-Bab triangle; and Operation Olive Branch (OOB; January–April 2018), against the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK)–affiliated People’s Defense Units (YPG) in the Afrin region. © 2019 THE WASHINGTON INSTITUTE FOR NEAR EAST POLICY. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. METIN GURCAN The design, planning, and execution of both oper- such as the National Intelligence Organiza- ations, as well as their similarities and differences, tell tion (MIT) and TAF; political actors such as the much about how and to what extent the institutional presidency and Ministry of Foreign Affairs; and shock caused by the July 15 uprising, subsequent bureaucratic actors such as the Disaster and military reforms, and mass purges have affected the Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD), TAF’s operational efficiency and effectiveness. Fur- Turkish Red Crescent, and local municipalities ther, OES, providing a snapshot of the TAF just after type and extent of military technologies used the July 15 uprising, and OOB, providing a similar and material losses they caused snapshot eighteen months after the uprising, reveal insights regarding the characteristics of Turkey’s influence on foreign policy, including strategic potential future cross-border operations.
    [Show full text]