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The Motives Behind the Establishment of the "National Army" Reserve to Turkey Abdel Nasser Hassou Introduction Popul
The Motives Behind The Establishment Of The "National Army" Reserve to Turkey Abdel Nasser Hassou Introduction Popular protests in Syria quickly turned into a bloody conflict, which has claimed nearly one million lives since 2011, due to the impact of external, international and regional factors that the Syrian arena witnessed during the past years. As the revolution turned into its military phase, it suffered from wide political and military transformations. The factions multiplied. In 2014, the number of factions was estimated at 1,000, comprising at least 100,000 Syrian and foreign fighters, and their orientations varied according to the countries that support them. The territory under their control expended (at one time it reached 70% of Syria), led to bloody conflicts between them for control of the crossings and tunnels, encapsulating those conflicts with ideology and religious fatwas, and all attempts to integrate these factions and unify them failed. In practice, the armed revolution since 2013 has not succeeded in any central operation, and has not been able to carry out any battle with strategic and tactical objectives. In fact, most of the battles it fought were in response to the regional and international struggle for the influence in the field map. The establishment of the "National Army" is a Turkish necessity The first attempt to establish a military entity after the splits in the regular army was to establish the "Free Officers Brigade", at the initiative of renegade Lieutenant Colonel Hussein Harmoush, but the attempt failed after he was arrested by Turkish intelligence and handed over to the Syrian regime on the back of his disagreement with the Turkish leaders. -
PKK Attack’ Kills Two Police Well As Individual NATO Allies, the European Union and the UN.— AP Al-Qaeda Attacks As Tensions Boil in Turkey US-Trained Rebels
INTERNATIONAL SATURDAY, AUGUST 1, 2015 Two of four Indians held in Libya released NEW DELHI: Two Indian teachers who Moamer Kadhafi-in the jihadist group’s first were detained in an area of Libya that the such military gain in Libya. They have since Islamic State group claims to control have claimed to control the whole of the city. been released but two of their colleagues Ministry spokesman Vikas Swarup said the are still being held, the New Delhi govern- Indian mission in Tripoli “came to know that ment said yesterday. four Indian nationals who were returning to India’s foreign ministry said it was able India, via Tripoli and Tunis, were detained at to “secure the release” of the two after the a checkpoint” around 11 pm Thursday. group was detained at a checkpoint around “We are in regular touch with the fami- 30 miles Sirte late Thursday and taken to lies concerned and all efforts are being the southern coastal city. The teachers, who made to ensure (their) well-being and ear- had been working at Sirte university, were ly release,” Swarup told journalists earlier heading for Tripoli where they intended to yesterday in New Delhi. Indian media catch a flight out of the country. “I am hap- reported that the IS group may be holding py we have been able to secure the release the teachers. A senior ministry official said of Lakshmikant and Vijay Kumar. Trying for no individual or group had yet tried to (the) other two,” Foreign Minister Sushma make contact or issue a ransom demand. -
UK Home Office
Country Policy and Information Note Syria: the Syrian Civil War Version 4.0 August 2020 Preface Purpose This note provides country of origin information (COI) and analysis of COI for use by Home Office decision makers handling particular types of protection and human rights claims (as set out in the Introduction section). It is not intended to be an exhaustive survey of a particular subject or theme. It is split into two main sections: (1) analysis and assessment of COI and other evidence; and (2) COI. These are explained in more detail below. Assessment This section analyses the evidence relevant to this note – i.e. the COI section; refugee/human rights laws and policies; and applicable caselaw – by describing this and its inter-relationships, and provides an assessment of, in general, whether one or more of the following applies: x A person is reasonably likely to face a real risk of persecution or serious harm x The general humanitarian situation is so severe as to breach Article 15(b) of European Council Directive 2004/83/EC (the Qualification Directive) / Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights as transposed in paragraph 339C and 339CA(iii) of the Immigration Rules x The security situation presents a real risk to a civilian’s life or person such that it would breach Article 15(c) of the Qualification Directive as transposed in paragraph 339C and 339CA(iv) of the Immigration Rules x A person is able to obtain protection from the state (or quasi state bodies) x A person is reasonably able to relocate within a country or territory x A claim is likely to justify granting asylum, humanitarian protection or other form of leave, and x If a claim is refused, it is likely or unlikely to be certifiable as ‘clearly unfounded’ under section 94 of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002. -
Weekly Conflict Summary
Weekly Conflict Summary September 14-20, 2017 During the reporting period, pro-government forces and Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF, a Kurdish-led coalition backed by the US) both advanced around the ISIS-held city of Deir Ezzor, leading to a sharp increase in tension between the two as they maneuver close to one another. ISIS-held territory in Raqqa city continued to fall to SDF advances the reporting week and pro-government forces advanced against the group in eastern Homs/eastern Hama as well. Hai’yat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS, formerly Al-Qaeda-linked Jabhat al-Nusra) started another offensive for the northern countryside of Hama, to no real effect. A string of assassinations within Idleb targeted members of HTS. HTS formed an interim governing body to compete with the Syrian opposition’s Interim Government and a coalition of opposition forces expressed their discontent with the Astana process. Units in southern Syria have continued to develop their local police work and are aiding attempts to strengthen the Syrian opposition’s Interim Government that HTS opposes. Figure 1 - Areas of control in Syria by September 20, with arrows indicating advances since the start of the reporting period 1 of 6 Weekly Conflict Summary – September 09-14, 2017 Conflict around Deir Ezzor In the last two weeks, pro-government forces broke the ISIS siege around Deir Ezzor city, the offensive force has worked to expand its control over the city and surrounding area. This week, pro-government forces drove back ISIS fighters at least 10-15 km from the Deir Ezzor Military Airport, from which combat missions have been launched since. -
The Best of Bad Options for Syria's Idlib
The Best of Bad Options for Syria’s Idlib Middle East Report N°197 | 14 March 2019 Headquarters International Crisis Group Avenue Louise 149 • 1050 Brussels, Belgium Tel: +32 2 502 90 38 • Fax: +32 2 502 50 38 [email protected] Preventing War. Shaping Peace. Table of Contents Executive Summary ................................................................................................................... i I. Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 1 II. Idlib’s De-escalation and the Sochi Memorandum .......................................................... 3 III. Idlib’s Rebel Scene ............................................................................................................ 6 A. Hei’at Tahrir al-Sham ................................................................................................ 7 1. HTS’s administrative and economic project ........................................................ 9 2. HTS’s ambiguous identity .................................................................................... 13 B. Other Jihadists ........................................................................................................... 17 1. Hurras al-Din/Wa-Harridh al-Mu’mineen operations room .............................. 17 2. Turkistan Islamic Party in Syria ........................................................................... 19 3. Miscellaneous jihadists ....................................................................................... -
The Syrian Armed Conflict: Nearing the End ?
THE WAR REPORT 2018 THE SYRIAN ARMED CONFLICT: NEARING THE END ? © ICRC JANUARY 2019 I MARIJA SULCE THE GENEVA ACADEMY A JOINT CENTER OF and interests amid the unrest. The struggle for power in the CONTEXT AND HISTORY OF THE CONFLICT1 region has drawn into the conflict countries such as the US, The Syrian armed conflict began in 2011 as a civil Russia, Turkey, Iran, Israel and many others. To a degree, war, stemming from the Arab Spring protests. The Syrian the conflict has become more international in character, people started protesting in March 2011 in Daara against rather than remaining faithful to its non-international the corruption of President Bashar al-Assad’s government, civil war roots. The conflict is no longer only about Syria’s lack of political freedom and unemployment. The government and Assad’s corruption; in recent years, it has demonstrations took an ugly turn when the regime tried become a pawn in the geopolitical struggles of the Middle to crush the dissent by force.2 After the forceful response East.7 Having said that, the international community has to the demonstrations, protests against the regime erupted played an important role in trying to facilitate peace talks nationwide. The regime’s opponents started taking up between the Assad regime and the opposition groups. One arms and the unrest began its descent into civil war in July example is the Astana talks in 2017, which managed to set 2011, when a group of defectors from the Syrian military up de-escalation zones in Syria, sponsored by Russia, Turkey began forming the Free Syrian Army (FSA) with the aim and Iran,8 as well as the demilitarized zone brokered by of overthrowing President Assad’s regime.3 During the Turkey and Russia in the last remaining rebel stronghold in almost eight years of ensuing civil war, many parties have Idlib in September 2018.9 joined the conflict, including many rebel groups as well Approaching its eighth year, the Syrian war is one of the as other states, highly complicating the war. -
The So-Called Islamic State (IS) in Iraq and Syria
The Globalisation of Terrorism From Local Actor to Global Threat The So-Called Islamic State (IS) in Iraq and Syria Malte Gaier 8 With the onset of the crises in Syria and Iraq, the political environment in the Levant has continued to sustain a steep security decline since 2011. The dreaded prospect of spillovers into neighboring countries at the beginning has now become a reality. The self-styled Islamic State and other international militant Islamist groups operating as belligerents in the Syria and Iraq crisis constitute a grave long-term challenge for the international community. The so-called Islamic State (IS) recently with- harbours potential for future conflict, further drew from the Syrian city of Palmyra at the end fuelled by the current political crisis within Iraq. of March due to intensive Russian air strikes and left the city to be conquered by the advanc- Military Escalation Despite ing Syrian troops. Before that, the capture of Diplomatic Efforts the Iraqi town of Fallujah at the end of 2013 and Mosul in June 2014, the IS had made con- With the signing of the Vienna Communiqué siderable territorial gains. Yet, the perspective and the adoption of UN Security Council reso- on conquered territories only allows limited lution 2254 as well as agreements made at the conclusions for the long-term threat potential. Munich Security Conference, the International As a terror network that is now operating on an Syria Support Group, whose members include international scale, the organisation succeeded the USA and Russia as well as representatives in spawning offshoots in the Middle East, Africa from Iran and Saudi Arabia, had no doubt made and South and Central Asia, while supporters some progress by the end of 2015 towards have been mounting terror attacks virtually on a establishing the political conditions that will weekly basis throughout the world. -
A/HRC/40/70 Advance Edited Version
A/HRC/40/70 Advance Edited Version Distr.: General 31 January 2019 Original: English Human Rights Council Fortieth session 25 February–22 March 2019 Agenda item 4 Human rights situations that require the Council’s attention Report of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic*, ** Summary Extensive military gains made by pro-government forces throughout the first half of 2018, coupled with an agreement between Turkey and the Russian Federation to establish a demilitarized zone in the north-west, led to a significant decrease in armed conflict in the Syrian Arab Republic in the period from mid July 2018 to mid January 2019. Hostilities elsewhere, however, remain ongoing. Attacks by pro-government forces in Idlib and western Aleppo Governorates, and those carried out by the Syrian Democratic Forces and the international coalition in Dayr al-Zawr Governorate, continue to cause scores of civilian casualties. In the aftermath of bombardments, civilians countrywide suffered the effects of a general absence of the rule of law. Numerous civilians were detained arbitrarily or abducted by members of armed groups and criminal gangs and held hostage for ransom in their strongholds in Idlib and northern Aleppo. Similarly, with the conclusion of Operation Olive Branch by Turkey in March 2018, arbitrary arrests and detentions became pervasive throughout Afrin District (Aleppo). In areas recently retaken by pro-government forces, including eastern Ghouta (Rif Dimashq) and Dar’a Governorate, cases of arbitrary detention and enforced disappearance were perpetrated with impunity. After years of living under siege, many civilians in areas recaptured by pro-government forces also faced numerous administrative and legal obstacles to access key services. -
Jihadist Groups on the Turkish - Syrian Front
I N T E R N A T I O NA L CO N F E R E N C E RCIC’18 Redefining Community in Intercultural Context Bucharest, 17-19 May 2018 JIHADIST GROUPS ON THE TURKISH - SYRIAN FRONT Ammar EL BENNI, Cristian TRONCOTĂ ‘Mihai Viteazul’ National Intelligence Academy, Bucharest, Romania Abstract: The instability in Syria that started in 2011 when the anti-regime uprisings turned into a civil war has initially spread into the region, and then has become a global problem due to the Salafist militant extremists. The terrorist organization known as the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria declared a global jihad and urged “true” Muslims all over the world for an exodus towards the newly founded Islamic state. Turkey, as a neighbour to the conflict zone, has been facing an increasing risk and threats to its security at many levels. The reason for the risk is essentially caused not only by the geographical proximity to the conflict zone but also by its border neighbours, which include such non-state actors as DAESH, the Kurdish Democratic. Turkey is preparing to launch the main effort of its Operation Olive Branch assault against the Syrian Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) in the Afrin area in northern Syria. Turkish forces and Turkish-backed Syrian opposition groups have set military conditions for a Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) ground operation in the coming days. In this paper we will present the Jihadist groups that act for Turkey's interests as well as for Syria's interests. Knowing these groups will help us understand that terrorism is financed from the outside to create destabilization of the area. -
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. -
Building Legitimacy Under Bombs: Syrian Local Revolutionary Governance’S Quest for Trust and Peace
BUILDING LEGITIMACY UNDER BOMBS: SYRIAN LOCAL REVOLUTIONARY GOVERNANCE’S QUEST FOR TRUST AND PEACE Nour Salameh ADVERTIMENT. L'accés als continguts d'aquesta tesi doctoral i la seva utilització ha de respectar els drets de la persona autora. Pot ser utilitzada per a consulta o estudi personal, així com en activitats o materials d'investigació i docència en els termes establerts a l'art. 32 del Text Refós de la Llei de Propietat Intel·lectual (RDL 1/1996). Per altres utilitzacions es requereix l'autorització prèvia i expressa de la persona autora. En qualsevol cas, en la utilització dels seus continguts caldrà indicar de forma clara el nom i cognoms de la persona autora i el títol de la tesi doctoral. No s'autoritza la seva reproducció o altres formes d'explotació efectuades amb finalitats de lucre ni la seva comunicació pública des d'un lloc aliè al servei TDX. Tampoc s'autoritza la presentació del seu contingut en una finestra o marc aliè a TDX (framing). Aquesta reserva de drets afecta tant als continguts de la tesi com als seus resums i índexs. ADVERTENCIA. El acceso a los contenidos de esta tesis doctoral y su utilización debe respetar los derechos de la persona autora. Puede ser utilizada para consulta o estudio personal, así como en actividades o materiales de investigación y docencia en los términos establecidos en el art. 32 del Texto Refundido de la Ley de Propiedad Intelectual (RDL 1/1996). Para otros usos se requiere la autorización previa y expresa de la persona autora. En cualquier caso, en la utilización de sus contenidos se deberá indicar de forma clara el nombre y apellidos de la persona autora y el título de la tesis doctoral. -
Us Counterterrorism Efforts in Syria
U.S. COUNTERTERRORISM EFFORTS IN SYRIA: A WINNING STRATEGY? HEARING BEFORE THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON TERRORISM, NONPROLIFERATION, AND TRADE OF THE COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ONE HUNDRED FOURTEENTH CONGRESS FIRST SESSION SEPTEMBER 29, 2015 Serial No. 114–101 Printed for the use of the Committee on Foreign Affairs ( Available via the World Wide Web: http://www.foreignaffairs.house.gov/ or http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/ U.S. GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE 96–816PDF WASHINGTON : 2015 For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Publishing Office Internet: bookstore.gpo.gov Phone: toll free (866) 512–1800; DC area (202) 512–1800 Fax: (202) 512–2104 Mail: Stop IDCC, Washington, DC 20402–0001 VerDate 0ct 09 2002 11:51 Nov 04, 2015 Jkt 000000 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 5011 Sfmt 5011 F:\WORK\_TNT\092915\96816 SHIRL COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS EDWARD R. ROYCE, California, Chairman CHRISTOPHER H. SMITH, New Jersey ELIOT L. ENGEL, New York ILEANA ROS-LEHTINEN, Florida BRAD SHERMAN, California DANA ROHRABACHER, California GREGORY W. MEEKS, New York STEVE CHABOT, Ohio ALBIO SIRES, New Jersey JOE WILSON, South Carolina GERALD E. CONNOLLY, Virginia MICHAEL T. MCCAUL, Texas THEODORE E. DEUTCH, Florida TED POE, Texas BRIAN HIGGINS, New York MATT SALMON, Arizona KAREN BASS, California DARRELL E. ISSA, California WILLIAM KEATING, Massachusetts TOM MARINO, Pennsylvania DAVID CICILLINE, Rhode Island JEFF DUNCAN, South Carolina ALAN GRAYSON, Florida MO BROOKS, Alabama AMI BERA, California PAUL COOK, California ALAN S. LOWENTHAL, California RANDY K. WEBER SR., Texas GRACE MENG, New York SCOTT PERRY, Pennsylvania LOIS FRANKEL, Florida RON DESANTIS, Florida TULSI GABBARD, Hawaii MARK MEADOWS, North Carolina JOAQUIN CASTRO, Texas TED S.