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# DEIR EZZOR SECURITY OPERATIONS AND ISIS ACTIVITIES

After continued attacks on SDF checkpoints in eastern Deir Ezzor, SDF deployed additional forces to carry out a wider security operation. More than 10 ISIS linked individuals have been arrested after an extensive intelligence research, focused not just on sleeping cells, but targeting also networks of weapons and oil smuggling often connected with ISIS activities. Despite the defeat of the caliphate, insurgent activity of ISIS in the desert areas of central Syria continued. Since the collapse of the al-Assad regime, sunni fundamentalist groups are disappointed with the moderate politics of the transitional government of al-Sharaa. ISIS is exploiting those frustrations to recruit insurgents into their ranks, increasing their activities and expanding their networks. Syrian authorities also claim the arrest of an ISIS cell in Aleppo, as a reaction to a deadly attack of the fundamentalist group on a public security facility that resulted in the death of a security officer.

# TRUMP - AL-SHARAA MEETING IN SAUDI ARABIA

Trump announced in Riyadh that he will lift the sanctions on Syria, presenting it as “a new opportunity” for the Syrian government to restore stability. The declaration came during his speech at the Saudi-U.S. Investment Forum in Riyadh, where Trump is on a high-profile tour on middle east. After that announcement, a face to face meeting between Trump and al-Sharaa took place, together with Saudi Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Turkish President Erdoğan, who joined online. The White House announced their request for Syria to expel Palestinian terrorists groups and to join the Abraham agreements (agreements of normalization of relations between Israel and Arab nations). Another major request was for the Syrian government to assume full responsibility for ISIS detention centers of northeast Syria, currently under control of SDF. The previous request of US for lifting sanctions of removing foreign islamists from government positions was not mentioned. Al-Sharaa invited U.S. companies to invest in Syria’s oil and gas sectors.

# MORE HTS AND SNA APPOINTMENTS IN GOVERNMENT POSITIONS

The government of al-Sharaa continues to appoint important figures of HTS in key positions of the transitional government. This include Abdul Qader al Tahhan (Abu Bilal Quds) as Deputy Interior Minister for National Security Affairs, Hakim al Deiri (Dia al Din al Omar) as General Security Services (GSS) Director of Latakia Province and Muhammad Taha al Ahmad as Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab Affairs. Also this week a meeting with leading commanders of SNA was held nearby Serekaniye. They discussed about integration of different SNA groups in the new Syrian army, without requiring them to reform or restructure their forces. This brings important questions for the future of the M4 strip area between Serekaniye and Gire Spi, occupied by Turkish proxies since 2019. Thousands of families are waiting to return to their homes after they were expelled by the Turkish military operations more than 5 years ago.

# PKK CEASING ACTIVITIES

After a two day congress held in Irak, PKK announced that it will cease activities under such name and that the organization will disband. This statement follows the call of their imprisoned leader, Abdullah Öcalan, calling for a peace process and the resolution of the Kurdish question over political means. Turkish state welcomed the statement, but announced that it will continue its ground military operations on areas under control of PKK. Turkish President Erdoğan made declarations calling for the process of dissolution and disarmament to also involve the Syrian and European branches of the organization.

Mazloum Abdi, head of SDF, welcomed the announcement of PKK describing it as a “historic and courageous” decision, marking what he called a pivotal moment for politics and peace in the Middle East. “The PKK’s decision to dismantle its organizational structure, end the armed struggle, and adopt democratic politics based on the call of leader Abdullah Öcalan is commendable. We are confident this step will pave the way for a new phase of politics and peace in the region.”

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# EVALUATION

For more than six and a half months we have been reporting about the ongoing situation on Syria, with special focus on the development of the revolutionary process of north-East Syria. The region has been experiencing deep political changes and transformations, that we try to analyze combining the information that gets published with our experiences and sources on the ground.

We reached a point were this task is getting heavier for us, not being able to fully grasp the meaning of the unfolding events. In these circumstances, we consider it appropriate to re-evaluate our tasks and our role as anarchists in north-east Syria. We want to provide accurate evaluations, in line with our political perspectives and coherent with the principles of critical solidarity that characterize our vision of internationalism.

The implications of what we are witnessing stretches beyond what we expected. We need to be careful about what we share with you all, and we will need some time to reflect what is happening in the new Syria that is being made, what implications does it have for Kurdistan and for Middle east and how this will affect the rest of the world. Overall, we need to reflect what lessons we, as well as other revolutionary movements, can learn from this situation.

Revolutionary greetings

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# VISIT AL-SHARAA IN FRANCE

Al-Sharaa visited France to have a meeting with Emmanuel Macron. News reported Macron’s proposal to strengthen the cooperation of the new government with SDF in the fight against ISIS. In the press conference after the meeting, The French president congratulated the common efforts of Syria’s transitional government and the Syrian Democratic Forces that resulted in the agreements of the 10th of March, calling it “an important stage in Syria’s history”. Macron called for a continuation of "the gradual lifting of European economic sanctions" if the new Islamist authorities stabilize the country. He added that USA should follow the same path and also should, "as long as possible", not withdraw American troops from Syria.
Demonstrations organized by Syrian migrants took place in France to denounce the meeting with the former leader of HTS. This meeting happened a week after a declaration from the foreign affairs ministry condemning the massacres perpetuated on the Druze population of Suweida. The declaration urged the Damascus transitional government to take back the control of a situation caused by "outlawed groups".

# NEW APPOINTMENT IN DAMASCUS FORCES

On May 5th (Monday), Damascus transitional government appointed Ahmad al-Hays (Abu Hatem Shaqra) as new leader of the 86th division, responsible of security of the areas of Deir Ezzor, Raqqa and Hasaka. In 2018, he was implicated in the trafficking of Yazidi women and children and in recruiting former ISIS members. He is also responsible of the brutal murder of Hevrin Khalaf in 2019, who was the general secretary of the Future Syrian Party. Ahmad Al-Hayes is on the U.S. sanctions list accused of grave human rights abuses and links to the Islamic State (ISIS). A statement from the DAANES condemned the appointment. Kongra Star, the main structure of the women’s movement in Syria called for accountability, requiring the revocation of Al-Hays appointment and an apology to the family of Hevrin Khalef. On Thursday, the U.S. State Department strongly criticized the transitional Syrian government for this appointment in a press conference.

# CONTINUATION OF THE TENSIONS IN SUWEIDA

The tensions that started last week in the region of Suweida escalated. On thursday, forces connected to the military council of Suweida carried out an ambush on a car of the security forces of Damascus. The escalating violence pushed 300 students to be evacuated out from their university in emergency. Agreements are being made for Security forces of Damascus recently deployed in the area to withdraw, letting local police security forces from Suweida to take care of security. Different groups from the Druze community are calling for restraint and cooperation with Damascus government, while the military council of Suweida seems determined to fight for the defense of the Druze autonomy.

# VICTORY ON TISHREEN

The DAANES put an end to the rotations of civilians convoys going to Tirshin to support the SDF forces fighting. In the final statement of the last civilian convoy, victory was declared. The resistance of the dam stopped the attacks of turkish proxy forces, preventing the invasion of Kobane and further war against the DAANES territories. They remembered and thanked all those who gave their life in the defense of the dam, both civilians and military, as well as all those injured in the resistance.
Forces connected to the transitional government continue to be deployed in the surrounding villages, as SDF also continues reinforcing the region. For now, the military conflict is over, but clashes can restart in a near future if the negotiations don't reach satisfactory agreements for both sides.

# PKK 12TH CONGRESS

Between the 5th and the 7th of may, PKK held its 12th congress. Proposals and perspectives from Abdullah Ocalan were read and discussed, together with a report of the PKK Central Committee. PKK commemorated the martyrs of the revolution and called on "patriotic people and all democratic socialist forces to properly embrace and live in accordance with all the national and democratic values". They announced that more details about the the congress will be published in the coming days.

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# EVALUATION

The resistance in Tishreen declared victory over the attacks of Turkish proxies, concluding almost 4 months of civilian vigil. People from all territories of the DAANES, from Kobane to Deir Ezzor, joined this popular initiative to defend the dam and stop the enemy advance. The combination of military defense and civilian resistance is a clear example of how the revolutionary principles of this revolution are put in practice. It shows the will and determination of the people of North-East Syria, ready to fight to protect their land and defend the achievements of the revolution. It also shows the value of diversity of tactics, how different elements can combine and support each other if they share common revolutionary aims.

The appointment of Abu Hatem Shaqra as leader of the 86th division is bold decision that will have serious implications. The Damascus government making such appointment is an attempt to exercise power and demonstrate authority over North-East Syria, questioning SDF and the inhabitants of North eastern Syria. It is a direct and conscious provocation from a newly born authoritarian regime, that will for sure undermine the already challenging negotiation for integration of SDF in the new Syrian army. Abu Hatem Shaqra's connection to the turkish secret services is beyond question: he was the commander of a turkish backed group (Ahrar al-Sharqiya) and joined several meetings organized by the MIT during the Afrin war. For turkey, positioning SNA commanders like Abu Hatem Shaqra or Fahim Issa (nominated at the head of the ministry of defense of Syria a month ago) in the higher ranks of the new Syrian Army is a way to ensure influence and to guarantee the alignment of the new Syrian army with Turkish interests. His appointment also questions the US, which has his name on a terrorist list and already made statements condemning such decision.

The visit of al-Sharaa in France may seem a contradictory event, specially when UN and many French politicians opposed such a visit. The French president made special permission for him, allowing the head of the transitional government to visit Europe for the first time. For al-Sharaa, this trip is another step towards legitimacy, probably hoping that other European states will follow the French example, also gathering support for the EU to lift economic sanctions on Syria. The French president emphasized their wish for the Syrian transitional government to strengthen collaboration with SDF, knowing that many international ISIS fighters in NES prisons have French nationality. Discussions about the new Syrian government taking control of ISIS prisons, as Turkey already proposed, necessarily rings the alarms for many countries. Intelligence services all over the world are worried about the future of those experienced salafist militants, especially if the current islamist government takes control of those prisons. Even if we can't be sure about it, this was probably one of the main reasons that motivated French state to invite al-Shara.

News about the recent congress of PKK are also raising questions about what implications will it have not only for Syria, but for all parts of Kurdistan. As for now not much information is available on what agreements were reached in the congress, but it is expected that official statements will soon be published.

Revolutionary greetings!

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# CLASHES IN DRUZE REGIONS
After an audio of a druze sheik insulting prophet Mohamed spread in social networks, extremist sunni groups attacked checkpoints on druze areas, targetings druze self-defense forces as well as checkpoint of the General Security Services (GSS) of the Ministry of Defense. The audio was confirmed fake, but clashes escalated with dozens of deads and many injured. Druze leaders condemned the attacks, some blaming the transitional government and comparing it with the massacres in coastal areas.
Among those killed in clashes there is a leading figure of "men of dignity", the biggest local druze force, currently in negotiations with the provisional government to integrate forces in the new Syrian army. Several fighters of the GSS were also killed, as more forces were deployed in the region to deter further attacks against druze population. Delegetes of the provisional government held meetings with druze leaders to de-escalate the situation.

# ISRAELI BOMBING CAMPAGIN
With the tensions surrounding the clashes on Druze regions, Israel bombed some positions where clashes were taking place. They also launched a wider bombing campaign targeting military positions of the GSS. One of the bombs was dropped a few meters away of the presidential Palace in Damascus. Israel ministery of Defense declared that the bombing was a warning to stop the attacks against Druze population, announcing plans for further attacks and expansion of their military campaign if the provisional government doesn't protect minorities. Many military positions around Syria were targeted, destroying military infrastructure and injuring military personnel. Some Druze civilians were also killed in one of the bombings of Israel. Many governments strongly condemned the attacks of Israel, including UN delegates, denouncing how Israel interference is threatening the stability of Syria.

# STALLING OF THE NEGOTIATIONS WITH NES
No new steps were taken in the negotiations after the agreements of March 10 were signed by Mazlum Abdi and Ahmed al-Shara. The damascus government criticized the conference of Kurdish national unity, accusing it of an effort to create division and separatism. Calls of the DAANES for a federal Syria are not being listen to by the central government, that sees the efforts to sustain the self-government structures as a threat to their model of centralized government. GSS forces have been deploying in the suroundings of Tishreen dam, even if no clashes are taking place there since mid April. SDF is also increasing security in the region, building up tensions that can spark future conflicts.

# ISIS LEADER CAPTURED IN DEIR EZZOR
SDF captured a senior leader of the Islamic State (ISIS) in the eastern countryside of Deir ez-Zor, eastern Syria. The continued work to monitor and target high rank ISIS insurgents, with support of the international coalition. The arrested leader served as the head of an ISIS cell focused on extorting money from civilians. A large cache of weapons and ammunition was also captured during the operation.

# TURKEY BUILDING GAS PIPE IN IDLIB
The ministeries of energy of Syria and Turkey announced new agreements to provide energy to Syria. A new gas pipe is being build in Idlib, with promises to supply up to 6 million cubic liters of gas to power plans in Syria, with promises of a second pipe line also being build. A general framework agreement on energy cooperation between Syria and Turkey is expected to be signed soon.

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# EVALUATION
The clashes in Suweida and the attacks on druze regions, south of Damascus, are a trigger warning for all minorities in Syria. The recent massacres against Alawites are still very present for many, especially for those who oppose the power grab of al-Shara. Maybe because of that, the central goverment seems to be reacting much faster that they did in the coastal regions, with rapid deployment of security forces to prevent a spiral of violence going out of control.

Kurdish areas are closely following the events, knowing that if this can happen to the Alawites and the Druze, the Kurds may be next. These incidents may affect the negotiations about integration of SDF in the new Syrian army, because if the transitional government can't prevent attacks on minorities, autonomous means of self-defense are the only way to ensure security. The tensions are also to be noticed in Tishreen dam, where military presence is building up in both sides of the river.

The Israeli attacks are using the incidents in Druze regions as an excuse to promote their agenda, destroying military infrastructure and justifying their armed operations in Syria. Turkey is among the strongest voices against the Israeli attacks, fueling tensions between the two major competing powers for influence in the region.

For someone with a hammer, everything looks like a nail. Syria has been drowning in war for over a decade, with military force being the dominant force that shaped the present. It is not easy to escape that spiral of violence, and even after the regime has fallen, demilitarization of a conflict is a very complicated process.

Looking at the rest of the world, at how many states are racing to increase their military budgets to unseen levels, it is more clear every day that we are moving globally towards war. This is not something we wanted to see, but we also have a responsibility to understand what is happening around us and react to it. We need to be ready for what is comming, and start working today to build the means of resistance that we will need tomorrow. When the war starts, it is often to late, and only those who are ready to face the challenges that arise can bring their proposals on the table.

Revolutionary greetings!

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# KURDISH UNITY CONFERENCE
The DAANES and SDF have been strengthening their diplomatic position, meeting with delegations from Germany, France and US. In a major step towards Kurdish political unity, more than 400 delegates from Northern, Southern and Western Kurdistan gathered in Qamişlo for the Rojava Kurdish Unity and Common Stance Conference. The final declaration, read out by Foza Yûsif of PYD and Mihemed Ismail of ENKS affirmed "a shared view and position based on a multi-ethnic, multi-religious, and multicultural identity, committed to international human rights conventions, protecting women's freedom and rights, ensuring their effective participation in political, social, and military institutions, guaranteeing the constitutional rights of the Kurds, and achieving a fair and comprehensive solution to the Kurdish issue within the framework of a united Syria."

The following day, the new Syrian regime accused the SDF of violating the terms of the agreement between Mazlûm Abdî and Ahmed al Sharaa, by promoting federalism and establishing a de facto separate reality on the ground, against the spirit of that agreement.

# SYRIAN-INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
Representatives of the new Syrian regime continue establishing ties with countries around the world. A shipment of wheat arrived in Latkiya, reportedly of Russian origin, the first shipment since the fall of the Assad regime. Al-Sharaa met with Iraqi government officials, discussing reopening the al Tanf border crossing, securing their border, the possibility of rehabilitating the Iraq-Syria oil pipeline to Syrian ports on the Mediterranean, and trade. Trucks began delivering grain to Syria from Iraq this week. South Korea & the Yemeni government will open embassies with Syria (a reversal of former Assad regime's ties with North Korea and Houthi rebels, who ran the Yemeni embassy in Damascus under Assad). Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani raised new Syrian flag at the UN in New York. The IMF is discussing how they will "help" Syria to recover economically.

UK removed several sanctions on Syria, including Defense and Interior Ministries, following other EU and US sanctions which have been removed, but many sanctions remain in place. The US have issued 8 demands to the Al Sharaa regime in order to waive further sanctions for 2 years, including a public ban on any Palestinian political activity, proscribing the Iranian IRGC as a terrorist organisation, and allowing unilateral US military action on Syrian territory. Perhaps in a gesture towards these demands, the regime arrested 2 leaders of al Quds Brigades, the military wing of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad Movement. However, the Syrian regime expressed disagreement over these demands as infringing on Syrian sovereignty.

# SYRIAN GOVERNMENT CONSOLIDATING STATE AMIDST OPPOSITION FORCES
In the coastal region, an Alawite force has been created under Rami Makhlouf, cousin of former dictator Bashar al-Assad; they claim to be only for protecting the people and call for international forces, especially Russia, to support them. Meanwhile a new Sunni-Jihadist group, Saraya Ansar al Sunnah, ideologically very close to IS, began carrying out killings of Alawites allegedly connected to the old regime. They do not accept the transitional government and are open to collaboration with IS; they also say they will attack the Druze in the south. In Der ez Zor countryside, attacks against SDF continue; ISIS has claimed several in the past 2 weeks, though not all.

Against this, and the fragile truces negotiated with SNA and SDF, the new regime is seeking to extend its presence throughout the country. The Interior Ministry seized a large shipment of weapons allegedly bound for Suweyda, amid operations seeking to crack down on weapon proliferation in the Druze south. In Aleppo governorate, a former commander of al Nusra Front, Abdul Rahman Salama, was appointed deputy supervisor of Afrin, Azaz, al Bab, Jarablus and Manbij, as part of the provinces plan to intensify administrative presence in the area.

# COMMEMORATION OF 1915 ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
This week marked 110 years since the beginning of the Genocide of the Armenians in the Ottoman Empire, which went on to target Syriacs, Assyrians and Chaldeans. In the forced displacement, during which around 1.5 million Armenians and up to 500,000 Syriacs, Assyrians and Chaldeans were killed, almost all of the Armenians of modern-day Turkey were force-marched hundreds of kilometers to the deserts of Syria. Many Armenians in Syria are descendents of those surivivors. Commemorations of the genocide were held in different towns and cities in North-East Syria, where the actions of modern-day Turkey in Syria and Artsakh were condemned as a continuation of the genocidal policies of the Ottoman Empire.

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# REFLECTIONS

The complicated tangle of overlapping interests in Syria and the region are continuing to change, as various states and bodies seek to press their advantage after the fall of Assad. The new regime in Syria is seeking to consolidate its position, amid the contradictory demands of states near and far. Iran is trying to salvage some of their tattered influence in Syria and Lebanon, but are under great pressure from the US, who simultaneously make heavy demands and not-so-discreetly threaten war. Israel is trying to prevent the emergence of a strong Syria, or the growth of Turkish influence. Turkey is trying to reach its fingers into every aspect of the newly emerging state.

The US is trying to mediate the conflicting interests of Turkey and Israel, aiming to avoid open conflict between them, while seeking to find an arrangement of the new Syria that suits them. The US seems to be supporting a large role for Turkey in the rebuilding of Syria, while trying to ease Israel's concerns about their perceived threats. This is reflected in the Americans' demands of the Syrian regime in exchange for sanctions relief, notably in the banning of all Palestinian factions in the country. While the new government sees this as an infringement on Syrian sovereignty, their arrest of Palestinian militia leaders suggests an amount of willingness to accomodate these demands.

In the face of all of this, al Sharaa is seeking new relations with many countries around the world, trying to get support from anyone who will give it. Their vision of sovereignty is heavily based on a strongly centralized model, and for all their claims that the new Syria will guarantee the rights of all citizens, regardless of ethnicity or confession, we know that the strongest guarantees of the rights and existence of any community are their autonomy and capacity for self-defense. The presence of DAANES and SDF at the negotiation tables today gives proof to that truth, as it is only through their assertion through self-defense and self-organization that they forced other parties to acknowledge the peoples of North East Syria and engage with them.

Of course, it is a well known tactic of imperial powers to divide their targets, to use minorities in order to divide and weaken a country, making it susceptible to their influence and aggression. Various countries in the region see a partition of Syria to their benefit, and are doing what they can to that end. The proposals of SDF and the Kurdish Liberation Movement in NES represent an alternative to such divisive tactics of imperialists and aggressors.

A truly pluralistic and confederal Syria, wherein each people takes its place with its own colour in a confederal unity, offers a hopeful path. It can bring an end to the sectarian strife so often fueled and weaponized by those powers who see in Syria only pawns for their geopolitical games and resources to plunder. It remains to be seen if al Jolani's new regime will recognize the truth of this, or will sacrifice the Syrian peoples to foreign interests in order to secure his power.

Revolutionary greetings!

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