Syrian Christians Recount Islamic State Raid, Abductions
“We woke at around four in the morning to the sound of bombs and we ran from our houses,” said Elias Touma, who survived...
Syrian Opposition Struggles To Police Kfar Nabel
Security forces say they lack manpower and resources to properly investigate crimes. By Hazzaa Adnan al-Hazzaa In December last year, Fadel al-Akel went to...
Warring Factions Bring Chaos to Syrian Civilians
Tensions between Syrian rebel forces stationed in civilian areas are causing problems for residents, who say they risk being caught in crossfire or regime...
The “People’s Court” and Asayish Prisons: A Building Block for Self-Rule in Qamishli
Bakhtiyar Hassan* (Qamishli, Syria) – The People’s Court lies in the middle of the city of Qamishli on the road known as Amouda, occupying...
Civil Defence Under Fire in Aleppo
Underpaid rescue workers have inadequate equipment and face huge risks. Zaid Mohamad (Aleppo, Syria) – Rescue workers, known in Syria as civil defence forces,...
Damascus Children Face Grim Reality
Vulnerable youngsters languish in government-run centres or fend for themselves on the streets By Miriam Abdullah As I was buying coffee in the Bab...
Accommodation Prices Skyrocket in Damascus
Salam al-Saadi (Damascus, Syria)— Ahed left the Qaboun area on the outskirts of Damascus along with his wife and small child hoping to find...
Opposition and Regime Forces Split Idlib Province after ISIS Withdrawal
Hazzaa Adnan al-Hazzaa (Kfar Nabel, Syria) – During the first few days of 2014, several demonstrations took place under the slogan “Bashar and ISIS...
Syrians Remember Heroine of Deir al-Zor
Locals praise volunteer who lost her life after refusing to leave besieged city. By Khaled al-Taha (Deir al-Zor, Syria) – Deir al-Zor in eastern...
Kurdish Areas of Syria Prepare for Local Elections
Move comes as part of ongoing institution-building efforts in Kurdish provinces. By Vyan Mohammad (Qamishli, Syria) – Kurdish areas under opposition control in northern...
A Displaced Syrian Woman Turns Unfinished Building into Joyful Kindergarten
Mariam Abdullah* (Damascus, Syria) – Nawal, 35, used to run a kindergarten in the town of Daraya near Damascus before it was bombed, leaving...
Emergency Relief Bakery in Al-Bouleil, Deir al-Zor, Tries to Solve the Bread Crisis Amid Accusations of Corruption
Ahmad al-Bouleily * (Al-Bouleil, Syria) – Every morning, dozens of people line up in front of a bread distribution centre in the town of...
Idlib Archaeological Site Under Threat
Roman-era settlement damaged by refugee influx and government bombing. [new_royalslider id=”29″] By Abdullah Kleido (Kfar Nabel, Syria) – Abu Ahmad, 40, fled the fighting...
Bakery Row Highlights Tensions in Syrian Town
Sensitivities heightened as refugees add to burdens placed on government-held area. (Beit Yashout and Latakia, Syria) -Residents of the town of Beit Yashout in...
Internet in Syria Hostage to Censorship and Intermittent Service
Salam al-Saadi (Damascus, Syria)—Rami spends many hours every day trying to surf the Internet from his home in the suburbs of Harasta near the...
“No Compulsion in Religion:” Revolution Anniversary Commemorations Cause Controversy
Hazzaa Adnan al-Hazzaa (Kfar Nabel, Syria)—Kfar Nabel resident Hassan al-Ahmad, 27, once a student at Aleppo University’s Faculty of Economics, put his studies on...
