Friends Divided By the Syrian Uprising
Two men brought together by their passion for football have taken opposing sides in the armed conflict. Mustapha al-Jalal (Kfar Nabel –...
What to Expect in Detention
Note from the editorial team: The writer of the following story shared his experience being arrested in 2012 with the Damascus Bureau. “Where are...
The General Authority for Civil Defence in Douma: Volunteers Doing their Best
By Razan Zeitouneh EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the first in a series of articles on the new institutions in areas controlled by the Syrian...
Syrian Activists in Istanbul Face Difficulties, Disillusionment
As an activist living inside Syria, I imagined Syrians living in Istanbul sleeping in fancy hotels and living comfortably. Activists inside Syria have even...
Somewhere Safe to Live
Under bombardment by regime forces, a man and his wife prepare for the arrival of their first child. Abdallah Kleido It was not easy...
Will the National Coalition of Revolutionary Forces in Eastern Ghouta Be Able to Unite the Revolutionary Forces?
By Razan Zeitouneh Note: This report is the third in a series dedicated to the institutions set up by the opposition in the areas...
Harasta: A Gutted City
By Razan Zeitouneh (Harasta, Syria) – The maze of roads winding through the ramshackle suburbs in what was once Damascus’s agricultural greenbelt is...
Yarmouk Caught Between Shelling and Siege
I entered the Yarmouk refugee camp on foot, taking the bridge. I was accompanied by a young Syrian journalist and an aid worker who...
Lone Protester Takes Stand on Raqqa Abductions
By Zaina Erhaim* (Raqqa, Syria) – Suad stands alone for hours outside the headquarters of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) group...
A conversation with Abu Ali Khibbiyeh, Douma Shield Battalions Commander: “Entering Medan was a big mistake.”
Razan Zeitouneh There are many stories about Abu Ali Khibbiyeh. He is frequently reported to be dead, although these reports have turned out to...
The Horrors of the Holding Cell of Death
The Syrian security establishment’s detention centres are notorious. I have read stories about them written by former detainees imprisoned before the start of the...
A Sign from Deir El-Zor
Ward al-Assi “Here lies the Deir of Hearts: Angels carry the sorrow of Syria.” This sentence, written on one of many Facebook pages dedicated...
Why the West is Wrong on Syria
By Razan Zaitouneh Why does the West insist on dealing with our dead and injured as if they were less valuable than a Westerner...
Local Council in Erbeen: A Fighter’s Place is on the Front and Not among Civilians
By Razan Zaitouneh EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the second in a series of articles on the new institutions in areas controlled by the Syrian...
The Syrian Fraud Market saves lives
“This is a big relief.” I repeated this sentence in numerous calls I made to extend my gratitude to those who facilitated my younger...
Bab Al-Hawa: Legal Smuggling
Rasha Rami I spent 17 hours with my family at the Bab Al-Hawa border crossing, but it felt like a lifetime. After crossing legally...
