Jens Hittrien
@jenshittrien.bsky.social
Criminologist independently observing Syrian conflict. Bridging between (open source) research, local reporting & journalism, flavoured with proper thoughts.
Pinned
Syria is officialy free from the dictatorial reign of Bashad al Assad.
Dawn of a new day for Syria.
Dawn of a new day for Syria.
Reposted by Jens Hittrien
A drone view of the mass grave site in the desert near the eastern Syrian town of Dhumair (REUTERS/Khalil Ashawi)
“Assad government secretly moved mass grave to cover up killings, Reuters investigation finds”: www.reuters.com/world/middle...
“Assad government secretly moved mass grave to cover up killings, Reuters investigation finds”: www.reuters.com/world/middle...
October 14, 2025 at 10:35 PM
A drone view of the mass grave site in the desert near the eastern Syrian town of Dhumair (REUTERS/Khalil Ashawi)
“Assad government secretly moved mass grave to cover up killings, Reuters investigation finds”: www.reuters.com/world/middle...
“Assad government secretly moved mass grave to cover up killings, Reuters investigation finds”: www.reuters.com/world/middle...
Reposted by Jens Hittrien
When Bashar al-Assad’s regime collapsed in Syria, many of the officials who enabled and enforced his brutal regime disappeared. Our reporting uncovers who they are, what they did and where they fled. nyti.ms/3J1W5Cs
The Vanishing Act: How Assad’s Top Henchmen Fled Syria, and Justice
www.nytimes.com
October 16, 2025 at 12:06 PM
When Bashar al-Assad’s regime collapsed in Syria, many of the officials who enabled and enforced his brutal regime disappeared. Our reporting uncovers who they are, what they did and where they fled. nyti.ms/3J1W5Cs
EU issued sanctions on five former regime figures. Among them are Miqdad Fatiha, Ghaith Dalla, and Suhayl al-Hasan, being held responsible for forming militias that fueled sectarian strife in Latakia in March.
www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/pre...
www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/pre...
www.consilium.europa.eu
June 26, 2025 at 7:29 AM
EU issued sanctions on five former regime figures. Among them are Miqdad Fatiha, Ghaith Dalla, and Suhayl al-Hasan, being held responsible for forming militias that fueled sectarian strife in Latakia in March.
www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/pre...
www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/pre...
Israeli incursions have now become a daily occurrence in Quneitra, with IDF soldiers blocking roads and erecting checkpoints, searching and destroying houses, arresting people and confiscating phones.
De facto creating a buffer for the buffer of the buffer zone for Israel.
De facto creating a buffer for the buffer of the buffer zone for Israel.
June 17, 2025 at 8:03 AM
Israeli incursions have now become a daily occurrence in Quneitra, with IDF soldiers blocking roads and erecting checkpoints, searching and destroying houses, arresting people and confiscating phones.
De facto creating a buffer for the buffer of the buffer zone for Israel.
De facto creating a buffer for the buffer of the buffer zone for Israel.
Cyprus and Syria have established a bilateral agreement accepting the return of Syrians intercepted while attempting to reach Cyprus by sea.
Cyprus has also revised its asylum policy, moving away from automatically granting asylum to Syrians.
The first country being able to do so post-Assad.
Cyprus has also revised its asylum policy, moving away from automatically granting asylum to Syrians.
The first country being able to do so post-Assad.
May 13, 2025 at 8:37 AM
Cyprus and Syria have established a bilateral agreement accepting the return of Syrians intercepted while attempting to reach Cyprus by sea.
Cyprus has also revised its asylum policy, moving away from automatically granting asylum to Syrians.
The first country being able to do so post-Assad.
Cyprus has also revised its asylum policy, moving away from automatically granting asylum to Syrians.
The first country being able to do so post-Assad.
Iraq might become Syria's difficult neighbour.
Shiite factions in Iraq, some under proxy-influence of Iran, seem to fear an empowerment of sunnis in Iraq in the wake of al-Sharaa's success.
Shiite factions in Iraq, some under proxy-influence of Iran, seem to fear an empowerment of sunnis in Iraq in the wake of al-Sharaa's success.
Syria's Sharaa skips Iraq summit after firestorm over invitation reut.rs/3F4elsR
Syria's Sharaa skips Iraq summit after firestorm over invitation
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa will not attend the Arab League Summit in Baghdad this weekend, Syrian state media said on Monday, after Iraq's invitation spurred controversy over the rebel-turned-leader's potential return to a country where he fought and was jailed.
reut.rs
May 13, 2025 at 6:38 AM
Iraq might become Syria's difficult neighbour.
Shiite factions in Iraq, some under proxy-influence of Iran, seem to fear an empowerment of sunnis in Iraq in the wake of al-Sharaa's success.
Shiite factions in Iraq, some under proxy-influence of Iran, seem to fear an empowerment of sunnis in Iraq in the wake of al-Sharaa's success.
In an extraordinary congress, PKK declared the end of the armed struggle and its dissolution, ending activities under the name of PKK.
May 12, 2025 at 6:46 AM
In an extraordinary congress, PKK declared the end of the armed struggle and its dissolution, ending activities under the name of PKK.
It's quite ironic that Israel seems to have more problems with Syria now than it had when there both IS-affiliate and Hezbollah presence near the Golan Heights.
April 3, 2025 at 8:24 AM
It's quite ironic that Israel seems to have more problems with Syria now than it had when there both IS-affiliate and Hezbollah presence near the Golan Heights.
The numerous raids of Israel in rural areas of Daraa and Quneitra have given locals a sense of usual depth of operations.
However, reaction is gradually crystallizing; any incursion that will go deeper and reach the more populated areas could meet armed local resistance.
However, reaction is gradually crystallizing; any incursion that will go deeper and reach the more populated areas could meet armed local resistance.
IDF raids also took place in Daraa reaching the outskirts of Nawa and Tasil, accompagnied by shelling and airstrikes.
It triggered public calls through mosques to take up arms and mobilization of local fighters from across Daraa.
It triggered public calls through mosques to take up arms and mobilization of local fighters from across Daraa.
April 3, 2025 at 6:23 AM
The numerous raids of Israel in rural areas of Daraa and Quneitra have given locals a sense of usual depth of operations.
However, reaction is gradually crystallizing; any incursion that will go deeper and reach the more populated areas could meet armed local resistance.
However, reaction is gradually crystallizing; any incursion that will go deeper and reach the more populated areas could meet armed local resistance.
IDF raids also took place in Daraa reaching the outskirts of Nawa and Tasil, accompagnied by shelling and airstrikes.
It triggered public calls through mosques to take up arms and mobilization of local fighters from across Daraa.
It triggered public calls through mosques to take up arms and mobilization of local fighters from across Daraa.
April 3, 2025 at 6:22 AM
IDF raids also took place in Daraa reaching the outskirts of Nawa and Tasil, accompagnied by shelling and airstrikes.
It triggered public calls through mosques to take up arms and mobilization of local fighters from across Daraa.
It triggered public calls through mosques to take up arms and mobilization of local fighters from across Daraa.
An unprecedented wave of Israeli airstrikes targeted airbases and other military locations throughout Syria.
It is meant as a warning to Turkey not to establish any bases inside Syria, as preparations were underway.
It is meant as a warning to Turkey not to establish any bases inside Syria, as preparations were underway.
April 3, 2025 at 6:03 AM
An unprecedented wave of Israeli airstrikes targeted airbases and other military locations throughout Syria.
It is meant as a warning to Turkey not to establish any bases inside Syria, as preparations were underway.
It is meant as a warning to Turkey not to establish any bases inside Syria, as preparations were underway.
An agreement was reached between the Syrian government and SDF to gradually open Kurdish inhabited Ashrafieh and Sheikh Maqsoud neighbourhoods in Aleppo and integrate them in the Syrian state.
A first and preliminary step to ease the path of incorporation of NE-Syria into the Syrian state.
A first and preliminary step to ease the path of incorporation of NE-Syria into the Syrian state.
April 1, 2025 at 1:56 PM
An agreement was reached between the Syrian government and SDF to gradually open Kurdish inhabited Ashrafieh and Sheikh Maqsoud neighbourhoods in Aleppo and integrate them in the Syrian state.
A first and preliminary step to ease the path of incorporation of NE-Syria into the Syrian state.
A first and preliminary step to ease the path of incorporation of NE-Syria into the Syrian state.
Israel's unchecked action in Syria once again underlines the uselessness of UNDOF stationed there, merely functioning as a glorified reporter to UN Security Council.
An attempt by IDF to enter the village and arrest locals in the village of Koya in W-Daraa was thwarted by them. It triggered retaliatory action of Israel, including tank shelling and air strikes, wounding and killing several.
An ultimatum has been given to evacuate the village within 2 hours.
An ultimatum has been given to evacuate the village within 2 hours.
March 25, 2025 at 9:43 AM
Israel's unchecked action in Syria once again underlines the uselessness of UNDOF stationed there, merely functioning as a glorified reporter to UN Security Council.
Damascus tactic of involving others, Turkey a.o., as means of deterrence against Israeli action in Syria has not been successful yet.
Meanwhile Israel is further escalating, forcing Damascus to either properly intervene to safeguard borders, or watch local resistance pop up.
Meanwhile Israel is further escalating, forcing Damascus to either properly intervene to safeguard borders, or watch local resistance pop up.
An attempt by IDF to enter the village and arrest locals in the village of Koya in W-Daraa was thwarted by them. It triggered retaliatory action of Israel, including tank shelling and air strikes, wounding and killing several.
An ultimatum has been given to evacuate the village within 2 hours.
An ultimatum has been given to evacuate the village within 2 hours.
March 25, 2025 at 9:27 AM
Damascus tactic of involving others, Turkey a.o., as means of deterrence against Israeli action in Syria has not been successful yet.
Meanwhile Israel is further escalating, forcing Damascus to either properly intervene to safeguard borders, or watch local resistance pop up.
Meanwhile Israel is further escalating, forcing Damascus to either properly intervene to safeguard borders, or watch local resistance pop up.
An attempt by IDF to enter the village and arrest locals in the village of Koya in W-Daraa was thwarted by them. It triggered retaliatory action of Israel, including tank shelling and air strikes, wounding and killing several.
An ultimatum has been given to evacuate the village within 2 hours.
An ultimatum has been given to evacuate the village within 2 hours.
March 25, 2025 at 9:26 AM
An attempt by IDF to enter the village and arrest locals in the village of Koya in W-Daraa was thwarted by them. It triggered retaliatory action of Israel, including tank shelling and air strikes, wounding and killing several.
An ultimatum has been given to evacuate the village within 2 hours.
An ultimatum has been given to evacuate the village within 2 hours.
The proof is in the pudding.
In practice, if this is not followed by Damascus gaining access to the border and having a say in NE-Syria's oil and gas facilities, it is just a meaningless sheet of paper maintaining the status quo.
Actions matter.
In practice, if this is not followed by Damascus gaining access to the border and having a say in NE-Syria's oil and gas facilities, it is just a meaningless sheet of paper maintaining the status quo.
Actions matter.
An agreement has been signed to integrate Syrian Democratic Forces into Syrian Arab Army.
While being a principle agreement it still can be considered an important first step.
While being a principle agreement it still can be considered an important first step.
March 11, 2025 at 6:49 AM
The proof is in the pudding.
In practice, if this is not followed by Damascus gaining access to the border and having a say in NE-Syria's oil and gas facilities, it is just a meaningless sheet of paper maintaining the status quo.
Actions matter.
In practice, if this is not followed by Damascus gaining access to the border and having a say in NE-Syria's oil and gas facilities, it is just a meaningless sheet of paper maintaining the status quo.
Actions matter.
An agreement has been signed to integrate Syrian Democratic Forces into Syrian Arab Army.
While being a principle agreement it still can be considered an important first step.
While being a principle agreement it still can be considered an important first step.
March 10, 2025 at 5:58 PM
An agreement has been signed to integrate Syrian Democratic Forces into Syrian Arab Army.
While being a principle agreement it still can be considered an important first step.
While being a principle agreement it still can be considered an important first step.
A coordinated attempt by high ranking officers from former regime units took place to disrupt security in Latakia and Tartous and oust security forces.
Massive reinforcements of Military Operation unblocked the roads again, operations are ongoing to end holed up regime remnants.
Massive reinforcements of Military Operation unblocked the roads again, operations are ongoing to end holed up regime remnants.
March 7, 2025 at 7:57 AM
A coordinated attempt by high ranking officers from former regime units took place to disrupt security in Latakia and Tartous and oust security forces.
Massive reinforcements of Military Operation unblocked the roads again, operations are ongoing to end holed up regime remnants.
Massive reinforcements of Military Operation unblocked the roads again, operations are ongoing to end holed up regime remnants.
Reposted by Jens Hittrien
Satellite imagery reveals Israel has built at least seven new bases in Syria, all along the buffer zone, from the Syrian Mt Hermon, down south towards tri-border area with Jordan
www.haaretz.co.il/news/politic...
Planet Labs PBC
www.haaretz.co.il/news/politic...
Planet Labs PBC
February 18, 2025 at 7:37 AM
Satellite imagery reveals Israel has built at least seven new bases in Syria, all along the buffer zone, from the Syrian Mt Hermon, down south towards tri-border area with Jordan
www.haaretz.co.il/news/politic...
Planet Labs PBC
www.haaretz.co.il/news/politic...
Planet Labs PBC
EU is expected to grant Syria a 1-year-suspension of sanctions, related to energy, transport, reconstruction & banking transactions at a meeting on February 24.
However, further sanction relief will only be responsive to steps towards inclusion, new constitution and elections.
However, further sanction relief will only be responsive to steps towards inclusion, new constitution and elections.
February 20, 2025 at 8:37 AM
EU is expected to grant Syria a 1-year-suspension of sanctions, related to energy, transport, reconstruction & banking transactions at a meeting on February 24.
However, further sanction relief will only be responsive to steps towards inclusion, new constitution and elections.
However, further sanction relief will only be responsive to steps towards inclusion, new constitution and elections.
At UN Security Council briefing on Syria, US Representative clarified parts of US' Syria policy; hinting at the end of financial support for IS detention facilities in NE-Syria, referring to it as a financial burden.
February 13, 2025 at 12:14 PM
At UN Security Council briefing on Syria, US Representative clarified parts of US' Syria policy; hinting at the end of financial support for IS detention facilities in NE-Syria, referring to it as a financial burden.
General Security has entered Afrin, taking over security from SNA factions.
SNA has been dissolved, with commanders of SNA factions now incorporated in the Syrian Army.
SNA has been dissolved, with commanders of SNA factions now incorporated in the Syrian Army.
February 6, 2025 at 3:40 PM
General Security has entered Afrin, taking over security from SNA factions.
SNA has been dissolved, with commanders of SNA factions now incorporated in the Syrian Army.
SNA has been dissolved, with commanders of SNA factions now incorporated in the Syrian Army.
Department of Military Operations launched an attack, involving tanks and artillery, on Huwayek, in order to gain control of the Lebanese-Syrian border.
The area is notorious for drug and weapons smuggling activity of Hezbollah affiliated clans.
The area is notorious for drug and weapons smuggling activity of Hezbollah affiliated clans.
February 6, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Department of Military Operations launched an attack, involving tanks and artillery, on Huwayek, in order to gain control of the Lebanese-Syrian border.
The area is notorious for drug and weapons smuggling activity of Hezbollah affiliated clans.
The area is notorious for drug and weapons smuggling activity of Hezbollah affiliated clans.
A supreme Alawite Islamic Council has been established, consisting of 130 sheikhs from all areas of Syria with alawi presence, headed by the Mufti of Latakia.
It is considered a necessary temporary council until the establishment of the National Unity Government.
It is considered a necessary temporary council until the establishment of the National Unity Government.
February 4, 2025 at 3:48 PM
A supreme Alawite Islamic Council has been established, consisting of 130 sheikhs from all areas of Syria with alawi presence, headed by the Mufti of Latakia.
It is considered a necessary temporary council until the establishment of the National Unity Government.
It is considered a necessary temporary council until the establishment of the National Unity Government.
The word is out:
Ahmed al Sharaa's speech to the people of Syria:
"We will work to form a comprehensive transitional government (...) and that will undertake the work of building the institutions of the new Syria until we reach the stage of free and fair elections."
Ahmed al Sharaa's speech to the people of Syria:
"We will work to form a comprehensive transitional government (...) and that will undertake the work of building the institutions of the new Syria until we reach the stage of free and fair elections."
January 31, 2025 at 8:32 AM
The word is out:
Ahmed al Sharaa's speech to the people of Syria:
"We will work to form a comprehensive transitional government (...) and that will undertake the work of building the institutions of the new Syria until we reach the stage of free and fair elections."
Ahmed al Sharaa's speech to the people of Syria:
"We will work to form a comprehensive transitional government (...) and that will undertake the work of building the institutions of the new Syria until we reach the stage of free and fair elections."