Jens Hittrien
@jenshittrien.bsky.social
Criminologist independently observing Syrian conflict. Bridging between (open source) research, local reporting & journalism, flavoured with proper thoughts.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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."
Rebel factions held a victory conference; a symbolic closure, confirming and announcing some decisions:
-Ahmed Al Sharaa as transitional president of Syria
- All rebel groups dissolved & to be integrated into state
- The Baath Party, 2012 Constitution, parliament & SAA dissolved
-Ahmed Al Sharaa as transitional president of Syria
- All rebel groups dissolved & to be integrated into state
- The Baath Party, 2012 Constitution, parliament & SAA dissolved
January 30, 2025 at 6:55 AM
Rebel factions held a victory conference; a symbolic closure, confirming and announcing some decisions:
-Ahmed Al Sharaa as transitional president of Syria
- All rebel groups dissolved & to be integrated into state
- The Baath Party, 2012 Constitution, parliament & SAA dissolved
-Ahmed Al Sharaa as transitional president of Syria
- All rebel groups dissolved & to be integrated into state
- The Baath Party, 2012 Constitution, parliament & SAA dissolved
AQ affiliated Huras al Din announces its dissolution, referring to successful jihad against Assad.
However, warns the people of Syria not to abandon their weapons and to remain vigilant, to prepare for the fight against the Jews and those who support them.
However, warns the people of Syria not to abandon their weapons and to remain vigilant, to prepare for the fight against the Jews and those who support them.
January 29, 2025 at 8:16 AM
AQ affiliated Huras al Din announces its dissolution, referring to successful jihad against Assad.
However, warns the people of Syria not to abandon their weapons and to remain vigilant, to prepare for the fight against the Jews and those who support them.
However, warns the people of Syria not to abandon their weapons and to remain vigilant, to prepare for the fight against the Jews and those who support them.
Mazloum Abdi met with KRG president Barzani in Erbil.
Despite discussing Kurdish unity, motives are different. Abdi seeks support for survival of NE-Syria, while Barzani looks to take advantage of the fall of the Assad regime to increase influence with Kurds in Syria.
Despite discussing Kurdish unity, motives are different. Abdi seeks support for survival of NE-Syria, while Barzani looks to take advantage of the fall of the Assad regime to increase influence with Kurds in Syria.
January 17, 2025 at 7:24 AM
Mazloum Abdi met with KRG president Barzani in Erbil.
Despite discussing Kurdish unity, motives are different. Abdi seeks support for survival of NE-Syria, while Barzani looks to take advantage of the fall of the Assad regime to increase influence with Kurds in Syria.
Despite discussing Kurdish unity, motives are different. Abdi seeks support for survival of NE-Syria, while Barzani looks to take advantage of the fall of the Assad regime to increase influence with Kurds in Syria.
U.S.-led coalition carried out a drone strike targeting two individuals on a motorcycle near Sarmada, killing one.
The area of Sarmada is known to harbour al Qaeda operatives, which have been targeted several times before.
The area of Sarmada is known to harbour al Qaeda operatives, which have been targeted several times before.
January 15, 2025 at 9:14 AM
U.S.-led coalition carried out a drone strike targeting two individuals on a motorcycle near Sarmada, killing one.
The area of Sarmada is known to harbour al Qaeda operatives, which have been targeted several times before.
The area of Sarmada is known to harbour al Qaeda operatives, which have been targeted several times before.
US Treasury issued a limited 6-month sanction waiver for certain sanctions under the Caesar Act.
Authorising transactions with Syrian government institutions, humanitarian organisations operating in Syria and transactions involving energy products.
Authorising transactions with Syrian government institutions, humanitarian organisations operating in Syria and transactions involving energy products.
January 7, 2025 at 6:35 AM
US Treasury issued a limited 6-month sanction waiver for certain sanctions under the Caesar Act.
Authorising transactions with Syrian government institutions, humanitarian organisations operating in Syria and transactions involving energy products.
Authorising transactions with Syrian government institutions, humanitarian organisations operating in Syria and transactions involving energy products.
A deal was reached between the factions and transitional government to dissolve all and merge them under the umbrella of the Ministry of Defense.
December 24, 2024 at 1:52 PM
A deal was reached between the factions and transitional government to dissolve all and merge them under the umbrella of the Ministry of Defense.
Bu Banna tribe, the largest tribe of Manbij and its countryside, denounces security chaos that ensued after SNA takeover of the city and calls on the transitional government to intervene.
December 19, 2024 at 7:44 PM
Bu Banna tribe, the largest tribe of Manbij and its countryside, denounces security chaos that ensued after SNA takeover of the city and calls on the transitional government to intervene.
Damascus International Airport has been reopened again. First domestic flight to Aleppo took off with international flights following soon.
December 18, 2024 at 7:41 AM
Damascus International Airport has been reopened again. First domestic flight to Aleppo took off with international flights following soon.
Katerji Group, a former regime alligned company declares resuming all economic activities in Free Syria.
Katerji has a quasi-monopoly on oil transport from SDF areas and is a crucial player for fuel supply in Syria.
The company also is subject to US sanctions.
Katerji has a quasi-monopoly on oil transport from SDF areas and is a crucial player for fuel supply in Syria.
The company also is subject to US sanctions.
December 14, 2024 at 8:31 AM
Katerji Group, a former regime alligned company declares resuming all economic activities in Free Syria.
Katerji has a quasi-monopoly on oil transport from SDF areas and is a crucial player for fuel supply in Syria.
The company also is subject to US sanctions.
Katerji has a quasi-monopoly on oil transport from SDF areas and is a crucial player for fuel supply in Syria.
The company also is subject to US sanctions.
Muhammad al-Bashir, currently head of the Salvation Government, is appointed as head of the yet to form transitional government in Syria
December 9, 2024 at 12:30 PM
Muhammad al-Bashir, currently head of the Salvation Government, is appointed as head of the yet to form transitional government in Syria
IS took advantage of SAA collapsing and took a few areas in the badiya of southeast Homs.
Danger lies in them being able to expand because of a power vacuum.
Danger lies in them being able to expand because of a power vacuum.
December 5, 2024 at 7:42 PM
IS took advantage of SAA collapsing and took a few areas in the badiya of southeast Homs.
Danger lies in them being able to expand because of a power vacuum.
Danger lies in them being able to expand because of a power vacuum.
Remnants of factions in Daraa declare a general mobilisation and start of operations against regime forces.
December 1, 2024 at 7:48 PM
Remnants of factions in Daraa declare a general mobilisation and start of operations against regime forces.
Following a total collapse of regime forces in the northwest of Syria, it has become grab-for-all, with SDF and SNA joining the fray.
Aleppo is under control of rebel forces with Hama under threat of being captured too.
Aleppo is under control of rebel forces with Hama under threat of being captured too.
November 30, 2024 at 5:28 PM
Following a total collapse of regime forces in the northwest of Syria, it has become grab-for-all, with SDF and SNA joining the fray.
Aleppo is under control of rebel forces with Hama under threat of being captured too.
Aleppo is under control of rebel forces with Hama under threat of being captured too.
In the second day of its offensive Fatah al Mubin captured most of western countryside of Aleppo, reaching the city suburbs.
Regime forces so far have not been able to withstand fast paced mobile offensive.
Regime forces so far have not been able to withstand fast paced mobile offensive.
November 28, 2024 at 7:14 PM
In the second day of its offensive Fatah al Mubin captured most of western countryside of Aleppo, reaching the city suburbs.
Regime forces so far have not been able to withstand fast paced mobile offensive.
Regime forces so far have not been able to withstand fast paced mobile offensive.
In a surprise offensive HTS led Fatah al Mubin op room made a 10km advance against regime forces, inching closer to Aleppo's suburbs. Clashes are still ongoing
November 28, 2024 at 6:18 AM
In a surprise offensive HTS led Fatah al Mubin op room made a 10km advance against regime forces, inching closer to Aleppo's suburbs. Clashes are still ongoing
Municipal elections were held by AANES in Deir Ezzor and Raqqa. Elections were organised unannounced and discretely, despite US pressure and out of fear for Turkish threats and targeting.
Voting was limited to a small number of pre-selected candidates.
Voting was limited to a small number of pre-selected candidates.
November 19, 2024 at 2:03 PM
Municipal elections were held by AANES in Deir Ezzor and Raqqa. Elections were organised unannounced and discretely, despite US pressure and out of fear for Turkish threats and targeting.
Voting was limited to a small number of pre-selected candidates.
Voting was limited to a small number of pre-selected candidates.
Sizable protest still is taking place in Suwayda, with protesters calling for the overthrow of president Assad and the regime.
Despite arrests, intimidation and assassination attempts still the longest uninterrupted protest in Syria since the start of the uprising in 2011.
November 15, 2024 at 1:12 PM
Sizable protest still is taking place in Suwayda, with protesters calling for the overthrow of president Assad and the regime.
Despite arrests, intimidation and assassination attempts still the longest uninterrupted protest in Syria since the start of the uprising in 2011.