Marc
@lilshibe.bsky.social
Info Sec & MENA nerd, mostly NE Syria | full-time cyber narc | part-time Vatican spy |
Reposted by Marc
My estimation SDF control in S. al-Raqqah, expansion btw 0-25km along the entire front post-Dec 8
-2 oil fields S of Tabqah
-Resafa and som desert villages
-more of the Salamiyah road, including stretch btw Tabqah turnoff and Resafa
-about 5 towns and a number of villages on the Euphrates right bank
-2 oil fields S of Tabqah
-Resafa and som desert villages
-more of the Salamiyah road, including stretch btw Tabqah turnoff and Resafa
-about 5 towns and a number of villages on the Euphrates right bank
from what i can tell with mid range satellite imagery these are the current front lines (you can actually make out the pre-Dec one based on ground color)
last SDF checkpoint on Salamiyah road seems to be here 35.532576, 38.336934 (pic 2). and Resafa is within berms dugs this spring
last SDF checkpoint on Salamiyah road seems to be here 35.532576, 38.336934 (pic 2). and Resafa is within berms dugs this spring
November 22, 2025 at 10:24 PM
My estimation SDF control in S. al-Raqqah, expansion btw 0-25km along the entire front post-Dec 8
-2 oil fields S of Tabqah
-Resafa and som desert villages
-more of the Salamiyah road, including stretch btw Tabqah turnoff and Resafa
-about 5 towns and a number of villages on the Euphrates right bank
-2 oil fields S of Tabqah
-Resafa and som desert villages
-more of the Salamiyah road, including stretch btw Tabqah turnoff and Resafa
-about 5 towns and a number of villages on the Euphrates right bank
Reposted by Marc
A (extensive) collection of maps showing how the YPG and later SDF ended up in control of almost all of eastern Syria
akmckeever.substack.com/p/weekend-no...
akmckeever.substack.com/p/weekend-no...
Weekend notes
How the YPG/SDF ended up in control of eastern Syria, a visualization
akmckeever.substack.com
November 1, 2025 at 2:31 PM
A (extensive) collection of maps showing how the YPG and later SDF ended up in control of almost all of eastern Syria
akmckeever.substack.com/p/weekend-no...
akmckeever.substack.com/p/weekend-no...
Reposted by Marc
Great reporting on how Assad's bag man Yassar Ibrahim organized the evacuation of the ruling family's money, valuables, and economic data in the last days of the regime.
Story by @reuters.com's Feras Dalatey, Joanna Plucinska, Reade Levinson, and Maha El Dahan: www.reuters.com/world/middle...
Story by @reuters.com's Feras Dalatey, Joanna Plucinska, Reade Levinson, and Maha El Dahan: www.reuters.com/world/middle...
Operation Assad: the air mission to smuggle the Syrian despot's valuables
As his enemies closed in on Damascus, Bashar al-Assad, who ruled over Syria with an iron fist for 24 years, used a private jet to spirit away cash, valuables and confidential documents mapping the corporate web behind his wealth.
www.reuters.com
April 17, 2025 at 3:07 PM
Great reporting on how Assad's bag man Yassar Ibrahim organized the evacuation of the ruling family's money, valuables, and economic data in the last days of the regime.
Story by @reuters.com's Feras Dalatey, Joanna Plucinska, Reade Levinson, and Maha El Dahan: www.reuters.com/world/middle...
Story by @reuters.com's Feras Dalatey, Joanna Plucinska, Reade Levinson, and Maha El Dahan: www.reuters.com/world/middle...
Reposted by Marc
Monumental development: agreement signed by Sharaa and 'Abdi incl. recognition of Kurdish (and all Syrians) citizenship rights in Syria, complete ceasefire, integration of civil/mil institutions, return of IDPs, SDF support vs regime remnants. Implementation committees to follow
t.me/G_CSyriaa/593
t.me/G_CSyriaa/593
March 10, 2025 at 6:22 PM
Monumental development: agreement signed by Sharaa and 'Abdi incl. recognition of Kurdish (and all Syrians) citizenship rights in Syria, complete ceasefire, integration of civil/mil institutions, return of IDPs, SDF support vs regime remnants. Implementation committees to follow
t.me/G_CSyriaa/593
t.me/G_CSyriaa/593
Reposted by Marc
New in-depth discussion w/a source linked to a Syrian unit that worked w/Hezbollah on northwest Syria front, discussing what happened in the battles in the northwest that triggered regime's collapse, including the rumours of internal betrayals & defections www.aymennaltamimi.com/p/the-northw...
The Northwest Syria Battles and the Local Defence Forces: Interview
In a recent interview with Alexander McKeever, the analyst Aron Lund has noted that as historians look back on the rapid collapse of the Assad regime, the events in Aleppo (and by extension the wider ...
www.aymennaltamimi.com
February 17, 2025 at 3:00 PM
New in-depth discussion w/a source linked to a Syrian unit that worked w/Hezbollah on northwest Syria front, discussing what happened in the battles in the northwest that triggered regime's collapse, including the rumours of internal betrayals & defections www.aymennaltamimi.com/p/the-northw...
Reposted by Marc
MEE reports it was an SAA officer that killed the Iranian general in Aleppo first day of the offensive (claims about HTS inghimasi being responsible were always vague on details). Also report a number of similar incidents that week+ of SAA turning on Iran/Hizb
www.middleeasteye.net/news/how-syr...
www.middleeasteye.net/news/how-syr...
How Syrian mutinies and betrayal sunk Iran's support for Assad
Though Tehran scrambled to help the Assads face off the rebel assault, soldiers were turning on their own commanders
www.middleeasteye.net
February 5, 2025 at 12:17 PM
MEE reports it was an SAA officer that killed the Iranian general in Aleppo first day of the offensive (claims about HTS inghimasi being responsible were always vague on details). Also report a number of similar incidents that week+ of SAA turning on Iran/Hizb
www.middleeasteye.net/news/how-syr...
www.middleeasteye.net/news/how-syr...
Reposted by Marc
Definitely raises eyebrows when combined with the quadcopter footage showing attack on Tishrin Dam demonstration. Given this location possible SDF is lying about where they found it but either way shows TSK are using commercial drones inside Syria
SDF published found footage from a drone reportedly downed in the Tishrin Dam area showing Turkish soldiers operating a quadcopter at a base west of Tell Abyad. Logo of the 11th Commando Brigade visible in pic 1
36.687051, 38.861713
www.youtube.com/watch?v=dO7s...
36.687051, 38.861713
www.youtube.com/watch?v=dO7s...
January 22, 2025 at 11:16 AM
Definitely raises eyebrows when combined with the quadcopter footage showing attack on Tishrin Dam demonstration. Given this location possible SDF is lying about where they found it but either way shows TSK are using commercial drones inside Syria
Reposted by Marc
Thread of ~45 geolocated SDF drone attacks (mostly) vs SNA on Tishrin Dam front and 5 around the Qaraqozak bridge to the north, btw Jan 8 - 14. See maps below.
The SNA has barely advanced in the past week, with SDF tunnels + drones keeping them still several km west of Tishrin Dam
The SNA has barely advanced in the past week, with SDF tunnels + drones keeping them still several km west of Tishrin Dam
January 15, 2025 at 10:11 PM
Thread of ~45 geolocated SDF drone attacks (mostly) vs SNA on Tishrin Dam front and 5 around the Qaraqozak bridge to the north, btw Jan 8 - 14. See maps below.
The SNA has barely advanced in the past week, with SDF tunnels + drones keeping them still several km west of Tishrin Dam
The SNA has barely advanced in the past week, with SDF tunnels + drones keeping them still several km west of Tishrin Dam
Reposted by Marc
2025 Predictions for Turkey’s Syria Policy
With contributions by:
@aronlund.bsky.social
Amy Austin Holmes
@sinemadar.bsky.social
@akmckeever.bsky.social
Dareen Khalifa
@selimkoru.bsky.social
www.turkeyrecap.com/i/153969325/...
With contributions by:
@aronlund.bsky.social
Amy Austin Holmes
@sinemadar.bsky.social
@akmckeever.bsky.social
Dareen Khalifa
@selimkoru.bsky.social
www.turkeyrecap.com/i/153969325/...
2025 Predictions
aka "Turkey precap"
www.turkeyrecap.com
January 6, 2025 at 11:43 AM
2025 Predictions for Turkey’s Syria Policy
With contributions by:
@aronlund.bsky.social
Amy Austin Holmes
@sinemadar.bsky.social
@akmckeever.bsky.social
Dareen Khalifa
@selimkoru.bsky.social
www.turkeyrecap.com/i/153969325/...
With contributions by:
@aronlund.bsky.social
Amy Austin Holmes
@sinemadar.bsky.social
@akmckeever.bsky.social
Dareen Khalifa
@selimkoru.bsky.social
www.turkeyrecap.com/i/153969325/...
SOHR reports the SDF facilitated some 20 SNA members from the "Peace Spring" zone through their territory, then onto their homes in Eastern Ghouta & Homs. This comes after unverified reports of "Hasakah Shield" militants attempting to surrender to the SDF, but being detained before crossing over
بالتنسيق مع “قسد”.. نحو 20 عنصراً من فصائل “الجيش الوطني” يعبرون مناطق “الإدارة الذاتية” للوصول إلى حمص ودمشق
محافظة الحسكة: عبر نحو 20 عنصرًا من فصائل "الجيش الوطني" الساتر الترابي الفاصل بين مناطق "نبع السلام" ومناطق سيطرة قوات سوريا الديمقراطية (قسد)، بعد تأمين الطريق لهم من قبل الأخيرة، بهدف العودة إلى من...
www.syriahr.com
January 2, 2025 at 7:56 PM
SOHR reports the SDF facilitated some 20 SNA members from the "Peace Spring" zone through their territory, then onto their homes in Eastern Ghouta & Homs. This comes after unverified reports of "Hasakah Shield" militants attempting to surrender to the SDF, but being detained before crossing over
Reposted by Marc
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.
Reposted by Marc
Not content with being one of the biggest jailers of journalists worldwide, Turkey seeks to control the narrative in Syria by murdering those they can’t arrest. Cîhan & Nazim made invaluable contributions from a region being mostly ignored by the international media.
Devastated to learn Turkey just killed 2 much-loved Kurdish journalists in Syria in a targeted drone strike. Nazim (left) was the first local journo I met when I joined the RIC. Both were fearless in their reporting from Syria in the face of constant threats to their lives.
December 20, 2024 at 12:01 PM
Not content with being one of the biggest jailers of journalists worldwide, Turkey seeks to control the narrative in Syria by murdering those they can’t arrest. Cîhan & Nazim made invaluable contributions from a region being mostly ignored by the international media.
Despite being one of the first victims of modern drone warfare in the Raqqa campaign, the SDF was initially slow to adapt. Now it seems they not only took the hint, but developed quite a sophisticated drone program. No large media rollouts about their equipment or training until the Manbij battles
MMC took out a Turkish radar system near the dam with a FPV drone. They system is used to detect mortar fire.
December 17, 2024 at 11:26 PM
Despite being one of the first victims of modern drone warfare in the Raqqa campaign, the SDF was initially slow to adapt. Now it seems they not only took the hint, but developed quite a sophisticated drone program. No large media rollouts about their equipment or training until the Manbij battles
One of the weirder crimes to pin on the DAANES is the drug trafficking charge when it was an annoyingly efficient bulwark against Assad's captagon trade. So much so that it reportedly held up normalization negotiations.
🔷Farhad Shami has refuted a report by Al Jazeera of SDF involvement in drug trafficking, saying that it stems from "a deep animosity by the editor towards our regions and our people".
#SDF | #AlJazeera | #Syria
🔗 medyanews.net/sdfs-farhad-...
➡️alternative: justpaste.it/2nz1a
#SDF | #AlJazeera | #Syria
🔗 medyanews.net/sdfs-farhad-...
➡️alternative: justpaste.it/2nz1a
SDF's Farhad Shami rejects allegations by Al Jazeera as baseless and hostile - Medya News
Share postSyrian Democratic Forces (SDF) spokesperson Farhad Shami has issed a disclaimer refuting as entirely false certain claims made by Al Jazeera, saying that they appear to be “part of a campaig...
medyanews.net
December 15, 2024 at 7:39 PM
One of the weirder crimes to pin on the DAANES is the drug trafficking charge when it was an annoyingly efficient bulwark against Assad's captagon trade. So much so that it reportedly held up normalization negotiations.
Reposted by Marc
My general overview of the post-Dec 8th picture. Next post will focus more specifically on SDF/SNA/Turkey developments: Manbij, Deir ez-Zour, civilian casualties, protests, Qamishli airstrikes etc.
akmckeever.substack.com/p/post-asad-...
akmckeever.substack.com/p/post-asad-...
Post-Asad Syria: the actors at play
Remaining questions and the general picture in the northeast
akmckeever.substack.com
December 13, 2024 at 4:59 PM
My general overview of the post-Dec 8th picture. Next post will focus more specifically on SDF/SNA/Turkey developments: Manbij, Deir ez-Zour, civilian casualties, protests, Qamishli airstrikes etc.
akmckeever.substack.com/p/post-asad-...
akmckeever.substack.com/p/post-asad-...
Reposted by Marc
Not sure if this kind of thing interests people here but thread below includes the coordinates and most recent Google Earth satellite imagery for all 9 of the SNA Military Police branches and its 5 prisons
Qatme, general HQ (Khalid al-As'ad) : 36.581350, 36.972078
Afrin branch (Ahmad Kabso): 36.507785, 36.858875
Cindires branch (Ibrahim al-Jasim): HQ: 36.391207, 36.692560
Bulbul branch (Muhammad al-Dakhil): 36.773241, 36.815847 (new, location renovated this year)
Afrin branch (Ahmad Kabso): 36.507785, 36.858875
Cindires branch (Ibrahim al-Jasim): HQ: 36.391207, 36.692560
Bulbul branch (Muhammad al-Dakhil): 36.773241, 36.815847 (new, location renovated this year)
December 13, 2024 at 8:17 PM
Not sure if this kind of thing interests people here but thread below includes the coordinates and most recent Google Earth satellite imagery for all 9 of the SNA Military Police branches and its 5 prisons
Reposted by Marc
Regime pockets in Qamishlo and Hasakah were handed over to SDF, regime officials left towards Damascus.
There are still Russian forces at the airport in Qamishlo, not clear who will operate the civilian airport
There are still Russian forces at the airport in Qamishlo, not clear who will operate the civilian airport
December 6, 2024 at 10:18 PM
Regime pockets in Qamishlo and Hasakah were handed over to SDF, regime officials left towards Damascus.
There are still Russian forces at the airport in Qamishlo, not clear who will operate the civilian airport
There are still Russian forces at the airport in Qamishlo, not clear who will operate the civilian airport
Reposted by Marc
A 🧵 on current SDF/AANES situation in:
1. Northern Aleppo & Til Rifaat
2. Minbij region
3. Deir-ez-Zor, specifically Khasham pocket
Based on conversations with people on the ground there.
(As a caveat, I'm not a member of the SDF and don't speak for them)
1. Northern Aleppo & Til Rifaat
2. Minbij region
3. Deir-ez-Zor, specifically Khasham pocket
Based on conversations with people on the ground there.
(As a caveat, I'm not a member of the SDF and don't speak for them)
December 4, 2024 at 4:44 PM
A 🧵 on current SDF/AANES situation in:
1. Northern Aleppo & Til Rifaat
2. Minbij region
3. Deir-ez-Zor, specifically Khasham pocket
Based on conversations with people on the ground there.
(As a caveat, I'm not a member of the SDF and don't speak for them)
1. Northern Aleppo & Til Rifaat
2. Minbij region
3. Deir-ez-Zor, specifically Khasham pocket
Based on conversations with people on the ground there.
(As a caveat, I'm not a member of the SDF and don't speak for them)
Reposted by Marc
Citing threat of IS cells entering from the Badiyah the SDF announces itself to be responsible for the so-called "7 villages" around Khasham - the regime-controlled pocket on the left bank of the Euphrates in central Deir ez-Zour. Clashes reportedly began @ 6:30am
sdf-press.com/en/2024/12/s...
sdf-press.com/en/2024/12/s...
Statement on The Recent Situations in Villages East of Deir Ezzor
In light of the serious security situation arising from recent developments in western Syria, particularly in the Badia region, and the existence of a serious threat related to the imminent movement o...
sdf-press.com
December 3, 2024 at 6:31 AM
Citing threat of IS cells entering from the Badiyah the SDF announces itself to be responsible for the so-called "7 villages" around Khasham - the regime-controlled pocket on the left bank of the Euphrates in central Deir ez-Zour. Clashes reportedly began @ 6:30am
sdf-press.com/en/2024/12/s...
sdf-press.com/en/2024/12/s...
Big Things™ happening in the IE ✊
Per Luis Feliz Leon on the OTHER site:
Amazon workers at KSBD, the company’s largest air hub on the West Coast, officially launched a union drive to join Teamsters today. Air hubs are very strategic facilities in Amazon’s supply chain. The Teamsters are also organizing an air hub in Kentucky.
Amazon workers at KSBD, the company’s largest air hub on the West Coast, officially launched a union drive to join Teamsters today. Air hubs are very strategic facilities in Amazon’s supply chain. The Teamsters are also organizing an air hub in Kentucky.
November 20, 2024 at 10:14 PM
Big Things™ happening in the IE ✊
You know, for a guy with really no published, independent work or strong online connections, some of y'all mfs still follow me. I appreciate it :)
November 29, 2023 at 10:17 AM
You know, for a guy with really no published, independent work or strong online connections, some of y'all mfs still follow me. I appreciate it :)
Reposted by Marc
I mapped northeastern Syria's electrical grid, or at least its four powerplants (three hydro, one gas), substations, and main power lines
October 28, 2023 at 1:35 AM
I mapped northeastern Syria's electrical grid, or at least its four powerplants (three hydro, one gas), substations, and main power lines