Syria Direct
@syriadirect.bsky.social
Independent media and training organization producing in-depth, investigative reporting on Syria by our team of Syrian and international journalists.
🔗 syriadirect.org
🔗 syriadirect.org
Israel’s occupation of southern Syria persists, nearly a year on
✍️ Anagha Subhash Nair and Oudai Efnikher
✍️ Anagha Subhash Nair and Oudai Efnikher
Israel’s occupation of southern Syria persists, nearly a year on
More than 11 months on, Israel’s occupation of parts of Syria’s southwestern Quneitra province seemingly has no end in sight.
syriadirect.org
November 14, 2025 at 2:44 PM
Israel’s occupation of southern Syria persists, nearly a year on
✍️ Anagha Subhash Nair and Oudai Efnikher
✍️ Anagha Subhash Nair and Oudai Efnikher
Rasm al-Rawadi resident Abu Muhammad saw his home destroyed last December, and described “humiliation” in the months since. “I feel like I’m living under occupation. They don’t let us farm. They destroyed all our trees….our lands, roads, water supply and electricity.”
November 14, 2025 at 2:44 PM
Rasm al-Rawadi resident Abu Muhammad saw his home destroyed last December, and described “humiliation” in the months since. “I feel like I’m living under occupation. They don’t let us farm. They destroyed all our trees….our lands, roads, water supply and electricity.”
Israeli abuses in southern Syria over the past year include the war crime of forced displacement, @hrw.org reported in September. Homes have been demolished, and arrested Syrians have been taken across the border in violation of international law.
November 14, 2025 at 2:44 PM
Israeli abuses in southern Syria over the past year include the war crime of forced displacement, @hrw.org reported in September. Homes have been demolished, and arrested Syrians have been taken across the border in violation of international law.
“This is really a breakout opportunity for the Israeli government,” Director of the New Lines Institute Caroline Rose said, “a way to disrupt any momentum that the new administration has, and prevent it from being able to acquire any sort of conventional military equipment or capabilities.”
November 14, 2025 at 2:44 PM
“This is really a breakout opportunity for the Israeli government,” Director of the New Lines Institute Caroline Rose said, “a way to disrupt any momentum that the new administration has, and prevent it from being able to acquire any sort of conventional military equipment or capabilities.”
Nearly a year later, the occupying forces regularly set up flying checkpoints at the entrances of Quneitra villages in the former buffer zone, conduct incursions deeper into Syrian territory and arbitrarily detain residents.
November 14, 2025 at 2:44 PM
Nearly a year later, the occupying forces regularly set up flying checkpoints at the entrances of Quneitra villages in the former buffer zone, conduct incursions deeper into Syrian territory and arbitrarily detain residents.
When the Assad regime fell last December, Israel unilaterally declared the 1974 disengagement agreement with Syria “void until order was restored,” invaded the buffer zone and established six military bases in Quneitra province.
November 14, 2025 at 2:44 PM
When the Assad regime fell last December, Israel unilaterally declared the 1974 disengagement agreement with Syria “void until order was restored,” invaded the buffer zone and established six military bases in Quneitra province.
What would Syria joining the US-led coalition mean for the fight against IS?
✍️ @walid-alnofal.bsky.social
syriadirect.org/what-would-s...
✍️ @walid-alnofal.bsky.social
syriadirect.org/what-would-s...
What would Syria joining the US-led coalition mean for the fight against IS?
Amid signs of deepening security and intelligence cooperation between Syria and the US, talk is mounting of Syria joining the international anti-IS coalition. What could such a move mean?
syriadirect.org
November 10, 2025 at 3:31 PM
What would Syria joining the US-led coalition mean for the fight against IS?
✍️ @walid-alnofal.bsky.social
syriadirect.org/what-would-s...
✍️ @walid-alnofal.bsky.social
syriadirect.org/what-would-s...
“The future of IS fades away the more the state, its influence and ability increases,” military analyst Mustafa al-Farhat said. “It is an inverse relationship: the more of Syria the state controls, the fewer opportunities IS has.”
November 10, 2025 at 3:31 PM
“The future of IS fades away the more the state, its influence and ability increases,” military analyst Mustafa al-Farhat said. “It is an inverse relationship: the more of Syria the state controls, the fewer opportunities IS has.”
“IS is economical in its operations,” Abu Haniyeh said. While recruiting, establishing sleeper cell networks and “exploiting contradictions and divisions” with hardline fighters, it is watching and waiting, “betting on Syria becoming a failed state.”
November 10, 2025 at 3:31 PM
“IS is economical in its operations,” Abu Haniyeh said. While recruiting, establishing sleeper cell networks and “exploiting contradictions and divisions” with hardline fighters, it is watching and waiting, “betting on Syria becoming a failed state.”
IS, through its official media, has repeatedly warned Damascus not to join the coalition. Still, its attacks–which have increased in number since the fall of the regime—remain focused on the SDF, not Syria’s new government.
November 10, 2025 at 3:31 PM
IS, through its official media, has repeatedly warned Damascus not to join the coalition. Still, its attacks–which have increased in number since the fall of the regime—remain focused on the SDF, not Syria’s new government.
Joining the international coalition “would have a symbolic impact,” @abujamajem.com added. “It would also score points in Washington at a time when the US Congress is discussing lifting sanctions on Syria.”
November 10, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Joining the international coalition “would have a symbolic impact,” @abujamajem.com added. “It would also score points in Washington at a time when the US Congress is discussing lifting sanctions on Syria.”
Fighting IS today “requires large-scale intelligence work that has not yet taken shape,” Hassan Abu Haniyeh, an expert on Islamist groups, said. “At the national level, the Syrian security structure is still being formed. Even the US itself lacks a clear bank of IS targets.”
November 10, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Fighting IS today “requires large-scale intelligence work that has not yet taken shape,” Hassan Abu Haniyeh, an expert on Islamist groups, said. “At the national level, the Syrian security structure is still being formed. Even the US itself lacks a clear bank of IS targets.”
Signs of increasing security and intelligence cooperation have emerged in recent months, with Syrian and US forces conducting at least five joint operations against IS cells since July.
November 10, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Signs of increasing security and intelligence cooperation have emerged in recent months, with Syrian and US forces conducting at least five joint operations against IS cells since July.
A partnership between Damascus and the coalition would be “a point of strength for the government,” military researcher and defected officer Rashid Hourani said, increasing its ability to “monitor and track IS cells in its areas.”
November 10, 2025 at 3:31 PM
A partnership between Damascus and the coalition would be “a point of strength for the government,” military researcher and defected officer Rashid Hourani said, increasing its ability to “monitor and track IS cells in its areas.”
A struggle over education continues in northeastern Syria
✍️ Sozdar Muhammad
✍️ Sozdar Muhammad
A struggle over education continues in northeastern Syria
More than a month into the academic year in northeastern Syria, students enrolled in a number of schools remain locked out of their classrooms as a years-long struggle continues over what and how stud...
syriadirect.org
November 6, 2025 at 5:36 PM
A struggle over education continues in northeastern Syria
✍️ Sozdar Muhammad
✍️ Sozdar Muhammad
“Given that we live in a region that champions democracy and freedom of opinion, parents should have the right to choose the curriculum they want their children to be taught,” Ismail said.
November 6, 2025 at 5:36 PM
“Given that we live in a region that champions democracy and freedom of opinion, parents should have the right to choose the curriculum they want their children to be taught,” Ismail said.
“If their [AANES] diplomas and curriculum were recognized, it would be possible to send my children to their schools,” Zainab Ismail said. Her three children—whose school switched to the AANES curriculum this year—are still out of class.
November 6, 2025 at 5:36 PM
“If their [AANES] diplomas and curriculum were recognized, it would be possible to send my children to their schools,” Zainab Ismail said. Her three children—whose school switched to the AANES curriculum this year—are still out of class.
Without a recognized diploma, their children cannot study at Syrian public universities, study abroad or apply for government jobs outside AANES areas.
November 6, 2025 at 5:36 PM
Without a recognized diploma, their children cannot study at Syrian public universities, study abroad or apply for government jobs outside AANES areas.
The reluctance of many in northeastern Syria to send their children to AANES schools does not necessarily stem from political views, but from a desire to ensure their children’s diplomas are officially recognized.
November 6, 2025 at 5:36 PM
The reluctance of many in northeastern Syria to send their children to AANES schools does not necessarily stem from political views, but from a desire to ensure their children’s diplomas are officially recognized.
Syria Direct spoke to 11 families in Hasakah during the weeks-long shutdown. This week, some were able to send their children back to Christian schools, while others still have no solutions.
November 6, 2025 at 5:36 PM
Syria Direct spoke to 11 families in Hasakah during the weeks-long shutdown. This week, some were able to send their children back to Christian schools, while others still have no solutions.
In September, the AANES shut down private schools in its areas that still taught the Damascus government’s curriculum. An agreement this week with church leaders let Christian schools reopen, while others remain closed.
November 6, 2025 at 5:36 PM
In September, the AANES shut down private schools in its areas that still taught the Damascus government’s curriculum. An agreement this week with church leaders let Christian schools reopen, while others remain closed.
Syrians face a precarious future as US cancels temporary protection
✍️ Ananya Natchukuri
✍️ Ananya Natchukuri
Syrians face a precarious future as US cancels temporary protection
The Trump administration’s abrupt termination of Syrians’ Temporary Protected Status leaves thousands scrambling for solutions before a November 21 deadline to self-deport or become undocumented.
syriadirect.org
November 4, 2025 at 2:49 PM
Syrians face a precarious future as US cancels temporary protection
✍️ Ananya Natchukuri
✍️ Ananya Natchukuri