[This is a roundup of news articles and other materials circulating on Syria and reflects a wide variety of opinions. It does not reflect the views of the Syria Page Editors or of Jadaliyya. You may send your own recommendations for inclusion in each week`s roundup to syria@jadaliyya.com by Monday night of every week.]
Inside Syria
Islamic State attacks Kobane 5 months after ouster; scores reported killed Attack on Kobane was a reminder that ISIL still has the ability to upset the battlefield even when it appears to be in the defensive.
ISIS militants disguised as Kurdish fighters infiltrate Syrian town “The dual offensive against Kobani and al-Hasakah might be an ISIS effort to divert Kurdish fighters away from Raqqa.”
Syria’s Alawites: The People Behind Assad Alawites, making up 10-15% of Syria’s population, are usually strong supporters of Assad. This article gives an understanding on the complexities of Islam and its effect.
Syrian Kurds say ISIS shoring up de facto capital Raqqa After losing ground in Tal Abyad, ISIS fighters have reinforced their defenses. YPG militia has emerged as the most credible ally for the U.S. led campaign in Syria.
After Tell Abyad, what`s next for PYD? “With the route from Tal Abyad to Raqqa cut, the extremist group will have to rely on border crossings much further west inn neighboring Aleppo province, adding several hundred kilometers to their supply lines.”
The Massacre of Druze Villagers in Qalb Lawza, Idlib Province Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi reports about Massacre of Druze Villagers in Qalb Lawza, in the Jabal al-Summaq region of Idlib province- who were massacred in a confrontation with members of Jabhat al-Nusra.
Syrian army advances in ISIS-held Palmyra “Syria’s army advanced this weekend west of the ancient city of Palmyra, reopening a key supply route for oil and gas to the capital”.
Three sisters, nine children, one dangerous journey to the heart of Isis. What is the lure of the caliphate? “Hundreds of Britons have joined the Islamist militants. Hassan Hassan has interviewed dozens of members of the group in Syria and Iraq”.
Islamic State crisis: `Mines planted in Syria`s Palmyra` “Islamic State (IS) militants have planted landmines and explosives around the ancient Palmyra ruins, according to a group that monitors the war in Syria.”
Ma`arra Mosaic Museum suffers massive destruction in barrel bomb attack by `Syrian army helicopters` Fiona Keating reports that Ma`arra Mosaic Museum suffers massive destruction caused by two explosive-packed barrels dropped by Syrian army helicopters.
Regional and International Perspectives
Captured fighter details Islamic State`s Turkey connection Huseyin Mustafa Peri, captured IS fighter, explains the ISIL recruiting process, its expansion, and their presence in Turkey.
To stem ISIL advance, US must clarify Syria strategy Months after the U.S. vowed to destroy ISIS, they remain far from extinction, and appear to be growing.
ISIS is begging for your attention—by killing people with rocket launchers ISIS produces more baroque ways to murder on video, becoming desperate to steer media narrative.
We share responsibility for Syria`s murderous stalemate. We must come together to break it Paulo Pinheiro, the chair of the UN commission of inquiry on Syria, calls for change regarding the actions of influential states towards the Syrian conflict.
Is the Islamic State on the Rise in Gaza? Gregg Carlstrom comments on the dynamics of recent events in which Hamas is fighting a group that might be affiliated with ISIS.
Where ISIS Has Directed and Inspired Attacks Around the World Karen Yourish, Derek Watkins and Tom Giratikanon provide a list, alongside a description, of major ISIS attacks and arrests since last summer
How The Times Covers ISIS Ben Hubbard argues that the best way to understand ISIS is to hear from people who live under ISIS or had recently fled its territories.
Assad Is Losing His Troops Hassan Hassan comments on the recent statement of a prominent religious figure who declared that the Druze were no longer obliged to serve in the Syrian Arab Army.
Economy and Agriculture
Syria`s economy said to have contracted by 60 per cent Syria’s economy has suffered severely in the four years since the civil war began as its currency has depreciated by 80 percent, inflation skyrocketing.
The Islamic State`s scorched earth policy in Kobani Residents of Kobani are living on harsh conditions, sometimes their crops being burned, and are faced with the threat of death and destruction in the city.
Policy and Reports
ISIS Strikes Back ISIS has continuously manipulated the global news cycle, and tries to turn its enemies against each other, Michael Weiss reports.
The implications of a Kurdish victory over ISIS in Tal Abyad Aaron Stein reports on the implications of the Kurdish victory in Tal Abyad and problems for Turkey.
ISIS Strikes Back ISIS has continuously manipulated the global news cycle, and tries to turn its enemies against each other, Michael Weiss reports.
The Syrian Studies Association Spring 2015 Bulletin The Syrian Studies Association published its Spring 2015 Bulletin, with updates on the SSA`s annual meeting, introductory bios from two of its new board members, and a timely feature article on Syria`s threatened cultural heritage, as well as three book reviews.
تقرير من الوحدة التنظيمية لحزب الجمهورية في الغوطة الشرقية حول الأوضاع العامة في مناطق الغوطة This report by the Republic Party outlines the general situation in East Ghouta.
Documentaries, Special Reports, and Other Media
Samar Yazbek: ‘Syria has been hung, drawn and quartered’ Samar Yazbek tells her story as she risked her life to cross illegally back into Syria.
Syrians Crash Through a Fence Between War and Refuge Alan Taylor shares several images that highlight how “thousands of Syrians cut through a border fence and crossed over into Turkey fleeing intense fighting in northern Syria between Kurdish fighters and ISIS militants around the town of Tal Abyad.”
The Man Saving Syria`s Antiquities BBC Outlook featured the efforts of Prof. Ma`amoun Abdul-karim the Director of Antiquities in Syria to protect Syria`s heritage.
راديو سوريات: التحرش الجنسي بالسوريات This audio report by Souriat Radio explores sexual harassment in Syria during the last four years.
على خطوط التماس مع تنظيم الدولة في ريف حلب This video shows heavy battles between Syrian opposition armed group and ISIS at Umm Hawsh, north of Aleppo.
Arabic:
تطمين الأقليات في سوريا يجذبهم مجددا إلى دائرة الفعل الثوري Ammar Daioub comments on possible strategies that Syrian opposition can employ to attract minorities.
مشروع مقترح من حزب الجمهورية: ميثاق عمل للفصائل العسكرية في سورية The Republic Party suggests a project to coordinate the work of military factions in Syria.
فكتريوس شمس: هناك حضور للبعد الطائفي في أي حل مرتقب In this interview with Victorious Shames, he argues that the concept of “Political Alawīyyah” is an objective and accurate description of the real situation in Syria.
مقاتلوا النظام ساخطين على قياداتهم.. والبدائل غائبة Ryan Mohammed writes about the discontent of the Syrian regime fighters with their leadership.
«كندة ويارا وسوسن وجلال» فنانون سوريون يدعمون حملة فريق «ملهم» التطوعي في رمضان Noor Al-Malah writes about the participation of Syrian drama stars in humanitarian activism.
القصبي يعري «داعش»... و «التنظيم» يتوعد بجز رأسه! This article features a Ramadan TV drama that portrays ISIS and the controversy around that.
برهان غليون : لعنة الطائفية Burhan Ghalioun discusses sectarianism, nationalism and conflict in the region.
القضاء السويسري يتمسك بقرار مصادرة أملاك رامي مخلوف ابن خال الأسد Swiss court maintains freeze on billionaire Rami Makhlouf`s financial assets.
هل ينسف تنظيم "الدولة الإسلامية" مدينة تدمر التاريخية بعد أن فخخ مواقعها الأثرية؟ ISIS planted large deal of explosives and mines in the archaeological locations of the Syrian ancient city of Palmyra.
هل سيعود السوريون سوريين؟ Salam Kawakibi reflects on the issue of national identity in the context of the ongoing conflict in Syria.
ليس هناك تطهير عرقي كردي ضد العرب Badirkhan Ali debunks the claims debunks the claims of ethnic cleansing committed by the Kurdish Forces against Arab and Turkmen communities in Tell Abyad.
انهيار الخطاب السياسي للنظام السوري Ibrahim Hamidi analyzes the political discourse of the Syrian regime and argues that the regime finds a difficulty in maintaining the consistency of its discourse.