Author: Harun al-Aswad

Covert western backing for Syrian opposition-aligned media was required to counter state media and Russian and Iranian influence, journalists say, but some admit feeling duped (Photo source AFP) By Harun al-Aswad in Istanbul Syrian opposition-aligned journalists and activists have defended their involvement in media projects covertly backed by western governments, telling Middle East Eye that they were heavily reliant … Continue reading Syrian activists say pro-rebel propaganda campaign may have been counterproductive →

Turkish officials in Moscow seeking ceasefire, as Damascus vows to push on with offensive (Photo source MEE) By Harun al-Aswad Relentless bombing by the Syrian government and Russian forces has targeted towns, villages and two hospitals in northwest Syria, as Turkish officials in Moscow desperately seek a ceasefire. Territory in the Idlib and Aleppo countrysides is falling … Continue reading Pro-Assad forces bomb hospitals in rural Aleppo as clashes intensify →

Footage posted online showed a Syrian helicopter falling from the sky By Areeb Ullah, Ragip Soylu, Harun al-Aswad Syrian rebels shot down a government helicopter on Friday, the second in a week, as thousands continue to be displaced in the country's northern Idlib province under bombardment from the forces of President Bashar al-Assad. Activists confirmed to Middle East Eye that the … Continue reading Syrian rebels shoot down second government helicopter in a week →

Pro-Assad assault on opposition-held province has displaced nearly 700,000 people, UN says By Harun al-Aswad, Ragip Soylu in Hatay, Turkey Five Turkish soldiers were killed by Syrian government shelling on a military post in Idlib province's Taftanaz on Monday, as a planned counteroffensive by Turkey-backed rebels appeared to stall. Another five soldiers were wounded, Turkey's defence ministry said in a statement. The … Continue reading Syrian government shelling kills five Turkish soldiers as Idlib clashes intensify →

Assad's troops swarm around Turkish observation points despite Erdogan's warnings and prepare to enter the town (Photo Source AFP) By Harun al-Aswad Syrian government forces completely surrounded the highly strategic Idlib province town of Saraqeb on Thursday, despite Turkish warnings not to advance. "So far, government forces have not entered the city, there are now no … Continue reading Syrian government forces besiege Idlib’s strategic Saraqeb →