For years, Kafranbel was a symbol of defiance to the Syrian government. Its recent fall to Assad's control has dealt a blow to rebels and activists (Photo by AFP) By Harun al-Aswad in Istanbul For many years, the town of Kafranbel in Idlib province was a centre for displaced Syrians fleeing government forces from different parts of the war-torn country. But … Continue reading Rebels vow to retake Kafranbel, Syria’s revolutionary stronghold
Three out of four Turkish observation posts relieved as opposition groups push on towards villages along the M5 highway (Photo MEE) By Harun al-Aswad Turkey-backed rebels seized the highly strategic Idlib province town of Saraqeb from pro-Syrian government forces on Thursday, their first major success in weeks of fighting, with heavy clashes ongoing. The victory marked a … Continue reading Syrian rebels claim control of Idlib’s Saraqeb as government forces fight back
Opposition fighters making headway around strategic town of Saraqeb, backed by Turkish commandos and artillery (Photo source MEE) By Harun al-Aswad, Ragip Soylu Two Turkish soldiers were killed and five more wounded by a pro-Syrian government forces air strike in northwestern Syria, Ankara’s defence ministry said on Thursday, as fighting heated up around the Idlib province town … Continue reading Two Turkish soldiers killed as Syrian rebels stage assault on Idlib’s Neirab
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