Social Cohesion in support of Deradicalisation and the Prevention of Violent Extremism: Programming Entry Points in North-east Syria
Executive Summary Does social cohesion programming in north-east Syria (NES) reflect an appropriate theory of change? How might social cohesion programming better resonate across the region’s primary identity groups to promote deradicalisation? For a region in which tribe, clan, and ethnicity play a pronounced role in socio-political organisation, the answers to such questions rest largely […]
Swelling As-Sweida Protests Highlight Discontent Across Government Areas
Syria Update Digest Protests have continued to escalate for the second consecutive week in the predominantly Druze As-Sweida Governorate, sparked by the Government of Syria’s decision to boot some 600,000 families from its subsidy rolls, depriving them of state support for basic staples. The protests have been enabled by As-Sweida’s special relationship with Damascus, but […]
Cross-Line Convoy Sets up Debate on Early Recovery and Cross-Border Quid Pro Quo
Syria Update Digest On 9 December, a UN convoy reached Idleb from Government of Syria-held Aleppo Governorate. The convoy is the second of its type, and it casts attention on the fast-approaching milestone in aid delivery in Syria: the six-month mark of the current cross-border authorisation, UN Security Council Resolution 2585. Although the authorisation is […]
الاقتصاد السوري في حالة حرب
كبتاجون وحشيش – دولة المخدرات السورية هذه الورقة هي الثالثة في سلسلة من الأوراق البحثية عن بعض جوانب التدهور الحاد للاقتصاد السوري – تلك الجوانب التي لم تنل حظها من الدراسة. انحدرت سوريا خلال عقد من الاضطرابات من دولة متوسطة الدخل تشهد انفتاحاً اقتصادياً كبيراً إلى دولة منهارة يرزح قرابة 90 بالمئة من سكانها تحت […]
‘Northern Gate’ Project Slams a Door in the Face of Displaced Damascenes
On 14 September, Presidential Decree No. 237 officially created the Northern Gate of Damascus Regulatory Area, a new development district in Qaboun and Harasta, on the outskirts of Damascus. Faisal Srour, a member of the Damascus Executive Council, stated that the regulated area measures 2,000 donum, extending from Harasta to the Panorama Circle in Qaboun. […]
In Last-Minute Vote, UN Salvages Cross-Border Mechanism — For Now
In-Depth Analysis On 9 July, the UN Security Council voted unanimously to extend the mandate granting UN aid access to northwest Syria from Turkey, through the Bab al-Hawa border crossing. The resolution, 2585, extends the cross-border aid system’s mandate for six months, with another six-month extension contingent on a substantive assessment by the Secretary […]
Dar’a Siege: Russia Abouts Face, Amps up Pressure
In-Depth Analysis Since 24 June, Dar’a al-Balad has been under siege by Government of Syria and Russian forces, which have blocked the entry of food and other basic necessities and intermittently shut off electricity and water. Main roads linking Dar’a al-Balad, the half of Dar’a city that remains under the partial control of reconciled […]
Northeast Syria Social Tensions and Stability Monitoring Pilot Project May 2021
Introduction This is the third report in an ongoing pilot study by COAR to monitor stability and social tensions in northeast Syria. Data collected and verified by COAR field researchers has been classified and analysed according to a broad set of indicators. This brief report assesses data collected in May 2021. As with the previous […]
Bye, Bye Badia: IS Challenges SDF in Bid for Wider Relevance
In-Depth Analysis On 22 June, Islamic State (IS) media released a 38-minute audio statement recorded by the group’s spokesperson, Abu Hamza al-Qurashi. The recording was primarily intended to boost the spirits of IS affiliates in contexts as far-flung as Western and Central Africa, Asia, and the Middle East; although Syria was not the focus of […]
