Idlib

Time running out to save the Kurds in Syria

Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator The Kurds in northeastern Syria have established their semi-autonomous administration which they call “Rojava”. They are now under threat of an increased invasion and occupation by Turkish ground troops, which could end in ethnic cleansing and mass casualties. Turkish President Erdogan has demanded for years that the US must […]

Istanbul terror attack may prompt Turkish invasion and deportations

Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator On November 13, a blast ripped through Istiklal street, a busy pedestrian area in the Beyoglu neighborhood of Istanbul.  The explosion killed six people and wounded 81 at about 4:30 pm local time. Among the dead were Arzu Ozsoy and her 15-year-old daughter Yagmur Ucar, a nine-year-old girl and […]

Is Turkey changing course in Idlib?

Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator The Syrian Arab Army (SAA) and Russian warplanes shelled positions of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the Al Qaeda affiliate in Syria, on November 6 in Idlib province.  Some of the terrorists killed were: Abdul Minam Muhati, Radwan Hussain Muhayer, Abu Dawoud al-Filistini, Mohammad Ali al-Kadour, Abu Hussein al-Raddad, Abu […]

“Turkey’s presence in Syria gives the US an excuse to protect Syrian Kurds”, an interview with Alptekin Dursunoğlu

Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator   There are signs that Turkey and Syria may be ready to repair their relationship after a decade of conflict has divided the two neighbors. Turkish media Hurriyet reported on September 16 that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had expressed a wish to meet Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. According […]

US and Turkey keep Idlib a terrorist safe haven

Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator On October 10, a US-led coalition drone strike killed an IS terrorist in northeastern Syria.  The terrorist was riding a motorcycle in a village occupied by Radical Islamic mercenaries employed by Turkey near Tel Albyat.  Since the defeat of ISIS in Syria in 2019, the terrorist group now referred […]

“Yankee go home!” Russia, Iran and Turkey agree the US troops must leave Syria

Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey, President Vladimir Putin of Russia, and President Ebrahim Raisi of Iran held talks yesterday in Tehran at the 7th Astana summit for peace in Syria, stressing the need for respecting Syria’s national sovereignty and territorial integrity. The summits date from January 2017, and […]

Damascus and the Kurds align militarily to face the Turkish threat

Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator The Syrian Defense Forces (SDF) in the northeastern region of Syria have raised up the Syrian flag which represents the government in Damascus for the first time in years.  The SDF have been partnered with the US military in the fight against ISIS, but are now facing an even […]

‘The last choice to remain safe for the Kurds is to head towards Damascus’, according to Dr. Ahmad Alderzi

Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator   The Syrian conflict is in a stalemate, and wasn’t even mentioned on US President Biden’s recent Middle East trip.  The proxy war in Syria features the US, NATO, EU, Turkey, Iran and Russia all playing roles which vary from conflicting, to competing, and complementing.   While the international […]