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Syria Notes

@syrianotes.bsky.social

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Informing UK policy debates on Syria. Focused on human rights and accountability. Web: https://www.syrianotes.org/ Facebook: http://facebook.com/SyriaNotes/ YouTube: http://youtube.com/@syrianotes5908

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Syria Notes @syrianotes.bsky.social · Jun 1

Aid cuts hit Syrian independent media just as they are most needed

We talked to Ahmad Primo of Verify Syria, Yara Bader of Syrian Center for Media and Freedom of Expression, Kholoud Helmi of Enab Baladi, and Camilla Bruun Randrup of International Media Support.
www.syrianotes.org/2025/05/free...

Syria Notes

Freedom’s price Syria Notes no. 30, spring 2025. On the 8th of December, Bashar al-Assad fled to Moscow, ...

www.syrianotes.org

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Syria Notes @syrianotes.bsky.social · 1d

Education on hold: How Syrian children in Lebanon are being shut out of the classroom

Government restrictions have effectively barred tens of thousands of Syrian children from school in Lebanon, as NGOs step in to teach those left behind.
@thenewarab.bsky.social
www.newarab.com/analysis/how...

How Syrian children are being shut out of Lebanon’s classrooms

Government restrictions have effectively barred tens of thousands of Syrian children from school in Lebanon, as NGOs step in to teach those left behind

www.newarab.com

Syria Notes @syrianotes.bsky.social · 1d

Fierce clashes broke out on Monday around the Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyeh neighborhoods of Aleppo city, with exchanges of sniper fire and artillery between the Syrian army and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) which control the two areas.
— Enab Baladi
english.enabbaladi.net/archives/202...

Clashes Escalate Between Government Forces and SDF in Aleppo, Northern Syria - Enab Baladi

Fierce clashes broke out on Monday, October 6, around the Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyeh neighborhoods in Aleppo (northern Syria), between […]

english.enabbaladi.net

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Syria Notes @syrianotes.bsky.social · 1d

Asylum hotel provider makes £180m profit despite claims of inedible food and rationed loo paper

Clearsprings Ready Homes is one of three companies with 10-year Home Office contracts to provide accommodation services for asylum seekers.
— BBC News
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Asylum hotel provider makes £180m profit despite claims of inedible food and rationed loo paper

Asylum seekers and charities tell BBC of

www.bbc.co.uk

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Syria Notes @syrianotes.bsky.social · 2d

Just six women were elected to Syria’s new People’s Assembly. One, Lina Aizouki, was also the only Christian to win.

As the remaining third of seats are to be selected by the president, Sharaa is expected to appoint more women for balance.
@thenewarab.bsky.social
www.newarab.com/news/sharaa-...

’Sharaa to act’ to balance Syria parliament as six women elected

Syria’s parliamentary elections saw just three percent of votes go toward women candidates, with Sharaa expected to make the house more representative.

www.newarab.com

Reposted by Syria Notes

Rena Netjes @renanetjes.bsky.social · 2d

Reports of SDF firing at adjacent neighbourhoods in Aleppo (I was there yesterday afternoon)

Clashes in Aleppo:

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Reposted by Syria Notes

Rena Netjes @renanetjes.bsky.social · 2d

"For the 1st time since the announcement of the Sheikh Maqsoud neighborhood agreement in Aleppo last April, the Syrian Min. of Interior has closed the entrances to the Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh neighborhoods, prohibiting entry—only exit is permitted. The reasons are unknown."

#Aleppo

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Syria Notes @syrianotes.bsky.social · 3d

Rather than the Syrian population directly electing MPs, electoral colleges select two-thirds of them, while the remaining third will be hand-picked by the interim president himself. This naturally raises fears of state capture by Al-Sharaa.
@thenewarab.bsky.social
www.newarab.com/analysis/syr...

Syria Insight: Elections mark a fragile new chapter after Assad

Syria’s upcoming parliamentary elections appear designed to push through a legislature needed to make the state functional, amid fears of a power grab

www.newarab.com

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Syria Notes @syrianotes.bsky.social · 3d

Syria’s People’s Assembly election: Today’s voting is restricted to members of electoral bodies selected by provincial subcommittees, with no public vote.

Of 210 seats, 70% will be elected by electoral bodies and 30% appointed by the president.
— Enab Baladi
english.enabbaladi.net/archives/202...

“Electoral Silence” Begins for People’s Assembly Candidates in Syria - Enab Baladi

Candidates for Syria’s People’s Assembly entered on Saturday, October 4, a one-day “electoral silence” period, as stipulated in Decision No. […]

english.enabbaladi.net

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Syria Notes @syrianotes.bsky.social · 3d

Amid a wave of high-profile fundraising campaigns in Syria, a $2.1mn donation from the family of Assad crony Mohammed Hamsho was condemned as a brazen attempt to launder the family’s reputation, @haidhaid22.bsky.social writes.
en.majalla.com/node/327649/...

Hamsho donations revive questions about the fate of Assad's cronies

The donations were not random acts of goodwill, but part of a calculated campaign to rehabilitate the Hamsho name, using wealth built on Syrians' suffering to buy legitimacy

en.majalla.com

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Reposted by Syria Notes

Jon Featonby @jonfeatonby.bsky.social · 4d

Granting leave to people who will either end up getting it or who can’t be removed anyway would free up enough capacity to close the hotels in around 6 months. Granting leave to people from Afghanistan, Eritrea, Iran, Sudan and Syria would do it www.refugeecouncil.org.uk/stay-informe...

Ending the use of hotels to house people seeking asylum - Refugee Council

New analysis outlines how the UK can responsibly end the use of asylum hotels within a year through a secure, practical solution.

www.refugeecouncil.org.uk

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Reposted by Syria Notes

Jon Featonby @jonfeatonby.bsky.social · 4d

This @politicshome.bsky.social article on how the Government can end the use of hotels in the asylum system misses the cheapest and quickest option - making quick grants of leave to reduce demand www.politics home.com/news/article/asylum-seeker-hotels-accommodation-military-sites

How Will Labour Meet Its Promise To Close Asylum Hotels?

After a summer of protests outside hotels housing asylum seekers, the government is under renewed pressure to find alternative accommodation. What ...

www.politicshome.com

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Syria Notes @syrianotes.bsky.social · 4d

Netanyahu ordered drone attacks on Gaza-bound humanitarian aid boats off Tunisia, two US intelligence officials tell CBS News.
www.cbsnews.com/news/netanya...

Netanyahu ordered drone attacks on Gaza-bound humanitarian aid boats off Tunisia, sources say

No one was hurt when two vessels that were part of a flotilla bound for Gaza mysteriously caught fire last month.

www.cbsnews.com

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Syria Notes @syrianotes.bsky.social · 4d

"My country": This is a post about Syria in October 2012. By that date the number of civilians killed by the Assad regime was in the tens of thousands. The post ironically congratulates Syria on producing a criminal leader worse than Nero, Pharaoh, or Hitler.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-m...

Syrian city of Homs sees 'worst shelling in months'

The Syrian city of Homs is subjected to the most severe bombardment in five months, amid continuing violence across the country, activists say.

www.bbc.co.uk

Syria Notes @syrianotes.bsky.social · 5d

He sees bravery in individual fighters, and distinguishes between them and their leaders. Not saying he is right or wrong in that view, but a wider reading of his posts makes clear his position: Pro Palestinian, anti Hamas, anti Hezbollah, anti Iranian regime. In a Syrian context this is normal.

Syria Notes @syrianotes.bsky.social · 5d

The second post seems to be mainly an attack on Hezbollah, referring to their alliance with Iran. Other of his posts also attack Hezbollah.

Syria Notes @syrianotes.bsky.social · 5d

"Regardless of who leads them" means he is not praising Hamas leaders. Other of his posts attack Hamas.

Where he writes "as for you" he is no longer referring to Palestinian fighters, he switches to writing about Syrian fighters.

The Daily Mail has not properly understood detail and context.

Syria Notes @syrianotes.bsky.social · 5d

Newspapers are not always accurate. His October 7th post didn’t name Hamas.

It drew a distinction between the bravery of some Palestinian fighters and their leaders (presumably Hamas).

The part about “take good care of your weapons” referred to Syrians who had at that point yet to overthrow Assad.

Syria Notes @syrianotes.bsky.social · 5d

Reading the father’s Facebook posts, he heavily criticised Hamas because of their alliance with Iran, one of the allies of the Assad regime.

The father also called for hostages to be released.

The father expressed very strong opposition to Hezbollah because of their part in oppressing Syrians.

Syria Notes @syrianotes.bsky.social · 5d

Manchester synagogue attacker was on bail for alleged rape

Jihad al-Shamie was under investigation over alleged sexual attack earlier this year, @theguardian.com reports.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...

Manchester synagogue terrorist was on bail for alleged rape

Exclusive: Jihad al-Shamie had been under investigation over alleged sexual attack earlier this year, sources say

www.theguardian.com

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Syria Notes @syrianotes.bsky.social · 5d

It is also worth reading the father’s call for the release of hostages which he posted shortly after.

Facebook post in Arabic dated 10 Oct. 2023.

Google Translate:
When Saladin liberated Jerusalem, the rules of engagement were clear: We will not take elderly men and women or children as prisoners. These people are entitled to our protection and must be returned safely to their families. We will not destroy any trees, nor will we kill any prisoners or threaten them in any way. If you truly desire victory, rely on God and follow the teachings of our Prophet regarding warfare. Do not think that capturing the elderly will increase your strength, nor that releasing them will weaken you. If you truly believe that victory comes from God, not from your own strength, then release the elderly and children. What you have done so far is a miracle by any standard; do not spoil it with an act of anger. There is no place for such actions in warfare. May God grant you victory, strengthen you, and guide you on the straight path in this battle, which history will record as the beginning of the liberation of Jerusalem, God willing.

Reposted by Syria Notes

Ben Gidley @bengidley.bsky.social · 5d

Statement from Syrian NGOs on yesterday’s attack, including Manchester-based Rethink Rebuild Society.

www.rrsoc.org/node/1746

syrianbritish.org/statement-fr...

Cc @sundersays.bsky.social @syrianotes.bsky.social

Statement from the Syrian Community in the UK on the Tragic Attack in Crumpsall
3rd October 2025

The Syrian community in the United Kingdom extends its deepest condolences to the Jewish community in Manchester and across the UK following today's tragic stabbing at a synagogue in Crumpsall. We are horrified by this attack, and we stand in full solidarity with our Jewish neighbours as they grieve. That such violence was carried out in a sacred place of worship, and on Yom Kippur-the holiest day of the Jewish year—makes this tragedy all the more painful.
We stress unequivocally that houses of worship must remain places of peace, safety, and sanctity, never targets of hate or violence. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families, and the Jewish community during this most difficult time.
As Syrians, we know this pain all too well. For over 15 years, Syrians of all faiths have endured devastating attacks on mosques, churches, and sacred spaces. We have buried loved ones, mourned in silence, and lived with the scars. Violence against innocent people especially in places of worship—is something we stand firmly against, wherever it happens.
At this stage, no one within our Syrian community networks—neither within nor beyond Manchester-has been able to identify the individual involved in this attack or confirm knowing him personally.
We appeal to our wider society not to allow this tragedy to give rise to racist incidents directed at Syrians, Muslims, or migrants. Violence must not be met with further division or hatred. At the same time, we hope this incident will not be misused to impose restrictions on freedom of expression—particularly the right to peacefully protest and speak out against the ongoing genocide in Gaza.
The Syrian community stands alongside the Jewish community in rejecting violence, and we recommit ourselves to building a society where every community can live in dignity, security, and mutual trust.

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Syria Notes @syrianotes.bsky.social · 5d

The family of Jihad Al-Shamie, the British Syrian named as the Manchester synagogue attacker, expressed “deep shock and sorrow,” condemning the “heinous act.”

One of the attack victims killed was hit by police gunfire, as was one of the injured.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cx...

Manchester latest: One of victims killed in attack was hit by police gunfire, chief constable says

The family Jihad Al-Shamie, who police believe carried out the attack, express

www.bbc.co.uk

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Reposted by Syria Notes

Fared Al Mahlool | فريد المحلول @faredalmahlool.bsky.social · 5d

Damascus, Syria — Syrian-American Rabbi Henry Hamra has officially announced his candidacy for the Syrian People’s Assembly, representing the Damascus district. This marks the first Jewish candidacy since the 1967 decision that prohibited Syrian Jews from running for parliament.

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Syria Notes @syrianotes.bsky.social · 5d

A surge in violence across western Hama and Homs in the past week points to underlying problems: a lack of checkpoints in Syria’s countryside and a lack of inter-communal dispute resolution mechanisms, Gregory Waters writes.
www.syriarevisited.com/p/violence-s...

Violence Surges in Hama, Locals Respond

Will the government listen?

www.syriarevisited.com

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Syria Notes @syrianotes.bsky.social · 6d

Salamiya, a Hama province city home to most of Syria’s Ismaili minority, has been a post-Assad “success story.” Community leaders and analysts emphasize the importance of dialogue and inclusive governance in ensuring communal harmony.
@syriadirect.bsky.social
syriadirect.org/how-syrias-i...

How Syria’s Ismaili community keeps a fragile peace

syriadirect.org

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