Rojava Information Center

RIC analyzed footage from the STG assault on al-Hol camp. We found: 📌No evidence of SDF releasing detainees 📌Foreigners’ annex breached during STG assault; unknown number of fugitives 📌Attack began with revolt of local al-Hol residents, likely coordinated with STG 📌Asayish withdraw after 2 pronged attack and camp revolt Read the full report and our conclusion here: rojavainformationcenter.org/2026/01/attack…

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RIC's Robin Fleming will join @peoples_bridge for an online panel on May 18 at 7pm (CET) to discuss human rights violations in North and East Syria (NES), January 2026

Celebratory gunfire during the release reportedly caused casualties, with 2 people killed and several wounded. Heseke Vice Governor Ahmed al-Hilali confirmed that another batch may be released in the coming days, possibly the last.

On Friday, 232 detainees affiliated with the SDF were released by the Syrian transitional government as part of the ongoing integration process. However, sources say some individuals listed as released remain unaccounted for, with families still unaware of their fate.

Sleeper Cell Report March 2026 – ISIS activity continues after February’s vow to attack new Syrian government rojavainformationcenter.org/2026/04/sleepe…

Explainer: What is happening in Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyeh? rojavainformationcenter.org/2026/04/explai…

This latest incident comes amid ongoing tension and sectarian violence between Kurdish and Arab communities as DAANES is integrated into the Syrian state.

In a statement, Asayish said that they had arrested al-Haso in coordination with government forces, accusing him of provoking "sectarian strife and threatening social stability"

last night a video circulated showing Hussein al-Haso, a figure reported to have ties to the Assad regime, opening fire on a Kurdish flag on Qamishlo's Zuri Roundabout

Emina Ehmo was one civilian waiting for her cousin to return home after his capture. She told RIC, “We are very happy, our holidays and blessed days have just started. Hopefully all other prisoners will be released soon as well. May the heart of all Kurdish mothers be relieved.”

Some prisoners from the 2018 Turkish invasion of Afrin and attacks on Shehba in 2024 have also been released. Other fighters previously declared dead by the SDF have also been released. This makes it difficult to estimate how many more may be released in the future.

Hundreds lined the streets of Heseke today to receive 400 SDF soldiers, most captured in January’s fighting. This is the third prisoner exchange after a ceasefire deal at the end of January and brings the total released prisoners to around 1000.

The Women’s Protection Units (YPJ) celebrated their 13th anniversary as a military organization. This comes amid ongoing negotiations between the YPJ and the Syrian Transitional Government regarding the integration of the YPJ and the acceptance of women within the Syrian army

On April 1 Syriac, Assyrian, Aramean, Chaldean communities celebrated Akito, marking the beginning of the 6776th New Year of the Assyrian calendar. Days of car convoys and local celebrations preceded larger gatherings across North East Syria.

Sleeper Cell Report February 2026 – ISIS vows to open ‘new phase’ of operations in Syria rojavainformationcenter.org/2026/03/sleepe…

Yesterday, thousands of people came together in Qamishlo for an afternoon of song and dance to celebrate the Kurdish holiday of Newroz after rain earlier in the week had postponed celebrations

Salih Muslim, senior Kurdish politician & leader of the Democratic Union Party (PYD), passed away from health issues. He was key in shaping the politics in North and East Syria. His body was taken from Erbil & buried in Kobane on March 15, with memorials taking place en route

RIC assisted BBC World Service for their podcast on the history and future of women's autonomy in North and East Syria after the January offensive and integration deal between the Syrian Transitional Government and the Syrian Democratic Forces. bbc.com/audio/play/p0n…

Leyla Qahraman from the Syrian Democratic Council told RIC: “This is the result of the long struggle of the people of Afrin. [Their return] was one of the main terms of the January 29 Agreement. Their houses and lands must be returned to them and they must not be threatened by anyone. […] Today our people return, with many of their loved ones no longer here to see it. But the people trust that the long struggle has finally achieved something.”

Imad, from Afrin, told RIC: “We are a family of eight. It has been eight years of displacement: from Afrin to Shehba, then to Tabqa, then to Heseke, and later to Derik. Our house was destroyed since the region was first occupied. The Hamza Division was controlling our area. I had 180 olive trees. Last summer I managed to go [to Afrin], but they left nothing. They were all cut. When I go back, of course I will plant olive trees again. We cannot live without olive trees. Of course, to go back to our land, we are happy.”

400 displaced families departed from Heseke today in a convoy returning to Afrin. The step is a first in the right of return of thousands of displaced people. Syrian Transitional Government Internal Security Forces & Siyamend Afrin of the Asayish are present in the convoy.