Exploring the various ethnic and religious groups that make up the social fabric of Syrian society and, in some cases, are armed players in the war. https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/religious-ethnic-groups/rss en Religious & Ethnic Groups Tue, 06 Mar 2018 13:00:00 +0000 Hashem Osseiran https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2018/03/06/how-sectarianism-can-help-explain-the-syrian-war https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2018/03/06/how-sectarianism-can-help-explain-the-syrian-war The Syrian war is not a clean-cut sectarian conflict as some would suggest. However, a study of sectarian trends and dynamics can illuminate some overlooked aspects of the war, says Fabrice Balanche of Stanford University’s Hoover Institution. Religious & Ethnic Groups Tue, 16 Jan 2018 13:00:00 +0000 Akil Hussain https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2018/01/16/analysis-division-defines-syrias-tribes-and-clans https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2018/01/16/analysis-division-defines-syrias-tribes-and-clans Though all parties to the Syrian conflict have tried to take advantage of tribal identities, shifting loyalties and social changes often mean tribal kin are in conflict with each other, writes Syrian journalist Akil Hussain. ISIS Religious & Ethnic Groups Wed, 10 Jan 2018 08:11:25 +0000 Yousif Kalian https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2018/01/10/the-fate-of-minorities-in-post-isis-syria-and-iraq https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2018/01/10/the-fate-of-minorities-in-post-isis-syria-and-iraq The ability of Syria and Iraq’s minorities to rebuild their communities in the post-ISIS landscape will depend very much on the political situation in these countries, according to analyst Yousif Kalian. Government & Pro-Government Forces Opposition Groups & Rebel Forces Religious & Ethnic Groups Tue, 17 Oct 2017 13:48:16 +0000 Federica Marsi https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2017/10/17/amid-war-women-are-starting-to-make-a-mark-on-syrian-politics https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2017/10/17/amid-war-women-are-starting-to-make-a-mark-on-syrian-politics The conflict in Syria has shifted traditional roles within communities and more women are starting to play roles in politics at all levels. But their overall influence remains minimal, leaving Syria’s destiny in the hands of men. Religious & Ethnic Groups Fri, 14 Jul 2017 12:36:37 +0000 Wladimir van Wilgenburg https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2017/07/14/analysis-shift-in-rhetoric-among-kurdish-politicians-in-syria https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2017/07/14/analysis-shift-in-rhetoric-among-kurdish-politicians-in-syria Kurdish political officials in Syria are taking an increasingly anti-Iranian and pro-Saudi Arabia stance amid the rising tensions between Washington, Tehran and their proxies, and the rift between Qatar and Saudi Arabia, writes journalist Wladimir van Wilgenburg. Opposition Groups & Rebel Forces Religious & Ethnic Groups Thu, 06 Jul 2017 13:08:04 +0000 Lars Hauch https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2017/07/06/fractures-emerge-in-turkeys-alliances-in-northern-syria https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2017/07/06/fractures-emerge-in-turkeys-alliances-in-northern-syria After an anti-YPG Kurdish commander claimed that he was arrested by Turkish forces and his troops disarmed, concerns are rising over Turkish policy in Syria in the border region. Diplomacy & Foreign Affairs ISIS Religious & Ethnic Groups Wed, 07 Jun 2017 06:48:43 +0000 Haid Haid https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2017/06/07/analysis-u-s-brokered-deal-aims-to-ease-tension-between-sdf-and-kurds https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2017/06/07/analysis-u-s-brokered-deal-aims-to-ease-tension-between-sdf-and-kurds The move to arm the Kurds is a sign that the U.S. is beginning to deal with the complications of its anti-ISIS policy in Syria, writes Chatham House fellow Haid Haid. However, some Syrian analysts think it’s too little too late. Diplomacy & Foreign Affairs ISIS Religious & Ethnic Groups Tue, 16 May 2017 10:33:34 +0000 Haid Haid https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/community/2017/05/16/local-participation-is-important-to-post-isis-governance-in-raqqa https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/community/2017/05/16/local-participation-is-important-to-post-isis-governance-in-raqqa Haid Haid of the Atlantic Council warns against the repercussions of the Syrian Democratic Forces’ governance plan for Raqqa once the city has been liberated from the so-called Islamic State. Diplomacy & Foreign Affairs ISIS Religious & Ethnic Groups Mon, 15 May 2017 13:16:52 +0000 Kim Bode, Alessandria Masi https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/community/2017/05/15/expert-view-the-ypg-pkk-and-turkeys-options-in-syria https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/community/2017/05/15/expert-view-the-ypg-pkk-and-turkeys-options-in-syria Turkey opposed the U.S. decision to arm Syrian Kurds fighting ISIS due to the groups’ alleged ties to the Turkish-Kurdish PKK. But the relationships between these factions and foreign powers are much more complex than they seem, experts say. Religious & Ethnic Groups Fri, 12 May 2017 14:59:40 +0000 Wladimir van Wilgenburg https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2017/05/12/kurds-trump-turkey-in-the-fight-against-isis-in-raqqa https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2017/05/12/kurds-trump-turkey-in-the-fight-against-isis-in-raqqa The U.S. decision to directly arm Kurdish units of the Syrian Democratic Forces fighting ISIS could harm U.S. relations with Ankara and cause further instability within Syria and Turkey, but it was a “necessary” step against ISIS, Kurdish politicians and fighters said. Diplomacy & Foreign Affairs ISIS Religious & Ethnic Groups Fri, 12 May 2017 12:17:50 +0000 Kim Bode, Alessandria Masi https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2017/05/12/expert-view-u-s-decision-to-arm-syrian-kurds-will-boost-fight-against-isis https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2017/05/12/expert-view-u-s-decision-to-arm-syrian-kurds-will-boost-fight-against-isis Experts say the U.S. decision to arm Kurdish forces in Syria will strengthen U.S.-backed forces fighting ISIS and result in possible tacit agreements between the U.S. and unlikely partners. Religious & Ethnic Groups Thu, 27 Apr 2017 15:27:34 +0000 Wladimir van Wilgenburg https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2017/04/27/syrian-kurds-call-for-no-fly-zone-after-20-die-in-turkish-air-strike https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2017/04/27/syrian-kurds-call-for-no-fly-zone-after-20-die-in-turkish-air-strike The Kurds in Syria have called for a U.S. no-fly zone in the wake of a Turkish air strike on Kurdish fighters. The Kurds say Turkish attacks could threaten the ongoing U.S.-backed operation to take Raqqa, the de facto capital of ISIS in Syria. Human Rights Opposition Groups & Rebel Forces Religious & Ethnic Groups War Economy Sat, 28 Jan 2017 06:21:18 +0000 Hiba Dlewati https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2017/01/28/afrin-kurdish-town-isolated-by-siege-politics https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2017/01/28/afrin-kurdish-town-isolated-by-siege-politics The predominantly Kurdish district of Afrin in northwestern Syria has been under near-continuous siege for four years but remained relatively calm, attracting hundreds of thousands of displaced people. Now, it is under threat from Turkish military operations in Syria. ISIS Religious & Ethnic Groups Fri, 18 Nov 2016 07:46:54 +0000 Haid Haid https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/community/2016/11/18/the-impact-of-the-kurdish-led-campaign-to-isolate-raqqa https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/community/2016/11/18/the-impact-of-the-kurdish-led-campaign-to-isolate-raqqa Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, backed by the U.S., are engaged in an operation to push ISIS out of its de facto capital, but the campaign comes at a cost, writes Syrian researcher Haid Haid. Displacement Religious & Ethnic Groups Wed, 09 Nov 2016 07:39:37 +0000 Tom Rollins https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2016/11/09/long-read-why-khan-eshieh-palestinian-camp-could-be-the-next-yarmouk https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2016/11/09/long-read-why-khan-eshieh-palestinian-camp-could-be-the-next-yarmouk As fighting intensifies in the area around Syria’s Khan Eshieh – the so-called “camp of return” – and UNRWA draws parallels with the Yarmouk camp in Damascus, thousands of Palestinian refugees who call Khan Eshieh home face displacement for a second time. Human Rights ISIS Religious & Ethnic Groups Wed, 26 Oct 2016 09:08:39 +0000 Human Rights Watch https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2016/10/26/improvised-mines-kill-injure-hundreds-in-manbij-northern-syria https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2016/10/26/improvised-mines-kill-injure-hundreds-in-manbij-northern-syria In the city of Manbij, Human Rights Watch has documented the deaths of 69 civilians, including 19 children, killed by victim-activated, homemade explosives, which are banned under international law. Displacement Religious & Ethnic Groups Fri, 23 Sep 2016 12:52:46 +0000 Wesam Sabaaneh https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/community/2016/09/23/unga-must-address-legal-rights-for-palestinian-syrians https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/community/2016/09/23/unga-must-address-legal-rights-for-palestinian-syrians In host countries, Palestinian Syrian refugees fleeing the conflict are deprived of any legal protection. The international community must prioritize legal rights for the most vulnerable communities, writes the director of the Jafra Foundation, Wesam Sabaaneh. Diplomacy & Foreign Affairs Religious & Ethnic Groups Mon, 19 Sep 2016 08:00:31 +0000 Hosam al-Jablawi https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2016/09/19/decentralizing-syria-an-option-for-peace https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2016/09/19/decentralizing-syria-an-option-for-peace As local governance structures grow stronger in Syria, a decentralized government appeals to many in the country. However, both government and opposition forces fear that decentralization may eventually lead to partitioning the country, which they want to keep unified. Religious & Ethnic Groups Thu, 01 Sep 2016 08:16:00 +0000 Tom Rollins https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2016/09/01/unrest-grows-among-druze-in-syrias-sweida https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2016/09/01/unrest-grows-among-druze-in-syrias-sweida Druze factions in Syria have largely stayed out of the complicated conflict, but recently protest movements have started to grow against the Syrian government in the Druze-majority city of Sweida in the country’s southern province. Diplomacy & Foreign Affairs Opposition Groups & Rebel Forces Religious & Ethnic Groups Wed, 31 Aug 2016 05:59:47 +0000 Richard Hall https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2016/08/31/analysis-why-u-s-allies-are-fighting-each-other-in-northern-syria https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2016/08/31/analysis-why-u-s-allies-are-fighting-each-other-in-northern-syria Journalist Richard Hall explains why Kurdish, Syrian opposition and Turkish forces – three major U.S. allies in the fight against ISIS in Syria – are now battling each other in the war-torn country’s northern provinces. Displacement Religious & Ethnic Groups Mon, 15 Aug 2016 06:39:52 +0000 Middle East Eye and Agencies https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2016/08/15/thousands-return-to-manbij-after-islamic-state-militants-flee-city https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2016/08/15/thousands-return-to-manbij-after-islamic-state-militants-flee-city After a months-long offensive by the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces, ISIS militants have been pushed out of their northern stronghold on the Turkish border, allowing thousands of residents to return to their homes. Diplomacy & Foreign Affairs Government & Pro-Government Forces Religious & Ethnic Groups Wed, 29 Jun 2016 10:04:11 +0000 Saleem al-Omar https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2016/06/29/how-hafez-al-assad-divided-the-alawite-sect https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2016/06/29/how-hafez-al-assad-divided-the-alawite-sect It may have been 16 years since the death of former Syrian President Hafez al-Assad, but his legacy still lives on in the war-torn country’s sectarian politics. Human Rights Religious & Ethnic Groups Fri, 03 Jun 2016 10:37:13 +0000 Mardean Isaac https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/community/2016/06/03/under-fire-from-all-sides-syrias-assyrians https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/community/2016/06/03/under-fire-from-all-sides-syrias-assyrians Unless concrete measures are taken to support the steadily shrinking Assyrian community in Hassakeh province, one of the region’s most ancient communities may soon be gone, writes Syrian commentator Mardean Isaac. Displacement Human Rights Religious & Ethnic Groups Tue, 10 May 2016 13:24:42 +0000 Sarine Karajerjian https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/community/2016/05/10/bourj-hammoud-opens-its-doors-to-yet-more-refugees https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/community/2016/05/10/bourj-hammoud-opens-its-doors-to-yet-more-refugees Known as “Little Armenia,” Bourj Hammoud has been a refuge for displaced people since Armenians fled Ottoman massacres nearly a century ago. Sarine Karajerjian of the Issam Fares Institute explains why residents are now making room for refugees fleeing war in Syria. Civil Society Displacement Religious & Ethnic Groups Tue, 19 Apr 2016 00:00:00 +0000 Mariam Barghouti https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/community/2016/04/19/palestine-must-stand-in-solidarity-with-the-syrians https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/community/2016/04/19/palestine-must-stand-in-solidarity-with-the-syrians The mainstream Palestinian stance on the Syrian war is hypocritical, writes journalist Mariam Barghouti. By choosing political pragmatism over the right to self-determination – a right central to the Palestinian cause – Palestinians are asking Syrians to do what they have refused for more than 60 years. Civil Society Displacement Religious & Ethnic Groups Fri, 15 Apr 2016 00:00:00 +0000 Mira Nablusi https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2016/04/15/with-yarmouk-burning-residents-call-for-truce https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2016/04/15/with-yarmouk-burning-residents-call-for-truce As battles rage between ISIS and al-Nusra Front in Yarmouk refugee camp, civilians are being caught in the line of fire. With supplies in the camp running low, activists now fear a humanitarian crisis and have launched a social media campaign calling for a temporary cease-fire. Opposition Groups & Rebel Forces Religious & Ethnic Groups Mon, 11 Apr 2016 00:00:00 +0000 Saleem al-Omar https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2016/04/11/jabal-turkman-abandoned-as-residents-flee-to-turkey https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2016/04/11/jabal-turkman-abandoned-as-residents-flee-to-turkey Jabal Turkman in northern Latakia has been a battlefield since the beginning of the Syrian conflict. But this past week, the last remaining villagers fled, leaving more than 20 villages abandoned. Turkmen villagers now worry the Assad government will attempt to repopulate the mountain with loyalists. Displacement Opposition Groups & Rebel Forces Religious & Ethnic Groups Thu, 24 Mar 2016 00:00:00 +0000 Ayman Jalwan https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2016/03/24/5yearswefled-difficult-choices-part-2-2 https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2016/03/24/5yearswefled-difficult-choices-part-2-2 The series #5YearsWeFled is a collection of interviews with a Syrian lawyer Ayman Jalwan. It highlights the difficult choice that Syrians face – between dying in a war zone that the country has become after five years or conflict, or fleeing the land they love with no hopes of imminent return. Religious & Ethnic Groups Fri, 26 Feb 2016 00:00:00 +0000 Eva Savelsberg https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/community/2016/02/26/war-is-no-excuse-pyd-deployment-of-child-soldiers https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/community/2016/02/26/war-is-no-excuse-pyd-deployment-of-child-soldiers The PYD and its YPG and YPJ militias regularly, and often forcibly, recruit child soldiers and deploy them to the battlefield, writes Eva Savelsberg. The U.S.-led coalition against the Islamic State group, which has closely partnered with the PYD, should not allow a war against extremism supersede child rights. Diplomacy & Foreign Affairs Religious & Ethnic Groups Thu, 25 Feb 2016 00:00:00 +0000 Francis J. Ricciardone & Aaron Stein https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/community/2016/02/25/mitigating-u-s-turkish-disagreement-over-the-pyd https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/community/2016/02/25/mitigating-u-s-turkish-disagreement-over-the-pyd If the battle against ISIS is ever to succeed, the U.S. and Turkey must bridge their steadily widening divide regarding the role of Syrian Kurds in the fight against the extremists, write Francis Ricciardone and Aaron Stein.