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Raqqa

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world4 days ago•7 min saved

Austria Convicts Syrian Intelligence Chief for Raqqa Torture

An Austrian court convicted Khaled al-H., formerly head of Syria’s General Intelligence Directorate in Raqqa (2011–2013), of torture and sexual abuse of regime opponents and sentenced him to eight years; a second Raqqa official, Moussab Abou R., was found guilty on similar charges, also receiving eight years. Prosecutors described beatings, electric shocks and other abuses used to suppress protests, with victims traveling from Europe and Syria to testify, in a rare instance of European jurisdiction over Assad-era crimes.

via BBC|

#austria #court #raqqa

world5 months ago•4 min saved

Syria and Kurdish Forces Strike Broad Integration Pact to End Clashes

Syria’s government and the Kurdish-led SDF announced a 14-point deal to bring Kurdish civilian and military authorities under central state institutions, merging SDF forces into the defence and interior ministries as individuals, and handing border crossings, oil and gas fields, prisons and camps housing ISIS fighters to the government; Deir al-Zor and Raqqa would come under government control, with Hasakeh’s governor appointed by consensus and the SDF allowed to nominate some leaders, plus a commitment to expel all non-Syrian PKK affiliates. The pact aims to end days of fighting, though some clashes linger and key details remain to be finalised; U.S. envoy Tom Barrack called it a pivotal inflection point, while regional dynamics, including Turkey’s stance, keep pressure on the process and a Monday meeting between Mazloum Abdi and President Sharaa is planned.

via Reuters|

#deir-al-zor #kurdish-forces #raqqa

world5 months ago•7 min saved

Syrian forces close in on Raqqa as SDF comes under pressure

Syrian government troops captured Tabqa and the Tabqa Dam west of Raqqa and advanced toward the city, signaling a rapid offensive against the US-backed SDF. The army also seized oilfields in the northeast and, amid clashes, the SDF withdrew from Deir Hafer, prompting U.S. calls for restraint. Kurdish authorities meanwhile issued a decree recognizing Kurdish as a national language, highlighting widening political shifts as Damascus seeks broader control over northeastern Syria.

via Al Jazeera|

#raqqa #sdf #syria