Thousands in Syria’s Northwest Mark 13 Years Since Uprising

 15 March 2024, Syria, Idlib: Syrians take part in a demonstration against the Syrian regime on the 13th anniversary of the Syrian revolution. (dpa)
15 March 2024, Syria, Idlib: Syrians take part in a demonstration against the Syrian regime on the 13th anniversary of the Syrian revolution. (dpa)
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Thousands in Syria’s Northwest Mark 13 Years Since Uprising

 15 March 2024, Syria, Idlib: Syrians take part in a demonstration against the Syrian regime on the 13th anniversary of the Syrian revolution. (dpa)
15 March 2024, Syria, Idlib: Syrians take part in a demonstration against the Syrian regime on the 13th anniversary of the Syrian revolution. (dpa)

Thousands took to the streets of Syria's opposition-held northwest on Friday to mark 13 years since pro-democracy protests swept the country, chanting against President Bashar al-Assad and the region's extremist rulers.

The government's brutal suppression of the 2011 uprising triggered a civil war that killed more than half a million people, drew in foreign armies and extremists, and divided the country.

Former Al-Qaeda affiliate Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) now controls a significant portion of Idlib province as well as surrounding areas, where hundreds have taken to the streets in recent weeks against HTS leader Abu Mohamed al-Jolani, with anger simmering after the death of a man in the group's custody.

Hundreds of protesters carried the Syrian opposition’ three-starred flag in the provincial capital of Idlib city, with many brandishing placards that read "Down with Jolani... Assad".

35-year-old protester Mohammed Harnoush said the uprising's anniversary was a reminder that "our revolution is against everyone... whether it is Bashar al-Assad or Jolani".

"This people shall not be ruled by iron and fire," he said, speaking in the city's main square.

The Idlib region hosts about three million people, many of whom fled other parts of the country held or recaptured by the Russian and Iranian-backed Assad government.

Khalidia Agha, 72, was among hundreds in Idlib city chanting against Jolani and Assad.

She said government forces killed one of her sons, while two others disappeared into HTS prisons six years ago.

She has not heard from them since.

"I am protesting today because my children are jailed... All I ask for is to see them and know where they are," she said, her eyes filling with tears.

Syria's war has displaced 7.2 million people internally while pushing millions more to flee the country.

The UN has said that this year 16.7 million people in Syria will require some type of humanitarian assistance or protection -- the largest number since the beginning of the crisis in 2011.

About 90 percent of Syrians live in poverty, according to the UN. One of its humanitarian officials, David Carden, warned last week of funding challenges that could affect aid deliveries and services.

Almost 7.5 million children in Syria will need humanitarian assistance in 2024, more than at any other time during the conflict, according to the UN child welfare agency UNICEF.



AFP Appeals for Evacuation of Freelance Staff from Gaza

Smoke rises during Israeli strikes amid the Israeli military operation in Deir Al-Balah, in the central Gaza Strip, July 21, 2025. REUTERS/Hatem Khaled/File Photo
Smoke rises during Israeli strikes amid the Israeli military operation in Deir Al-Balah, in the central Gaza Strip, July 21, 2025. REUTERS/Hatem Khaled/File Photo
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AFP Appeals for Evacuation of Freelance Staff from Gaza

Smoke rises during Israeli strikes amid the Israeli military operation in Deir Al-Balah, in the central Gaza Strip, July 21, 2025. REUTERS/Hatem Khaled/File Photo
Smoke rises during Israeli strikes amid the Israeli military operation in Deir Al-Balah, in the central Gaza Strip, July 21, 2025. REUTERS/Hatem Khaled/File Photo

Agence France-Presse called on Israel on Tuesday to allow the immediate evacuation of its freelance contributors and their families from the Gaza Strip, citing worsening living conditions and escalating risks to their safety.

In a statement, the French news agency said its freelancers faced an "appalling situation" in Gaza. A 21-month war with Israel has devastated the territory, since Hamas' attack on Israel in October 2023.

"For months, we have been witnessing, powerless, the dramatic deterioration of their living conditions," AFP said, adding that the situation had become untenable despite the "exemplary courage, professional commitment and resilience" of its local team.

The management statement came after AFP's journalists' association issued its own statement saying colleagues in Gaza risked dying of hunger.

AFP said it had succeeded in evacuating eight staff members and their families from Gaza between January and April 2024, after months of effort. It is now seeking to secure safe passage for its freelance Palestinian reporters, despite "the extreme difficulty of leaving a territory under strict blockade".

According to Reuters, Israel has barred international journalists from entering Gaza since October 7, 2023. AFP said the work of its Palestinian freelancers remained crucial to informing the world, but said they now had to leave because of the risk to their lives.

Reuters also works with freelance journalists in Gaza.

"Reuters is deeply concerned about the health and safety of its freelancers in Gaza, with whom we are in daily contact. The extreme difficulty sourcing food is leading to their and all Gaza residents experiencing greater levels of hunger and illness," a Reuters spokesperson said. "We are providing our contributors with additional financial support to help them and, should they wish to leave the territory, we will provide any assistance possible to help them get out."