DengeCudi - Special

Turkeys role in Syria's industrial plunder and economic domination

Tue, 13 May 2025 09:45:56 +0000

It is widely recognized that the Turkish occupation state seeks to fully establish itself economically in Aleppo under the framework of the National Pact (Misak-ı Millî). After the collapse of and Assad&#039 authority, the Turkish occupying state, via HTS terrorist organization (Hayat Tahrir al-Sham), initiated the restructuring of all intelligence and administrative institutions in Aleppo and Damascus, especially in economic terms, including institutions such as post offices, telecommunications, and banks. Now, Turkey aims to completely control Aleppo’s industrial sector under the guise of economic and trade cooperation.

On this basis, on April 13, the Turkish governor of Antakya sent 16 Turkish industrial and economic figures to Aleppo. It was agreed during these meetings that old factories and workshops would either be renewed or rebuilt from scratch, and that these would be under Turkish company control for up to 15 years, formalized by a partnership agreement.

In this context, a production zone would be opened, and 75% of the production and revenues would go to Turkey.

For shops damaged in the war, loans would be provided at a 50/50 cost-sharing arrangement by Syrian and Turkish banks, and marble from Dîlok (Gaziantep) would be traded for the rebuilding of Aleppo.

After these meetings, the Turkish delegation visited Aleppo’s industrial zones in the Sheikh Najjar district, including factories producing iron, steel, cables, tractors, food, and clothing, and met with the so-called president of Aleppo’s Chamber of Industry. The delegation also visited industrial areas in Hama, Homs, and Damascus. A month earlier, Turkey’s Ministry of Trade had announced that Syrian and Turkish officials were in talks to reactivate the Free Trade Agreement and boost cooperation in transportation, military logistics, and imports/exports.

CALL TO FORMALIZE THIS PLUNDER

Following the industrial overture in Aleppo, on May 6, the Turkish occupying state sent a delegation to Damascus through its economic and industrial institutions with the goal of legitimizing this plunder plan. This delegation included many business leaders from Turkish cities. Discussions focused on logistics, customs, and financial barriers under the pretext of reactivating the Free Trade Agreement. A draft agreement was prepared for signature by both the Turkey and HTS.

TURKEY’S ROLE IN DESTROYING SYRIA’S INDUSTRY

The Syrian civil war, which began in 2011, devastated the country’s industrial infrastructure. Factories, warehouses, and production facilities were systematically bombed, looted, and destroyed. According to the UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), industrial production dropped by 70% since the war began. Aleppo, previously Syria’s industrial heart, was heavily damaged. Textile, food production, and engineering sectors were destroyed; basic services like electricity and water collapsed, and manufacturing became nearly impossible.

The post-war Syrian economy is in deep crisis. Farmland was abandoned, and industries struggled to recover. Turkey intervened not as a helper but as an occupying force pursuing its own interests. Turkey expanded its influence in northern Syria, took control of trade, redirected agricultural production to itself, and reaped most of the benefits of local industry. Turkish goods flooded Syrian markets, natural resources were looted, and Ankara restricted the movement of goods across borders, imposing economic dominance.

Evidence shows Turkey played an active role in the destruction of Syrian industry. Factories in Aleppo and other areas were looted by Turkish-backed terrorists. For example, machinery worth more than $100 million was stolen from Aleppo and taken to Turkey. If verified, this practice shows that Turkey dismantled Syria’s production base. Syrian companies that once operated independently are now subordinated to Turkish businesses. A World Bank report in February 2023 stated that losses in 14 cities and major sectors since 2011 amount to $11.4 billion.

After the Assad regime collapsed on December 8, Turkish construction, cement, and steel companies grew between 5–10% in December 2023, 20% in January 2024, and 38% in July 2024. In the reconstruction sector, Turkey benefited the most:

Machinery: +244%

Cement, glass, ceramics: +92%

Fruits and vegetables: More than triple

This situation shows Turkey not only profited from Syria’s crisis but also systematically imposed economic dominance, threatening Syria’s sovereignty and economic independence.

TURKISH COMPANIES ADVANCE TO SEIZE SYRIAN INDUSTRY

Pasifik Euroasia, a major logistics company, is expanding its terminals in Iskenderun (Hatay) and Mersin to manage Syria-related operations. Catoni Group, a shipping firm, works with shipowners seeking new construction materials. New development projects worth $400 billion, including infrastructure, power plants, and logistics, are being planned. Turkish ports and transport networks are becoming central hubs for Syria’s exploitation.

Construction and materials firms such as Oyak Cement, Çimsa, Limak Cement, and Enka İnşaat have increased their activity in Syria since December 2024, following Assad’s regime collapse and the formation of a HTS Al-Julani leadership. Turkey has begun projects in roads, dams, power plants, grain factories, and warehouses in Aleppo and Damascus to dominate Syria’s economy.

Turkish Airlines, after 13 years, resumed flights to Damascus. Dîlok (Gaziantep), a border city, has become an industrial hub hosting companies in steel, construction, and food. Many Turkish companies are opening trade offices there. Last month, Turkey sent a team of 25 technicians to Syria to work on rebuilding Damascus International Airport.

Ethan Bright, an economist at Oxford Economics, predicted that Turkish exports to Syria will increase by more than 90% this year and exceed $20 billion by 2028. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia’s El-Jouf Cement Company signed a $10.1 million deal to supply cement and clinker to Syria.

Beyond strengthening political ties, Turkish exports to Syria tripled last month. During Al-Julanis recent visit to Ankara, he discussed economic relations and Turkish companies&#039 expansion plans in Syria.

According to the Turkish Manufacturing Assembly, exports to Syria increased by 20% in December 2024 and by 38% in January 2025. Turkey established a buffer zone at the Bab al-Hawa border gate, where Turkish trucks transfer goods under the pretense of security measures, but reliable sources confirm Turkish trucks now freely enter and exit Syria.

TURKEY’S POST-WAR PLANS IN SYRIA

Turkey is reinforcing its economic presence in northern Syria to achieve several goals:

1. Strengthen its military and strategic influence in occupied areas of northeastern Syria.

2. Secure materials needed to repatriate Syrian refugees from Turkey to these areas.

3. Deepen its engagement with local councils and municipalities to increase Turkish companies&#039 participation in reconstruction projects and gain trade advantages.

4. Ensure its long-term presence in Syria with the belief that this will enhance its de facto control and future political and territorial gains.

Who are the Druze who demand autonomous in Syria?

Thu, 06 Feb 2025 12:26:35 +0000

The Druze are originally descendants of the Fatimid Caliphate, meaning they stem from the Ismailis and, therefore, the Seveners (Seb’iyye). However, they differ from other Seveners in a key aspect: they consider the Egyptian Fatimid Caliph al-Hakim bi-Amrillah to be God and his deputy, Hamza Bin Ali, to be a prophet.

Their origins are described as Mazdaki, Median, or Persian. There are serious claims that they are of Kurdish descent and migrated from Şingal to their current regions. However, they identify themselves as pure Arabs. Their flag symbolizes their religious beliefs and is only raised in critical moments; its display signifies rebellion. They are a warrior and resistant community.

Key Features of the Druze Faith

They emphasize solidarity, and their views on male-female relationships share similarities with the Alevi community. They have religious schools (madrasas) that provide theological education. Their belief system is based on esoteric (Bātinī) philosophy and has strong resemblances to Alevism. They believe in one God.

In Druze doctrine, consuming pork, drinking alcohol, smoking, usury, polygamy, and marrying non-Druze individuals are all forbidden.

According to the Druze, souls undergo reincarnation after death. As a community that exists within the cultural crossroads of the Middle East, they maintain a mysterious and secretive existence, living behind a veil of secrecy.

Druze Population and Settlements

There are approximately 700,000 Druze in Syria. In Lebanon, their population is around 160,000. In Israel, they have three villages with a total population of 15,000–20,000. The Druze in Israel claim that they are not Arabs but rather related to Jews. They serve in the military, police, and other security forces. Additionally, there is a special Druze unit within the Israeli army. Around 120,000 Druze live in the Golan Heights.

The Druze Under Assad

Their relationship with both Hafez al-Assad and his son, Bashar al-Assad, was never fully stable. They have always demanded autonomy. Bashar al-Assad attempted to subdue them through oppression and force. When ISIS massacred hundreds of Druze, they formed their own self-defense forces. They have consistently opposed Iran’s attempts to impose Shia conversion.

In 2023, they launched a large-scale rebellion in their regions. They clashed with Assad’s forces while demanding autonomy. During this period, they effectively established a de facto autonomous region. After Assad was overthrown, they renewed their demands for autonomy to the new Damascus government and international powers. The Druze’s spiritual leader, Hikmat al-Hijri, recently stated, “We will not unite with such a jihadist ideology,” affirming that they would not align with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS).

Druze Military Strength

Their self-defense forces consist of three brigades, and they have established organizations in every Druze village and neighborhood. They are capable of resisting any potential intervention by HTS. Historically, they have never submitted to any power and have always strived for autonomous living. Their strongholds are the Golan Heights and Jabal al-Druze (Druze Mountain). The regions they inhabit are strategic, rugged, and mountainous. In the current geopolitical climate, they continue their pursuit of autonomy as they have in the past.

Gender Equality Among the Druze

The Druze place significant importance on gender equality. Women can become religious leaders and even attain high-ranking positions, and they are not required to wear veils. Women are not allowed to marry before the age of 17, and men before the age of 18. Additionally, couples are expected to have no more than four children, with a four to five-year gap between each child.

Their stance on gender equality continues to draw attention. Their story remains an example of how beliefs shape societies and how cultural identity is transmitted across generations.

Turkish-backed terrorists have removed a number of their dead from Tishreen Dam

Wed, 15 Jan 2025 15:58:50 +0000

Tishreen Dam.. The first line of defense for the “new Syria”

Wed, 15 Jan 2025 07:42:40 +0000

The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have been repelling attacks launched by the so-called “Syrian National Army” terrorists since late November 2024. These factions, heavily supported by Turkish air and artillery strikes, aim to advance and seize control of the strategic Tishreen Dam and Qaraqozak Bridge. However, the SDF’s resistance has thwarted these efforts, preventing Turkey and its allies from imposing new dynamics in northern and eastern Syria that could diminish the region’s role and presence in the “new Syria.”

The SDF’s strategy involves holding ground and breaking waves of attacks using innovative defensive techniques. They also conduct swift drone assaults using Brûsk kamikaze drones and surprise attacks behind enemy lines through an intricate tunnel network. These tactics disrupt Turkish-backed terrorists and inflict heavy casualties on their advancing troops.

Since the launch of Operation "Deterrence of Aggression" by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) on November 27, 2024, and the collapse of the former Damascus government defensive lines in Aleppo, Turkey has rapidly intervened to capitalize on the shifting dynamics. Its aim has been to strike at the SDF and seize additional territory. This effort materialized in the so-called Operation “Dawn of Freedom,” for which Turkey allocated significant resources to expand its occupation of Syrian territories.

The withdrawal of SDF / YPG from Manbij, Tell Rifaat, and Shahba followed consultations with the US-led International Coalition under agreements overseen by the U.S. these agreements aimed to demilitarize the areas and transfer control to civilian administrations formed by local inhabitants. However, Turkey breached the terms by entrusting these regions to its terrorist mercenaries, which entered neighborhoods and began widespread looting, displacement, and sectarian violence. In Manbij specifically, these terrorists committed atrocities against civilians, accusing them of collaborating with the AANES. This pattern of behavior is a hallmark of these groups whenever they occupy cities or towns previously governed by the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria.

Following the events in Manbij, Turkey believed further military advances would be straightforward and set its sights on occupying key areas in eastern Euphrates territory, including the symbolic city of Kobanî and critical infrastructure such as the Tishreen Dam and Qaraqozak Bridge.

A significant development occurred on December 8, 2024, when HTS forces entered Damascus amidst the Assad collapse and the flight of its leader, Bashar al-Assad. This followed HTS&#039 earlier stances toward Kurds in the Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh neighborhoods of Aleppo, avoiding clashes with local Kurdish forces. Their dialogue with the SDF, which had recently handed over Deir ez-zor, Mayadin, and Al-Bukamal to the "Military Operations Administration," further underscored these shifts. The SDF’s actions aimed to prevent ISIS from filling the power vacuum and seizing abandoned Syrian military depots.

Despite Turkey and its terrorist mercenaries refusing to hand over occupied areas to the "Military Operations Administration" or the new Damascus authority, the SDF strengthened its defensive resolve. They unveiled a comprehensive military strategy to resist and repel continuous attacks from Turkish-backed terrorists supported by warplanes and artillery.

The SDF employed advanced techniques to target enemy vehicles and personnel, showcasing new weaponry and innovative methods that inflicted substantial losses. This included hundreds of casualties among Turkish-backed terrorists and the destruction of dozens of tanks, armored vehicles, and other equipment, largely through kamikaze drones. The SDF has declared its determination to resist Turkish aggression at all costs through its efforts as a “people’s revolutionary war.”

Politically, the resistance at Tishreen Dam and Manbij’s countryside has elevated the SDF as a significant actor in Syria’s evolving landscape. This prominence was reflected in recent dialogue between Ahmed Al-Sharaa (Al-Julani) , leader of the "Military Operations Administration," and Mazloum Abdî, commander of the SDF, which Abdî described as positive.

Beyond the strategic importance of Tishreen Dam as a source of energy and water security for eastern Syria, the SDF appears unlikely to yield to Turkish-backed terrorists. According to its leaders, the SDF is prepared to use even more powerful and deterrent military technologies to defend against any Turkish incursion into Kobanî, a global symbol of Kurdish resistance against ISIS.

The SDF is forging new realities through the sacrifices of its Kurdish, Arab, Syriac, and Armenian fighters. It has gained unprecedented international support, with high-level statements praising the SDF, the Autonomous Administration, and the Kurdish struggle in Syria. Leaders such as the French president, Germany’s foreign minister, and U.S. officials have recognized the SDF’s contributions to regional stability.

This international recognition is underpinned by the SDF’s ethical and humanitarian orientation, its defense of all components and resources in northeastern Syria, and its efforts to counter ISIS terrorism while maintaining secure detention facilities for its fighters. The SDF’s steadfastness and enhanced military capabilities have solidified its status as a key player in Syrian affairs. This development has forced Turkey to reconsider its aggressive stance and prompted the transitional authority in Damascus to engage in dialogue and negotiations on issues such as integration into a new Syrian army, decentralization, and resource distribution.

Ultimately, the SDF’s exceptional resistance and international support have reshaped the dynamics of the Syrian conflict, positioning it as a central force in shaping Syria’s future.

The bodies of 3 Turkish-backed terrorists seized in Tishreen Dam yesterday

Tue, 14 Jan 2025 14:48:00 +0000

Syrian Observatory said that 21,402 people have been killed in Syria under various circumstances during the year 2024

Wed, 01 Jan 2025 07:22:40 +0000

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights was able to document th killing of 21,402 people during the year 2024, including more than 14,000 civilians who the Syrian Observatory confirmed were murdered under torture in the former Damascus government prison.

The total toll of human losses was distributed as follows:

14,625 under torture in the prisons of former Damascus government
174 due to shelling, drones and bullets by former Damascus government
108 by Turkish drones and border guards
106 by ISIS
88 due to Russian shelling
85 due to Israeli shelling
48 by Turkish-backed SNA, including 1 under torture
41 by SDF
33 by Jordanian forces
19 by the hands of "jihadists"
1 at US-led International Coalition

271 by random bullets and fighting
239 due to war remnants
1,428 under unknown circumstances
160 due to field executions
567 due to murder
9 due to deteriorating conditions
63 by landmine explosions
14 by the explosion of booby-trapped vehicles
123 by unknown gunmen

Military deaths: 3179
1823 former Damascus government & allies
493 Turkish-backed SNA
338 SDF/HRE, including 20 HRE fighters
330 HTS & allies
112 ISIS terrorists
81 others
2 Russian soldiers

10 Turkish-backed terrorists eliminated in Deir Hafir

Fri, 20 Dec 2024 15:35:03 +0000

YPG forces thwarted an attack by Turkish-backed terrorists to enter Ashrafiyeh district in Aleppo city

Wed, 04 Dec 2024 22:56:16 +0000

Aftermath of HTS attack in Ghab Plain

Wed, 04 Dec 2024 17:48:54 +0000

Aftermath of HTS attack in Hama today

Wed, 04 Dec 2024 17:48:19 +0000

Many Turkish-backed terrorists killed during ambush in Deir Hafer, eastern Aleppo countryside

Tue, 03 Dec 2024 21:14:01 +0000

Aftermath of Damascus govenment ambush in Khan Sheikhun area, south of Saraqib

Sat, 30 Nov 2024 23:09:41 +0000

Answered: Aftermath of Russian airstrike in Aleppo city. Dozens of HTS terrorists were killed

Sat, 30 Nov 2024 14:25:11 +0000

beautiful, many more

A number of HTS terrorists were killed by YPG after attempting to enter Sheikh Maqsoud neighborhood in Aleppo city

Sat, 30 Nov 2024 11:28:58 +0000

197 Syrian refugees, including 34 women and 49 children, killed as result of ongoing Israeli attacks in Lebanon

Thu, 03 Oct 2024 14:56:40 +0000

Syrian Observatory for Human Rights:

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The number of martyrs among Syrian refugees in Lebanon, as a result of the ongoing Israeli escalation on Lebanese territory, according to what was documented by the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, has reached 162 people, including 30 women and 44 children. The intensive Israeli airstrikes continue to claim the lives of more civilians, including Syrians who fled their country.

The Syrian Observatory confirms that the Syrian refugees in Lebanon have no connection to the Lebanese Hezbollah, and are merely refugees and workers seeking safety after the war in Syria forced them to leave their homes.

Thus, the number of Syrian martyrs in Lebanon since the beginning of the Israeli war on Gaza has risen to 197, including 34 women and 49 children, and 21 others were injured.

Turkish family and their children stone and destroy a Syrian Shop

Fri, 05 Jul 2024 22:30:29 +0000

Turkish aircrafts shot down during the Syrian Crisis

Tue, 25 Jun 2024 18:58:50 +0000