Thirteen years into the Syrian civil war, the northern region remains unstable and fragmented, caught between the Assad regime, Turkey, Kurdish-led forces (SDF), and various Islamist groups. While the Assad regime, backed by Russia and Iran, controls much of the country, the north is a complex landscape of competing factions, each with its own goals and foreign supporters. The resurgence of ISIS, along with changing international alliances and the possibility of renewed Turkish military actions, poses a significant threat to the already fragile situation. Furthermore, international moves toward normalizing relations with Assad risk overlooking the needs and concerns of the northern population, which could lead to increased instability and humanitarian crises.
