On Monday evening, the first of 150,ooo Afrin refugee IDPs , escaping a Turkish ordered Jihadi invasion from Tel Rifaat in Shahba region arrived in Tabqa and Raqqa through a humanitarian corridor secured by the multi-ethnic Rojava defense SDF.
Displaced Kurds sleeping in the open in the city of Tabqa, northern Syria – North Press
RAQQA, Syria (North Press) – After a grueling and perilous journey on a motorcycle, Shahdar finally reached the city of Tabqa in northern Syria, unsure of how he had survived. Upon arrival, he asked the locals waiting for displaced persons, “Where am I?”
Shahdar Osso, a dentist from the town of Tel Rifaat in northern Aleppo, fled alongside a convoy of displaced residents from Tel Rifaat and northern Aleppo, locally known as Shahba region, to the city of Tabqa after Turkish-backed opposition factions, took control of the area. Lost and disoriented, he recalls the arduous details of his escape on a motorcycle.
Sheikhmos Ahmed, head of the camps office of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES), tells North Press that an estimated 120,000 people are expected to flee from northern Aleppo to northeastern Syria.
“They will kill us all”
The displaced doctor recounts to North Press, “An hour before the Syrian National Army factions entered Tel Rifaat, we headed toward the al-Ahdath village.”
He described how, upon reaching al-Ahdath, “The factions surrounded us and demanded we head to Afrin. But the people refused—we were thousands in number.”
Returning to Afrin, he explains, “was equivalent to suicide. They would kill us all, as they had done to the residents of Nubl and Zahraa.”
Shahdar recalls the terrifying moment when they realized they were trapped. “As we approached al-Ahdath, I stood with three others and learned that we were encircled. The SNA factions behind us and al-Nusra Front militants ahead of us.”
Members of London’s Kurdish community have set up a solidarity encampment, and launched a hunger strike, to protest violent police raids and the arrests of seven people for terrorism offences.
Members of London’s Kurdish community have initiated a protest encampment and hunger strike, aimed at defending Haringey’s Kurdish Community Centre (KCC) against police repression.
Raid on community centre and several homes
On 27 November, police mounted a violent raid of the KCC. Officers smashed their way in with sledgehammers, and blocked nearby streets. Several homes were also raided and the families of those arrested, some of them children, were beaten by officers. Seven people have now been arrested.
A statement from the community said: “Between 2 and 3am on the morning of Wednesday, November 27, Met Police raided the homes of… Kurdish activists, arresting them, and beating their families, including children. Their families were then expelled from their homes and will not be allowed to return for 14 days.”
The capitalist system thrives on a fundamental lie: that work, and leisure are inherently distinct. Work, under this system, is framed as drudgery—a necessary evil performed to earn survival in a society where basic needs are commodified.
Leisure, meanwhile, is a fleeting escape from the grind, squeezed into evenings and weekends, or reserved for the lucky few who can afford it.
This dichotomy traps us in a life of alienation, where our labour serves not our communities or ourselves, but the relentless accumulation of capital by the ruling class.
But what if we could destroy this artificial division?
Anarcho-communism offers us a vision where labour and leisure are not opposing forces but intertwined aspects of a liberated existence. In a world free from hierarchies, exploitation, and scarcity, “work” would no longer be a compulsory exchange of time for money.
Instead, it would be a voluntary and creative expression of our collective humanity—something we choose to do, not because we must, but because it enriches our lives and the lives of others.
The Tyranny of Compulsory Work
Capitalism enforces the false dichotomy of work and leisure through systemic coercion.
For most, survival depends on selling their labour to a system that values profits over people. Jobs are rarely chosen freely. Instead, they are dictated by circumstances: the rent that’s due, the bills that pile up, the crushing weight of debt.
Whether it’s a gruelling factory shift, a monotonous office job, or precarious gig work, the purpose of labour under capitalism is clear: to generate wealth for those who already have too much.
This dynamic robs work of any intrinsic meaning or joy. Tasks that could be creative, fulfilling, or socially valuable are reduced to mere means to an end, alienating workers from the fruits of their labour.
The idea of leisure, then, emerges as a temporary reprieve—a fleeting reward for enduring the daily grind. This dynamic fosters resentment toward work, creating a cycle where people live for the weekend or the next brief holiday, only to be dragged back into the machinery of production.
Anarcho-Communism: A New Vision of Work
Imagine a world where the very concept of “having to work” no longer exists. In an anarcho-communist society, labour would be decoupled from survival. Everyone’s basic needs—housing, food, education, healthcare—would be guaranteed through collective effort and shared resources.
This isn’t utopian dreaming; it’s a practical vision rooted in mutual aid, direct democracy, and the elimination of capitalist hierarchies.
Under such a system, labour would serve the community and the individual rather than the accumulation of capital. Without bosses, landlords, or billionaires extracting value from our work, the purpose of labour would shift toward creating and sustaining systems that enrich everyone’s lives.
Kurds who were expelled by pro-Turkish Arabs from the Afrin canton in 2018 are now being expelled from the Shebha region. For the second time in 8 years they are leaving as refugees, with nothing, suffering ethnic cleansing
Humanitarian drama with ethnic cleansing against Kurds in northern Syria Between 40,000 and 200,000 people, mostly Kurds, are surrounded in northwestern Syria. In…..
December 2nd 2024- Turkiye’s jihadis s have conquered part of Tel Rifaat (Shahba,Syria) . Rojava’s PYD said on X the area is “witnessing massacres” by the Jihadis. The SDF is trying to evacuate up to 180K Kurdish refugees
In a surprise move on 3oth November a large force of Kurdish SDF from Rojava crossed SAA territory and entered Aleppo in support of Syrian State forces and to defend the Kurdish neigbourhoods in Aleppo and the Shehba/Tel Rifaat enclave.
The Jihadi HTS and other Turkish funded forces seized most of Aleppo city of 2 million by default as the unprepared State forces fled..
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – Thousands of Kurds, previously displaced from Afrin and trapped for 5 years , are stuck in their cars and on roads while trying to escape the Shahba area of Aleppo province as Turkey-backed militants ramp up their attacks in a bid to loot and take the area from Kurdish defense forces.. info-RUDAW
‘The 100,000 strongSyrian_Democratic_Forces, SDF revolutionary coalition, (which ironically is still backed by the United States after being adopted to defeat ISIS ) rushed thousands of heavily armed fighters from its areas of control in Rojava, through the government-held territory of Deir Haif, to briefly occupy Aleppo International Airport, then to the Kurdish-held district of Sheikh Maqsoud in the city and even to the desperately threatened enclave of Tel Rifaat/Shehba by the Turkish border .
On Sunday a General Mobilisation was declared in Rojava amid heavier Turkish backed attacks
The daring breakout from Rojava by the autonomous SDF Rojava multi-ethnic coalition of militias could even lead to military reconciliation with Damascus as Assad forces fled.
Disaster in Tel Rifaat as Turkey lets Jihadis swarm into enclave- SDF fighting back and begins massive evacuation of refugee IDPs
december 2nd ‘The Turkish jihadi mercenaries have “conquered” part of the enclave of Tel Rifaat (Syria).
Tel Rifaat is a town and small enclave in the Shehba district which was left as a dumping ground for destitute refugees after Turkey’s illegal invasion, ethnic cleansing and resettlement with its Islamic proxies of the nearby Afrin area.
Tel Rifaat is isolated and right beside the Turkish Invasion HQ in Azaz. /see map. It is defended precariously under shelling by the local YPG/J-SDF and has various IDF refugee camps like Shebha still holding up to 180 thousand Kurds from NATO/ Turkey’s invasion and ethnic cleansing of nearby Afrin, totally abandoned by the responsible international West.
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region 2/12/24- The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) on Monday 2nd Ded 2024 said it is working with “relevant parties” in Syria to safely evacuate the people of the strategic town of Tal Rifaat in northern Aleppo province to northeast Syria (Rojava) amid intense attacks by Turkish-backed militants.
“Our forces have bravely defended our people in Aleppo, Tal Rifaat, and the Shahba region. We are coordinating with all relevant parties in Syria to ensure the safety of our people and facilitate their evacuation from Tal Rifaat and Shahba to our secure regions in northeastern Syria,” said a statement from Mazloum Abdi, commander-in-chief of the SDF.
While the Kurdish-led force is still in control of the Sheikh Maqsood and Ashrafiyeh neighborhoods in Aleppo city, its attempts to establish a corridor connecting Rojava with Aleppo and Tal Rifaat were “disrupted” by Turkish-backed militants, according to Abdi.- info-RUDAW
********
Having looted and destroyed Afrin the Islamic militias have agitated for years for permission to attack the Kurdish refugees in Shehba/Tel Rifaat.
Thousands of women refugees joined a demonstration in Tel Rifaat town in the Shehba Canton on Sunday 10th Nov 2019 in protest at the Turkish state’s invasion and genocidal practices in northern Syria. 40% of the population of Efrin (Afrin) now survive in this semi no-man’s land, defended by the multi-ethnic SDF of AANES, after expulsion by the Turkish invasion, plantation and Turkification of their homes and properties…. info-The Free
*****
Finally on 28th Nov 2024 the Syrian State forces on the border fled. Next day Kurdish SDF reinforcements arrived to attempt a defense of the IDF refugees and begin evacuation. But the invasion order had already been given.
On Sunday 1st December 2024, 20.00 hours we received the first news that Tel Rifaat has been partly occupied by the Jihadis, amid serious fears for the safety of tens of thousands of Kurdish families via the fascist imperialist Turkish/NATO genocidal regime.
2022.. ASSORTED TURKISH PAID JIHADIS ARRIVED, HOPING TO ATTACK TEL RIFAAT
2022- Previous attempt to invade the Tel Rifaat refuge in 2022. On the left Kurdish kids confront Jihadis awaiting attack permission on the border. On right 58 meter long mass mural painting organised by revolutionary women in Shahba Camp.
********
SDF reinforcements aim to hold back the jihadi/Al Qaeda offensive in Aleppo until the Damascus/Russian/ Irani counter offensive arrives.
video of huge Kurdish Rescue Convoy which crossed Syria to Aleppo
The aim of the Kurdish expedition is to protect the 2 Kurdish districts in Aleppo city from massacre by the Jihadi terrorists, as well as the refuge to the people of the Tel Rifaat enclave (see above).
While the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) and its Russian support withdrew from the entire front, Kurdish forces maintain it where they have a presence.
Not only that, but the SDF has created a corridor that has allowed them to contact the two Kurdish neighbourhoods of Aleppo.
The Kurds also occupied the Aleppo International Airport, which State forced had also fled from, possibly along with Russian troops.
The current situation is developing on several fronts:
December 2nd 2024- Turkiye’s jihadis s have conquered part of Tel Rifaat (Shahba,Syria) Rojava’s (PYD) said on X the area is “witnessing massacres” by the Jihadis. The SDF is trying to evacuate up to 180K Kurdish refugees
In a surprise move on 3oth November a large force of Kurdish SDF from Rojava crossed SAA territory and entered Aleppo in support of Syrian State forces and to defend the Kurdish neigbourhoods in Aleppo and the Shehba/Tel Rifaat enclave.
The Jihadi HTS and other Turkish funded forces seized most of Aleppo city of 2 million by default as the unprepared State forces fled..
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – Thousands of Kurds, previously displaced from Afrin, are stuck in their cars and on roads while trying to leave the Shahba area of Aleppo province as Turkey-backed militants ramp up their attacks in a bid to take the area from Kurdish forces..RUDAW
‘The 100,000 strongSyrian_Democratic_Forces, SDF revolutionary coalition, (which ironically is still backed by the United States after being adopted to defeat ISIS ) rushed thousands of heavily armed fighters from its areas of control in Rojava, through the government-held territory of Deir Haif, to briefly occupy Aleppo International Airport, then to the Kurdish-held district of Sheikh Maqsoud in the city and even to the desperately threatened enclave of Tel Rifaat/Shehba by the Turkish border .
On Sunday a General Mobilisation was declared in Rojava amid heavier Turkish backed attacks
The daring breakout from Rojava by the autonomous SDF Rojava multi-ethnic coalition of militias could even led to military reconciliation with Damascus as Assad forces fled.
Disaster in Tel Rifaat as Turkey lets Jihadis swarm into enclave- SDF fighting back and begins massive evacuation of refugee IDPs
december 2nd -20.00- ‘The Turkish jihadi mercenaries have “conquered” part of the enclave of Tel Rifaat (Syria).
Tel Rifaat is a town and small enclave in the Shehba district which was left as a dumping ground for destitute refugees after Turkey’s invasion, ethnic cleansing and resettlement with its Islamic proxies of the nearby Afrin area.
Tel Rifaat is isolated and right beside the Turkish Invasion HQ in Azaz. /see map. It is defended precariously under shelling by the local YPG/J-SDF and has various IDF refugee camps like Shebha still holding up to 180 thousand Kurds from NATO/ Turkey’s invasion and ethnic cleansing of nearby Afrin, totally abandoned by the responsible international West.
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region 2/12/24- The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) on Monday said it is working with “relevant parties” in Syria to safely evacuate the people of the strategic town of Tal Rifaat in northern Aleppo province to northeast Syria (Rojava) amid intense attacks by Turkish-backed militants.“Our forces have bravely defended our people in Aleppo, Tal Rifaat, and the Shahba region. We are coordinating with all relevant parties in Syria to ensure the safety of our people and facilitate their evacuation from Tal Rifaat and Shahba to our secure regions in northeastern Syria,” said a statement from Mazloum Abdi, commander-in-chief of the SDF.While the Kurdish-led force is still in control of the Sheikh Maqsood and Ashrafiyeh neighborhoods in Aleppo city, its attempts to establish a corridor connecting Rojava with Aleppo and Tal Rifaat were “disrupted” by Turkish-backed militants, according to Abdi.- RUDAW
********
Having looted and destroyed Afrin the Islamic militia’s have agitated for years for permission to attack the Kurdish refugees in Shehba/Tel Rifaat.
Thousands of women refugees joined a demonstration in Tel Rifaat town of the Shehba Canton on Sunday 10th Nov 2019 in protest at the Turkish state’s invasion and genocidal practices in northern Syria. 40% of the population of Efrin (Afrin) now survive in this semi no-man’s land, defended by the multi-ethnic SDF of AANES, after expulsion by the Turkish invasion, plantation and Turkification of their homes and properties
Finally on 28th Nov 2024 the Syrian State forces on the border fled. Next day Kurdish SDF forces arrived to attempt a defense of the refugees and begin evacuation. But the order had already been given.
On Sunday 1st December 2024, 20.00 hours we receive the first news that Tel Rifaat has been occupied by the Jihadis, amid serious fears for the safety of tens of thousands of Kurdish families via the fascist imperialist Turkish/NATO genocidal regime.
2022.. ASSORTED TURKISH PAID JIHADIS ARRIVED, HOPING TO ATTACK TEL RIFAAT
Previous attempt to invade Tel Rifaat in 2022. On the left Turkish kids confront Jihadis awaiting attack permission on the border. On right 58 meter long mass mural painting organised by revolutionary women in Shahba Camp.
********
SDF reinforcements aim to hold back the jihadi/Al Qaeda offensive until the Damascus/Russian/ Irani counter offensive arrives.
video of huge Kurdish Rescue Convoy which crossed Syria to Aleppo
The aim of the Kurdish expedition is to protect the 2 Kurdish districts in Aleppo city from massacre by the Jihadi terrorists, as well as the people of the Tel Rifaat enclave, where
While the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) and its Russian support withdrew from the entire front, Kurdish forces maintain it where they have a presence.
Not only that, but the SDF has created a corridor that has allowed them to contact the two Kurdish neighbourhoods of Aleppo.
The Kurds also occupied the Aleppo International Airport, which State forced had also fled from, possibly along with Russian troops.
The current situation is developing on several fronts:
Syria, Russia and Iran have already rushed to confront the Turkish and US (and probably Israeli) funded HTS/Al Qaeda warlord’s breakout from the Idlib statelet. The Rojava multi-ethnic SDF forces have also broken out and are confronting the Jihadis in Aleppo city and Tel Rifaat
Rebel factions successfully seized control of most of the city of Aleppo, Syria, on November 30, 2024, after intense clashes and fierce battles with Assad regime forces. (Photo by Rami Alsayed/NurPhoto) (Photo by Rami Alsayed / NurPhoto / NurPhoto via AFP)
The interplay of external forces mirrors broader trends of rivalry among major powers, increasing the likelihood of a large-scale conflict
In recent days, northern Syria has witnessed intense fighting, marking the most violent clashes since March 2020, when a ceasefire was brokered with the involvement of Russia and Turkey.
On the morning of November 27, anti-government groups launched an offensive in the Aleppo and Idlib provinces. According to reports, the operation involves Islamist factions, including Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a group banned in Russia, as well as armed opposition forces such as the US and Turkish-backed Free Syrian Army.
Infiltrators celebrate in Aleppo City as Clashes continue between government forces and the ex Al Qaeda armed group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) in the provinces of Aleppo and Idlib, Syria, November 29, 2024
By the morning of November 28, opposition forces declared the capture of about a dozen settlements, including strategically significant areas such as Urm al-Sughra, Anjara, and Al-Houta, located west of Aleppo..
Additionally, they claimed to have seized the 46th Brigade Base, the largest military base of the Syrian army. Rebel sources reported capturing five tanks, an infantry fighting vehicle, and a stockpile of missiles.
On the same day, insurgents conducted a precision strike on a helicopter at the An-Nayrab airbase. Reports from Anadolu and CNN indicated that key positions, including Kafr Basma, Urum al-Kubra, and several strategic highlands, fell under rebel control.
On November 28, the group Al-Fateh al-Mubin announced the capture of Khan al-Assal, located just 7 kilometers from Aleppo, along with ten tanks.
The rebels claimed that panic and declining morale were spreading among President Bashar Assad’s forces.
Meanwhile, the offensive also advanced south and east of Idlib, a rebel stronghold since 2015. The rebels reported taking Dadikh and Kafr Batikh, and dozens of villages near the vital M5 highway.
Over the course of three days, militants reportedly captured at least 70 settlements, spanning approximately 400 square kilometers across both provinces.
By the evening of November 29, participants in the operation declared the capture of Aleppo, Syria’s second-largest city.
The Free 
