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About Rita from Syria

Rita is a Syrian opposition activist, she lives in Damascus and studies at Damascus University.

Articles by Rita from Syria

Syrians deserting the FSA: Faust wants his soul back

Rita from Syria 30 April 2013

The reality is that opposition militias and the official army have reached a military stalemate – one step forward and one step back as progress on one front is checked by loss and retreat on another.

Syrian activist communities, the battle inside

Rita from Syria 16 April 2013

The third kind of activist is still true to the peaceful aims of the original protest and still active. Although they are the fewest, they are the most vulnerable to brutal arrests, executions and torture, given that they are considered the most dangerous by the regime.

The second anniversary of the Syrian uprising

Rita from Syria 20 March 2013

We can conclude from this that the regime priority is to keep control on its supportive cantons rather than keeping Syria whole. We are seeing the partitioning of Syria.

Syrian colours: the greys

Rita from Syria 4 March 2013

Abu Abdo and Abu Hosam are just two out of millions of Syrians who don't see themselves supporting any side of the conflict. They are waiting for nothing and see no light at the end of the dark tunnel we are in now.

Of myths, monsters and gods in modern Syria

Rita from Syria 12 February 2013

Al-Khidr for the Alawis  - as well as for many other religions and sects - is one of God's righteous men; capable of performing miracles. According to the Alawi creed, he never dies.

Where is Syria now?

Rita from Syria 11 February 2013

A message to the openDemocracy conference Syria's peace: what, how, when? from Syrian writer and Arab Awakening blogger, Rita.

The oneness of God and the plurality of Syria

Rita from Syria 4 February 2013

On January 21, 2013, the largest bombing of its kind shook the centre of Salamiyeh, leaving more than 50 people dead and dozens wounded.

All armies - the Syrian regime, the FSA and Islamist - are thieves

Rita from Syria 27 December 2012

It has become evident that the armed conflict in no shape or form is directed towards the interests of the Syrian people. We cling to the hope that time will eventually bring forth a genuine Syrian leadership which is able to save the revolution from the paralysis of opportunism.

Regime and opposition: throwing the dice for Syria’s future

Rita from Syria 10 December 2012

How is it possible for those who have lived in the lap of opportunism and are by nature predatory suddenly to transform themselves into honest revolutionaries.

Unwanted: a failed crossing from Damascus to Gaza

Rita from Syria 20 November 2012

For Abu Khalil, at least Gazans have the honour of being terrorised on their own land.


Putting humpty together again: can the FSA ever be unified?

Rita from Syria 4 November 2012

Among the difficulties faced by Syrians in safeguarding their revolution, internal disputes remain the most serious.

Salafis in Syria: half the story

Rita from Syria 15 October 2012

Regime supporters miss no opportunity to accuse the revolutionaries of being extremists or Salafis – conveniently forgetting the role of the regime in bringing the Salafist trend to Syria in the first instance.

The not-so-strange case of the lost potato field of Jibata Al-Khashab

Rita from Syria 27 September 2012

The Israeli government has taken advantage of the unstable political and security conditions in Syria and in the town of Jibata al-Khashab to extend its control within Syrian territory.

Having tea with the enemy on the Syrian border

Rita from Syria 23 September 2012

Residents in cooperation with local battalions of the Free Syrian Army have managed to find a modus vivendi which allows them to attain a high degree of acceptance of political differences; a shining example.

The FSA: how to lose support and alienate people in no time

Rita from Syria 2 September 2012

Many opposition communities embraced and sponsored the fighters, who represented at that time the local defenders of these communities. But then their goals seemed to change.

This week's editor

Heather McRobie


Niki Seth-Smith is a freelance journalist and co-editor of OurKingdom.

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