Rena Netjes
@renanetjes.bsky.social
Arabist. Journalist. Entrepreneur.
With 17 field trips to Syria since 2019, I bring perspectives grounded in firsthand experience and authentic local engagement.
@RenaLingua.
[email protected]
With 17 field trips to Syria since 2019, I bring perspectives grounded in firsthand experience and authentic local engagement.
@RenaLingua.
[email protected]
Last night I had a short conversation with an activist in Afrin about a different topic. She ended with, "And ISIS is spreading."
November 24, 2025 at 4:55 PM
Last night I had a short conversation with an activist in Afrin about a different topic. She ended with, "And ISIS is spreading."
Last December already, ISIS members were identified by activists in Afrin, but they later disappeared. ISIS is spreading and growing, hiding in various locations over the country. The big question for months has been: what are they planning?
November 24, 2025 at 4:55 PM
Last December already, ISIS members were identified by activists in Afrin, but they later disappeared. ISIS is spreading and growing, hiding in various locations over the country. The big question for months has been: what are they planning?
I was like during Assad's time in Damascus; only Iranian, Hezbollah, Iraqi Shiite, and Houthi TV channels were available, and the PYD/YPG/SDF channel was one of them.
Info is everyw when you're on the ground, I love - especially - these totally unexpected gems of information.
Info is everyw when you're on the ground, I love - especially - these totally unexpected gems of information.
November 23, 2025 at 9:36 AM
I was like during Assad's time in Damascus; only Iranian, Hezbollah, Iraqi Shiite, and Houthi TV channels were available, and the PYD/YPG/SDF channel was one of them.
Info is everyw when you're on the ground, I love - especially - these totally unexpected gems of information.
Info is everyw when you're on the ground, I love - especially - these totally unexpected gems of information.
I took some pictures of it.
November 23, 2025 at 9:33 AM
I took some pictures of it.
I told the man: don't worry, I like to see Ronahi TV.
I watched it for about half an hour or so: it was Öcalan, Öcalan, Öcalan...
#Qamishli
I watched it for about half an hour or so: it was Öcalan, Öcalan, Öcalan...
#Qamishli
November 23, 2025 at 9:32 AM
I told the man: don't worry, I like to see Ronahi TV.
I watched it for about half an hour or so: it was Öcalan, Öcalan, Öcalan...
#Qamishli
I watched it for about half an hour or so: it was Öcalan, Öcalan, Öcalan...
#Qamishli
...and Ronahi TV.
For those unfamiliar with Ronahi: it's a pro-PKK/YPG/SDF channel broadcasting from Brussels, with hq in Qamishli, NE Syria.
When we were held by YPG intel in 2019, they had Ronahi in their office. I watched it for hours!
(Every disadvantage has its advantage - Johan Cruyff)
For those unfamiliar with Ronahi: it's a pro-PKK/YPG/SDF channel broadcasting from Brussels, with hq in Qamishli, NE Syria.
When we were held by YPG intel in 2019, they had Ronahi in their office. I watched it for hours!
(Every disadvantage has its advantage - Johan Cruyff)
November 23, 2025 at 9:30 AM
...and Ronahi TV.
For those unfamiliar with Ronahi: it's a pro-PKK/YPG/SDF channel broadcasting from Brussels, with hq in Qamishli, NE Syria.
When we were held by YPG intel in 2019, they had Ronahi in their office. I watched it for hours!
(Every disadvantage has its advantage - Johan Cruyff)
For those unfamiliar with Ronahi: it's a pro-PKK/YPG/SDF channel broadcasting from Brussels, with hq in Qamishli, NE Syria.
When we were held by YPG intel in 2019, they had Ronahi in their office. I watched it for hours!
(Every disadvantage has its advantage - Johan Cruyff)
He scrolled through dozens of channels, but Al-Arabiya, Al-Araby, or any other int'l Arab channel was nowhere to be found...
But what I did see was fascinating:
- Iranian TV
- Houthi TV
- Baghdad TV
- Al-Manar (Hezbollah)
Etcetera
But what I did see was fascinating:
- Iranian TV
- Houthi TV
- Baghdad TV
- Al-Manar (Hezbollah)
Etcetera
November 23, 2025 at 9:28 AM
He scrolled through dozens of channels, but Al-Arabiya, Al-Araby, or any other int'l Arab channel was nowhere to be found...
But what I did see was fascinating:
- Iranian TV
- Houthi TV
- Baghdad TV
- Al-Manar (Hezbollah)
Etcetera
But what I did see was fascinating:
- Iranian TV
- Houthi TV
- Baghdad TV
- Al-Manar (Hezbollah)
Etcetera
In mid September, just back from a long and intense day in East Daraa and (destroyed) West Suwayda, we checked into a hotel in Damascus.
Then I asked the staff to turn on the TV for me and find (Saudi) Al Arabiya or another major Arabic channel.
The man kept scrolling....
Then I asked the staff to turn on the TV for me and find (Saudi) Al Arabiya or another major Arabic channel.
The man kept scrolling....
November 23, 2025 at 9:27 AM
In mid September, just back from a long and intense day in East Daraa and (destroyed) West Suwayda, we checked into a hotel in Damascus.
Then I asked the staff to turn on the TV for me and find (Saudi) Al Arabiya or another major Arabic channel.
The man kept scrolling....
Then I asked the staff to turn on the TV for me and find (Saudi) Al Arabiya or another major Arabic channel.
The man kept scrolling....