June 29, 2015 – Our Weekly Selection

A weekly roundup of reports, maps and articles on Syria.

Protection in Europe for refugees from Syria: “We recommend that European countries implement a Comprehensive Plan of Action for refugees in the countries neighbouring Syria, comprising three main components: activation of a regional temporary protection regime, expanded resettlement, and the development of other legal routes of entry into European countries.”

‘Ramadan is no longer for us’: “This year’s Ramadan in Syria, amid the ongoing war and terrorist acts by the regime, brings no joy, reports Bassel Oudat in Damascus.”

Syria’s Economy: Picking up the Pieces: “With the Syrian conflict showing no sign of abating, the relationship between the state of the battered economy and the political and military position of the Assad regime will be a critical element in the conflict’s evolution.”

Estimated areas of control in Syria as of May 31, 2015 (PDF file)

Conflict Dashboard, May 2015 (pdf)

How Iranian Oil Tankers Keep Syria’s War Machine Alive: “Iran has delivered 10 million barrels of oil to Assad this year, free of charge.”

MAHA’S SOLDIER: “A Syrian rebel fell in love with a diplomat’s daughter. War wasn’t their only obstacle.”

Lebanon farms reel from shortage of Syrian laborers: “In Lebanon’s southern border areas, where Syrian labor provides the backbone of the agricultural sector, landowners and investors are sounding the alarm, concerned that government restrictions have decreased the number of available workers, with potentially dire consequences for their harvests.”

Syrian class divisions growing during civil war, helping Assad regime: “A leading expert on Syria said the class divisions have been intentionally sowed by the regime of Bashar al-Assad, which has targeted the economic infrastructure in rebel-held areas in order to advance the case that life is better in government-controlled parts of the country.”

U.S. military pays Syrian rebels up to $400 per month: Pentagon: “Syrian rebels receiving U.S. military training to battle Islamic State militants are being paid $250 to $400 per month, depending on their skills, performance and leadership position, the Pentagon said on Monday.”

The Ruin of Syria’s Schools: Mapping Damaged and Destroyed Schools in Syria

As Assad Butchered His People, This London Firm Helped His Banks Trade: “The London office of Reed Business Information sold critical data that helped sanctioned banks funding chemical and nuclear weapons in Syria and Iran make complex international transactions. A BuzzFeed News Investigation unravels the web.”

Aid to Syrian refugees helps boost Lebanon’s GDP growth: “The study added that the injection of $800 million of aid in 2014 was reflected by an additional growth of 1.3 percent in the Lebanese GDP.”

Syria response underfunded, impacting regional stability: “The original 3RP funding appeal stated the need for $4.53 billion for U.N. agencies and nongovernmental organizations to achieve its stated goals. However, so far U.N. agencies and NGOs have received just $1.06 billion — falling 77 percent short of this appeal by $3.47 billion.”