Zana Omar

Civilian Kurdish Force Joins Offensive Against IS in Raqqa

A civilian Kurdish force in Syria has joined the U.S.-backed offensive to dislodge Islamic State from their de facto capital in Raqqa. VOA's Zana Omar reports.

Mosul Refugees Overwhelm UN Camp in Syria

Syrian Kurdish City Becomes Flashpoint as US Scrambles Aircraft to Protect Coalition Troops

Airstrikes mark the first time since the start of the country's civil war in 2011 that Syrian government warplanes targeted a majority Kurdish enclave

On The Scene: Kurdish, Arab Forces Gain Ground Against IS

A US-backed coalition of Kurdish and Arab forces has gained ground against Islamic State in northern Syria. VOA's Zana Omar traveled with the coalition to see the fighting first hand.

US-backed Syrian Forces Advance Toward IS Capital

On fourth day of offensive north of Raqqa, Syrian Democratic Forces take control of at least 10 villages, advance 15 kilometers southward

Assad Forces Clash With Kurds in Northeast Syria

Syrian government officials head to Qamishli seeking speedy cease-fire between Kurdish fighters and mainly Arab pro-Assad militiamen after heavy fighting broke out Thursday

Fighting Escalates in Syria's Qamishli

This week rare clashes erupted between Syrian government and Kurdish security forces in the northern city Qamishli, on the Turkish border. Syrian troops and Kurdish fighters have been coordinating on security here, working together to hold back Islamic State fighters. But there are tensions in the alliance. To further complicate the situation, Islamic State militants claimed responsibility for a car bomb on Thursday in the Kurdish-majority city.

Despite Liberation from IS, Syrian Town Faces Difficulties

In February of this year, Syrian Democratic forces, backed by the U.S.-led coalition, freed the town of Shaddadi in northeastern Syria from Islamic State militants. But months after their liberation, local residents say their lives are still far from being normal -- due to the havoc IS caused during its occupation. VOA’s Zana Omar has more from Shaddadi, in this report narrated by Bronwyn Benito.

Key Victory Against IS in Syria Relieves Residents

Syrian rebel groups, with the help of U.S. air support, scored a signficant victory against Islamic State late last month with the capture of Shaddadi in northeastern Syria. VOA’s Zana Omer recently visited the city and has this report narrated by Brian Allen.

US-backed Syrian Alliance Reports Gains Against IS

Syrian Democratic Forces, backed by coalition airstrikes, capture tens of villages, cut off major IS supply route between Iraq and Syria

US Confirms Involvement in Syria Airfield Expansion

Syrian Kurds are expanding an airbase on farmland in northeast Syria that could be used for military purposes, according to Kurdish and US officials

Kurdish-led Forces Use Former Syrian Regime Base to Attack IS

Islamic State losing more and more ground in Syria as ground troops, coalition airstrikes push them into ‘defensive crouch,’ military leaders say

Authorities Prepare for Refugees Fleeing Fighting in Raqqa

As international airstrikes rain down on IS targets, civilians head north seeking refuge in Kurdish-held areas, and NGOs are concerned about being ready

Authorities Prepare for Refugees Fleeing Fighting in Raqqa

As fighters of the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces move on Raqqa, the Islamic State's defacto capital, many residents of the northern Syrian city and nearby villages are fleeing their homes. VOA’s Zana Omar reports from Ras al-Ayn, just to the northeast, where officials are preparing for a flood of refugees. Peter Heinlein narrates his report.

New Fighting Alliance in Syria Putting up Fight Against IS

As French forces conduct airstrikes on the Islamic State group’s positions in Syria -- in retaliation for terrorist attacks in Paris - on the ground Syrian fighting forces are coming together to put up a joint fight against the so-called Islamic State. This newly formed alliance, called Democratic Syrian Forces (DSF), consists of Kurdish, Arabic and Turkmen fighting forces. VOA’s Zana Omar spoke to some DSF fighters who liberated the Syrian city of al-Hawl from IS last week. Brian Allen narrat

VOA Visits Syrian Pit Where IS Disposed of the Executed

The Islamic State is known for carrying out brutal executions, which are often then posted on social media and the Internet. Zana Omar visited an area previously held by the group, where IS fighters would throw the bodies of people they killed into a massive gorge.

Syrian Kurds Get Outside Help to Manage Prisons

With monitors having expressed concern about the justice system in Syria’s Kurdish regions, authorities there reached out to international organizations

Syrian Kurds Get Outside Help to Manage Prisons

Syria's Kurdish-held regions have been hailed by some as areas of relative stability in a war-torn nation. But rights monitors have expressed concern about the justice system in the enclaves, known collectively as Rojava. Recently, Kurdish authorities began working with international organizations to set up new prisons and managing them better. VOA’s Zana Omer went to the main prison in the autonomous Kurdish region of Syria. He has more in this report narrated by Kokab Farshori.

International Organizations Helping Syrian Kurdish Authorities Manage Prisons

Syria's Kurdish-held regions have been hailed by some as areas of relative stability in a war-torn nation. But rights monitors have expressed concern about the justice system in the enclaves, known collectively as Rojava. Recently, Kurdish authorities began working with international organizations to set up new prisons and managing them better. VOA’s Zana Omar went to the main prison in the autonomous Kurdish region of Syria.

Syrian Kurdish Forces Allege Turkish Attacks

Tensions are building along the Turkish-Syrian border, where a Syrian Kurdish militia outpost recently came under heavy artillery fire