The table below summarises nine documents we obtained via defectors from the Syrian regime who worked in positions central to the repressive violence undertaken by the Syrian state security apparatus at the start of the conflict. The documents cover the period 2011–2012. We had the documents translated (certified) and verified by a security expert of the Omran Center for Strategic Studies in Istanbul. Copies of these documents are in the possession of the authors and can be made available on request.
| Category |
No. |
To/from |
Date |
Content synopsis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leaked from the Central Crisis Management Cell of the Presidential palace in Damascus[228] |
1 |
From: Regional Command of the Arab Socialist Ba’ath Party To: The Regional Assistant Secretary |
26 May 2011, Damascus |
This document contains a proposal about what to do on the ground in response to demonstrations in different areas and cities. Part of the proposal (point 12) is to put the Kurdish area under supervision of the PKK, and to act in coordination with it.[229] |
| 2 |
From: The Arab Socialist Ba’ath Party, Regional Command, Central Crisis Management Cell |
July 2011, Damascus |
This document details point 12 of the above proposal and suggests keeping the Kurdish areas and neighbourhoods under supervision, coordinating secretly with the PKK to counter demonstrators, avoiding intervention in the security of the Kurdish areas, and arresting those who seek to conduct sabotage and bear arms. |
|
| Leaked from sources from Hasaka province (on a single issue: oil) |
3 |
From: Mohammad Ibrahim Mohammad To: The General Manager of the Syrian Petroleum Company |
27 January 2012, Rumeilan |
This document refers to the request for exemption for the YPG to tender for contracts pertaining to the protection of petroleum installations belonging to the Directorate of Hasaka fields (areas: Kratchouk – Suwaidiyyat – Saida – Zaria – Alyan and Babasi) |
| 4 |
From: Representative of the YPG, Mohammad Ibrahim Ibrahim To: The General Manager of the Syrian Petroleum Company Damascus |
30 January 2021, Rumeilan |
This document requests an exemption for the YPG to have to tender for contracts to protect petroleum installations belonging to the Directorate of Hasaka fields, i.e. to enable single-sourcing. It also provides the names of the contracting persons with whom contracts will be concluded by mutual consent. |
|
| 5 |
From: Dr. Ghassan Hassan, Commercial Affairs Director at the Ministry of Petroleum and Minerals To: The Director General of the same Ministry |
Referring to letters of 29 January and 27 February 2012 |
Referring to the submission of Mohammad Ibrahim Ibrahim regarding his request to exempt YPG representatives from having to follow regular procurement procedure (e.g. paying bid bonds). He forwards the correspondence to the Minister of Oil and Mineral Resources. |
|
| 6 |
From: Engineer Saeed Huneidi, Minister of Petroleum and Minerals To: The Prime Minister |
12 December 2012, Damascus |
Request to the Prime Minister to agree to direct contracting by mutual consent with representatives of the PKK to ensure the protection of petroleum installations belonging to the Directorate of Hasaka Fields in the areas referred to under document number 4. |
|
| 7 |
From: Secretary General of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers Taissir al-Zoghbi To: The Minister of Oil and Mineral Resources |
24 December 2012 |
Request for approval of the proposal concerning the coordination with the governor of Hasaka and the Head of the Political Security Branch in Hasaka to directly contract by mutual consent with representatives of the PKK to protect petroleum installations belonging to the Directorate of Hasaka fields. |
|
| 8 |
From: Ministry of Oil and Mineral Resources To: The Minister of Oil and Mineral Resources |
Not readable referencing a 31 December 2012 letter |
Referring to the approval of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers regarding the direct contracting by mutual consent with representatives of the YPG to ensure the protection of petroleum installations belonging to the Directorate of Hasaka fields in the areas Kratchouk – Suwaidiyyat – Saida, Zaria, Alyan and Babasi. |
|
| 9 |
From: Ghassan Hassan To: The Ministry of Oil and Minerals Resources |
Not readable, referencing a 27 February 2012 letter |
Referring to the letter to representatives of the YPG registered in the General Bureau of the Syrian Petroleum Company regarding the request of exempting them from regular procurement steps (i.e. paying bid bonds) regarding contracts enabling the YPG to protect the petroleum installations belonging to the Directorate of Hasaka fields (Kratchouk – Suwaidyiyyat – Saida, Zaria, , Alyan and Babasi). |