Thread by @grannies4equal

'Early on regime revealed intention to alter demographics of certain cities.Initial signs February 2012 regime forces destroyed Baba Amr neighborhood,an opposition held territory,in southern Homs. After an intense assault regime drove out estimated 35,000' atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/syriasou…

'This was followed by massacre of Karam al-Zeitoun, an estimated 50,000 residents were forced out. After regime’s forces ended offensive in Baba Amr, they turned their focus to other opposition held neighborhoods eg Bayada & Khaldieh. 2012 regime displaced 190,000 residents'

'Regime used Russian or Iranian mediated negotiations to create 'reconciliation agreements' to forcibly displace armed opposition groups & residents. All were required to leave in government sanctioned green buses; all overseen by UN observers and Russian military advisors'

'Forced displacements:

Old Homs and Damascus: Feb to May 2014

al-Waer - December 2015;

Khan al-Sheikh & Zakiya: November 2016

Qudsaya, al-Hameh & Muadamiyah: October 2016

al-Tal: November 2016

Eastern Aleppo: December 2016;

Wadi Barada: January 2017'

'Iran was an essential part of the reconciliation agreements & would send its own negotiators to ensure the regime’s interests. The four-cities agreement, for instance, moved the mainly-Shia regime loyalists closer to the capital, shoring up the regime’s and Iran’s control'

'It forced opposition residents from Eastern Ghouta to Idlib essentially emptying long held opposition control in surrounding areas. By having a role in these agreements, Iran sought to secure its influence in Syria remains after the war & protect its regional interests'

'Regime did not use reconciliation agreements by itself to enforce demographic change. It ratified new laws to legalize its control of properties and land across the state'

'The regime utilized several tactics —war, displacement, reconstruction— to effect major changes in the demographic makeup of Syria. As the regime continues to act with impunity, it is unlikely displaced Syrians will ever see their property again'