Ali Melhem is a contributor to Rozana Radio. https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/contributor/ali-melhem/rss en Civil Society Opposition Groups & Rebel Forces Sat, 19 Mar 2016 00:00:00 +0000 Ali Melhem https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/community/2016/03/19/locals-in-idlib-take-on-al-nusra-front https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/community/2016/03/19/locals-in-idlib-take-on-al-nusra-front There’s growing hostility between al-Qaida’s branch in Syria and the locals of Idlib. After attempting to disrupt popular protests in the streets of Maarat al-Numan last week, the insurgent group then pushed a popular branch of the Free Syrian Army out of town. Civil Society Opposition Groups & Rebel Forces Tue, 08 Mar 2016 00:00:00 +0000 Ali Melhem https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/community/2016/03/08/the-syrian-revolution-lives-again https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/community/2016/03/08/the-syrian-revolution-lives-again After nearly five years of civil war, the temporary cease-fire has brought a return of popular protests to Syria’s streets. But now that civil society is finally back, writes Ali Melhem, it is time for activists to rethink past mistakes and speak out against the Islamist groups that kidnapped the spirit of the uprising.