The area of al-Baghuz (specifically the village of al-Baghuz Fawqani as opposed to the village of al-Baghuz Tahtani) was the last place in Syria to be recaptured from the Islamic State in March 2019. Although al-Baghuz is unfortunately known for the Islamic State connection, there are ongoing efforts to bring about restoration of normal life to the area. These efforts have included the establishment/'activation' on 20 June 2021 of the "People's Municipal Office in al-Baghuz." The "People's Municipal Office" is the standard municipal office that exists in the areas controlled by the Syrian Democratic Forces. It is responsible for the provision of public services.
To learn more about the situation in al-Baghuz and the efforts of the People's Municipal Office in the area, I conducted an interview yesterday with Abbas al-Marsoumi, who is the media guy for the People's Municipal Office in al-Baghuz. The interview is slightly edited and condensed for clarity.
[Click here to read the interview, for paying subscribers only]:
https://aymennaltamimi.substack.com/p/the-peoples-municipal-office-in-al