Abyad wa Aswad was established in early 2001.[1] Publication license was granted in 2002, being the first independent political weekly in Syria.[2] The first issue appeared on 22 July 2002.[3] The magazine, headquartered in Damascus, is a privately owned publication.[4][5] Bilal Turkmani, former defense minister Hasan Turkmani's son, is the owner of Abyad wa Aswad.[6][7]