<![CDATA[Syria Weekly]]>https://www.syriaweekly.comhttps://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!nVUC!,w_256,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F834f13a7-137d-41a2-9f85-c7c58daa0eff_492x492.pngSyria Weeklyhttps://www.syriaweekly.comSubstackTue, 27 Oct 2026 04:08:33 GMT<![CDATA[EXCLUSIVE -- Is Israel planning a major escalation in Syria?]]>https://www.syriaweekly.com/p/exclusive-is-israel-planning-a-majorhttps://www.syriaweekly.com/p/exclusive-is-israel-planning-a-majorFri, 23 Oct 2026 16:52:01 GMTWhile mostly behind closed doors, a brewing potential crisis has grown in intensity in recent weeks centered around concern that Israel may be preparing a major escalation in Syria. With Israel’s high-stakes election approaching, most eyes have paid attention to an unprecedented and unprovoked surge in IDF military operations in southwestern Syria that began in August. But the most acute worry has been around mounting evidence that Israel and its Druze militia allies in Suwayda are maneuvering for a lightening ground offensive into government-held territory. This has triggered a flurry of regional diplomacy, and Syria Weekly has been told, American back-channel efforts to restore calm.

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]]><![CDATA[VIDEO: Your Questions Answered, October 23, 2026]]>https://www.syriaweekly.com/p/video-your-questions-answered-october-d5ehttps://www.syriaweekly.com/p/video-your-questions-answered-october-d5eFri, 23 Oct 2026 13:44:47 GMT

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]]><![CDATA[Syria Weekly: October 13-20, 2026]]>https://www.syriaweekly.com/p/syria-weekly-october-13-20-2026https://www.syriaweekly.com/p/syria-weekly-october-13-20-2026Tue, 20 Oct 2026 12:58:30 GMTSYRIA’S TRANSITION:

CONFLICT & SECURITY:

SYRIA’S TRANSITION:

Transition Meetings:

October 13:

  • Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaybani spoke by phone with his Jordanian counterpart Ayman al-Safadi on October 13 to discuss ongoing regional hostilities and tensions, as well as bilateral ties and the work of the Syrian-Jordanian Supreme Coordination Council.

  • Later that day, Foreign Minister Shaybani hosted a visit by OPCW Director General Sabrina Dallafior for bilateral discussions on Syria’s ongoing efforts to destroy and account for the previous regime’s chemical weapons program and use. In a press conference, Shaybani added that Syria had turned over more than 100,000 documents related to the previous chemical weapons program, while facilitating access to facilities and to witnesses. A total of 42 aerial munitions designed to deliver chemical weapons had been destroyed under OPCW supervision.

  • Later on October 13, Minister of Defense Murhaf Abu Qasra and Minister of Justice Mazhar al-Ways hosted consecutive meetings with OPCW Director General Sabrina Dallafior on October 13 to discuss efforts being undertaken by Syria to “eliminate the remnants” of Syria’s chemical weapons program.

  • Finance Minister Mohammed Barnieh met with World Bank President Ajay Banga on October 13, on the sidelines of the annual ministerial meeting of the G24 alongside the annual IMF and World Bank meetings in Bangkok, Thailand.

  • Later that day, Finance Minister Barnieh met with the President of the Islamic Development Bank, Mohammed al-Jasser; and later with the President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, Odile Renaud-Basso.

  • Health Minister Musab al-Ali traveled to Cairo, Egypt to participate in the 73rd Session of the WHO Regional Committee on October 13.

  • Minister of Information Khaled Zaarour hosted a meeting with Meta Regional Director Fares Akkad on October 13 to discuss potential areas of cooperation in enhancing communication inside Syria and in combating misinformation.

  • The Ministry of Economy and Industry hosted a visiting delegation from Lebanon — involving officials responsible for economic and customs affairs - on October 13 to discuss proposals aimed at enhancing trade exchange and border crossing management.

  • The Foreign Ministry’s Director of Immigration and Refugee Affairs, Nahla Othman, traveled to Geneva, Switzerland to participate in the 77th Session of the UNHCR Executive Committee on October 13.

  • Assistant Minister of Agriculture Mustafa Zakia traveled to Rome, Italy on October 13 to participate in the UN FAO’s 2026 World Food Forum.

  • Governor of Hasakeh Nour al-Din Ahmed hosted a meeting with a delegation of Arab tribal leaders on October 13, to discuss security conditions in the region, along with the issue of unlicensed weaponry outside of state control.

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]]><![CDATA[VIDEO: Your Questions Answered, October 15, 2026]]>https://www.syriaweekly.com/p/video-your-questions-answered-octoberhttps://www.syriaweekly.com/p/video-your-questions-answered-octoberThu, 15 Oct 2026 15:44:20 GMT

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]]><![CDATA[Syria Weekly: October 6-13, 2026]]>https://www.syriaweekly.com/p/syria-weekly-september-october-6https://www.syriaweekly.com/p/syria-weekly-september-october-6Tue, 13 Oct 2026 10:42:12 GMTSYRIA’S TRANSITION:

CONFLICT & SECURITY:

SYRIA’S TRANSITION:

Transition Meetings:

October 6:

  • President Ahmed al-Sharaa and Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaybani traveled to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on October 8 for meetings with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman al-Saud.

    In a public readout, the Presidency said talks had discussed bilateral political and economic relations, as well as coordination in supporting Syria’s post-conflict recovery, including proposed investments in the energy, construction, industry, agriculture, and trade sectors.

    Subsequent media reporting claimed that the talks had also discussed a Saudi request for Syria to contribute military forces to the recently launched war against the Houthis in Yemen.

  • The Foreign Ministry’s Director of Immigration and Refugee Affairs, Nahla Othman, traveled to Denmark and met with the Danish Foreign Ministry’s Department of Humanitarian Aid and Civil Society, Marie-Louise Koch Wegter, on October 6.

    Later that day, Othman also met with Danish Minister of State for Development Policy, Elizabeth Søndergård Kron.

  • The Foreign Ministry’s Director of Arab Affairs, Mohammed Taha al-Ahmed, hosted a meeting with Libyan Charge d’Affairs Hassan Mohammed Ammar on October 6 to discuss proposed cooperation in energy and agriculture.

  • The Foreign Ministry’s Director of Afro-Asian and Oceania Affairs, Nada Asaad, hosted a meeting with the Pakistani Charge d’Affairs Muhammad Magith Afzal on October 6, during which they discussed bilateral diplomatic and economic cooperation. A letter from the Pakistani Prime Minister was also handed over, addressed to President Ahmed al-Sharaa.

  • Syria’s Central Bureau of Statistics and the Foreign Ministry jointly convened a workshop at Damascus’ Golden Mezzeh hotel on October 6 to discuss the ongoing multi-sector needs assessment.

  • Customs Director Khaled Barada and Hasakeh Deputy Governor Ahmed al-Hilali traveled to Qamishli on October 6 to inspect the final preparations for re-opening and activating the Qamishli Airport.

  • The Foreign Ministry’s Director of Protocol Affairs, Mohammed Abdulsalam, hosted a meeting with the Philippines’ Consul General Ferdinand Bantas Flores on October 6, during which they discussed cooperation in enhancing diplomatic mission access and logistics processes.

  • Syria’s Ambassador to Lebanon Iyad Hamzah met with Lebanese Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri on October 6 to discuss bilateral ties; facilitating the movement of commerce and people across borders; and the need to improve the process of residency approval processes.

  • Deputy Governor of Deir ez Zour hosted a delegation from Qatari company Baladna on October 6 to discuss proposed ways to move forward a previously signed agreement to invest in the region’s agriculture and livestock husbandry sectors.

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]]><![CDATA[Syria Weekly Data Update - September 2026]]>https://www.syriaweekly.com/p/syria-weekly-data-update-septemberhttps://www.syriaweekly.com/p/syria-weekly-data-update-septemberWed, 07 Oct 2026 14:19:29 GMTDear readers & subscribers,

Welcome to this latest data update, featuring key analytical insights and new and improved infographics covering Syria Weekly’s extensive and exclusive datasets, covering the below subsets:

  • Violent deaths — by week/month & by governorate

  • Unexploded ordnance (UXO)

  • Non-UXO deaths

  • Israeli military action — ground incursions, air/artillery strikes, arrests

  • ISIS attacks — by week/month since 2023

  • Anti-government insurgent attacks — by governorate, by week/month

  • Vigilantism & revenge killings

  • Government captagon seizures

  • Lebanon-linked captagon seizures

  • Internal Suwayda [in]stability

  • Jordanian military action in Syria

  • Kidnappings — by governorate & by week/month

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]]><![CDATA[FREE -- Syria Weekly: September 29-October 6, 2026]]>https://www.syriaweekly.com/p/free-syria-weekly-september-29-octoberhttps://www.syriaweekly.com/p/free-syria-weekly-september-29-octoberTue, 06 Oct 2026 06:46:40 GMTSYRIA’S TRANSITION:

CONFLICT & SECURITY:

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]]><![CDATA[Syria Weekly: September 22-29, 2026]]>https://www.syriaweekly.com/p/syria-weekly-september-22-29-2026https://www.syriaweekly.com/p/syria-weekly-september-22-29-2026Tue, 29 Sep 2026 13:43:16 GMTSYRIA’S TRANSITION:

CONFLICT & SECURITY:

SYRIA’S TRANSITION:

Transition Meetings:

September 22:

  • President Ahmed al-Sharaa led Syria’s delegation to the annual UN General Assembly (UNGA) on September 22 — alongside Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaybani, Minister of Emergency and Disaster Response Raed al-Saleh, Permanent Representative Ibrahim Olabi, Foreign Ministry Director of Americas, Saad Baroud, Foreign Ministry Advisor on European Affairs, Hamza al-Mustafa, Foreign Ministry Advisor on American Affairs, Jay Maqdissi; and others.

    That day, President al-Sharaa met with U.S. Presidential Envoy Thomas Barrack; French President Emmanuel Macron; and Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaydi. President al-Sharaa also participated in a working gathering with leaders of Arab and Islamic countries, convened by U.S. President Donald Trump.

    Later in the evening, President al-Sharaa participated in a panel discussion with

  • Foreign Ministry Director of International Cooperation Qutaiba Qadesh met separately with Michael Karnitschnig, the European Commission’s Acting Director-General for the Middle East, North Africa, and the Gulf region; and with Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations for Economic and Social Affairs Navid Hanif on September 22, on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.

  • Foreign Ministry Advisor on European Affairs Hamza al-Mustafa met separately with Mihnea Motoc, the Director General for Political Affairs in Romania; and with Thessalia Schiavou, the Director of Political Affairs in Cyprus, on September 22 on the lines of the UN General Assembly.

  • Defense Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra hosted a visit by the UK Ministry of Defense’s Senior Advisor for the Middle East and North Africa, Rear Admiral Edward Ahlgren on September 22, during which they discussed regional crisis and prospects for new cooperation.

  • The Foreign Ministry’s Director of European Affairs, Sally Shobut, led a delegation to Barcelona, Spain on September 22 to participate in the third annual meeting of the Union for the Mediterranean’s development agencies.

    Later that day, Shobut met with Acting Secretary-General of the Union for the Mediterranean, Fadi Hajali.

  • Governor of Tartus Ahmed al-Shami hosted a visit by Swedish Ambassador to Syria Jessica Svardstrom on September 22.

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]]><![CDATA[VIDEO: Your Questions Answered, Sept 25, 2026]]>https://www.syriaweekly.com/p/video-your-questions-answered-sept-0achttps://www.syriaweekly.com/p/video-your-questions-answered-sept-0acFri, 25 Sep 2026 14:18:54 GMT

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]]><![CDATA[Syria Weekly: September 15-22, 2026]]>https://www.syriaweekly.com/p/syria-weekly-september-15-22-2026https://www.syriaweekly.com/p/syria-weekly-september-15-22-2026Tue, 22 Sep 2026 13:19:49 GMTSYRIA’S TRANSITION:

CONFLICT & SECURITY

SYRIA’S TRANSITION:

Transition Meetings:

September 15:

  • President Ahmed al-Sharaa held a meeting with UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan on September 15. They discussed bilateral ties, ongoing and new investments in Syria, and regional hostilities.

  • That day, President Ahmed al-Sharaa also participated in a meeting with a group of editors-in-chief of Arab media outlets on September 15, on the sidelines of the Arab Media Summit 2026 in Dubai, UAE.

  • Later in the day, President al-Sharaa met with UAE Minister of State for Council Affairs Mohammed Al-Gergawi, alongside Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaybani.

  • Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaybani spoke by phone on September 15 with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, during which they discussed ongoing regional tensions and hostilities, as well as Syria’s transition and the importance of integrating minority communities.

  • The Governor of Deir ez Zour Ziyad al-Ayyash and senior provincial officials from Latakia and Tartus participated in a roundtable with a delegation of U.S. business leaders convened in Damascus by the US Chamber of Commerce on September 15.

  • Later in the day, President of the Syrian Federation of Chambers of Commerce, Alaa al-Ali, participated in a roundtable with the U.S. business delegation.

  • Finance Minister Mohammed Barnieh hosted a meeting with a delegation from the French Senate led by led by Olivier Cigolotti on September 15, to discuss opportunities for new investments in Syria. Ambassador Jean-Baptiste Faivre was in attendance. They discussed several new prospects for French investment in Syria and the ongoing financial reform process within the Syrian Ministry.

  • The Syrian Investment Authority (SIA) hosted a working meeting with a delegation of Chinese companies on September 15, to discuss their interest in investing in Syrian industry — including construction.

  • Presidential Advisor on Kurdish Affairs Mazloum Abdi met with the head of the MOD’s Kobani Brigade Mahmoud Barkhidan and other district officials in Kobani on September 15, to discuss the integration process and prevailing challenges unique to Kobani.

  • Governor of Hasakeh Nour al-Din Ahmed hosted a meeting with the MOD’s Hasakeh Brigade commander on September 15, to discuss the integration process and prevailing security challenges following riots and in preparation for the arrival of MOD Military Police units to the provincial capital the following week.

  • The Syrian Petroleum Company (SPC) hosted a roundtable with a delegation from U.S. energy company HKN in Damascus on September 15, to discuss their contract to operate oil fields in Hasakeh, including to review their work plan, budgeting, and operational plans for 2027-2028.

  • A delegation from the MOI, led by Deputy for Technical Affairs, Ahmed Hafar, traveled to Lianyungang, China to participate in the Global Forum for Public Security Cooperation 2026 on September 15. Some of the focus of the forum was on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in policing.

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]]><![CDATA[Syria Weekly: September 8-15, 2026]]>https://www.syriaweekly.com/p/syria-weekly-september-8-15-2026https://www.syriaweekly.com/p/syria-weekly-september-8-15-2026Tue, 15 Sep 2026 13:03:34 GMTSYRIA’S TRANSITION:

CONFLICT & SECURITY:

SYRIA’S TRANSITION:

Transition Meetings:

September 8:

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]]><![CDATA[VIDEO: Your Questions Answered, Sept 11, 2026]]>https://www.syriaweekly.com/p/video-your-questions-answered-sept-393https://www.syriaweekly.com/p/video-your-questions-answered-sept-393Fri, 11 Sep 2026 13:16:37 GMTHere’s the MEI podcast from this week — in video & audio formats: https://mei.edu/podcast/syria-what-you-missed/

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]]><![CDATA[Syria Weekly: September 1-8, 2026]]>https://www.syriaweekly.com/p/syria-weekly-august-25-septemberhttps://www.syriaweekly.com/p/syria-weekly-august-25-septemberTue, 08 Sep 2026 11:12:43 GMTSYRIA’S TRANSITION:

CONFLICT & SECURITY:

SYRIA’S TRANSITION:

Transition Meetings:

September 1:

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]]><![CDATA[VIDEO: Your Questions Answered, Sept 4, 2026]]>https://www.syriaweekly.com/p/video-your-questions-answered-septhttps://www.syriaweekly.com/p/video-your-questions-answered-septFri, 04 Sep 2026 13:53:23 GMT

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]]><![CDATA[Syria Weekly Data Update - August 2026]]>https://www.syriaweekly.com/p/syria-weekly-data-update-august-2026https://www.syriaweekly.com/p/syria-weekly-data-update-august-2026Thu, 03 Sep 2026 16:39:08 GMTDear readers & subscribers,

I’m excited to reveal a whole new set of charts for Syria Weekly’s exclusive datasets! These should prove to be much more approachable that what preceded them, allowing you all to glean a lot more insight of timely value. A reminder that Syria Weekly’s datasets cover:

  • Violent deaths — by week/month & by governorate

  • Unexploded ordnance (UXO)

  • Non-UXO deaths

  • Israeli military action — ground incursions, air/artillery strikes, arrests

  • ISIS attacks — by week/month since 2023

  • Anti-government insurgent attacks — by governorate, by week/month

  • Vigilantism & revenge killings

  • Government captagon seizures

  • Lebanon-linked captagon seizures

  • Internal Suwayda [in]stability

  • Jordanian military action in Syria

  • Kidnappings — by governorate & by week/month

Here are a few key analytical takeaways from this month’s data update:

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]]><![CDATA[FREE -- Syria Weekly: August 25-September 1, 2026]]>https://www.syriaweekly.com/p/free-syria-weekly-august-25-septemberhttps://www.syriaweekly.com/p/free-syria-weekly-august-25-septemberTue, 01 Sep 2026 14:14:24 GMTSYRIA’S TRANSITION:

CONFLICT & SECURITY:

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]]><![CDATA[VIDEO: Your Questions Answered, August 28, 2026]]>https://www.syriaweekly.com/p/video-your-questions-answered-august-f0fhttps://www.syriaweekly.com/p/video-your-questions-answered-august-f0fFri, 28 Aug 2026 13:49:20 GMT

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]]><![CDATA[Syria Weekly: August 18-25, 2026]]>https://www.syriaweekly.com/p/syria-weekly-august-18-25-2026https://www.syriaweekly.com/p/syria-weekly-august-18-25-2026Tue, 25 Aug 2026 13:01:50 GMTSYRIA’S TRANSITION:

CONFLICT & SECURITY:

SYRIA’S TRANSITION:

Transition Meetings:

August 18:

  • Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaybani hosted a visit by the IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi to Damascus on August 18, during which it was confirmed that Syria had permitted IAEA access into the former Assad regime nuclear reactor in al-Kibar, Deir ez Zour (bombed by Israel in 2007) and a previously undiscovered nuclear facility outside Damascus. In a press conference, IAEA DG Grossi confirmed that “several tonnes” of nuclear materials were contained in the facilities and would remain in Syria, under the supervision of the IAEA, in order to place Syria back in good standing. Grossi said “today is an importance day for security, peace, and… non-proliferation.”

  • Minister of Economy and Industry Nidal al-Shaar hosted a meeting with a delegation from Mastercard on August 18 to discuss continued collaboration in the development of digital economic infrastructure in Syria — as a means to incentivize support for the private sector, investment into Syria, and the empowerment of domestic industry.

  • Minister of Agriculture Bassel al-Sweidan hosted a meeting with WFP Representative Marianne Ward on August 18 to discuss ongoing cooperation in supporting the development of a more effective and efficient agricultural sector and support to farmers.

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]]><![CDATA[VIDEO: Your Questions Answered, August 21, 2026]]>https://www.syriaweekly.com/p/video-your-questions-answered-augusthttps://www.syriaweekly.com/p/video-your-questions-answered-augustFri, 21 Aug 2026 14:12:54 GMT

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]]><![CDATA[Syria Weekly: August 4-18, 2026]]>https://www.syriaweekly.com/p/syria-weekly-august-4-18-2026https://www.syriaweekly.com/p/syria-weekly-august-4-18-2026Tue, 18 Aug 2026 13:13:25 GMTCONFLICT & SECURITY:

CONFLICT & SECURITY:

Israel:

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