Syria Weekly

Syria Weekly: July 21-28, 2026

Charles Lister — Tue, 28 Jul 2026 11:59:19 GMT

SYRIA’S TRANSITION:

CONFLICT & SECURITY:

SYRIA’S TRANSITION:

Transition Meetings:

July 21:

Interior Minister Anas Khattab hosted a visit by his Bahraini counterpart Lieutenant General Sheikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa in Damascus on July 21, for discussions on the bilateral security relationship.

Following the meeting with Interior Minister Khattab, Bahraini Interior Minister al-Khalifa met with Minister of Emergency and Disaster Response, Raed al-Saleh and signed a memorandum of understanding to enhance cooperation in disaster risk reduction and civil protection.
Following that engagement, the Bahraini Interior Minister was hosted by President Ahmed al-Sharaa in the People’s Palace.

Later that day, President al-Sharaa also hosted a delegation from the President of the General Union of Chambers of Commerce of Libya, Muhammad Abdul Karim al-Ra’id, for a meeting alongside Minister of Economy and Industry Nidal al-Shaar focused on bilateral economic ties and commercial partnerships.
Minister of Higher Education Marwan al-Halabi visited Aleppo on July 21 and met with Governor Azzam al-Gharib and President of Aleppo University Osama Radoun. They later traveled to al-Bab to lay the foundation stone for the Faculties of Veterinary Medicine, Agricultural Engineering, and Science of Aleppo University. That night, Governor of Aleppo led a ceremony in al-Bab to mark the laying of the foundation stone for the new university colleges and a connected ‘administrative city’ in the area.

That day, Aleppo Governor Azzam al-Gharib also hosted a meeting with Japan’s Charge d’Affairs Akihiko Tsuji and delegations from the UNDP, WHO and the UN Human Settlements Programme to discuss ongoing Japanese support to recovery efforts in Aleppo governorate.
Minister of Transport Yaroub Badr held a virtual meeting with staff from the World Bank on July 21 focused on a strategy and schedule developed by the World Bank for Syria’s railway rehabilitation and development — both to support Syria’s phosphate industry and export potential and to connect Syria’s railways with the rest of the region.

Minister of Emergency and Disaster Response Raed al-Saleh hosted a meeting with UN Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights of Internally Displaced Persons Paula Gaviria Betancur in Damascus on July 21. They discussed the importance of continued efforts to resolve the unexploded ordnance (UXO) threat and to support displaced Syrians returning from camps through reconstruction, food security and other initiatives.

Minister of Culture Mohammed Yassin al-Saleh traveled to Amman, Jordan on July 21 and visited the Institute of Politics and Society to meet with its director, Reem Saleem and a group of Jordanian writers, political figures and researchers.

VIDEO: Your Questions Answered, July 24, 2026

Charles Lister — Fri, 24 Jul 2026 13:54:18 GMT

Syria Data Update: July 22, 2026

Charles Lister — Wed, 22 Jul 2026 12:31:51 GMT

The overall level of deadly violence remained largely steady last week, with 17 confirmed fatalities across the country — 5 (29%) of which were caused by unexploded ordnance (UXO). The 12 remaining non-UXO deaths makes last week just below the average of 13.3 non-UXO deaths witnessed through June and July, but still above the average of 8.5 non-UXO deaths since March.

A rise in domestic tensions around issues of transitional justice and accountability for crimes, and a resulting increase in vigilantism and targeted killings has been the primary driver behind the uptick in violence seen so far this Summer. Even so, the level of non-UXO deadly violence in Syria in 2026 is dramatically lower than in 2025 — with a weekly average of 19 deaths recorded in 2026 and an average of 73 in 2025.

With regards to this past week, two particularly significant data-specific observations are worth highlighting:

Syria Weekly: July 14-21, 2026

Charles Lister — Tue, 21 Jul 2026 11:42:03 GMT

SYRIA’S TRANSITION:

CONFLICT & SECURITY:

SYRIA’S TRANSITION:

Transition Meetings:

July 14:

President Ahmed al-Sharaa hosted a meeting with the Director General of the IAEA, Rafael Grossi, on July 14.
Later that day, President al-Sharaa also hosted a meeting with Lebanon’s Minister of Economy and Trade, Amer Bisat, and his delegation to discuss proposals to enhance bilateral trade and commercial ties.
Finance Minister Mohammed Barnieh participated in a working meeting with industrialists from the Damascus area in the Golden Mezzeh hotel on July 14, during which he described his determination to “support production and strengthen confidence within the private sector.” He added that new tax law reforms had been prepared in close partnership with business leaders and were focused on simplifying procedure, reducing tax, and promoting fair competition.
Deputy Governor of Aleppo Fawaz Hilal hosted a visit by the Director of Projects at the King Salman Center for Relief and Humanitarian Aid, Salman al-Anzi, on July 14 during which they signed an agreement to launch a new project to support the wheat production sector through the rehabilitation of irrigation networks and water pumping stations, support for wheat seed production, the rehabilitation of storage facilities, equipping seed screening stations and providing agricultural equipment and machinery to support farmers and improve production efficiency.

CEO of the Syrian Petroleum Company (SPC), Yousef al-Qablawi, traveled to the Tigris oil fields in Hasakeh on July 14 alongside the Managing Director of UK-headquartered GulfSands to review progress in the rehabilitation and development work to pre-existing and new wells.

Governor of Daraa Anwar al-Zoubi hosted a visit from the Minister of Emergency and Disaster Response, Raed al-Saleh on July 14 during which they discussed “the operational realities of the Civil Defense Directorate in Daraa, including the readiness of its teams and their response time,” including their capacity to respond to security crises associated with Israeli military activities in the Yarmouk Basin.
Minister of Agriculture Bassel al-Sweidan hosted a meeting with Sudanese Agriculture and Irrigation Minister Ismat Qureshi Abdullah on July 14 to discuss activating pre-existing agreements to cooperate, including with Syrian assistance in wheat seed productivity for Sudan and Sudanese offers of assistance in “conservation agriculture, livestock, capacity building, and genetic improvement.”

VIDEO: Your Questions Answered (July 17, 2026)

Charles Lister — Fri, 17 Jul 2026 13:50:18 GMT

Syria Data Update: July 15, 2026

Charles Lister — Wed, 15 Jul 2026 14:12:35 GMT

The overall level of violence declined over the past week, with a total of 15 violent deaths recorded, 4 (27%) of which were caused by unexploded ordnance. The 11 non-UXO deaths confirmed over the 7-day reporting period represents a near halving of the rate seen the previous week and a return to close to the average low of 9 non-UXO deaths per week seen since February 1.

This appears to underline the reality that without unusual mass casualty terror attacks — such as the July 2 bombing of a cafe near Damascus’ Justice Palace that left 10 dead — Syria’s path of stabilization is at the least stable.

Several key areas of insight can be gleaned from this week’s latest data update:

Syria Weekly: July 7-14, 2026

Charles Lister — Tue, 14 Jul 2026 11:02:42 GMT

SYRIA’S TRANSITION:

CONFLICT & SECURITY:

SYRIA’S TRANSITION:

Transition Meetings:

July 7:

CEO of the Syrian Petroleum Company (SPC), Yousef Qablawi led the launch of the 2026 SyrPetro exhibition at the Damascus Fairgrounds on July 7 — featuring more than 120 energy companies from 25 countries around the world.
That day, SPC CEO Qablawi also hosted a meeting with the CEO of France’s Total Energies, Patrick Pouyanné, to discuss further increasing their cooperation in Syria’s oil and gas sector — including in pipeline laying and field exploration.

Transport Minister Yaroub Badr visited Aleppo on July 7 and as part of his engagements, engaged in a working roundtable with the General Company for Railway Construction in Aleppo to discuss the conditions of the governorate’s railway infrastructure and plans to redevelop it.

Deputy Governor of Aleppo Fawaz Hilal hosted a visit by a delegation from the Swiss Development Cooperation Agency on July 7 to discuss Switzerland’s support for ongoing development and recovery work.

A delegation from the Ministry of Economy and Industry, led by Assistant Minister for Internal Trade Affairs, Rasha Karakouki, traveled to Geneva, Switzerland on July 7 to participate in the 68th session of the General Assemblies of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).

VIDEO: Your Questions Answered (July 10, 2026)

Charles Lister — Fri, 10 Jul 2026 14:44:41 GMT

Syria Data Update: July 8, 2026

Charles Lister — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 12:03:07 GMT

The overall level of violence last week reached the highest level since mid-February, with a total of 26 deaths confirmed nationwide — 7 (27%) of which were caused by unexploded ordnance (UXO).

More than 50% of the 19 non-UXO deaths in Syria over the past week were caused by one single incident — an IED detonated inside a cafe near the Justice Palace in Damascus on July 2, which killed 10 people. That attack, which has yet to be claimed by any perpetrator, was highly significant and a warning of the threats still posed by the likes of ISIS or militant cells tied to Hezbollah and the anti-government insurgency. Without that one incident, Syria’s level of violence would have remained in line with the record lows witnessed over the past 3 months.

Several key areas of insight can be gleaned from this week’s latest data update:

FREE -- Syria Weekly: June 30-July 7, 2026

Charles Lister — Tue, 07 Jul 2026 11:41:07 GMT

Dear readers,

As always, this first newsletter of the month comes free for all, but to continue to receive full posts from all product lines, please consider becoming a paid subscriber.

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SYRIA’S TRANSITION:

VIDEO: Your Questions Answered (July 3, 2026)

Charles Lister — Fri, 03 Jul 2026 16:26:39 GMT

Early reaction -- Syria's Transitional Parliament Takes Shape

Charles Lister — Wed, 01 Jul 2026 14:38:22 GMT

After a long wait, President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s list of 70 members of the People’s Assembly was released today (the full list is below this article) — which officially completes Syria’s first transitional parliament. The 3 seats associated with Suwayda remain open, until the stand-off there with Hikmat al-Hijri is resolved. As far as process goes, the newly established parliament will first meet in five days, on July 6. It has been given a 30-month (2.5 years) term, with a conditions-based potential extension.

Syria Data Update: July 1, 2026

Charles Lister — Wed, 01 Jul 2026 13:02:47 GMT

The overall level of violence in Syria declined over the past 2 weeks, with a total of 27 deaths confirmed over 14 days (June 16-30), 4 (15%) of which were caused by unexploded ordnance (UXO). That put Syria back onto the average level of overall violence (~13 deaths per week) seen between February and the end of May 2026 — before violence increased slightly through the first half of June, with an average of 19 deaths per week.

Several notable developments or trends emerged over the past fortnight, as follows:

Syria Weekly: June 16-30, 2026

Charles Lister — Tue, 30 Jun 2026 12:08:15 GMT

Dear subscribers — this newsletter is a catch-up covering all conflict and security incidents across Syria from the past two weeks. This will ensure Syria Weekly’s datasets remain fully up-to-date.

Normal products will resume this week!

CONFLICT & SECURITY:

Israel:

Israeli military forces launched a ground incursion into the village of Sayda al-Hanout in Quneitra on June 16.
Israeli military forces launched a ground incursion into the village of Sayda al-Hanout in Quneitra early on June 17, during which they raided 5 homes and interrogated a local journalist, identified as Saad Hindawi.
Israeli military forces launched a ground incursion into the village of al-Isbah in the early hours of June 18.
Later that day, additional incursions were launched — one into the village of al-Hamadiya in central Quneitra; and another into the village of Saysoun in western Daraa.
One local shepherd was detained by Israeli military forces during a ground incursion into an area near Maariya in western rural Daraa on June 19.
Later that day, another incursion was launched into an area located between the villages of al-Rufayd and al-Hayran in southern Quneitra.
Israeli military forces launched a ground incursion into the village of Abidin in western Daraa in the early hours of June 20, during which several residential buildings were raided.
One local man was detained by Israeli military forces during a ground incursion into the village of al-Rufayd in southern Quneitra on June 21.
One local man was detained by Israeli military forces during a ground incursion into the village of Ayn Ziwan in southern Quneitra on June 22.
Later that day, additional incursions were launched into western rural Daraa - one into the al-Arada area; and another into Tel al-Mughir near Abidin.
Israeli military forces launched a ground incursion into the village of al-Mushayyidah in southern Quneitra on June 23.
Later that day, another incursion was launched into the Tel Abu Qubays area of southern Quneitra.

Syria Data Update (June 9-16, 2026)

Charles Lister — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 11:19:43 GMT

The overall level of deadly violence across Syria declined slightly compared to the previous week’s high, with a total of 18 deaths confirmed across the country — 5 (28%) of which were caused by unexploded ordnance (UXO). The fact that violence has remained at higher levels over the past two weeks compared with the previous 3 months, is attributable to one key escalating challenge:

Transitional justice was always going to be a defining challenge for Syria’s post-Assad transition, as the country grapples not just with nearly 14 years of civil conflict (2011-2024) but the costs and grievances resulting from more than half a century of Assad rule as well as from sectarian and internecine killings that followed the regime’s fall. At the crux of the challenge is where to draw the line between justice and reconciliation. While the transitional government has unquestionably cracked down upon ‘remnants’ of the former regime, it has also negotiated deals with some prominent individuals and attempted to provide the space for more low ranking people to move past history and reintegrate.

That latter, pragmatic approach has engendered increasing tensions across the country, as locals identify individuals they accuse of any number of crimes during the 2011-2024 conflict. Early in the transition, this triggered acute levels of vigilante violence and targeted revenge killings, but from October/November 2025, this declined sharply.

However, in recent weeks, the transitional justice issue has surged back onto the public agenda, principally within components of communities across Syria decrying the presence of regime remnants still living in their midst. Throughout Syria, communities have increasingly demanded that such ‘remnants’ be detained, their families be expelled from their homes and their businesses seized. While targeted vigilante killings have subsequently increased — with 18 deaths recorded over the past two weeks — incidents of localized protest, rioting and mob violence (public beatings, vandalism and arson) have surged.

The government’s initial response to this sudden explosion in localized retributive violence has been to reveal the scale and scope of its actions against regime remnants, with the MOI confirming the detention of 5,989 senior officers over the past 18 months. The Justice Ministry, the Commission for Transitional Justice and other official entities have all issued public statements detailing their respective work to pursue transitional justice and calling on citizens to avoid taking the law into their own hands. Whether this increase in public openness will suffice in calming tensions across the country remains to be seen, but there is no doubt that efforts over the past 18 months have been insufficient on all counts and the longer instability and revenge violence continues, the more likely it is to trigger secondary violence — whether a resurgence of the anti-government insurgency, or opportunities for actors like ISIS to exploit.

Beyond vigilantism, which accounted for 9 of 13 (70%) non-UXO deaths this past week, the remaining fatalities were attributable to:

Suwayda inter-factional violence between rival Druze militiamen left 2 gunmen dead.
An ISIS suicide attack on an MOI building in Raqqa city left 1 officer dead.
Clashes between rival families in Daraa’s al-Maliha al-Sharqiya left one combatant dead.

Also of note is that ISIS appears to be attempting to increase its operational tempo — having conducted 4 attacks over the past week:

Two ISIS gunmen on a motorbike opened fire at an Iraqi oil tanker driving on the Aleppo-Manbij highway late on June 13. It caused minor damage and no casualties.
Two suspected ISIS militants on a motorbike opened fire on a truck carrying salt in the desert outside Palmyra on June 14. It caused light damage and no casualties.
One MOI officer was killed and 3 others were injured when 2 ISIS militants stormed a local MOI security headquarters in Raqqa on June 15, prompting an armed clash during which one of the ISIS militants detonated his explosive vest.
A local judicial official in Babila, Damascus was severely injured when an IED concealed inside his vehicle was detonated by ISIS on June 16.

These attacks stand out for their having targeting of locally or strategically significant targets. In particular, attacks on trucks traversing Syria, if sustained, risks impacting confidence in Syria as a corridor for land transit — a recent new source of revenue that Syria has gained via Iraqi trade, both in oil and other commercial goods.

Syria Weekly: June 9-16, 2026

Charles Lister — Tue, 16 Jun 2026 11:02:20 GMT

Dear subscribers — I’m going to be on the road for the next couple weeks. I’ll share a regular data update on Wednesday June 17 and after that, all products will resume as normal on Tuesday June 30. The newsletter on Tuesday June 30 will focus primarily on conflict & security, in order to ensure all datasets are maintained and fully up-to-date.

Keep in touch!

SYRIA’S TRANSITION:

CONFLICT & SECURITY:

SYRIA’S TRANSITION:

Transition Meetings:

June 9:

Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaybani spoke by phone with Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam on June 9, amid ongoing regional hostilities.
Energy Minister Mohammed al-Bashir and Syrian Petroleum Company (SPC) CEO Yousef Qablawi participated in the Global Energy Forum in Washington DC on June 9, with the former providing a keynote speech and the latter participating in a panel discussion.
In his remarks, Minister Bashir said:

“Our participation comes at a new stage in Syria’s history, as it moves towards reconstruction, economic openness, and strengthening international partnerships… This stage represents an opportunity to redefine Syria’s position as an active partner and a vital regional hub that contributes to regional and international energy security… Syria views the United States as an important partner in the fields of energy, technology, investment, and innovation. We believe that economic cooperation and building partnerships represent the best way to enhance stability and achieve common interests… Syria has chosen to make the energy sector a major gateway to its opening to the world.

We are witnessing the return of a number of major global energy companies to the Syrian market… We have launched paths of cooperation and strategic partnerships with major American and global companies, as well as advanced discussions with a number of European companies wishing to contribute to Syrian energy projects… Our vision is not limited to rehabilitating the national infrastructure, but also extends to strengthening regional energy interconnectivity… Syria’s location places it at an important junction between the main production regions in the Gulf, Iraq, and the Eastern Mediterranean, and between regional and international markets… Cooperation with our brotherly Republic of Iraq, including efforts to develop oil transport mechanisms and discussions on the rehabilitation and operation of the Kirkuk-Baniyas pipeline, constitutes part of a broader vision to strengthen regional interconnectivity… These partnerships do not merely represent economic investments but reflect a real transformation in Syria’s position on the regional and international energy map.”

On the sidelines of the Global Energy Forum, SPC CEO Qablawi also held working meetings with senior officials from U.S. companies Chevron, Hunt Oil and Baker Hughes.
Later that day, Energy Minister Mohammed al-Bashir, SPC CEO Yousef Qablawi and Syria’s Charge d’Affairs to the U.S., Mohammed Qanatri, met with Jarrod Agen, the executive director of the White House’s National Energy Dominance Council in Washington DC on June 9.

Minister of Economy and Industry Nidal al-Shaar met bilaterally with his Turkish counterpart, Omer Bulat, on the sidelines of the Anatolia Summit on June 9.

Assistant Minister of Energy for Water and Electricity Affairs, Osama Abu Zeid, engaged in a working virtual call with the World Bank on June 9 to discuss future plans for developing technical, administrative, and financial infrastructure and enhancing the efficiency of Syria’s electricity grid.

Minister of Social Affairs and Labor, Hind Kabawat, participated in the 19th session of the Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in New York on June 9, alongside Syria’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ibrahim Olabi.

The Director of the al-Tanf crossing, Ahmed Bakkar, traveled to the al-Walid crossing on the Iraqi side of the border to meet with its Director, Brigadier Mahib Al-Kaoud and discuss coordinating transport and trade, enhancing infrastructure, and increasing the capacity for truck crossings, transit traffic and oil transportation.

Minister of Information Khaled Zaarour traveled to Hama on June 11 to meet with the Governor and with media professionals from across the governorate.

Syrian Petroleum Company (SPC) staff convened a working meeting in Rmeylan, Hasakeh on June 9 with a delegation from U.S. company HKN Energy in order to undertake a technical discussion on receiving oil field control, commencing operations, and coordinating with the SPC.

VIDEO: Your Questions Answered (June 12, 2026)

Charles Lister — Fri, 12 Jun 2026 15:09:17 GMT

Syria Data Update (June 2-9, 2026)

Charles Lister — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 13:03:42 GMT

The overall level of violence across Syria last week rose to its highest level in 10 weeks, with a total of 19 violent deaths recorded — 4 (21%) of which were caused by unexploded ordnance (UXO). This abrupt increase in violence was attributed to several key developments:

Syria Weekly: June 2-9, 2026

Charles Lister — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 11:11:36 GMT

SYRIA’S TRANSITION:

CONFLICT & SECURITY:

SYRIA’S TRANSITION:

Transition Meetings:

June 2:

President Ahmed al-Sharaa hosted a meeting with notable Syrian cleric and intellectual Ahmed Muaz al-Khatib on June 2, amid speculation in Syrian media that was being positioned for a potential role in the upcoming parliament.
A Syrian delegation led by Assistant Minister of Justice Mustafa Al-Qasim participated in a meeting with the UN’s Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Section in Vienna, Austria on June 2.

Later that day, the same Syrian delegation also met with the UN Office on Drugs and Crime and its team dedicated to combating weapons and human smuggling.

Governor of Hasakeh Nour al-Din Ahmed hosted a meeting with the Director of the Semalka Border Crossing, Hammoud Hammoud, on June 2, to discuss the ongoing integration process, operations at the crossing itself, and proposals to improve and increase its capacity.

Later that day, Hasakeh governor Ahmed participated in a large meeting chaired by governorate Education Director Adnan al-Bari with school officials from across the region to plan ahead for the incoming examination period.

Governor of Raqqa Abdulrahman Salama hosted a meeting with stakeholders from the region’s agricultural sector on June 2 — alongside the Director of Agriculture, the President of the Farmers’ Union, the Director of the Grain Foundation, and the Director of Emergency Services — to discuss mechanisms for marketing wheat crops, granting certificates of origin, and procedures for protecting crops from fires.

Minister of Higher Education Marwan al-Halabi presided over the signing of a memorandum of understanding with Chinese biotechnology company ETWA on June 2 establish and operate a specialized center for research, innovation, and clinical applications in the field of cell therapy in Syria.

Governor to Suwayda hosted a meeting with a delegation from Medicins Sans Frontiers in al-Mazraa on June 2 to discuss the organization’s work in the governor and the need to prioritize vaccination programs and urgent medical priorities.

Suwayda prisoner escape triggers raids, arrests, defections & leadership coup

Charles Lister — Fri, 05 Jun 2026 16:37:17 GMT

Note: this article is covering a fast evolving situation. It may be subject to updates. It is based on information provided by 4 well-placed sources, as well as local media reporting.

In the early hours of Friday June 5, three Arab men were broken out of their prison cell in Suwayda city and with the help of a team of Druze militiamen, smuggled their way through Suwayda’s western countryside and crossed by foot into government-held areas in Daraa. There, they were met by officers from the Ministry of Interior and General Intelligence Directorate, who’d helped plan and orchestrate their escape over recent months.