Syria Weekly: March 31-April 7, 2026
Sharaa visits London; Iraq oil deal with Syria; Zelensky visits Damascus; Kurds begin citizenship process; joint UNDP-OCHA visit reveals 2026 response plan; Suwayda unseats education director; & more.
SYRIA’S TRANSITION:
Transition Meetings:
March 31:
After visiting UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer at 10 Downing Street in London, President Ahmed al-Sharaa was welcomed to the Houses of Parliament, where he met with Minister for Middle East and North Africa Affairs Hamish Falconer and Attorney General Richard Hermer.
Later that day, President Ahmed al-Sharaa — joined by Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaybani, General Intelligence Director Hussein Salama — met with UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood to discuss security issues and counterterrorism.
Later, President al-Sharaa visited Buckingham Palace and met with King Charles III, to discuss Syria’s political transition and ongoing regional conflict.
That day, President al-Sharaa also had a meeting with the UK Chief of the Defence Staff, Richard Nayton, to discuss military cooperation.
That evening, President al-Sharaa spoke at the Chatham House think tank, answering questions posed by its Director, Bronwen Maddox. During the panel, President Sharaa said “the agreement to integrate the SDF into the Syrian state is progressing well;” and that “Israel has dealt with Syria negatively… We tried to reach a good point through dialogue and discussion, but Israel reversed its position at the last moment.”
At the close of the day, President al-Sharaa first participated in an event convened by the Syrian-British Business Council, alongside Syrian and British business leaders and investors; and later at night, spoke to a room full of Syria’s diaspora community based in the UK.
The Assistant Head of the General Authority for Ports and Customs, Khaled al-Barad, led a government delegation to inspect the al-Yaroubiya border crossing from Hasakeh into Iraq’s Kurdistan Region on March 31. An assessment was made on ongoing work undertaken by the government’s Directorate of Facilities and Maintenance, including rehabilitation of service facilities, improving the readiness of internal roads and passenger halls, as well as enhancing the efficiency of technical and logistical equipment.
Minister of Health Musab al-Ali hosted a meeting with David Miliband, President and CEO of the International Rescue Committee (IRC) on March 31 to discuss proposals to increase cooperation in supporting Syria’s health sector.
The Head of the Damascus Chamber of Industry, Mohammed Ayman al-Mawlawi, participated in a meeting with Jordan’s Ambassador to Syria Sufyan al-Qudah on March 31 to discuss final preparations for launching the “Syriex” exhibition — an event organized jointly with Aleppo’s Chamber of Industry to take place in Amman, Jordan to showcase Syrian industrial companies specializing in the apparel, textile, food, engineering, and chemical sectors.
April 1:
The Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and former Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo visited Damascus on April 1 and toured the destruction in Jobar alongside Syria’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ibrahim Olabi and Minister of Emergency and Disaster Response, Raed al-Saleh.
Later that day, the UNDP delegation visited the wastewater treatment plant in Zabidin in Rif Dimashq, which had been inaugurated following UNDP work in late-2025.
Later that day, the UNDP delegation was joined by Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief, Tom Fletcher, to participate in a working first-of-its-kind roundtable with a Syrian government delegation, including Ministers of Finance (Mohammed Barniyeh), Social Affairs and Labor (Hind Kabawat), Local Administration and the Environment (Mohammed Anjarani), and the Governors of Idlib (Mohammed Abdulrahman) and Aleppo (Azzam al-Gharib). The meeting sought to ensure close coordination to support Syria’s 2026 national vision to facilitate the emptying of IDP camps whilst transitioning from relief work to recovery and sustainable development, rehabilitating infrastructure and providing dignified livelihoods for returnees.
Interior Minister Anas Khattab participated in a virtual meeting of Arab Interior Ministers on April 1, to discuss a series of issues, including “terrorism and transnational organized crime, with an emphasis on information-sharing and developing coordinated mechanisms to enhance regional stability.”
A senior delegation from the SDF’s female YPJ armed wing — led by Rohilat Afrin and Sozdar Haji — visited Damascus on April 1 for meetings at the Ministry of Defense regarding their demand to be integrated into the MOD.
Deputy Minister of Energy for Electricity Affairs, Omar Shakrour, visited Hasakeh on April 1 and met with Governor Nour al-Din Ahmed to discuss the governorate’s electricity sector and the process of integrating all local staff and engineers into the ministry and associated entities.
Minister of Communications and Information Technology Abdulsalam Haykal participated in a working roundtable with Syria and Jordan’s Postal organizations, to discuss cooperation, exchanging expertise, and developing capacity building.
Minister of Higher Education Marwan al-Halabi presided over the signing of a 3-year cooperation agreement between the Ministry and Syrian-European Economic Council.
Later that day, Minister al-Halabi also hosted a meeting with Enshrah Ahmed, the Country Representative of the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) to discuss ongoing UN support for reproductive health programs, family planning, and prenatal care, along with a proposal to establish a national center for autism in Syria.
Minister of Education Mohammed Turko hosted a meeting with David Miliband, President and CEO of the International Rescue Committee (IRC) on April 1, during which they discussed ongoing cooperation and discussed proposals to enhance work aimed at recovering “learning loss” following 14 years of conflict.
Minister Public Works and Housing Mustafa Abdulrazzaq hosted a meeting with Assistant Secretary General and UNDP Regional Director, Abdallah Al Dardari, on April 1 to discuss proposals to enhance joint cooperation and plans to hold joint technical meetings for planning purposes.
Minister of Administrative Development Mohammad al-Skaf hosted a meeting with the EU’s Charge d’Affairs to Syria, Michael Ohnmacht, on April 1 to discuss potential EU support for public sector development, digital transformation in administration, and capacity building with the goal of enhancing institutional performance across Syria’s public sector.
Syria’s Local Production and Exports Support and Development Authority held a ceremony on April 1 to mark the launch of the newly digitized and electronic national export registry.
April 2:
President Ahmed al-Sharaa hosted a meeting with UN Under Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs, Tom Fletcher, and Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and former Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo on April 2 to discuss coordinated UN assistance to Syria’s recovery efforts.
Later that day, President al-Sharaa hosted a visit by U.S. Congressman Corey Mills, during which they discussed Syria’s transition as well as ongoing regional conflict.
The Director of Syria’s General Authority for Ports and Customs, Qutaiba Badawi, visited the al-Tanf crossing with Iraq on April 2 and met with his Iraqi counterpart, General Adnan al-Waleed, to inaugurate the newly re-opened crossing — inactive for the past 11 years — and to support the activation of commercial transit and trade across it.
Energy Minister Mohammed al-Bashir spoke by phone with his Iraqi counterpart, Hayan Abdul Ghani on April 2 to discuss the initiation of oil exports through Syria and the possibility of Iraqi gas supplies being sold to Syria for domestic use. The two ministers also discussed ongoing rehabilitation work on the Kirkuk-Baniyas pipeline, which will provide a more efficient method of oil transit than trucking.
The Foreign Ministry’s Director of International Cooperation, Qutaiba Qadesh, presided over the ‘Priorities for Recovery in Syria and the Humanitarian Needs Response Plan for 2026’ conference in Damascus on April 2, with UN Under Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs, Tom Fletcher, and Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and former Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo both participating.
During the event, the UN’s announced recovery priorities were oriented around 4 key areas: restoring vital infrastructure; resuming essential services; strengthening socio-economic resilience; and rebuilding public institutions, alongside mine clearance and explosive ordnance removal. Qutaiba Qadesh praised the UN’s response plan and pledged to “work, consult and coordinate” with UN entities, “while fully respecting the country’s sovereignty, unity, territorial integrity, and independence.”
The Presidential Advisor on Media Affairs, Ahmed Zaidan, paid a visit to Orthodox Patriarch John X Yazigi at this residence in Damascus on April 2, during which they discussed the recent security incident in Suqaylabiya and the importance of civil peace.
The President of Syria’s General Authority of Civil Aviation Omar al-Hosari hosted a meeting with the Hungarian Charge d’Affairs István Gyula Szucs on April 2 to discuss further cooperation in commercial aviation.
The Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor convened a conference in Damascus on April 2 to mark National Autism Awareness Day, with participation by Ministers of Education (Mohammed Turko), Health (Musab al-Ali) Higher Education (Marwan al-Halabi), Finance (Mohammed Barniyeh) and Culture (Mohammed Yassin Saleh), as well as the Governor of Damascus (Maher Marwan).
The Foreign Ministry’s Director of the Africa-Asia and Oceania Department, Ashad al-Salibi, hosted consecutive meetings with the Charge d’Affairs of the Philippines, Jan Reyes and the Indian Ambassador, Renu Yadav on April 2.
Governor to Suwayda Mustafa Bakkour hosted a meeting with French Charge d’Affairs to Syria, Jean-Francois Faivre on April 2.
Syrian Charge d’Affairs to Lebanon Eyad Hazza met with the Commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces General Rudolf Helou in Beirut on April 2 to discuss shared security priorities and the need to coordinate border security.
April 3:
The Head of Syria’s Planning and Statistics Authority, Anas Salim, hosted a meeting with UN Assistant Secretary General and Regional Director of the UNDP, Abdullah Dardari, on April 3 to discuss developing a joint action plan to coordinate activities in 2026.
The Head of Syria’s National Committee for Transitional Justice, Abdulbasit al-Latif, hosted a meeting with a delegation from the UN’s technical team specializing in the issue of housing, land and property rights (HLP) to discuss proposed joint cooperation within Syria’s transitional justice process.
Governor of Rif Dimashq Amer al-Sheikh traveled to Konya, Turkey on April 3 to conduct an official visit alongside its Governor, Ibrahim Akin, and to assess the city’s urban management, municipal services, and infrastructure.
April 4:
Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaybani traveled to Amman, Jordan on April 4 and met with his Jordanian counterpart, Ayman al-Safadi, to discuss a range of bilateral shared issues of interest and priority.
In a subsequent public comment, Minister Shaybani said that:
“Syrian-Jordanian relations are progressing along a uniquely upward trajectory across all fields, where we aspire for them to serve as a successful example for two neighboring countries bound together by ties of mutual respect, shared cooperation, and deep popular bonds.”
The head of the Presidential follow-up team for the SDF’s integration into the state, Brigadier General Ziyad al-Ayyash, met with SDF leader Mazloum Abdi in Hasakeh city on April 4 to discuss the ongoing integration process — including the detainee file; the planned handover of SDF prisons to state authorities; the return of displaced Kurds and Arabs to their places of origin; and regulating the behavior of the SDF-linked ‘Revolutionary Youth,’ which had been blamed for a series of unsanctioned arrests of Arab men.
Minister of Administrative Development, Mohammed al-Skaf, hosted a meeting with EU Charge d’Affairs Michael Ohnmacht on April 4 to discuss ongoing capacity building work aimed at improving service provision across Syria.
Minister of Emergency and Disaster Response Raed al-Saleh led a government delegation — including Presidential Advisor Ahmed Zaidan, Governor of Idlib Mohammed Abdulrahman and Permanent Representative to the UN Ibrahim Olabi — to the town of Khan Sheikhoun in Idlib on April 4 to participate in a ceremony marking the 9th anniversary of the Sarin gas attack on the town by Assad’s regime.
Later that day, Minister of Emergency and Disaster Response Raed al-Saleh visited the IDP camp in Kafr Yamoul in Idlib on April 4 to discuss work being coordinated by government authorities to prepare conditions for a safe and dignified return of displaced people to their places of origin. During his visit, a meeting was convened that involved leaders and notables from more than 40 surrounding IDP camps, to discuss needs and priorities — particularly basic infrastructure such as water, schools, health centers, and bakeries, as well as predictable and uninterrupted services and employment opportunities.
A Syrian delegation headed by Head of the General Federation of Trade Unions, Fawaz al-Ahmad, traveled to Cairo, Egypt on April 6 and participated in the 104th Session of the Board of Directors of the Arab Labour Organization (ALO) to deliberate over the ALO’s draft plan and budget for the 2027–2028 biennium.
April 5:
President Ahmed al-Sharaa spoke by phone with UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nayhan on April 5, in the wake of a protest in Damascus that had resulted in a riot outside the UAE Embassy and incidents of reported vandalism. According to a public readout, the call focused on the Syria-UAE bilateral relationship and the “keenness to strengthen and develop” relations, especially amid regional conflict and Iranian aggression.
Later that day, President Ahmed al-Sharaa hosted a visit by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to Damascus on April 5, during which a bilateral Syrian-Ukrainian meeting was held involving foreign affairs, military and intelligence leaders.
Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaybani hosted a visit by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan to Damascus on April 5, during which they held a meeting to discuss enhancing bilateral cooperation.
During the same visit, Minister Shaybani hosted a trilateral meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha to discuss shared interests and opportunities for new cooperation and coordination. In later comments, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Sybiha said an agreement had been reached to re-open the each of their embassies in Damascus and Kyiv “soon”.
Governor of Hasakeh Nour al-Din Ahmed hosted a large meeting with government officials and other provincial directors of integration committees on April 5, to discuss the implementation of President al-Sharaa’s Decree 13, which provided Syria’s Kurdish community with a wide range of citizen rights. The meeting concluded with an agreement on the need to “simplify procedures for citizens and reduce the time” required for approval of citizenship applications, to ensure the “naturalization process is completed with flexibility and high efficiency.”
The head of the Presidential follow-up team for the SDF integration, Brigadier General Ziyad al-Ayyash, met with the UNHCR regional representative in al-Shadadi, Oliver Smith, on April 5 to discuss the displaced issue and coordination to ensure that displaced people can return to their places of origin.
Minister of Emergency and Disaster Response Raed al-Saleh and Governor of Idlib Mohammed Abdulrahman convened a meeting with civil society figures and notables from across Idlib on April 5 to discuss the government’s “Syria Without Camps” plan for 2026-2027 and the need to shape a “participatory action plan aimed at gradually closing the camps, while ensuring the rights of the displaced and securing a safe and dignified transition for them.”
Governor to Suwayda Mustafa Bakkour hosted a meeting with a delegation from UNHCR on April 5 to discuss joint cooperation in relief efforts.
April 6:
President Ahmed al-Sharaa spoke by phone with French President Emmanuel Macron on April 6.
Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaybani spoke by phone with Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam on April 6, to discuss ongoing regional conflict and the importance of their bilateral relationship.
Minister of Economy and Industry Nidal al-Shaar, Central Bank Governor Abdulkader Husriyeh and Director of the Syrian Development Fund Safwat Raslan traveled to Istanbul, Turkey on April 6 to participate in the first inaugural meeting of the Syrian-Turkish Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO).
The Foreign Ministry’s Director of External Affairs, Yousef al-Hajjar, and Director of Arab Affairs, Mohammed Taha al-Ahmed, visited the UAE Embassy in Damascus on April 6 and met with Ambassador Hamad Rashid bin Alwan al-Habsi. The meeting took place 3 days after a group of pro-Palestinian protesters attempted to riot and caused vandalism at the embassy.
A delegation from the Ministry of Agriculture traveled to Dammam, Saudi Arabia on April 6 and visited the headquarters of Klybeck Life Sciences, a company specializing in manufacturing veterinary medicines, vaccines, and animal production supplies.
Minister of Emergency and Disaster Response Raed al-Saleh hosted a meeting with Spain’s Charge d’Affairs Javier Puga Llopis on April 6, to discuss leveraging Spain’s expertise in early warning systems, response coordination, resource management, protecting historic cities and water rescue operations.
April 7:
Minister of Economy and Industry Nidal al-Shaar led a Syrian economic and financial delegation in a meeting with Turkey’s Minister of Trade Omar Bulat on April 7 in Istanbul, Turkey.
Later that day, Syria’s economic and financial delegation - comprising Minister of Economy and Industry Nidal al-Shaar, Governor of the Central Bank Abdulkader Husriyeh, Syrian Development Fund director Safwat Raslan, and Head of the General Authority for Civil Aviation and Air Transport, Omar al-Hosari - participated in the inaugural Syrian-Turkish Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO). At the conclusion of the meeting, a bilateral economic and trade cooperation agreement was signed.
The Foreign Ministry hosted a workshop bringing together the UN’s Syria country teams along with donor states to discuss the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) and strategic plans for sustainable development programming in Syria between 2027-2030.
Minister of Social Affairs and Labor, Hind Kabawat, traveled to Deir ez Zour on April 7 and met with Governor Ghassan al-Sayyed Ahmed.
Appointments:
Safwan Balan was appointed as Director of Education for Suwayda governorate by the Ministry of Education on April 2, replacing Layla Fadlallah.
On April 6, Balan was kidnapped by Druze National Guard militiamen during an attack on the Education Directorate. Hours later, he publicly stepped down from the role, stating: “In compliance with the decision of Hikmat al-Hijri... I hereby apologize for my appointment.”
The Foreign Ministry appointed 14 staff into diplomatic posts at missions around the world on April 2, as follows:
Abdullatif Dabbagh: Ambassador, Brussels, Belgium
Hussein Sabbagh: Ambassador, Rome, Italy
Lamiya al-Hariri: Ambassador, Athens, Greece
Lama Ahmed: Minister Plenipotentiary, Ankara, Turkey
Emad al-Ahmar: Minister Plenipotentiary, Cairo, Egypt
Bassel Niyazi: Minister Plenipotentiary, Beirut, Lebanon
Khaled Saeed al-Ayubi, Minister Plenipotentiary, Muscat, Oman
Mohammed Rashid Yahya, Advisor, Berlin, Germany
Fadel al-Rifai, Advisor, Bucharest, Romania
Maher al-Jamaz, Advisor, Kuwait
Ahmed Shbayb, Advisor, Dubai, UAE
Mohammed Ayham al-Ghazi, Advisor, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Emad al-Saqa, Advisor, Sofia, Bulgaria
The Board of Directors of the Syrian-Chinese Business Council were announced during a meeting at the Syrian Embassy in Beijing on April 6, with Chairman Fadi al-Ahmed al-Mohammed confirming the appointment of Laith al-Rakabi as Executive Director and Anas Said as heading up the council’s International Relations Committee.
Kurdish woman Almaz Rumi was reportedly appointed Mayor of Kobani on April 6.
Following a consultative process with local notables, the Governor to Suwayda Mustafa Bakkour reportedly appointed Benjamin Nasr as the mayor of Rassas; and Samer Azzi as mayor of Suwayda city.
Hours later, National Guard militiamen reportedly triggered a gunfight with rival gunmen in Rassas, as a result of the National Guard’s refusal to acknowledge Nasr’s new authority.
Political Developments:
The MOI announced officially on April 1 that beginning on Monday April 6, Kurds across the country could begin submitting applications for Syrian citizenship, for the first time in Syria’s history. Applicant centers would be in Damascus, Raqqa, Hasakeh, Deir ez Zour and Aleppo.
In public comments on April 3, the spokesman for the Presidential team following up on the SDF integration, Ahmed al-Hilali, confirmed that a convoy of buses would transport 200 displaced Kurdish families from Qamishli to Afrin the following day. Hilali added that discussions continued regarding another batch of prisoner releases by both the government and SDF, while government MOI authorities would soon take over control of prison management in Hasakeh.
In a televised interview later that day, Hilali also said that a review would soon begin of judges who had previously been active within SDF authorities, with the intention of integrating their activities within the Justice Ministry. Hilali added that SDF “civil institutions” were “suffering from severe delays in the integration process,” unlike the military and security institutions, which he described as smoothly integrating into the state. On security issues, Hilali confirmed that joint MOI-Asayish checkpoints would eventually be dissolved, but while they continue to exist, the Asayish personnel are forbidden from conducting arrests.
Governor to Suwayda Mustafa Bakkour issued a public statement on April 3 in response to protests in Druze National Guard-controlled areas of Suwayda against high bread prices and insufficient flour supplies:
Some ask why flour is not entering Suwayda, and the answer is clear for those who want the truth:
We have done our duty and informed the director of the bakeries branch of the need to officially request flour from the ministry, but he did not respond.
The equation is obvious: relief flour was entering for free, yet a loaf of bread was sold for 5,000 lira. If the flour had come from Damascus, the price of the loaf would have been the same, but the difference is that the relief flour was being looted for the benefit of the influential, while the flour coming from Damascus could not be manipulated.
What is happening in the fuel sector is similar: fuel enters at the official price, then each station is allocated 2000 liters, which are sold on the black market at exorbitant prices.
These are not secrets, but facts known to all the people of the governorate.
It’s unfortunate that those who demand their rights are accused of treason and have their dignity violated, as if dignity had become a commodity for those who exploit people’s needs.
Let those who accuse and betray people look at themselves: what have they gained? And how much money have they amassed?
But people today are more aware, and everything has been exposed.
History is merciless, and the day will come when every hand that reached out to people’s livelihood and dignity will be held accountable.
Syrian government authorities formally raised the national flag in the center of Kobani in Aleppo on April 5, amid continuing progress in the SDF integration process.
Kurdish residents across Syria began the formal process of applying for Syrian citizenship on April 6, with application centers opened across Hasakeh (in Hasakeh city, Qamishli, al-Darbasiyah, al-Malikiyah and al-Jawadiyah) as well as in Aleppo, Damascus, Raqqa and Deir ez Zour. The applicant process will be open for 30 days.
The spokesman for Syria’s Supreme Committee for People's Assembly Elections, Nawar Najmeh, gave an interview with Syria Television on April 6, during which he said:
Consultations and planning was underway to hold elections in Hasakeh;
The government sought to hold elections in Suwayda, but the security situation precludes that, for now;
No date has yet been set to convene the first session of the parliament;
President al-Sharaa will likely name his 70 parliamentarians once elections are completed in Hasakeh, so as to “fill gaps in the level of women and minority components.”
Druze religious figure Hikmat al-Hijri announced on April 7 that the “Legal Committee” established to run political administration in Suwayda in August 2025 has been dissolved and its previous de facto leader, Shadi Murshid, had been tasked with forming the “Administrative Council of Mount Bashan” in its place.
Economic Developments:
A specialized Syrian livestock transport cargo ship departed Baniyas Port on March 31 to undertake work, following a 6-month conversion of the ship from its former purpose as a commercial cargo ship.
A cargo ship — the NEW UNITY — carrying metal sheeting docked into the Latakia Port on March 31.
Syria’s Commercial Bank signed an agreement with the Al-Fouad Company to enable electronic payment users to conduct electronic transactions at all Commercial Bank branches across Syria, to facilitate salary and pension withdrawals, as well as deposits via card services.
For the first time, Iraqi oil tankers crossed into Syria via the al-Tanf-al-Waleed crossing on April 1 to deliver fuel to the Baniyas oil refinery in Tartus. The Syrian Petroleum Company (SPC) confirmed that a total of 299 tankers crossed into Syria that day, with its staff at Baniyas preparing to coordinate the offloading of fuel materials. The SPC described the new bilateral process as evidence of “Syria’s unique strategic location as a major and vital gateway to the Mediterranean Sea.”
The Director General of the Iraqi Oil Marketing Company (SOMO), Ali Nizar al-Shatri, announced on April 2 that a contract had been signed with the Syrian Petroleum Company to transport 50,000 barrels of crude oil from Basra to Baniyas for export to European markets via the Mediterranean. The oil product will cross via the al-Tanf/al-Waleed crossing.
In public comments on April 3, the Syrian Chambers of Industry said that protection fees imposed by Jordan were now “unprecedentedly high” and talks had begun to review their decision, with continued implementation postponed for a period of 10 days.
The LNG tanker “GAS HELENA” arrived into the Baniyas sea terminal delivering 2,030 metric tons of gas to the Syrian market on April 5.
Syria’s General Authority of Ports and Customs confirmed on April 5 that a cargo container ship from Jordan’s Port of Aqaba had arrived into Latakia Port earlier that day — the first such delivery and transit from Jordan.
The Syrian Petroleum Company (SPC) confirmed on April 5 that a formal contract had been signed with Saudi ADES Holding to begin developing gas fields in central Syria, with an anticipated production increase of 50% within 12 months.
President Ahmed al-Sharaa established the Syrian Mining Company (SMC) on April 6, with an institutional affiliation with the Ministry of Energy but “independent legal personality and financial and administrative independence.” The SMC replaces the former General Company for Phosphates and Mines and all “directorates, factories and production and commercial units linked to the General Establishment for Geology and Mineral Resources with responsibility for “all matters related to investment, production, and operations.”
President Ahmed al-Sharaa established the Syrian Electricity Company (SEC) on April 6, which will report to the Minister of Energy but be a public holding company “fully owned by the state” but with “independent legal personality and financial and administrative independence.” The SEC replaces the former General Establishment for Power Generation and all of its subsidiaries, as well as the General Establishment for Transmission and Distribution of Electricity. According to the decree, the SEC will be “responsible for proposing strategies and plans for the development and investment of the sector’s resources, preparing and signing contracts related to development and marketing activities, participating in the establishment and management of subsidiary or joint companies, managing assets, facilities, equipment, and infrastructure related to the electricity sector, and developing national capabilities and human resources, while adhering to sustainability and green transition policies.”
President Ahmed al-Sharaa established the Public Institution for Drinking Water and Sanitation on April 6, with an institutional affiliation with the Ministry of Energy but “independent legal personality and financial and administrative independence.” According to the decree, “a public company for drinking water and sewage will be established in each governorate, affiliated with the general institution.”
Syria’s Tourism Ministry announced on April 6 that it had terminated the contract with Saudi contractor Le Park Concord to redevelop the Seven Gates Hotel in Damascus as a result of the company’s “violation of most of the contractual clauses.”
Minister of Finance Mohammed Barniyeh published a summary of 2025 financial performance and general budget spending, which stated:
Total 2025 spending: SYP 379.2 billion (~$3.45 billion), representing a 45.7% increase from 2024.
Spending on public sector salaries accounted for 41% of government expenditure.
Total 2025 government public revenues: SYP 384.2 billion (~$3.49 billion), representing a 120.2% increase from 2024.
Customs duties accounted for 39% of government revenues.
A 2025 government budget surplus was achieved amounting to SYP 5 billion (~$46 million), representing the first surplus for Syria since 1990.
Syrian GDP in 2025 amounted to SYP 30.6 billion.
Syria’s 2026 budget is estimated to be $10.52 billion, amounting to more than 3 times the 2025 amount, while public revenues are anticipated to reach $8.72 billion, 28% coming from the energy sector.
The Ministry of Tourism and Syrian Investment Authority (SIA) announced the launch of the Beaumont Damascus project on April 7 — an integrated 77,000 square meter residential, commercial, and entertainment development on the Barada River, comprising two main towers (one residential, one a hotel), along with a commercial center and offices, and a new building for the Ministry of Tourism. The project’s contractor was Izdinar Holdings.
Infrastructure Developments:
For the first time in 9 years, state electricity supply was returned to the al-Hamadiyah and al-Khusrat districts of Deir ez Zour on March 31.
The Director General of the Syrian Grain Corporation, Hassan al-Othman, announced on April 1 that intensive work was underway to “prepare a storage capacity of over one million tons of wheat” in preparation for the upcoming harvest and state purchase season.
Syria’s al-Tanf border crossing with Iraq was formally opened on April 1, with MOI personnel deploying to assume control and coordinate security.
Deputy Minister of Economy and Industry, Khalil Hassan, and Governor of Tartus Ahmed al-Shami inaugurated the newly rehabilitated automated bakery in Baniyas on April 3, which is now capable of producing 14 tons of bread per day.
Local authorities inaugurated a newly constructed 3 MW solar power station in the village of Taybat al-Turki eastern rural Hama on April 4, whose generated power will contribute towards the local electricity grid.
Engineers affiliated with the Energy Ministry began transporting a mobile power station unit to the Alouk Water Station in Hasakeh on April 6 in order to improve the power supply and increase water pumping and distribution.
The Director of Syria’s Civil Defense, Mounir Mustafa, inaugurated the newly established Civil Defense Center in Jaramana in Rif Dimashq on April 6.
District administrator for al-Safira, Aleppo, Barakat Yousef, inaugurated the newly rehabilitated automated bakery in the town on April 6, following extensive work undertaken by the WFP.
Education Developments:
The Ministry of Higher Education announced on March 31 that the Indian government was offering two sets of scholarship opportunities for Syrian students for the 2026-2027 Fall academic semester — one within the Lata Mangeshkar Dance and Music Programme to study Indian performing arts (music, yoga, and dance) and one under the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Public Scholarship Programme (ABVGSS) for undergraduate, postgraduate, and PhD studies. The deadline for application was set at April 15
Security Developments:
Government authorities were confirmed on April 3 to have dismissed the man who had been appointed to run operations at the al-Omar oil field in Deir ez Zour — known as Abu Aysha — along with his team following allegations they had been stealing equipment to sell for profit on the black market.
UNICEF issued a statement on April 4 claiming that 698 people had been killed and 1,193 others injured in unexploded ordnance (UXO) incidents since December 2024. It added that 30% of the dead and 40% of the injured were children.
Government authorities - including officials from the Presidential follow-up team as well as the Ministries of Social Affairs and Labor, Emergency and Disaster Response, and the Syrian Civil Defense - coordinated the return of 200 Kurdish families from Qamishli to Afrin on April 4.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) issued an evacuation order covering the Jdeidat Yabous border crossing between Syria and Lebanon on April 4, claiming it was being used by Hezbollah for the smuggling of weapons. The public warning triggered panic and a public statement by Syria’s General Authority of Ports and Customs insisting that the facility “is exclusively designated for civilian passage and is not used for any military purposes… There are no armed groups or militias present… Passage through the crossing will be temporarily suspended until any potential risks are eliminated.”
No IDF strikes followed, and on April 5, Israeli media reported that a U.S. government request had been issued for no strikes in the area.
The MOI issued a public statement on April 5 regarding the brief riot and acts of vandalism and violence that took place outside the UAE Embassy in Damascus on April 3, stating:
“The Ministry of Interior considers peaceful demonstration a legitimate right, guaranteed by law as a form of expressing opinion, provided it adheres to legal frameworks and remains peaceful.
From this standpoint, the attack on the UAE Embassy in Damascus during the protests is a reprehensible and unacceptable act, constituting a clear violation of national laws.
The Ministry clarifies that such actions will be met with strict legal measures. Internal security units have begun reinforcing security measures around diplomatic missions and increasing their protection to ensure their safety and prevent the recurrence of such incidents.
The Ministry has also initiated the necessary investigations and is pursuing those involved in the attack on the embassy and the security personnel assigned to protect it. Legal proceedings against them are being pursued in accordance with due process.
The Ministry urges citizens to abide by the law and act responsibly, in order to preserve public security, the dignity of citizens, and the sovereignty of the country.”
The Syrian MOD issued a public document on April 4 summarizing its campaign to tackle unexploded ordnance (UXO), claiming to have “dismantled and destroyed” more than 110,000 landmines and other UXO since January 1, 2026. Efforts to do so had claimed 9 deaths and 66 injuries, it added.
Humanitarian Developments:
Local NGOs and the Qatar Red Crescent distributed heating oil to 455 displaced families originally from Suwayda and now residing in the town of al-Mal in western Suwayda on April 1.
Local NGOs and the Qatar Red Crescent distributed heating oil to 455 displaced families originally from Suwayda and now residing in the town of Sama al-Haynat in western Suwayda on April 1.
In public comments on April 4, Assistant Minister of Emergency and Disaster Response, Ahmed Qaziz Lasanah, said that the government sought to end the use of IDP tents by the end of 2026 and reach “sustainable solutions” to IDP camps by the end of 2027.
Media in Suwayda reported on April 5 that a “bread crisis” had developed “amid declining deliveries and the halt of several public bakeries' production”, which it said had resulted in price hikes by private bakeries from SYP 5,000 per bundle to SYP 14,000. Reporting added that while WFP-delivered flour supplies had ended, “large quantities of bread” had begun arriving via the Damascus highway, with 50,000 bundles of bread delivered on April 4 in “an attempt to break local monopolies and ease market pressure.”
Local NGOs and the Qatar Red Crescent distributed 35,150 liters of heating oil to 251 displaced families originally from Suwayda and now residing in the town of Izraa in Daraa on April 6.
Justice Developments:
The fourth session of the public trial of 14 individuals accused of committing crimes amid violence on Syria’s Coast in March 2025 was held at the Aleppo Justice Palace on April 2, with the defense arguments being heard by the court.
International Developments:
Turkey’s Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, Abdulkadir Uraloglu, confirmed on April 4 that his government planned to link its railway system with Syria’s — both via Aleppo and Qamishli — and that the assessed cost was approximately $110 million.
Israeli media reported on April 5 that the U.S. government had requested Israel not conduct any airstrikes on or in the vicinity of the Jdeidat al-Yabous border crossing between Syria and Lebanon — following a public warning issued by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) of a planned strikes to counter Hezbollah weapons smuggling. The U.S. request reportedly demanded that Syrian government authorities be left the responsibility of securing the border and countering smuggling activities.
U.S. Special Envoy to Syria Thomas Barrack met with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on April 6, shortly after Fidan’s arrival back in Ankara following a trilateral meeting between Syria, Turkey and Ukraine.
CONFLICT & SECURITY:
Israel:
Israeli military forces launched a ground incursion towards the village of al-Naba al-Fawar in northern Quneitra on March 31.
Late on March 31, Israeli military forces launched a ground incursion towards the village of al-Rufayd while launching flares into the sky.
Israeli military forces opened fire towards a team of Syria TV personnel operating near the village of al-Samdaniya al-Gharbiya in Quneitra on April 1, shortly after the crash of debris from an intercepted Iranian suicide drone in the area.
Israeli military forces launched a ground incursion into al-Samdaniya al-Sharqiya in Quneitra on April 1.
Later that day, additional incursions were launched into Quneitra — one into the village of al-Isbah; and another into Khan Arnabeh.
Israeli military forces fired at least two artillery shells into fields outside the village of Abidin in Daraa’s Yarmouk Basin on April 2.
Israeli military forces opened fire with heavy machine guns in the direction of sheep herders walking in fields in rural southern Quneitra on April 2.
Israeli military forces launched a ground incursion into the outskirts of the village of Umm al-Azam in central Quneitra on April 2.
Israeli military forces launched a ground incursion into the village of Sayda al-Hanout in southern Quneitra on April 3.
Later that day, Israeli military forces launched another ground incursion towards the village of Briqa in central Quneitra on April 3, while closing down all roads leading to the area.
One man, identified as Osama Fahd al-Nuaymi, was killed when an Israeli tank fired a single shell at his vehicle near the village of al-Rufayd in southern Quneitra on April 3.
One teenage boy was detained by Israeli military during a ground incursion into the village of Ruwayhina in central Quneitra on April 4.
That day, another incursion was launched into an area located between the villages of Jubata al-Khashab and Taranja in northern Quneitra.
Israeli military forces launched a ground incursion into the village of al-Hurriyah in Quneitra on April 5, where several residential homes were raided and searched.
That day, another incursion was launched into an area located near the village of Jamla in western Daraa’s Yarmouk Basin.
Israeli military forces launched a ground incursion into the village of Jubata al-Khashab in northern Quneitra in the early hours of April 6, during which several residential homes were raided.
Later that day, additional incursions were launched into Quneitra — one towards the al-Mantara Dam in central Quneitra; and another into an area located between the villages of Ruwayhina and Zubayda.
Israeli military forces fired one artillery shell into agricultural lands near Tel Ahmar al-Sharqi in Quneitra on April 6.
Two local men were detained by Israeli military forces during a ground incursion into the Kafr Kudna area of Quneitra in the early hours of April 7.
ISIS:
One oil facility security guard was shot dead by ISIS militants in a targeted attack near al-Shafa in eastern Deir ez Zour on April 6.
Idlib:
Three people were killed and two others were injured when they triggered an unexploded landmine in the remains of a destroyed school in Hbit in southern Idlib on April 3.
Two MOD soldiers were killed and several others injured when a pick-up truck carrying unexploded landmines unexpectedly detonated near the village of al-Habit on April 4.
One man was kidnapped by suspected anti-government gunmen near Jisr al-Shughour on April 4.
His executed body was found in Qardaha, Latakia on April 6.
Aleppo:
Two civilians were killed when their tractor triggered an unexploded landmine near the village of al-Hamada close to the Tishreen Dam on March 31.
Former Assad regime Military Intelligence officer Mahmoud Ibrahim Khodr was detained by MOI forces in a targeted raid in Aleppo on April 1. Investigations revealed his role in Military Security Branch in Aleppo in 2013, as well as Military Intelligence checkpoints in Hama.
Five children were injured after triggering an unexploded munition in the al-Zahraa district of Aleppo city late on April 3.
One woman was injured after triggering an unexploded landmine in the village of al-Qashla near the Tishreen Dam on April 5.
Latakia:
One anti-government insurgent threw a grenade at a local MOI Public Security checkpoint in Qardaha on March 31, but no casualties were caused and the perpetrator was detained.
Two anti-government insurgents were captured and a large arms cache - containing RPGs, rifles, and ammunition - was seized from their possession during a targeted MOI raid in Latakia on April 2.
Hama:
Two men were shot dead by unidentified gunmen in a targeted attack on the main road between Masyaf and Hama city on April 3.
Homs:
A commander within the MOD’s 52nd Division survived an assassination attempt by suspected anti-government insurgents outside al-Qusayr on April 2.
Four former Assad regime operatives were detained by MOI Public Security forces in al-Sukhna on April 3 following a series of complaints filed by local citizens.
MOI counter-narcotics forces intercepted a shipment of approximately 330,000 captagon pills and detained 5 traffickers in a targeted operation near Shinshar on April 5. The drugs had arrived from neighboring Lebanon.
MOI counternarcotics forces seized control of an organized crime compound used to coordinate the smuggling of drugs in the town of Telkhalakh on April 6. Several drug traffickers were detained and a quantity of captagon and crystal meth seized.
The executed body of one Alawite man was discovered in Homs city on April 6.
An Alawite man, his wife and 2 daughters were shot and injured in a targeted attack by two unidentified gunmen on a motorbike in the al-Muhajireen district of Homs city late on April 6.
Raqqa:
Two government soldiers were injured when an unexploded landmine they were working to make safe detonated near Ayn Issa on March 31.
One man was shot dead in a targeted attack in the village of al-Barouda outside al-Mansoura in western Raqqa on April 2.
Two children were killed after triggering an unexploded landmine near the village of Mashirfah on April 6.
Hasakeh:
U.S. military forces in the Qasrak base intercepted at least 5 Iranian proxy suicide drones launched towards the facility late on March 31. One crashed into the nearby village of al-Thayiba.
U.S. military forces in the Qasrak base intercepted at least 5 Iranian proxy suicide drones launched towards the facility on April 1.
Six people were killed and 9 others were injured when debris from an intercepted Iranian suicide drone that had been brought into storage as scrap metal detonated inside a building in the al-Ghazzal district of Hasakeh city on April 1.
U.S. military forces stationed in the Qasrak airbase in Hasakeh intercepted at least one Iranian suicide drones headed in their base direction late on April 3.
U.S. military forces stationed in the Qasrak airbase in Hasakeh intercepted one Iranian suicide drone headed in their base direction on April 4.
U.S. military forces stationed in the Qasrak airbase in Hasakeh intercepted one Iranian suicide drone headed in their base direction on April 5.
U.S. military forces stationed in the Qasrak airbase in Hasakeh intercepted two Iranian suicide drones headed in their base direction in the early hours of April 6.
Another Iranian suicide drone was intercepted near Hasakeh city late that night.
Deir ez Zour:
One local gunman opened fire on an oil tanker truck driving through the village of Jazra Milaj in western rural Deir ez Zour on April 1, causing damage but no casualties. The gunman was later captured and an investigation revealed his attack had been due to a financial dispute with the tanker owner.
Two civilians were severely injured after their vehicle drove over an unexploded landmine in the desert near al-Shamatiyah in western rural Deir ez Zour on April 5.
Rif Dimashq:
MOI forces intercepted a shipment of RPGs (all containing Farsi-language inscriptions) in rural Rif Dimashq late on April 2, before the shipment could reach the Lebanese border and its intended Hezbollah recipients.
One child was injured after triggering an unexploded landmine in the town of Madaya on April 4.
Damascus:
A group of protesters engaged in a demonstration against Israel and its recent introduction of the death penalty gathered outside the UAE Embassy in Damascus on April 3, during which a smaller group engaged in a brief riot and vandalized property while chanting “Zionist embassy.” MOI Public Security forces intervened and preventing the protesters from breaking into the embassy itself.
Two men — identified as M.S. and “Sh.A” — were detained by MOI Public Security forces in targeted raids in Damascus on April 5 and charged with involvement in rioting and vandalism outside the UAE Embassy on April 3. One of the men maintained social media profiles that celebrated Assad’s regime.
Daraa:
One man, identified as Qassim al-Adawi (Abu Wahib) was shot dead by unidentified gunmen in a targeted attack on the main road between Hirak and Izraa on March 31.
Debris from an intercepted Iranian suicide drone fell into western rural Daraa on April 2.
Unidentified gunmen conducted 3 consecutive grenade attacks in Daraa on April 4, targeting an electricity pylon; and two residential buikldings home in al-Naima.
Suwayda:
Druze militiamen engaged in a brief clash over control of gasoline in Suwayda city around the al-Anqoud roundabout late on March 31.
Jordanian armed forces intercepted a wave of 9 heavy-lift guided balloons carrying 1.5 million captagon pills after they were launched from Suwayda late on April 1.
Druze militiamen fired one RPG at a rival group of militiamen in the al-Muqwas district of Suwayda city on April 1, amid a clash over control of properties previously owned by Bedouin families who were displaced from the area in July 2025. No casualties were confirmed.
Rival Druze militiamen engaged in hours of clashes in the al-Haroubi district of Suwayda city on April 3, due to disagreements over the control of properties previously belonging to Bedouin families who are now displaced in Daraa.
Druze National Guard militiamen intercepted several buses carrying 53 Druze university students seeking to travel to Damascus for studies. All students were turned back and refused entry to government areas.
Druze National Guard militiamen loyal to Mohannad Mazhar stormed the Directorate of Education in Suwayda city on April 6 and kidnapped the newly appointed education director, Safwan Balan. Several employees were also assaulted during the attack.
Hours later, Balan issued a public post on social media stepping down from his role, stating: “In compliance with the decision of Hikmat al-Hijri... I hereby apologize for my appointment.”
Druze National Guard militiamen reportedly engaged local gunmen in a clash in the town of Rassas late on April 6, after opposing the appointment of Benjamin Nasr as the town’s mayor.
Quneitra:
Debris from an intercepted Iranian ballistic missile landed into the village of Sayda al-Hanout in southern Quneitra on April 5.
Debris from an intercepted Iranian suicide drone landed outside a bakery in the village of Khan Arnabeh late on April 5, causing minor damage.
