Syria Weekly: May 19-26, 2026

NE elections open path for parliament launch in June; SDF prisoners released; public sector salary increases; Sharaa resolves wheat price unrest; MOD participates in exercises w. NATO members; & more.

SYRIA’S TRANSITION:

• Transition Meetings

• Appointments

• Political Developments

• Economic Developments

• Infrastructure Developments

• Education Developments

• Security Developments

• Humanitarian Developments

• Health Developments

• Justice Developments

• International Developments

CONFLICT & SECURITY:

• Israel

• ISIS

• Idlib

• Aleppo

• Latakia

• Tartus

• Hama

• Homs

• Raqqa

• Hasakeh

• Deir ez Zour

• Rif Dimashq

• Damascus

• Daraa

• Suwayda

SYRIA’S TRANSITION:

Transition Meetings:

May 19:

• President Ahmed al-Sharaa hosted a visit by Turkish intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin on May 19, to discuss regional developments and bilateral ties. The meeting was also attended by Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaybani and General Intelligence Director Hussein Salama.

  

• The Deputy Commander of Internal Security in Hasakeh, Brigadier General Siamend Afrin, traveled to Jarablus, Aleppo on May 19 alongside the new Director of Kobani district, Ibrahim Muslim, in order to meet with Jarablus district director Yasser Ahmed and coordinate security and service provision.

• Governor to Suwayda Mustafa Bakkour hosted a meeting with UN Deputy Special Envoy Claudio Cordone on May 19, during which they discussed the ongoing challenge associated with examination season; facilitating the return of displaced people; and ongoing reconstruction and rehabilitation work.

  

• Governor of Aleppo Azzam al-Gharib hosted a meeting with UAE-based Syrian businessman Ahmed Abdulkader Sankari - the Chairman of the Al-Sankari Investment Group - on May 19 to discuss proposals to support the governorate’s health and education sectors.

• Minister of Culture Mohammed Yassin al-Saleh spoke on a panel at the Doha International Book Fair on May 19 entitled “Cultural Challenges in Syria after Liberation”.