Syria Weekly: June 24-July 1, 2025
Trump lifts more sanctions; World Bank issues 1st grant; Israel talks reach make/break moment; $1.5bn media city MOU; parliament election committee travels the country; & much more.
SYRIA’S TRANSITION:
Transition Meetings:
June 24:
President Ahmed al-Sharaa received a phone call from his Lebanese counterpart General Joseph Aoun on June 24, during which he shared Lebanon’s condolences for the June 22 suicide bombing at St Elias Church.
Later that day, President al-Sharaa also received a phone call from Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani in which he expressed his “categorical rejection of any form of aggression that threatens Syria’s security and safety, and that undermines the security and stability of the region.”
Idlib Governor Mohammed Abdulrahman hosted the Carlton Investment Conference in Idlib city on June 24, during which he announced that a $1.5 million project was planned to “create a fully integrated hotel that meets Idlib’s needs for hospitality, visiting delegations, investors and expatriates.”
Aleppo Governor Azzam al-Gharib hosted a visiting delegation from the Turkish Independent Industrialists and Businessmen Association (MUSIAD) on June 24, during which representatives from 15 Turkey-based companies specializing in construction discussed potential opportunities in Aleppo governorate.
Minister of Economy Nidal al-Shaar and Minister of Communications and Information Technology Abdulsalam Heikal met on June 25 to discuss ways to better coordinate efforts in digital transformation and economic management infrastructure – including through automation, databases, and AI.
The EU’s Charge d’Affairs to Syria Michael Ohnmacht met with Mohammed Jalkhi, the head of Syria’s National Commission for Missing Persons on June 24.
June 25:
President Ahmed al-Sharaa hosted a large delegation of notables from Quneitra and the Golan Heights at the People’s Palace on June 25, to discuss the situation regarding Israel and efforts that the government was undertaking to resolve “citizen’s concerns.”
Energy Minister Mohammed al-Bashir held a virtual video conference was Jordanian Energy Minister Saleh al-Kharabsheh and the Director General of the Qatar Fund for Development Fahad al-Sulaiti on June 25 in order to discuss plans to surge the supply of natural gas from Qatar via Jordan.
UK Special Envoy to Syria Ann Snow visited Damascus on June 25 and held a meeting with Justice Minister Mazhar al-Ways, during which they discussed judicial reform and transitional justice, as well as potential UK support for Syria’s justice reform efforts.
Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaybani hosted a meeting with Italy’s Charge d’Affairs to Syria Stefano Ravagnan in Damascus on June 25, during which they discussed potential cooperation in reconstruction.
The Supreme Committee for the People’s Assembly elections traveled to Aleppo on June 25 and held a large-scale meeting with local notables and civil society.
Daraa’s Governorate council hosted a “security meeting” on June 25 bringing together senior officials from the military, interior ministry and governor’s office to discuss a recent escalation in violent incidents across Daraa and ways to combat violence and de-escalate tensions.
Idlib Governor Mohammed Abdulrahman hosted a visiting delegation from the Turkish Independent Industrialists and Businessmen Association (MUSIAD) on June 25, during which representatives from 15 Turkey-based companies specializing in construction discussed potential opportunities in Aleppo governorate.
Minister of Culture Mohammed Yassin al-Saleh traveled to Paris, France on June 25 to participate in Arab meetings at the UNESCO headquarters.
June 26:
Jordanian King Abdullah made a phone call to Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa on June 26 to express congratulations on the new Hijri year.
The Syrian-Jordanian Joint Technical Committee for Land Transport held its inaugural meeting in Amman, Jordan on June 26 and discussed ways to better enhance cooperation in the field of land transport. An agreement was reached to reduce transit fees between Jordan and Syria from 5% to 2%.
Minister of Information Hamza al-Mustafa hosted a meeting with UK Special Envoy to Syria Ann Snow in Damascus on June 26, during which they discussed many issues, including the struggle to combat disinformation, as well as steps being taken to enhance the level of qualification and professionalism within Syria’s media sector.
The Supreme Committee for People's Assembly Elections traveled to Homs on June 26 and held a large meeting with civil society and other provincial notables.
Education Minister Mohammed Turko met with a visiting delegation from Germany’s GIZ development agency in Damascus on June 26 to discuss potential German support for vocational education in Syria.
Senior Syrian government electricity officials hosted a meeting on June 26 with a delegation from Turkey’s electricity company Levent Elektrik Imalat Sanayi Ve Ticaret A S in order to discuss their plan to move forward on a 400kV transnational power line project into Syria.
June 27:
Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaybani hosted a meeting with China’s Ambassador to Syria Shi Hongwei in Damascus on June 27, during which Hongwei expressed China’s interest in engaging in Syria’s reconstruction needs, as well as increased levels of trade.
Aleppo Governor Azzam al-Gharib hosted a meeting with the leaders of three of four Syrian Army divisions active in the governorate -- Brigadier General Awad al-Jassem, 60th Division; Brigadier General Saif Bulad, 76th Division; and Brigadier General Ahmed Rizq, 80th Division.
Minister of Agriculture Amjad Badr hosted a meeting with Brazil’s Charge d’Affairs Joao Zanibbi in Damascus on June 27, during which they discussed plans to increase investment and trade in livestock, meat exports and other agricultural and farming industry.
June 28:
Syria’s Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Abdulsalam Heikal, visited the UAE on June 28 and held meetings with companies working in digital infrastructure, internet and telecommunications.
The Supreme Committee for the People’s Assembly Elections traveled to Hama on June 28 and after meeting with Governor Abdulrahman al-Sahyan convened a large meeting with civil society and other notables.
Governor of Latakia Mohammed Othman -- alongside provincial Internal Security commander Brigadier General Abdul Aziz Hilal al-Ahmad, Director of Political Affairs Iyad Hazza and provincial administrator Ali Assi – met with the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Lattakia, led by Archbishop Athanasius Fahed, to express condolences for the June 22 suicide bombing at St Elias Church outside Damascus.
Later that day, Aleppo Governor Azzam al-Gharib hosted a visit from Energy Minister Mohammed al-Bashir to discuss investment prospects and infrastructure development in the governorate.
Governor of Daraa Anwar al-Zoubi accompanied a delegation from the World Food Programme to Busra al-Harir on June 28 to visit local service providers and assess their needs to improve living conditions in the area.
June 29:
President Ahmed al-Sharaa and Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaybani hosted a meeting with UN Special Envoy to Syria Geir Pedersen in Damascus on June 29.
Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaybani hosted a meeting with UK Special Envoy to Syria Ann Snow in Damascus on June 29.
Later that day, UK Special Envoy Snow met with Interior Minister Anas Khattab.
Deputy Interior Minister for Police Affairs, Major General Ahmed Latouf, visited SDF-held Hasakeh and Qamishli cities on June 29, in order to inspect schools and their ongoing examination process. U.S. military forces facilitated the trip and government ‘Protocol Forces’ accompanied Maj. Gen. Latouf.
Minister of Emergencies and Disaster Response Raed al-Saleh inaugurated the launch of Syria’s National Mine Action Center on June 29 and convened a working coordination meeting with representatives of NGOs and United Nations agencies to discuss the scope and trajectory of its work on dealing with Syria’s UXO challenge.
Minister of Transport Yaroub Badr hosted a meeting with a visiting delegation from French bridge construction company Matiere – led by CEO Philippe Matiere – in Damascus on June 29, during which they discussed plans to reconstruct or significantly repair 37 bridges nationwide.
The Supreme Committee for the People’s Assembly Elections traveled to Latakia on June 29, meeting with Governor Mohammed Othman and then convening a large meeting with civil society and other notables.
Later that day, the Supreme Committee for the People’s Assembly Elections traveled to Latakia and met with Governor Mohammed Othman.
Minister of Interior Anas Khattab hosted a joint working meeting with Minister of Tourism Mazen al-Salhani and Minister Communications and Information Technology Abdulsalam Heikal on June 29 to discuss “areas of mutual interest” and opportunities for enhanced coordination.
The Director General of Syria’s General Authority for Radio and Television, Alaa Barsilu, traveled to Tunsia on June 29 and participated in the 25th Arab States Broadcasting Union Festival.
Health Minister Musab al-Ali visited the Bab al-Hawa Hospital in Idlib on June 29, as it resumed full operations this week following new donor funds from Qatar.
June 30:
President Ahmed al-Sharaa presided over a signing ceremony for a Memorandum of Understanding between Syria’s Ministry of Information and Kuwait-headquartered al-Maha International on June 30, for a $1.5 billion “Damascus Gate” media city. In a speech at the ceremony, Information Minister Hamza al-Mustafa said the project would result in 4,000 direct employment opportunities and 9,000 seasonal jobs. Chairman of the al-Maha International Mohammed al-Anzi called on investors to support the project, stating that it could be fully operational and complete within five years.
Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaybani hosted a meeting with Finland’s Ambassador to Lebanon and Charge d’Affairs to Syria Anne Meskanen in Damascus on June 30.
Later that day, Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaybani also met with the Chief of Staff at the International Organization for Migration (IOM), Mohammed Abdiker.
That day, IOM Chief of Staff Mohammed Abdiker met with a number of other ministers in Damascus, including Raed al-Saleh (Emergencies and Disaster Response), and Mohammed al-Turko (Education).
The head of Syria’s National Commission for Missing Persons, Mohammed Reza Jalkhi, hosted a meeting with the visiting head of the UN’s Independent Institution on Missing Persons, Karla Quintana in Damascus on June 30.
Aleppo Governor Azzam al-Gharib hosted a visit by UN resident coordinator Adam Abdelmoula on June 30.
Later that day, Abdelmoula also visited Idlib and was hosted for a meeting by Governor Mohammed Abdulrahman.
Deputy Minister of Economy Bassel Abdulhanan hosted a meeting w a delegation from the Chinese Wangkang Group and discussed opportunities for cooperation in manufacturing and technology transfer, and to study the possibility of establishing joint industrial projects in Syria.
The Supreme Committee for the People’s Assembly Elections traveled to Tartus on June 30, meeting with Governor Ahmed al-Shami and then convening a large meeting with civil society and other notables.
The Deputy Secretary General of the Presidency, Ali Keda, hosted a meeting with representatives from the Murshidi religious minority on June 30, to discuss ways to improve communication and coordination with the government. The meeting came after several deadly attacks on Murshidi men – most claimed by the Saraya Ansar al-Sunna jihadist group.
Minister of Finance Mohammed Barnieh, Minister of Economy Nidal al-Shaar, and Central Bank Governor Abdulqader Hasriyeh traveled to Seville, Spain and participated in the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development, under the patronage of King Felipe VI and UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres.
Minister of Higher Education Marwan al-Halabi traveled to France on June 30 to participate in the Forum of Syrian Doctors and Pharmacists Union, during which he announced efforts were underway to conclude “twinning agreements” between Syrian and French universities.
July 1:
Minister of Interior Anas Khattab hosted a meeting with head of Syria’s National Commission for Missing Persons, Mohammed Reza Jalkhi on July 1.
The Supreme Committee for the People’s Assembly Elections traveled to Deir ez Zour on July 1 and met first with the governor and then with a large group of local notables and civil society representatives.
Appointments:
President Ahmed al-Sharaa signed decrees on June 29 appointing Iyad Ismail Fahsha as the President of Latakia University; and Mustafa al-Dahr as President of Damascus University.
Minister of Finance Mohammed Barnieh announced the appointment of a 7-person committee to “review and update the state's basic financial law to achieve qualitative change in the law, better organize expenditure and revenue management, eliminate centralized controls, use digital payments, and develop the duties of the financial controller.”
The Minister of Economy Nidal al-Shaar approved the executive leadership of the Homs Chamber of Commerce on June 29, confirming the appointment of Mohammed Ayman Raslan as President; Ghazwan Ghali as First Vice President; Rasoul Haswani as Second Vice President; Khalil Hayek as Secretary; and Mohammed Hafez al-Fayn, Shukri Mohammed al-Jandali and Mohammed al-Hassami as bureau members.
Lieutenant Colonal Mohammed Akram al-Saleh was promoted on June 30 to the rank of Colonel and given command of the Syrian Air Force’s Helicopter Squadron.
The Ministry of Administrative Development announced on June 30 that it was to form a committee tasked with drafting Syria’s new Civil Service Law (to replace the Assad-era Basic Law for State Employees, 2004). The committee includes members of existing ministries, as well as experts in law and human resources. The committee was tasked with formulating its final legislation within 45 days.
Political Developments:
Interior Minister Anas Khattab officially approved on June 26 a reduction in the fee for passport issuance for those living in Syria to SYP 1.6 million (down from SYP 2 million) and for those abroad to $400 (down from $800).
A collection of civil, tribal and political notables from Syria’s central and eastern Jazeera region announced the formation of the National Authority for Syrian Jazeera on June 26 – a civil political platform that positioned itself as a de facto alternative to the SDF and AANES.
Syrian media reported on June 26 that the Syrian government and the SDF had agreed to continue their trade in oil and gas for a further three months, with amounts of oil supplied from fields in Deir ez Zour and Hasakeh trucked by tanker to the Baniyas refinery.
The Syrian Islamic Council announced its dissolution on June 28.
Economic Developments:
The World Bank officially approved on June 25 a $146 million grant to Syria (from the International Development Association; IDA) for a project to rehabilitate two 400kV high-voltage power lines in the north and south of Syria and to repair a number of electrical transformer substations in Aleppo, Idlib and Rif Dimashq serving those most in need of electricity, including IDPs.
According to a statement issued by the Directorate of Companies (part of Syria’s General Administration for Internal Trade and Consumer Protection) on June 25, 5,768 newly registered companies began operating in Syria between January-May 2025 – a substantial increase compared to the same period a year prior.
Syria’s General Authority for Land and Sea Ports announced on June 25 that the pre-existing $115 diesel tax imposed on trucks and buses crossing between Syria and Jordan had been removed in both directions, following an agreement with authorities in Jordan.
The Ministry of Transport announced on June 26 that transit fees between Jordan and Syria had been reduced on both sides of the border from 5% to 2%. It also added that discussions continue between Damascus and Amman to reactivate the Hijaz Railway line for commercial transport.
The Director of Syria’s General Authority for Land and Sea Ports, Mazen Alloush, signed a memorandum of understanding with authorities in Turkey confirming plans to reactivate commercial road transit for trade.
The Ministry of Economy announced on June 30 that all importing of used cars was to be suspended – excluding tractors, trucks, and public works vehicles, provided they are less than 10 years old; and passenger buses of less than 32-person capacity. The decision was taken in order to “better regulate” car imports and “control the quality of cars” entering Syria’s market.
Minister of Finance Mohammed Barnieh announced on June 30 that trading on Syria’s stock exchange would move from three days per week to five, starting in July.
At least 14,000 tonnes of Syrian phosphate was loaded onto a vessel at the Tartus Port on July 1 and departed en route to export to Egypt.
Infrastructure Developments:
Quneitra’s provincial Electricity Directorate installed two electrical transformers in the villages of Mumtanah and Naba al-Sukhr on June 25.
Idlib governor Mohammed Abdulrahman formally inaugurated a provincial Postal Directorate on June 26, for the first time since 2012 – bringing three post offices back to Idlib governorate in coordination with Deputy Minister of Communications and Technology Hussein al-Masri, as well as the Director of the Syrian Postal Corporation.
Energy Minister Mohammed al-Bashir announced on June 26 a new large series of projects to rehabilitate and modernize Syria’s water stations and distribution networks – in Damascus, Rif Dimashq, Aleppo, Idlib and Deir ez Zour. The work would begin with a focus on the al-Laj and Ayn al-Zarqa stations, with the support of several international entities, Bashir stated.
In a TV interview with al-Ikhbariya on June 27, Chairman of Syria’s Civil Aviation Authority Ashad al-Salibi said that discussions were ongoing with Aleppo Governor Azzam al-Gharib about the potential construction of a new Aleppo International Airport, as the existing one was extensively damaged and lacked capacity for expansion; that a new Damascus International Airport was also being considered; a new international airport was required in central Syria; and that resuming flights between Syria and Europe would take “months” of further arrangements.
News emerged on June 28 that thanks to a deal with Turkey, Syria’s airports in Damascus, Aleppo and Deir ez Zour would soon be equipped with new radar systems.
Saudi-headquartered airline Air Arabia announced on June 30 that it would resume flights between Sharjah and Damascus on July 10.
Qatar Airways announced on June 30 that it would resume its flights to Damascus on July 6, and would expand its service to two flights per day beginning in mid-July.
Education Developments:
Minister of Higher Education Marwan al-Halabi announced on June 28 that an agreement had been reached between Syria and Turkey to establish a “joint university” located between both countries.
Health Developments:
The Ministry of Health announced on June 29 a major rehabilitation project for Maarat al-Numan in Idlib, in which the city’s national hospital would be rebuilt and relaunched, along with several more health clinics. The project, and its launch, was undertaken in coordination between Idlib’s health directorate and the Hand in Hand NGO and delegations from the Syria Aid Fund, OCHA, and the UN.
Minister of Health Musab al-Ali, Idlib Governor Muhammad Abdulrahman and Idlib Health Director Samer Arabi formally inaugurated the Al-Nour Center for Ophthalmology and Eye Surgery in the Babisqa area near Bab al-Hawa in Idlib on June 29.
Minister of Health Musab al-Ali announced on June 30 that following a recent visit to the Saqaylabiya Hospital, funds had been allocated to rehabilitate and expand services in four of its departments, and that the hospital would soon receive air conditioning units, an anesthesia machine, X-ray equipment, and seven kidney dialysis machines.
Bab al-Hawa Hospital resumed full operations this past week, following new donor support from Qatar, allowing the facility to return to its long-running status as the primary health service for 1.7 million people in the surrounding region.
Security Developments:
On July 24, the Ministry of Interior revealed initial details from the investigation into the suicide bombing at St Elias Church in Damascus’ western outskirts on June 22 – and from the arrest of five members of the cell involved in the attack. Key details were as follows:
- The attack was conducted by ISIS and claimed to the contrary are false.
- A series of coordinated raids in Harasta on June 23 killed one cell member, captured another would-be suicide “on his way to carry out an attack at the Sayyida Zeinab shrine” and detained five, including the leader, Mohammed Abdul’ilah al-Jumaili (Abu Imad) – a resident of al-Hajar al-Aswad and ISIS’s wali of the desert.
- The two suicide bombers “came to Damascus from the al-Hol camp, via the Syrian desert, and infiltrated after the capital’s liberation.”
- Immediately following the bombing at St Elias Church, initial investigations identified a man who drove the bomber to the scene of the attack and then returned to Harasta. A targeted raid then went to detain him, during which a gunfight ensued in which the driver was killed and another man was injured and detained. Interrogation of the injured man revealed the location of the cell leader, Abu Imad. A subsequent raid led to the capture of Abu Imad who then revealed four other safe houses and weapons caches – all of which were raided and five men detained.
In a public statement issued late on June 25, the SDF denied allegations from the Syrian government that two suicide bombers – one responsible for the attack on St Elias Church outside Damascus on June 22 and another captured alive on June 23 – had come from the al-Hol Camp.
Syria’s Interior Ministry announced on June 26 – marking International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking – that in the nearly seven months since Assad’s fall, security forces had seized more than 300 million captagon pills, 121 tonnes of precursor chemicals, 1,826 kg of hashish and other quantities of cocaine, heroin, marijuana and other drugs.
Jihadist group Ansar al-Sunnah claimed responsibility on June 26 for several deadly attacks targeting members of the Murshidi sect in rural Homs in recent weeks.
Minister of Defense presided over a graduation ceremony for 3,000 new recruits to the Army’s 76th Division in Aleppo on July 1.
Humanitarian Developments:
Justice Developments:
A court in the southern Turkish city of Hatay sentenced four Turkish soldiers to life in prison after they had been convicted of killing two Syrian refugees by torture while attempting to illegally cross towards Reyhanli in 2023.
News emerged on June 28 that the Syrian government – with the assistance of an undisclosed European law firm – had cancelled the strategic contract previously agreed by Assad’s regime with Russia for Stroytransgaz to operate Tartus Port.
International Statements & Developments:
Algeria appointed a veteran diplomat – Abdulqader al-Hussaini – as its new Ambassador to Syria on June 25.
U.S. Special Envoy to Syria Thomas Barrack traveled to Saudi Arabia on June 26 and met with Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan al-Saud to discuss “steps that will benefit the Syrian people, the Syrian economy, and the entire region.”
American Representatives Ilhan Omar and Anna Paulina Luna announced on June 27 the introduction of the bipartisan “Syria Sanctions Relief Act” to “repeal existing sanctions programs for Syria… and strike related statutory references, effectively ending the Congressionally-mandated sweeping sector-wide sanctions.”
In remarks to the UN on June 27, Under Secretary General for Peace Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix declared Israel to be violating the 1974 Disengagement Agreement, amid new territorial occupation and continued ground incursions deeper into Syria.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar commented publicly to media on June 30 insisting that if Israel were to come to any form of agreement with Syria, it would and could not include the withdrawal from the Golan Heights. The comments came amid a flurry of media reporting in Israel, citing unnamed officials, claiming that Syria-Israel talks had moved in the direction of a bilateral “security agreement”, or non-aggression pact. Reporting indicated that Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa demands a full Israeli withdrawal from the Golan Heights for a normalization deal.
U.S. Special Envoy to Syria Thomas Barrack gave an interview with Turkish state media Anadolu Agency on June 29 during which he said that the SDF “must” integrate into Syria’s government and that “the only party” to deal with in Syria was the government in Damascus.
U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order on June 30 that, in the worlds of the White House, ‘terminated the Syria sanctions program to support the country’s path to stability and peace.’ All sanctions related to Assad’s regime, “his associates, human rights abusers, drug traffickers, persons linked to chemical weapons activities, ISIS or its affiliates, and Iranian proxies” remained in place. The executive order requires Secretary of State Marco Rubio to review sanctions on HTS and some of its leaders, as well as Syria’s designation as a state sponsor of terrorism. Export controls meanwhile are to be ‘relaxed’ on ‘certain goods.’ The order also reiterated U.S expectations on Syria’s transition relating to U.S. interests, including a path towards normalized ties with Israel; combating ISIS; removing Palestinian militants and factions from Syria; and assuming responsibility for prisons and camps currently holding nearly 50,000 ISIS-linked men, women and children in northeast Syria.
The Russian government announced on July 1 that it would invite Syria’s government to attend and participate in the inaugural Russian-Arab Summit in Moscow on October 15.
CONFLICT & SECURITY:
Israel:
Israeli military forces launched a ground incursion into the village of Taranja in Quneitra on June 24.
That day, another incursion was launched into Jubata al-Khashab.
Israeli military forces launched a ground incursion into the Hamidiya area of northern Quneitra on June 26, with local media claiming a previously evacuated frontline post was being re-established.
That day, another incursion was launched into the outskirts of Bir Ajam in central Quneitra, and a third into the village of Taranja in the north.
Late that day, under nightfall, another incursion was launched into the Tel Ahmar area.
Israeli military forces launched a ground incursion to the outskirts of the Mantara Dam in central Quneitra on June 27.
Additional incursions were launched that day in separate parts of Quneitra -- in Jubata al-Khashab; towards the al-Alam junction area (where a new IDF base appears to be under construction); to Ayn al-Bayda; to the village of Samdaniya; and to the village of Hamriya near Taranja.
Another incursion was launched on June 27 – into Beit Jin Rif Dimashq.
Israeli military forces launched a ground incursion into the village of al-Ruwayhina on June 28, searching homes, photographing local citizens and throwing one stun grenade into a residential compound when its occupants refused to open their doors.
That day, two additional incursions were also launched into the villages of Kudna and Abu Mazra’a.
Israeli military forces launched a ground incursion into the village of al-Mushayfira in central Quneitra on June 29.
Later that day, another incursion was launched towards the Saysoun and Maariyah area of western Daraa, during which two men were shot by Israeli forces and removed for medical treatment.
Israeli military forces launched a ground incursion into the village of al-Salam in central Quneitra on June 30.
Later that day, two more incursions were launched into the villages of al-Ruwayhina and al-Hamadiyah, both in Quneitra.
ISIS:
One government soldier was injured when ISIS militants remotely detonated an IED targeting their patrol in al-Mayadin on June 28. A civilian nearby was also injured.
Two ISIS militants on a motorbike conducted a drive-by shooting at an SDF checkpoint in Dhiban in eastern Deir ez Zour on June 28, but it caused no casualties.
ISIS militants launched a stand-off attack against an SDF checkpoint in al-Zar in eastern rural Deir ez Zour on June 30, using RPGs and heavy machine guns. No casualties were confirmed.
One local grain mill owner was shot dead by ISIS militants in al-Hurayjah in northern rural Deir ez Zour on June 30 — reportedly for refusing to pay ISIS ‘tax.’
Idlib:
One person was killed after accidentally triggering an unexploded landmine in Khan al-Subl in eastern Idlib on June 25.
One man – identified in local media as a former regime soldier – was shot dead by unidentified gunmen in Idlib city center on June 26.
One man was shot dead by unidentified gunmen in Maarat al-Numan on June 26.
Two civilians were injured after accidentally triggering an unexploded landmine in Kafrouma on June 27.
An Iraqi imam was shot dead by unidentified gunmen in a targeted attack outside his home in the village of Kafatayn on June 28.
Two children were injured after accidentally triggering an unexploded munition in the village of Ijaz in rural eastern Idlib on June 29.
Former Assad regime military officer Colonel Ziyad Kokesh was detained by Public Security forces in a targeted raid in Idlib on July 1.
One former Assad regime militiaman was shot dead by unidentified gunmen in Idlib city on July 1.
Aleppo:
A former Assad regime Liwa al-Baqir militiaman was shot dead by unidentified gunmen in al-Bab on June 24.
In a series of raids on June 25 that were coordinated through intelligence provided by Saudi Arabia, Interior Ministry anti-narcotics forces seized 200,000 captagon pills concealed inside industrial equipment prepared for smuggling abroad. Several smugglers were detained.
A former Assad regime soldier was executed on video by unidentified gunmen in an undisclosed location in rural Aleppo on June 25.
A former Assad regime Tiger Forces soldier was shot dead by gunmen in Aleppo city late on June 25.
Two children were injured after accidentally triggering an unexploded munition in the village of Sharwargah in northern rural Aleppo on June 27.
Two combatants were killed in clashes between rival tribes in Manbij on June 28.
Latakia:
One former Assad regime soldier was shot dead in the village of al-Qamirah near Jableh on June 24.
One man was shot dead by two unidentified gunmen riding a motorbike outside the St. Thecla Church in Latakia city late on June 25.
Two men were shot dead by unidentified gunmen on the main road between Beit Yashout and al-Ghab on June 26.
One former Assad regime soldier was shot dead by unidentified gunmen in Jableh on June 26.
Tartus:
News emerged on June 29 that Assad regime Colonel Ammar Mohammed Ammar – the former senior officer in State Security Branch 40 in Damascus – had been detained by Public Security forces in a raid in Tartus.
Homs:
Public Security forces freed a male hostage – identified as Jaber al-Jourani – in a targeted raid in al-Mukhram on June 24, approximately 10 days after his kidnapping in Khalfa.
The executed bodies of two men – a father and his son – were found in rural Homs on June 24, several months after their kidnap.
One 19-year-old young man – identified as Bashar al-Taama – was shot dead by Public Security forces during a raid on his home seeking his detention for theft.
In the wake of the deadly raid, the entire unit of security forces was taken into custody and an investigation launched into why he was shot.
Two men were injured after they accidentally triggered an unexploded landmine in the Jabal al-Amour area of eastern rural Homs on June 26.
One man was killed and another was injured after they accidentally triggered an unexploded munition in the Wadi al-Rabayah area near al-Sukhna on June 26.
One child was killed and two others were injured when unidentified gunmen on a motorbike opened fire on them in a food market in the village of al-Sharqaliyah in rural western Homs on June 27.
Two men were killed after accidentally triggering an unexploded landmine in the desert outside Palmyra on June 29.
Four men were detained by Public Security forces in a targeted raid in the al-Nuzha district of Homs city late on June 29.
A cache of 77,000 captagon pills was seized by government security forces in a raid in northern rural Homs on June 30.
News emerged on June 30 that government forces had detained Hassan al-Dawah, a former Assad regime officer implicated in the 2012 Karam al-Zeitoun massacre.
Former Assad regime military officer Maher Darwish was detained by Public Security forces in Homs on July 1 and charged with involvement in managing the so-called ‘death ward’ in Sednaya Prison.
Hama:
One man was shot and injured in a targeted attack by unidentified gunmen outside Masyaf on June 25.
One man was kidnapped by unidentified gunmen in rural Hama on the main highway headed to Homs on June 25.
One man was shot dead by unidentified gunmen in the village of Ayn al-Bayda on June 26.
One man was shot dead by unidentified gunmen in the al-Qusur district of Hama city on June 26.
Eight men were detained by Public Security forces in a targeted raid in the village of Sabourah near Salamiyah early on June 27.
Raqqa:
One man was killed and another was injured after they accidentally triggered an unexploded landmine in al-Tabqa west of Raqqa on June 27.
One combatant was killed in clashes between rival clans in al-Karama outside Raqqa on June 28.
Clashes erupted between local men and an SDF unit when an attempt to detain a young man was resisted by locals in the Hasiyah area of Raqqa city on June 28.
One man was shot and injured while approaching an SDF checkpoint in the village of al-Qahtaniya in rural western Raqqa on July 1.
Deir ez Zour:
Two men were detained by SDF forces during a raid on their home in al-Shuheil on June 24.
Public Security forces detained former Assad regime military intelligence officer and Baath Brigades commander Ali al-Zayal in a targeted raid in al-Subaykhan on June 24.
One combatant was killed and another injured in a brief clash between rival tribes in Gharanij in eastern Deir ez Zour on June 24.
A young child was shot dead and another was injured when an SDF fighter resorted to force to prevent them from approaching a water station in Abu Hardoub in eastern rural Deir ez Zour on June 26.
Three people were injured after accidentally triggering an unexploded landmine in Deir ez Zour city on June 27.
One child was killed after triggering an unexploded munition in al-Shuheil on June 27.
Five men were detained in a series of targeted raids by Public Security forces in the village of Buqrus east of Deir ez Zour on June 27. Local reporting claimed four men were detained for their links to Assad’s regime, and the fifth for being a member of ISIS.
SDF and Syrian government forces engaged in brief tit-for-tat clashes across the Euphrates River around al-Busayrah in eastern Deir ez Zour on June 28 – but no casualties were reported.
One man – identified locally as Khaled al-Obayd – was detained by SDF forces during a raid on his home in Dhiban on June 28. The raid came shortly after Obayd had returned home from Hajj.
At least 12 men were detained by SDF forces in a series of coordinated raids in Gharanij in eastern Deir ez Zour on June 28.
One government soldier was killed when an unexploded landmine he was attempting to defuse detonated in the desert outside al-Mayadin on June 29.
One former Assad regime militiaman, identified as Salem al-Mutras, survived unharmed when an unidentified gunman opened fire on him outside his home in Deir ez Zour on June 29.
Seven men – all accused of being former Assad regime soldiers and militiamen – were detained by SDF forces in a large-scale search operation in al-Ashara in eastern Deir ez Zour on June 29.
One man, identified locally as Ibrahim al-Aswad, was shot and injured by SDF forces while passing through a checkpoint in al-Tayana in eastern Deir ez Zour on June 29.
SDF forces detained a member of the AANES-linked health committee in Deir ez Zour, identified as Mishal al-Sultan, in a raid on his home on June 29. His arrest was reportedly the result of a critical Facebook post.
One man – identified as Hussain al-Adham – was shot dead by unidentified gunmen in al-Musayrab in western rural Deir ez Zour on June 30.
One man – identified as Saleh al-Nawad – was shot dead by unidentified gunmen in al-Hurayjah in northern rural Deir ez Zour on June 30.
Hasakeh:
One formerly SNA-affiliated fighter was shot dead by unidentified gunmen in Ras al-Ayn on June 28.
Several people were detained by SDF forces in a series of coordinated raids in Tel Hamis on June 30, directed at families of men who recently defected to join the Syrian transitional government Defense Ministry.
Rif Dimashq:
Public Security forces detained Major General Mizr Suwan in a targeted raid in Harasta on June 25. Suwan had commanded the Assad regime’s 20th Air Division at Dumayr Airbase and was sanctioned internationally, including for his role in coordinating air bombing of Damascus’ Ghouta suburbs.
Public Security forces detained a former Assad regime military intelligence officer in Rif Dimashq on June 25 after locals reportedly caught him and held him for capture.
Approximately 3 million captagon pills and 50 kilograms of hashish was seized by Interior Ministry anti-narcotics forces in an intelligence-led ambush of a drugs trafficking cell newly arrived from neighboring Lebanon the al-Nabk area on June 27.
A shipment of approximately 500,000 captagon pills and 100kg of cannabis was seized by Public Security forces in a targeted ambush of a drugs trafficking cell that had just arrived from neighboring Lebanon near al-Nabk on June 28. This was the second such shipment from Lebanon seized in 24hrs.
One man was killed and two others were injured when unidentified gunmen opened fire on them in their farm in al-Saqa near al-Nabk on June 28.
One man accused of having been an Assad regime collaborator was shot dead by unidentified gunmen in Zabadani on June 30.
One man was shot and injured in a targeted attack by two unidentified gunmen on a motorbike in Harfah on July 1.
Not long after, another man was shot and injured by the two gunmen in the neighboring village of Maqrouseh.
Damascus:
Public Security forces detained Madhloul al-Aziz – a former Assad regime official, businessman and militia financier close to Air Force Intelligence – in a targeted raid in Damascus on June 25.
Daraa:
One man – identified as Kamal al-Hindawi – was shot dead by unidentified gunmen in Daraa al-Balad late on June 24. Hindawi stood locally accused of involvement in drug trafficking.
One combatant was injured during a brief clash between rival gunmen – involving grenades and gunfire – in Jassem on June 26.
Unidentified gunmen threw one grenade towards a residential building in Tafas on June 26, but no casualties were caused.
News emerged in Daraa on June 27 that one man – identified as Ali Mohammed Rifai – had been kidnapped by unidentified gunmen from close to the Nassib crossing with Jordan on June 23 and that a ransom demand of $500,000 had been issued to his family. The news triggering significant tensions in the wider area on June 27.
Several men accused of involvement in organized crime were detained by Public Security forces in a series of raids in Jassem on June 27.
Interior Ministry anti-narcotics forces seized a total of 1.7 million captagon pills during a targeted raid on a warehouse in Daraa on June 29.
Two men, identified as Ahmed al-Shahadat and Ammar al-Falah, were shot dead by unidentified gunmen in al-Sanamayn late on June 30.
Suwayda:
Unidentified gunmen opened fire on a vehicle driving along the Damascus-Suwaya highway near the village of Barraq late on June 26, triggering the swift deployment of Interior Ministry forces to the area.
Jordanian military forces intercepted a drone flying from Suwwayda into Jordanian airspace carrying 500 grams of crystal meth late on June 30.
Jordanian military forces intervened and intercepted a group of drug smugglers attempting to smuggle a large quantity of captagon into Jordan vi Suwayda’s southern desert early on July 1. The drugs were seized.
Quneitra:
News emerged on July 1 that media activist Abdullah al-Hassan (better known as Nour Abu Hassan) had been detained by government forces for “media activities,” with local media claiming it was due to allegations of collaborating with Israeli military forces
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