SITREP: 22-28 Feb 2025 | SALT Strategic Advisory

SYRIA SITREP: 2025-02-22 - 2025-02-28 (Published: 2025-03-01)

Executive Summary

The week of February 22-28, 2025, saw significant political and security developments across Syria. The interim government continued its transition efforts, highlighted by the Syrian National Conference in Damascus involving 800 participants and high-level diplomatic engagements with Jordan and Saudi Arabia. Key appointments were made, including the new Chairman of the Syrian Investment Authority and military commanders. Economically, Jordan exempted Syrian trucks from trade fees, and Aleppo International Airport was announced to reopen, signaling steps towards reintegration.

Security remained volatile, marked by a notable escalation of Israeli military actions in southern Syria, including airstrikes and ground incursions, aimed at demilitarizing the region. Concurrently, Turkish forces and their allies continued intense operations against SDF positions in northern Syria, particularly around Aleppo and Hasakeh, resulting in multiple casualties. Pro-Assad loyalist insurgency and criminal activity persisted, leading to targeted assassinations, clashes with interim government forces, and numerous detentions across various governorates. Tensions heightened in the Druze-majority district of Jaramana near Damascus following a deadly clash involving local militiamen and interim government forces.

Main shifts observed include the interim government's active pursuit of internal political consolidation and international re-engagement, juxtaposed with a clear increase in external military pressures and internal loyalist resistance. Watchpoints include the interim government's ability to maintain stability and integrate diverse armed factions, particularly in areas prone to loyalist insurgency and inter-communal tensions, and the evolving dynamics of Israeli military policy in southern Syria.

Detailed Analysis

1. Politics

International Affairs

On February 26, Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa and Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaybani traveled to Jordan and met with King Abdullah and senior Jordanian officials. King Abdullah stressed the need for Syria to "return to its active role" in the international community, establish conditions for refugee return, and enhance bilateral cooperation in countering drug smuggling, while praising the National Conference and condemning Israeli aggression.
On February 26, Syria’s interim Minister of Health, Dr. Maher al-Sharaa, held a meeting with the EU’s Special Envoy to Syria, Michael Ohnmacht, to discuss solutions to improve Syria’s fragile health sector.
On February 27, Syria’s Interior Minister and de facto intelligence chief Anas Khattab arrived in Saudi Arabia for planned meetings with counterparts on countering narcotics and terrorism.
On February 26, the Saudi Foreign Ministry issued a statement condemning Israeli occupation forces' bombing in Syria and their attempts to destabilize its security.
On February 26, condemnations of Israeli actions were also issued by the foreign ministries of Qatar, Egypt, the UAE, and Kuwait, as well as the Arab League, all of whom also praised the interim government for hosting the National Conference.
On February 26, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated he had spoken with the Emir of Qatar about developments in Syria, noting that the new Syrian government organized a conference with "positive indicators."
On February 27, the Iranian Foreign Ministry’s lead on Syria welcomed the Syrian National Dialogue Conference as a step in the right direction.
On February 27, the Turkish Ministry of Defense confirmed that a Military Attache would soon begin work out of the Embassy in Damascus.
On February 28, a Turkish delegation, led by Bilal Erdogan, the son of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, arrived in Damascus. President Ahmed al-Sharaa accompanied the delegation to the Umayyad Mosque for Friday prayers.
On February 28, President Ahmed al-Sharaa received a congratulatory message from Saudi King Salman on the occasion of the first night of Ramadan.

Domestic Affairs

On February 25, the Syrian National Conference took place, involving approximately 800 participants representing all 14 governorates. The conference included opening speeches by interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa and Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaybani, followed by working groups on transitional justice, the constitution, institutional reform, freedoms, civil society, and economic principles. The final statement stressed priorities including Syria’s unity and sovereignty, state monopoly on weapons, accelerating a new constitution and interim legislative council, sanctions removal, public institution reform, digitizing government services, civil society participation, education reform, and fostering a new culture of dialogue.
On February 25, the Ministry of Defense confirmed the appointment of Qassim Mohammed al-Saleh as the commander of the 118th ‘Badiya’ Division, to be headquartered in Palmyra.
On February 26, the Ministry of Economy and Foreign Trade announced the removal of Bassel Hamawi and the appointment of Alaa Omar al-Ali as President of Syria’s Chambers of Commerce. Alaa Omar al-Ali previously headed the equivalent body in Idlib.
On February 26, prominent Druze figure and militia leader Laith al-Balous reiterated that recent meetings between the interim government and Druze armed faction leaders aim to achieve full integration and coordination with Syria’s new army, with efforts focused on establishing a Suwayda-based military unit.
On February 27, President Ahmed al-Sharaa met with a large delegation from the Syrian Development Forum in Damascus.
On February 27, provincial notables, NGO leaders, and civil society groups in Daraa gathered for a day-long workshop focused on enhancing provincial service provision.
On February 27, news emerged that the Syrian Center for Legal Studies and Research cancelled a pre-planned workshop in Damascus due to a "sudden decision" by the interim government to revoke its permission.
On February 28, Minister of Defense Murhaf Abu Qasra convened a meeting with leaders of armed factions in Daraa (Colonel Nassim Abu Ara, Lieutenant Colonel Mohammed al-Hawrani, Captain Mohammed al-Qadri, and Abdullah al-Najm) to further advance the process of integrating their forces into the new armed forces.
On February 28, Hazem al-Sharaa, brother of President Ahmed al-Sharaa, was appointed the Chairman of the Syrian Investment Authority.
On February 28, Brigadier General Ahmed al-Mohammed (Abu Mohammed Shura) was appointed as the commander of the 66th Division, responsible for operations in Deir ez Zour and Raqqa governorates.

2. Business

Economic Policy & Trade

On February 26, Jordan’s Council of Ministers approved legislation exempting all Syrian trucks from paying fees or other charges when crossing into or out of Syria and Jordan for trade, described as a step to "implement the principle of reciprocity."
On February 26, a Reuters report indicated that Qatar’s plans to pay Syria’s public sector salaries are on hold due to "uncertainty over whether the transfers would breach U.S. sanctions."
On February 26, Syria’s interim Minister of Oil and Mineral Resources Ghiath Diab praised the EU for lifting sanctions in Syria’s energy sector and called on international oil companies to "return and contribute" to Syria’s development.

Infrastructure & Aviation

On February 27, a delegation from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) arrived in Damascus for meetings with Syrian counterparts on enhancing cooperation and reintegrating Syria into the global aviation network.
On February 27, the Chairman of Syria’s General Authority for Civil Aviation and Air Transport, Ashad al-Salibi, announced that Aleppo’s International Airport would be re-opened "next week" and Latakia International Airport "at a later stage."

3. Security

Israeli Military Actions

On February 25, Israeli airstrikes targeted a former regime military base in al-Kiswah south of Damascus, as well as other former military posts around Izraa in Daraa and in rural Quneitra.
On February 25, Israeli ground forces launched temporary incursions into the village of al-Bakkar in Daraa and the village of Ayn al-Bayda in Quneitra.
On February 26, an Israeli airstrike targeted and killed a senior Hezbollah operative within the group’s Unit 4400, identified as Nasser al-Din, outside the village of Qasr in Lebanon, on the border with Syria.
On February 27, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz declared that recent Israeli airstrikes and military action in southern Syria were a result of "the first attempt" by interim government forces to deploy into former regime military "sites" in Daraa.
On February 27, Israeli military forces launched a temporary incursion – utilizing tanks, armored vehicles, and bulldozers – into the Tel Mashara area in eastern Quneitra, during which they demolished several buildings.
On February 28, Israeli military forces launched an incursion into the Yarmouk Basin in western Daraa and established a pop-up checkpoint between the villages of Jamla and Saysoun, stopping, inspecting, and questioning passing civilians.
On February 28, Israeli forces also advanced into the village of al-Rufayd in southern Quneitra, where they questioned local civilians and added information for a purported census of the region.

ISIS Activity

On February 25, one SDF fighter was killed in an ISIS attack while driving his vehicle in the village of al-Hisan in Deir ez Zour.
On February 27, ISIS militants entered the town of Dhiban in Deir ez Zour and pinned up notices threatening several individuals they accused of impersonating ISIS.
On February 27, ISIS militants opened fire on a water station and nearby SDF post in al-Tayana in eastern Deir ez Zour, triggering clashes but causing no casualties.
On February 28, ISIS militants launched a brief attack on an SDF post in the town of al-Shanan in eastern Deir ez Zour, triggering clashes but causing no casualties.

Turkish & SDF/SNA Clashes (Northern Syria)

On February 25, reports confirmed that a U.S. drone strike near Jarablus (Aleppo) had killed a former Hurras al-Din commander identified as Fadi Frouh (Abu Mohammed al-Shami).
On February 26, Turkish artillery fire and several suicide drones targeted SDF frontline positions near the Tishreen Dam (Aleppo), triggering heavy clashes that continued throughout the day.
On February 26, several Turkish drone strikes targeted SDF positions on the Deir Hafer frontline, while SNA-linked fighters launched a concentrated assault on an SDF position nearby in the village of al-Imam (Aleppo), with several casualties reported locally.
On February 26, Turkish airstrikes targeted SDF frontline positions near the Qaraqozak Bridge (Aleppo), amid heavy ground clashes between SNA-linked fighters and the SDF in the area.
On February 26, 16 Turkish airstrikes targeted a string of SDF-linked positions in the al-Ruwayshid desert outside Shadadi (Hasakeh), killing four SDF fighters, six civilian AANES employees, and two local shepherds.
On February 27, a Turkish drone strike targeted an SDF position near the remains of the Lafarge cement factory in the countryside outside Kobani (Aleppo), with casualties not confirmed.
On February 27, Turkish military shelling targeted an SDF post in the village of Khirbet Kawar outside Sarin (eastern Aleppo), causing no casualties.
On February 27, several successive Turkish airstrikes and artillery strikes targeted SDF frontline positions around the village of Qashlah near the Tishreen Dam (Aleppo).
On February 27, an SNA ground assault also targeted an SDF frontline position in the area, triggering heavy clashes in which multiple combatants were reported killed and injured.
On February 27, Turkish airstrikes also targeted SDF frontline positions in the villages of Ghasaq and al-Taynah near the Qaraqozak Bridge (Aleppo), while heavy barrages of artillery fire also struck the area later that day. Casualty numbers were not confirmed.
On February 28, Turkish military artillery shelling targeted several SDF positions and facilities in the countryside around Kobani (Aleppo), including in the villages of Zur Maghar, Tourman, and al-Ashma. Casualties were not confirmed.
On February 28, Turkish artillery launched nearly 100 shells at SDF frontline positions in the villages Al-Tina, Ja’da, Bir Hisso, Ghasaq, Dekan, Melha, and Al-San’a in the vicinity of the Qaraqozak Bridge (Aleppo).
On February 28, SNA-linked military police detained three men in a series of raids in Ras al-Ayn (Hasakeh) on suspicion of maintaining links to the SDF.
On February 28, two civilians were injured after suspected SDF fighters briefly opened fire on their vehicle as it drove through the village of al-Sifsafah in western rural Raqqa.

Internal Security & Pro-Assad Insurgency

On February 25, a man and his daughter were executed by unidentified gunmen who raided their home in Palmyra (Homs).
On February 25, unidentified gunmen disguised as GSS forces kidnapped a local journalist in front of Homs University.
On February 25, unidentified gunmen launched a brief attack on a GSS patrol in the al-Muhajirin district of Homs city, but no casualties were confirmed. Later that day, GSS forces launched targeted raids in the area, detaining several suspected perpetrators.
On February 25, one man was killed by unidentified gunmen in a targeted attack in Aleppo city.
On February 26, regime loyalists launched an assault on a checkpoint on the outskirts of Qardaha (Latakia), causing one vehicle loaded with ammunition to explode and killing two of the attackers.
On February 26, two regime loyalists, identified as Khodr Makhlouf and Ali al-Jaradi, were captured by Public Security forces in Hama’s western countryside.
On February 26, the body of one man, having been executed, was discovered in the village of Ayn al-Khuroum in Sahl al-Ghab (Hama).
On February 26, one regime loyalist was detained in a targeted raid in western rural Homs, and a large cache of weapons was seized.
On February 26, five suspected regime loyalists were killed in clashes with DMO forces during a large-scale search operation in Ayn al-Shams near Masyaf (Homs). As many as 90 men were detained, and large quantities of weaponry, including anti-tank guided missiles, were seized.
On February 26, one man was detained by DMO forces in a targeted raid in the village of al-Rawbah (Homs).
On February 26, two DMO fighters were injured in an attack by regime loyalists on their checkpoint in Jdeidat al-Fadl (Rif Dimashq).
On February 27, the body of one DMO soldier was discovered inside his home, having been executed by unidentified gunmen in Idlib.
On February 27, four men were shot dead in a targeted mass assassination in the village of al-Kharab south of Baniyas (Tartus). Two of the men were identified as former regime soldiers.
On February 27, one civilian was killed (in crossfire) and a gunman was injured when regime loyalists launched an attack – involving machine gunfire and grenades – on DMO forces at a checkpoint in Safita (Tartus), triggering heavy clashes.
On February 27, one farmer was injured when unidentified gunmen opened fire into a forested area near al-Shikayah outside Baniyas (Tartus).
On February 27, two men – both former regime soldiers from the Ismaili sect – were kidnapped and then executed by alleged regime loyalists in the al-Qadmus area of eastern Tartus.
On February 27, a small group of unidentified gunmen stormed an Ismaili shrine in the mountains outside Masyaf (Hama), vandalizing its contents and opening fire on them with machine guns.
On February 27, Public Security Forces detained a drug smuggler and seized a large quantity of drugs – including captagon – in his possession during a targeted raid in Hanano in Aleppo city.
On February 27, GSS forces detained at least 40 suspected regime loyalists in a series of targeted raids throughout Qatana (Rif Dimashq).
On February 28, one Public Security fighter and one Alawite gunman were killed and 10 other combatants were injured in clashes in the village of Kaf al-Jah outside al-Qadmus (Tartus). The clash erupted while DMO and GSS forces launched a large-scale search operation for the perpetrators responsible for the deadly attack the day before. Several suspects were captured. A curfew was imposed and gunfire was heard throughout the day.
On February 28, two interim government security force personnel were injured in a raid on their checkpoint by regime loyalists in the Barzeh district of Damascus.
On February 28, GSS forces engaged in an armed clash with a drug smuggling cell in the al-Muhajirin district of Damascus.
On February 28, one former regime soldier, identified as Mohammed al-Shamali, was detained by Public Security forces in a targeted raid in Jdeidat Artouz (Rif Dimashq), following an investigation into local claims that he had been impersonating the GSS and abusing local civilians.
On February 28, one DMO fighter was killed when he and a group of other DMO personnel attempted to enter Jaramana (Rif Dimashq) through a checkpoint manned by local Druze militiamen, who forcibly disarmed the DMO fighters, beat several before briefly opening fire on them. Another DMO fighter was shot and injured, then taken prisoner by the local militiamen, who later released him after local notables intervened. The Druze militiamen also attacked and ransacked a nearby police station.
On February 28, one man, identified locally as Suwaydan Ghannam, was shot dead by unidentified gunmen in the village of al-Saydiyah in eastern rural Aleppo.

Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) Incidents

On February 25, two boys were killed and one other was injured when they accidentally triggered an unexploded munition in Inkhil (Daraa).
On February 25, three children were killed and one other was injured after they accidentally triggered an unexploded munition in the village of al-Shula in southern Deir ez Zour.
On February 25, one SNA-linked fighter was killed while an unexploded landmine he was attempting to defuse detonated in Tel Rifat (Aleppo).
On February 26, one man was injured after accidentally triggering an unexploded cluster munition in Jabal al-Shaer in eastern rural Homs.
On February 26, two men were killed after accidentally triggering an unexploded landmine in the Abu Hayah area of western rural Deir ez Zour.
On February 27, one DMO soldier, identified locally as Ibrahim al-Qasim, was killed after accidentally triggering an unexploded landmine in Jabal al-Akrad (Latakia).
In total, 6 UXO incidents were reported this week, resulting in 7 fatalities and 4 injuries.

Inter-Communal/Clan Clashes

On February 26, a newly hired member of local security forces provoked a fist fight with a local man in Qardaha (Latakia) outside a checkpoint, leading to a gunfight between security forces and armed Alawite men. A riot briefly ensued, involving a siege on a nearby police station and vehicle destruction. DMO forces were deployed, arresting the security force member and eight local Alawite gunmen. No casualties were confirmed. The following day, the interim government’s governor of Latakia convened a meeting with provincial Alawite notables and resolved concerns.
On February 27, three combatants were killed and 10 others were injured during heavy armed clashes between rival clans in the village of Hasiyah in eastern rural Hama.
On February 27, one woman was injured when unidentified gunmen opened fire on a Bedouin camp on the main road linking al-Tha’ala and Um Walad (Suwayda).

Other Security Incidents

On February 28, Daraa governorate lost all landline and internet service following an attack on an optical cable in the rural northern countryside. Service resumed in some areas late on March 1.

Relevant Context

The Syrian National Conference and the ongoing efforts by the interim government to integrate various armed factions, particularly in Daraa, are central to the post-Assad transition in Syria. Following the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024, the interim government, largely led by the Syrian Salvation Government (SSG) and Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), is attempting to establish legitimacy and consolidate control across the country. The conference and diplomatic engagements signify a push for internal political consensus and international recognition, while the integration of armed groups like those in Daraa is crucial for establishing a unified national army and preventing internal fragmentation.

The escalating tensions in Jaramana, a Druze-majority district near Damascus, highlight the complex sectarian and local dynamics facing the interim government. The Druze community in Syria has historically maintained a degree of autonomy, particularly in Suwayda province, and their relationship with central authorities has often been delicate. The incident in Jaramana, involving local Druze militiamen and interim government forces, underscores the challenges of extending central authority into historically self-governing or sensitive areas, especially when local armed groups are involved. This situation is further complicated by external statements, such as those from Israel, regarding the protection of the Druze community.

Israel's increased military actions in southern Syria, including airstrikes and ground incursions, reflect a long-standing security concern regarding the presence of Iranian-backed militias and Hezbollah near its northern border. With the collapse of the Assad regime, Israel appears to be implementing a "new policy" aimed at creating a demilitarized zone in southern Syria, preventing any hostile forces, including those of the new interim government if perceived as a threat, from establishing a significant presence in the region. This proactive stance indicates Israel's determination to secure its border in the evolving Syrian landscape.