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1-7 Mar 2025

Published: Mar 8, 2025

SYRIA SITREP: 2025-03-01 - 2025-03-07 (Published: 2025-03-08)

Executive Summary

The week of March 1-7, 2025, was marked by a significant and unprecedented escalation of violence in Syria's coastal region, particularly Latakia and Tartus. Pro-Assad loyalist gunmen launched coordinated attacks, resulting in substantial casualties among interim government forces and civilians, and prompting a major security response. This surge in hostilities drew widespread condemnation from regional and international bodies, including the EU and several Arab states. Concurrently, Syria's interim government intensified its diplomatic outreach, with President Ahmed al-Sharaa and Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaybani engaging in high-level meetings at the Arab League Summit and the OPCW, and securing Syria's readmission to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). Economically, Syria saw positive developments with the UK and Switzerland lifting sanctions on various entities and sectors. Security operations continued across the country, including successful campaigns against outlaw groups in Daraa and ISIS elements in Deir ez Zour, alongside ongoing Israeli military incursions.

Key Watchpoints: The interim government's ability to decisively stabilize the coastal region without triggering a broader anti-government insurgency, and the continued pace of international reintegration and economic relief.

Detailed Analysis

1. Politics

International Diplomatic Engagements
  • March 4: Syria’s interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa met with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi at the Arab League Summit in Cairo, declaring a desire to “start a new page in relations” with Egypt.
  • March 4: At the Summit, Ahmed al-Sharaa addressed the Gaza crisis, claiming “new attempts are underway to impose solutions that would redraw the region’s map at the expense of Palestinian blood,” and calling for Arab states to unite.
  • March 4: On the sidelines of the Arab League Summit, Ahmed al-Sharaa met with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, and Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaybani met his Lebanese counterpart Youssef Rajajji.
  • March 5: Interim Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaybani traveled to The Hague, Belgium, and attended the Executive Council of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), affirming Syria’s commitment to chemical weapons removal and requesting international support. The OPCW subsequently announced a technical team would “soon” travel to Damascus to establish a permanent presence.
  • March 5: In The Hague, Shaybani met with OPCW Director General Fernando Aria, Dutch Foreign Minister Kaspar Veldkamp, and ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan. Foreign Minister Veldkamp expressed hope to visit Damascus “soon.”
  • March 6: Interim Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaybani met with the Director General of the International Commission on Missing Persons in the Netherlands.
  • March 6: Shaybani participated in an extraordinary meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the OIC, during which Syria was reinstated into the multilateral body after 13 years.
  • March 7: Syria’s interim Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaybani traveled to Saudi Arabia and participated in a Ministerial Meeting of the GCC in Mecca.
  • March 7: On the sidelines of the OIC meeting, Shaybani met with Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono.
  • March 4: UN Special Envoy to Syria Geir Pedersen condemned Israel’s ongoing military escalation in Syria, including airstrikes, and expressed concern over violations of the 1974 disengagement agreement.
  • March 7: SDF leader Mazloum Abdi stated that an agreement was in place with Damascus to avoid any military “solution” to ongoing disagreements and expressed readiness to integrate self-administration institutions within the Syrian state structure.
  • March 7: The Foreign Ministries of the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Jordan and Egypt all condemned attacks by pro-Assad gunmen in Latakia and called for pledges of support to Syria’s interim government.
Domestic Governance & Appointments
  • March 5: Acclaimed Syrian actor Mazen al-Nattour was appointed as the head of Syria’s Artists Syndicate.
  • March 5: Sheikh Anwar al-Zoubi was appointed as Governor of Daraa.
  • March 5: Abdulhamid al-Awwak, a member of the newly appointed Constitutional Declaration Drafting Committee, explained that efforts were underway to complete the document, prioritizing effective governance, separation of powers, an independent judiciary, and defined presidential powers.
  • March 6: Approximately 50 Druze men convened a brief protest in Suwayda city to demonstrate against the legitimacy of the interim government in Damascus.
  • March 7: Bishop Hanna Jallouf, head of Syria’s Catholic Church, declared support for the Syrian state in fighting those seeking to destabilize it, in relation to hostilities in Latakia.
  • March 7: Interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa delivered a public speech, claiming that “remnants of the fallen regime sought to test the new Syria,” emphasizing a unified Syria, urging surrender of weapons, and warning security forces against overstepping.

2. Business

Economic Sanctions Relief & Financial Inflows
  • March 5: A Russian cargo plane carrying large quantities of Syrian Pound cash landed at Damascus International Airport, with the currency swiftly transferred to the Central Bank. This was the second such delivery from Russia’s government since February.
  • March 6: The UK government announced that sanctions against 24 Syrian entities were being removed and their assets unfrozen. Affected entities included various Syrian banks (Real Estate Bank of Syria, Saving Bank, Agricultural Cooperative Bank, Central Bank of Syria, Commercial Bank of Syria, Industrial Bank, Popular Credit Bank, Syrian Lebanese Commercial Bank), petroleum companies (Cotton Marketing Organization, Deir ez Zour Petroleum Company, Dijla Petroleum Company, Ebla Petroleum Company, Overseas Petroleum Trading, Pangates International Corps. Ltd., Al Furat Petroleum Company, General Organization of Tobacco, General Petroleum Corporation, Mahrukat Company, Syria Trading Oil Company, Syrian Company for Oil Transport, Syrian Petroleum Company, The Baniyas Refinery Company, The Homs Refinery Company), and Syrian Arab Airlines.
  • March 6: The Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources announced a public tender for the sale of Syrian sulfur.
Infrastructure Development
  • March 5: The Governor of Damascus, Maher Marwan, announced the initiation of the “Damascus is Green” project, aiming to plant 50,000 trees throughout the capital.

3. Security

Coastal Insurgency & Government Response
  • March 4: Two regime loyalists were killed and four others detained by DMO forces in al-Datour district of Latakia city.
  • March 4: At least eight regime loyalists were captured by Public Security forces in al-Datour district of Latakia city.
  • March 4 & 5: Suspected regime loyalists set at least 17 fires in rural Latakia, creating forest fires. The Interior Ministry announced an investigation into “sabotage acts.”
  • March 4: Seven regime loyalists were killed during large-scale joint GSS-DMO operations in Latakia city.
  • March 4: One Public Security force member was detained by GSS forces for sectarian chanting in al-Datour district of Latakia.
  • March 6: One Public Security force member was killed and several others injured in an ambush by pro-Assad loyalists in Beit Anah outside Jableh. An ambulance and reinforcements were also targeted.
  • March 6: At least 15 interim government forces were killed in a series of coordinated attacks by regime loyalists in and around Jableh. This triggered an unprecedented mobilization of security force personnel to Syria’s Coastal region. (Event from March 6, 2025)
  • March 6: Regime loyalists deployed forces throughout surrounding mountains, opening fire on vehicles attempting to access Jableh. At least six ambulances were struck.
  • March 6: Inside Jableh city, regime loyalists besieged the al-Nour Hospital.
  • March 6: GSS forces captured former chief of General Intelligence Ibrahim Hawija.
  • March 6: Brigadier General Ghiath al-Dala, formerly of the Assad regime’s Fourth Division, announced the establishment of the Military Council for the Liberation of Syria.
  • March 6: The loyalist attacks triggered large-scale protests in Daraa, Homs, Hama, Damascus, Idlib and Aleppo, with local men volunteering to travel to Latakia to fight. In Homs, regime loyalists opened fire on protesters, sparking clashes.
  • March 6-7 (Overnight): Clashes remained intense, with multiple incidents of mass execution of Alawite men reported in rural villages outside Jableh and Qardaha.
  • March 7: Heavy fighting continued in multiple locations in Jableh, Latakia, Qardaha, and at least 17 other villages and rural areas of Latakia.
  • March 7: Two heavy attacks by regime loyalists targeted security forces inside the National Hospital in Latakia city and the Naval Force Command in Latakia.
  • March 7: Regime loyalists also severed an underground power supply, cutting power to most of Latakia.
  • March 7: Ghiath al-Dala issued a public statement calling for calm and patience for negotiations.
  • March 7: At least two interim government forces were killed in an ambush of their convoy outside Tartus.
  • March 6: Suwayda’s Druze militias announced an agreement with the interim government for their forces to assume and maintain responsibility for security, with logistical and intelligence support from the Interior Ministry in Damascus.
Israeli Military Operations
  • March 4: Israeli military forces launched ground incursions into Ayn al-Nuriyah and Umm Batna in northern and central Quneitra.
  • March 4: Israeli forces also expanded into agricultural areas near al-Ruwayhinah to clear a minefield.
  • March 5: Israeli ground forces launched two ground incursions into Rasm al-Munbateh and al-Dawiya al-Kabira in southwestern Quneitra, conducting inspections.
  • March 5: Israeli ground forces also launched incursions into Bir al-Ajam, Um Batnah, Suwaysa, al-Majdaliyah and Naba al-Sakhr in central Quneitra.
  • March 5: An Israeli airstrike hit a warehouse previously managed by the Assad regime’s 155th Missile Brigade near al-Qutayfah in Rif Dimashq.
  • March 6: Israeli military forces launched a ground incursion into the Tel al-Ahmar al-Gharbi area in Quneitra.
  • March 7: Israeli military forces launched a ground incursion into the village of Jamla in Daraa’s Yarmouk Basin.
Counter-Terrorism & Internal Security Operations
  • March 5: Iran’s Mehr News Agency disseminated a statement announcing the establishment of the “Islamic Resistance Front in Syria,” claiming it aimed to challenge the interim government and confront Israel.
  • March 6: The interim government announced the establishment of Special Tasks Unit A1 for security in Aleppo city and combating organized crime, to be supplied with reconnaissance drones.
  • March 6: A local ISIS commander, Salah Mohammed al-Abdullah, was captured in a joint SDF-U.S. raid in al-Shuheil in Deir ez Zour.
  • March 4: One man was kidnapped outside Birin (Hama) and later executed.
  • March 4: Unidentified gunmen laid explosives inside an Alawite shrine in Tel Abdulaziz in rural eastern Hama, causing damage.
  • March 4: One child was shot dead during a brief armed clash between rival gunmen in al-Mashrouseh outside Masyaf (Hama).
  • March 5: A kidnapping cell was captured by Public Security forces in Hama.
  • March 5: Public security forces captured one man accused of a recent deadly attack on civilians in Hayalin in al-Saqaylabiyah (Hama).
  • March 7: Six people were killed and three others injured during armed clashes between rival families in al-Treimseh (Hama).
  • March 7: Regime loyalists ambushed a Public Security vehicle in Ayn al-Kurum in the Sahl al-Ghab (Hama), but casualties were not confirmed.
  • March 5: One man was kidnapped by unidentified gunmen impersonating GSS fighters in al-Waer district of Homs city. His body was discovered the following day.
  • March 6: One man was kidnapped by a group of gunmen who raided his home in rural Homs. His executed body was discovered later that day.
  • March 6: A 12-man kidnapping cell was captured by Public Security Forces in rural Homs.
  • March 7: Turkish military forces and allied SNA fighters launched artillery shells towards the SDF-held village of Bairkhat outside Tel Abyad (Raqqa), but no casualties were confirmed.
  • March 4: One SNA-linked fighter (Ahrar al-Sharqiyah) was shot dead by an unidentified assassin in Ras al-Ayn (Hasakeh).
  • March 7: One man was killed during inter-tribal clashes in al-Shadadi (Hasakeh).
  • March 4: GSS forces detained a former NDF militia commander in al-Bukamal (Deir ez Zour), accused of murders and torture.
  • March 5: The body of a woman was discovered (executed) outside al-Husseiniyah in western Deir ez Zour. She had been kidnapped several days earlier.
  • March 5: The body of a former regime militiaman was discovered in rural Deir ez Zour, approximately two weeks after he had been kidnapped.
  • March 5: Two combatants were killed and three others injured in clashes between rival clans in al-Kahkiyah in eastern Deir ez Zour.
  • March 7: Unidentified gunmen launched an RPG at a medical clinic in al-Busayrah (Deir ez Zour), but no casualties were confirmed.
  • March 4: Two people were shot dead by unidentified gunmen in al-Qutayfah (Rif Dimashq).
  • March 6: The bodies of five men were discovered (executed) thrown into a well on the road between al-Asali and al-Sabinah (Rif Dimashq).
  • March 4: Five Druze men from Suwayda were kidnapped by unidentified gunmen while driving back from Busra al-Harir (Daraa). All five men were released later on March 4, after intervention by notables.
  • March 4: Unidentified gunmen threw a grenade into the home of Rashrash Kiwan in Tafas (Daraa), causing damage.
  • March 4: Osama Mohammed al-Atmeh was shot and injured in an apparent attempted assassination in al-Sanamayn (Daraa). He was affiliated with outlaw Mohsen al-Hamayd.
  • March 4: His attempted assassination triggered heavy clashes in al-Sanamayn. Public Security Forces intervened, resulting in three of Hamayd’s fighters dead and three civilians injured.
  • March 5: GSS and Public Security forces imposed a curfew on al-Sanamayn and launched a large-scale military campaign against al-Hamayd’s command, with very heavy fighting continuing into March 6.
  • March 6: By midday on March 6, Hamayd’s group had been defeated and Hamayd himself fled. In total, eight interim government security forces, nine Hamayd gunmen and two civilians were killed, while 27 security forces and five civilians were injured. At least 60 of Hamayd’s fighters were captured.
  • March 6: One man was killed and another injured when unidentified gunmen opened fire on their vehicle on the road between Inkhil and Samlin (Daraa).
  • March 6: GSS forces detained Adham al-Barazi, a former member of the regime-era Central Committee, in al-Muzayrib (Daraa), leading to tensions. Barazi and captured GSS fighters were released after negotiations.
  • March 6: A large quantity of captagon was captured by interim government security forces in rural Daraa.
  • March 7: GSS forces detained two gunmen loyal to Mohsen al-Hamayd in al-Sanamayn (Daraa).
  • March 7: Four local fighters were killed and three others injured when unidentified gunmen ambushed their vehicle in Inkhil (Daraa).
  • March 7: The home of the former mayor of Jbab, Aqbat al-Qana, was destroyed by explosives laid by unidentified gunmen (Daraa).
  • March 6: Four drugs smugglers were killed in clashes with Jordanian armed forces during an attempt to smuggle a large quantity of drugs into Jordan via southern Suwayda. A large shipment of drugs and weapons was seized.
  • March 7: Unidentified militants launched several rockets at the home of Druze militia leader Suleiman Abdul Baqi in Suwayda, injuring several people. Abdul Baqi survived.
  • March 4: Turkey’s military attache, Lieutenant Colonel Hasan Goz, began work at the Turkish Embassy in Damascus.
  • March 5: SNA-linked fighters launched an attempted cross-line incursion towards SDF frontlines near the Tishreen Dam (Aleppo), triggering heavy clashes amid Turkish airstrikes. At least two SDF fighters were killed.
  • March 5: Turkish airstrikes also hit at least two SDF posts near Sarin and al-Tinah (Aleppo).
  • March 6: One man was shot dead by gunmen riding a motorcycle in the Salah ad Din district of Aleppo city.
  • March 7: SNA-linked shelling targeted SDF frontline positions in Qazali outside Kobani (Aleppo).
  • March 7: Turkish military forces launched artillery barrages towards SDF frontlines near Sarin and the Tishreen Dam (Aleppo), but no casualties were confirmed.
  • March 7: One SNA-linked fighter was killed and several others injured when an SDF suicide drone struck their vehicle along the Tishreen Dam frontline (Aleppo).
Mine Incidents & Unexploded Ordnance
  • March 4: One civilian was killed and another injured after accidentally triggering an unexploded landmine outside Shirawa near Afrin (Aleppo).
  • March 4: One man was killed and another injured after accidentally triggering an unexploded landmine in Soughanka in northwestern rural Aleppo.
  • March 5: One civilian was killed after accidentally triggering an unexploded landmine in rural Manbij (Aleppo).
  • March 5: One young child was killed after accidentally triggering an unexploded landmine in Mazarat al-Salama (Aleppo).
  • March 4: One civilian was killed after accidentally triggering an unexploded landmine in Ayyash in western Deir ez Zour.
  • March 6: One man was killed and two others injured after accidentally triggering an unexploded landmine in the al-Tabni district in western Deir ez Zour.

Relevant Context

The significant escalation of violence in Latakia and Tartus this week represents a critical challenge to Syria's interim government. These coastal regions have historically been strongholds of the Assad regime and are home to a substantial Alawite population, the sect from which the Assad family hails. The coordinated nature of the attacks by pro-Assad loyalists, including the formation of the Military Council for the Liberation of Syria led by a former Fourth Division general, suggests a more organized and deliberate attempt to destabilize the new government. This situation carries the risk of evolving into a protracted anti-government insurgency, particularly given the deep-seated loyalties and potential for sectarian tensions in the area.

Syria's readmission to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on March 6 marks a notable step in its reintegration into regional diplomatic bodies. Syria was suspended from the OIC in 2012 following the Assad regime's violent crackdown on protests, which led to the civil war. Its return to the OIC, alongside its engagement with the Arab League and OPCW, signals a broader regional acceptance of the interim government and a potential pathway for increased diplomatic and economic engagement after years of isolation.