SITREP: 8-14 Mar 2025 | SALT Strategic Advisory

SYRIA SITREP: 2025-03-08 - 2025-03-14 (Published: 2025-03-15)

Executive Summary

This week in Syria was marked by significant political and diplomatic activity alongside persistent security challenges. Interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa signed the Syrian Constitutional Declaration on March 13, outlining a five-year transitional period and key governance principles. This declaration, however, faced immediate rejection from the Syrian Democratic Council (SDC), which criticized its centralizing nature and lack of representation. Diplomatically, Syria saw high-level engagements, including a joint Turkish ministerial visit to Damascus and Interim Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaybani's trip to Baghdad, where plans for a bilateral Joint Coordination Council were established. Economically, Qatar announced funding for natural gas to boost electricity, and Canada re-established diplomatic relations and eased sanctions, providing $84 million in humanitarian aid. Security remained volatile, particularly in Latakia and Tartus, where pro-Assad gunmen continued attacks, including the execution of nine interim government forces. Israel conducted multiple ground incursions and an airstrike, while ISIS activity persisted, notably with the killing of its deputy global leader in Iraq. Widespread incidents of unexploded ordnance and landmines continued to cause civilian casualties across several governorates.

Watchpoints for the coming week include the ongoing reception of the Constitutional Declaration and potential for further internal political divisions, as well as the continued efforts to stabilize the coastal regions against pro-Assad loyalist insurgency.

Detailed Analysis

1. Politics

International Affairs

On March 11, Interim Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaybani hosted two multilateral meetings with diplomatic missions from Europe, Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Turkey, and Azerbaijan.
On March 11, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio welcomed the agreement between Syrian interim authorities and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) to integrate the northeast into a unified Syria, reaffirming U.S. support for a political transition and noting concern about violence against minorities.
On March 12, the European Parliament passed a resolution calling on the EU to support Syria’s interim government and transition, to “seize this historic opportunity” and “unite and rebuild the country,” and permitting the EU to utilize frozen Assad regime assets for transition and reconstruction.
On March 13, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Defense Minister Yasar Guler, and Intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin paid a joint visit to Damascus, holding meetings with Ahmed al-Sharaa and other senior interim government leaders.
On March 14, Syrian interim Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaybani traveled to Baghdad, holding meetings with his counterpart, Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein, as well as President Abdulatif Rashid, Prime Minister Mohammed al-Sudani, Parliament Speaker Mahmoud al-Mashhadani, Intelligence chief Hamid al-Shatri, and National Security Advisor Qassim al-Araji.
During the March 14 visit, Iraq and Syria established plans to create a bilateral Joint Coordination Council that would work on security, political, and economic cooperation and coordination.
On March 14, Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein stated Iraq respects good neighborly relations, does not interfere in the affairs of other nations, and that stability in Syria is crucial as it directly impacts Iraq’s security.
On March 14, Syrian interim Foreign Minister Shaybani stated that in Baghdad, Syria reaffirms the unity and deep bonds between the two nations, emphasizing that their destinies are intertwined and both countries must stand against threats and foreign interventions, with the visit's goal being to strengthen trade, remove obstacles, and open borders.
On March 14, approximately 100 Druze sheikhs based in Quneitra and the Syrian side of the Golan Heights crossed into Israel for a visit to the tomb of Prophet Shuayb – the first such visit since 1948.
On March 14, news of the Druze visit triggered public condemnatory statements from the Druze community in Hader in Quneitra, condemning it as pro-occupation, accusing Israel of exploiting the visit to sow division and use the Druze community for expansionist interests, and emphasizing that the visiting sheikhs do not represent anyone but themselves.
On March 14, Israel-based Druze cleric Muwaffaq Tarif stated the delegation didn’t involve anyone from Suwayda and that the visit was only of a religious nature.
On March 14, news emerged that Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani was planning to invite Syrian interim Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaybani for an official visit to Rome on March 18.
On March 14, a UN Security Council statement drafted jointly by the U.S. and Russia declared strong condemnation of attacks on civilian infrastructure, grave concern about the impact of violence on escalating sectarian tensions, called for immediate cessation of violence and incitement, urged Syria to address the threat of foreign terrorist fighters, emphasized Syria’s obligations under Security Council resolutions related to combating terrorism, called on interim authorities to hold perpetrators of mass killings accountable, and affirmed commitment to Syria’s sovereignty, independence, unity, and territorial integrity.

Domestic Affairs

On March 11, Interim Interior Minister Ali Keda paid a visit to the al-Datour district of Latakia city, where particularly heavy hostilities had taken place in previous days.
On March 11, Interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa hosted a meeting with noted Islamic figures and leaders in the Presidential Palace in Damascus.
On March 12, Ahmed al-Sharaa hosted a meeting with a visiting delegation from the International Union of Muslim Scholars in Damascus.
On March 12, a visiting delegation from the French Foreign Ministry held a meeting with Syria’s interim Health Minister Maher al-Sharaa in Damascus to discuss areas for potential cooperation and assistance.
On March 12, news emerged of a purported memorandum of understanding agreed between Druze authorities in Suwayda and the interim government in Damascus, addressing the activation of judicial police, management of police and security by the Ministry of Interior, command of defected officers and armed factions by the Ministry of Defense, immediate disbursement of overdue salaries to public sector workers, review and reconsideration of cases for public sector workers dismissed before December 8, 2024, and reform of state-owned institutions.
On March 12, sources linked to the office of Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri claimed the published ‘agreement’ was a list of principles, but not a final agreement.
On March 13, Ahmed al-Sharaa signed the Syrian Constitutional Declaration after a drafting process led by a seven-person committee, declaring it a “new chapter in Syria’s history.” Key points included a five-year transitional period, Islamic jurisprudence as the primary source guiding legislation, commitment to Syria’s unity while respecting cultural specificities, affirming rights of opinion and expression, freedom of media, publishing and journalism, guarantees for women’s rights to property ownership, work and education, the need for a committee to draft a permanent constitution, National Security Council approval for states of emergency, parliament as legislative power and presidency as executive, parliament’s right to summon and question ministers, independent judiciary, and parliament’s power to dismiss, remove or limit the powers of the President.
On March 13, Ahmed al-Sharaa established a National Security Council comprising the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Defense and Interior, the Director of General Intelligence, and two advisors and one technical member to be appointed by the president.
On March 13, Ahmed al-Sharaa appointed an eight-person committee – comprised of four interim government figures and four officials from the SDF – to work on negotiating details for the integration of SDF-held areas back into Syria and under the interim government.
On March 13, Ghassan al-Sayed Ahmed was appointed as the new governor of Deir ez Zour.
On March 14, the Syrian Democratic Council (SDC) issued a public statement “completely rejecting” the constitutional declaration, describing it as “inadequate” and “reproducing authoritarianism in a new form,” specifically decrying its failure to represent social components and political entities, its entrenchment of central rule and absolute executive powers, restriction of political activity, prohibition of party formation, and complete ignorance of clear mechanisms for transitional justice, calling for a “complete reformulation” ensuring fair power distribution, freedom of political activity, recognition of rights, and a decentralized democratic system.

2. Business

Economic Support and Diplomatic Re-engagement

On March 12, a shipping tanker reportedly carrying 37,000 tons of diesel from an unknown point of origin docked into the Syrian Oil Company at Baniyas Port.
On March 13, the Qatari Ambassador to Syria and Syria’s interim Minister of Electricity Omar Shaqruk announced that Qatar would shortly begin funding the provision to Syria of 2 million cubic meters of natural gas per day, which will create an additional 400 megawatts of electricity for the country, raising power provision by an additional 2-4 hours per day. The gas supply will flow from Egypt via Jordan and increase the electricity production at the Deir Ali station south of Damascus.
On March 13, the government of Canada announced it was providing an additional $84 million in humanitarian assistance to Syria, while re-establishing diplomatic relations with the interim government in Damascus (appointing an Ambassador, dual-hatted from Beirut, Lebanon) and easing sanctions to allow financial transactions into certain Syrian banks and to allow Canadians to financially support activities inside Syria relating to democratization, stabilization and humanitarian assistance.

Infrastructure Restoration

On March 12, electricity service resumed in Latakia city, after several days of a complete lack of service due to the sabotage of infrastructure by pro-Assad gunmen.
On March 13, electricity and water supplies resumed into the al-Haffah area in Latakia several days after acts of sabotage by pro-Assad gunmen.
On March 14, Syria’s Civil Aviation Authority announced Aleppo International Airport would re-open for commercial traffic and operations on March 18.

Education Sector Reforms

On March 13, the Ministry of Education announced that all educational certificates issued by the Syrian Interim Government in northern Syria from 2013 to 2024 would now be considered official ministry certificates, ensuring that all graduated school children would face employment with equal standing.

3. Security

Coastal Insurgency and Government Response

On March 11, Public Security forces seized a large arms cache being used by pro-Assad gunmen during a raid in Qardaha, Latakia.
On March 11, in an agreement mediated by local notables, interim government forces took control of a large quantity of weapons from residents and former gunmen in the al-Datour district of Latakia.
On March 12, Alawite pro-Assad gunmen launched an ambush of fuel trucks traveling on the main Latakia-Baniyas highway, but were quickly intercepted by interim government forces, which put an end to the attack and detained one gunman.
On March 12, Alawite pro-Assad gunmen launched an assault on an interim government checkpoint in Bayt Yashout in rural eastern Latakia, but it was repelled and four gunmen were captured.
On March 12, a large number of rifles previously belonging to Alawite pro-Assad gunmen were seized during a raid on an arms cache in the Basnadah district of Latakia city.
On March 12, in an agreement mediated by local notables, interim government forces seized a large quantity of rifles and ammunition from the village of Baaramil outside Baniyas, Tartus.
On March 13, an IED laid by Alawite pro-Assad gunmen was discovered and defused on the Latakia-Jableh highway.
On March 13, GSS forces launched a targeted raid on a residential building in the village of al-Salata outside Qardaha, Latakia, seizing a large cache of weapons, including anti-materiel rifles, mortars and other ammunition.
On March 13, Alawite militia leader Moqdad Fatiha threatened to launch a renewed campaign of attacks on interim government forces unless they fully withdraw from Latakia and Tartus, suggesting his gunmen would begin utilizing IEDs and “infiltration” attacks.
On March 13, pro-Assad gunmen launched an attack on a Public Security checkpoint at the al-Azhari roundabout in Latakia city, triggering clashes but causing no casualties.
On March 13, the executed corpses of nine interim government forces were discovered – bound with handcuffs and killed by gunshot – in a valley near the village of Barniya in rural Baniyas, Tartus. They were killed by Alawite pro-Assad gunmen several days earlier.
On March 13, news emerged that the Ministry of Defense had begun a program aiming to recruit defected air force officers to fly the small fleet of former regime helicopters. Brigadier General Mahmoud Murad and Lieutenant Colonel Wissam Ghanim began their service on this day.
On March 14, four suspected Alawite pro-Assad gunmen were detained by GSS forces at a checkpoint in Latakia city.
On March 14, the body of one man, executed by gunshot, was discovered dumped near an interim government checkpoint in the village of al-Mawanah near Safita, Tartus.

Israeli Military Operations

On March 11, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz toured Israeli-occupied Mount Hermon, and publicly declared that Israeli military forces were prepared to “stay in Syria for an indefinite period” to “preserve the safe zone” and ensure that southern Syria be “demilitarized.”
On March 11, Israeli military forces launched a ground incursion into the village of al-Hanout in southern Quneitra.
On March 12, Israeli ground forces launched ground incursions into the villages of Ayn al-Nuriya, Jaba, Salam, and Kawm Mahiris in Quneitra, opening fire into the air.
On March 12, Israeli forces captured and detained one Syrian man during a small ground incursion near al-Fityan in western Quneitra.
On March 13, an Israeli airstrike targeted a residential building in the Damascus suburb of Mashrou al-Dumma, injuring three civilians. The IDF claimed the strike had targeted an “operational headquarters” of Palestinian Islamic Jihad.
On March 13, Israeli military forces launched a ground incursion into the village of Jubatha al-Khashab in northern Quneitra, searching homes and questioning local citizens.

Counter-Terrorism Operations (ISIS)

On March 11, as many as 11 suspected ISIS militants were detained during a joint US-SDF ground raid on the village of al-Jayah in western Deir ez Zour.
On March 12, one Asayish fighter was killed and two others injured in an ISIS ambush of their patrol in al-Hazimah outside Raqqa.
On March 12, one ISIS commander was captured during a joint US-SDF airdrop raid on a compound in the village of al-Hawrah in rural Raqqa.
On March 13, one ISIS operative was detained by SDF forces during a raid inside the al-Hol camp, accused of managing ISIS finances in the camp.
On March 13, in neighboring Iraq’s Anbar province, a targeted U.S. airstrike killed ISIS’s deputy global leader and emir of its operations in Syria and Iraq, Abdullah Makki Muslih al-Rifai (Abu Khadijah), along with one other ISIS militant. U.S. CENTCOM stated Abu Khadijah “maintained responsibility for operations, logistics, and planning conducted by ISIS globally, and directed a significant portion of finance for the group’s global organization.”

Explosive Hazards and Civilian Casualties

On March 12, three civilians were killed after they accidentally triggered an unexploded landmine while driving in the al-Bushra desert outside Deir ez Zour city.
On March 12, one man was killed after his vehicle accidentally triggered an unexploded landmine in the Kabajeb desert in Deir ez Zour.
On March 13, two civilians were injured after they accidentally triggered an unexploded landmine in the village of Haj Hussein near Manbij, Aleppo.
On March 13, one child was killed after accidentally triggering an unexploded landmine in al-Karak al-Sharqi, Daraa.
On March 13, four civilians – two men and two women – were killed and two others injured after they accidentally triggered an unexploded landmine in the Subaykhan desert, Deir ez Zour.
On March 13, three civilians – one man and two women – were killed after they accidentally triggered an unexploded landmine in the village of al-Bawatiyah in western Deir ez Zour.
On March 14, one child was killed after accidentally triggering an unexploded munition in the village of al-Fuah, Idlib.
On March 14, one civilian was severely injured after accidentally triggering an unexploded landmine in the village of Babulin, Idlib.
On March 14, one civilian was killed after accidentally triggering an unexploded landmine in the Maabataly district in northern Aleppo.
On March 14, one man was killed after accidentally triggering an unexploded landmine in Afrin city, Aleppo.
On March 14, one civilian was killed after accidentally triggering an unexploded landmine in the village of al-Moheisenly in eastern Aleppo.
On March 14, one civilian was killed after accidentally triggering an unexploded landmine in the village of al-Adman in northern Deir ez Zour.
On March 14, an unexploded landmine was triggered accidentally in Dael, Daraa, but it caused no confirmed casualties.

Internal Security and Criminal Activity

On March 11, one boy was shot and injured in an attack by unidentified gunmen in the town of Abu Hammam in eastern Deir ez Zour.
On March 11, one man, identified as Hamid al-Hamad, was shot dead by an unidentified assassin in the town of Jadid Baggara, Deir ez Zour.
On March 11, a shipment of approximately 150,000 captagon pills was seized by interim government forces in a targeted raid in northern Daraa, appearing to be prepared for smuggling towards the Jordanian border.
On March 11, two brothers – Nour al-Din and Emad al-Labbad – were assassinated by unidentified gunmen during a raid on their home in al-Sanamayn, Daraa. Nour al-Din al-Labbad was a former Syrian diplomat. In response, local gunmen protested, throwing grenades and setting fire to cars. GSS forces later enforced a curfew in al-Sanamayn.
On March 11, three men were shot dead by unidentified assassins in an attack on the main road between al-Hirak and al-Nahta, Daraa.
On March 11, Public Security forces launched a targeted raid on a compound in the village of al-Mazraa in northern rural Homs and seized a large cache of weapons and ammunition.
On March 11, two men were kidnapped by unidentified gunmen in rural western Homs.
On March 12, three alleged drug smugglers were detained by GSS forces in a targeted raid in al-Bab, Aleppo.
On March 12, seven combatants were killed in heavy clashes between rival families in the village of Khalsah in southern rural Aleppo.
On March 12, one man was shot dead by unidentified gunmen while he was riding his motorbike on the main road entering Baniyas, Tartus.
On March 12, one drug smuggler and dealer was detained by local government security forces in Hama.
On March 12, one 53-year-old man, identified as Azzam Mousa, was freed from house arrest by a group of gunmen posing as interim government forces during a targeted raid in Homs city.
On March 12, the body of one man – kidnapped two days earlier – was found in the Wadi al-Nasari area, Homs.
On March 12, one man was shot dead in an apparent assassination in rural Homs.
On March 12, SDF linked militiamen kidnapped two men – identified locally as Aboud al-Hani and Adly al-Hamdan – in Raqqa city, reportedly for their role in organizing celebrations of the SDF-Damascus framework agreement the previous day. Both men were reportedly beaten and later dumped on the side of the road in the al-Makf area.
On March 12, unidentified gunmen crossed the Euphrates River into the SDF-held villages of Gharanij and Abu Hammam in Deir ez Zour, triggering clashes with locally deployed SDF forces. Later that day, the SDF imposed a curfew in both villages, while searching for the gunmen. Four suspects were captured.
On March 12, pro-Assad gunmen launched an attack on interim government forces in Kafr Souseh, Damascus, triggering heavy clashes (casualties not confirmed).
On March 12, one man, identified as Yousef al-Hazzah, was shot and injured in an apparent assassination attempt in the village of Asim in the Lajat district, Daraa.
On March 13, one man was kidnapped by unidentified gunmen in the Sheikh Najjar area of Aleppo city. A $100,000 ransom demand was later issued to his family.
On March 13, one man was kidnapped by unidentified gunmen who ambushed his vehicle on the highway between Jableh and Baniyas, Latakia. His body – tortured and executed – was discovered later that day.
On March 13, three men were kidnapped by unidentified gunmen in an attack on a farm near Ras Shamrah, Latakia.
On March 13, unidentified gunmen set a number of fires in forested areas around Qardaha, Latakia, triggering wildfires that drew in a White Helmets response.
On March 13, Public Security forces intercepted a truck carrying weapons and ammunition towards Lebanon, in an ambush in the village of Khirbet al-Tayn in western rural Homs.
On March 13, Public Security forces launched a targeted raid in an attempt to detain a former NDF militiaman in Deir ez Zour city, but he resisted and opened fire, triggering clashes in which he later escaped.
On March 13, one man was shot and killed by unidentified gunmen during a raid on his home in Bab Sharqi, Damascus.
On March 13, the body of one man was discovered in Qudsaya, Rif Dimashq. Local reports claimed he was an Alawite. Later that day, two further male bodies were found in the area.
On March 13, for the first time, an army recruitment center began activity in Suwayda, with a large number of local men volunteering to enlist.
On March 14, one man was killed in crossfire during a brief armed clash between GSS fighters and a group of unidentified gunmen in Manbij, Aleppo.
On March 14, one combatant was killed and two others injured in an armed clash between rival tribes in the village of al-Dibsi Afnaan in western Raqqa.
On March 14, the body of an unidentified gunman was discovered, executed by gunshot, in the Kabajeb desert in southwestern Deir ez Zour.
On March 14, one pro-Assad loyalist was detained by Public Security forces in a targeted raid in Deir ez Zour. Local media claimed he had recently filmed himself launching a rocket towards interim government security forces. Weapons were discovered and seized in his home.
On March 14, one man was shot dead and another injured by interim government forces at a checkpoint after he refused to stop in al-Sanamayn, Daraa.

Relevant Context

The Syrian Constitutional Declaration, signed this week by Interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa, represents a pivotal step in the post-Assad transitional period. Following the collapse of the previous regime in December 2024, the interim government has been working to establish new governance structures and a framework for a future Syria. The declaration's emphasis on a five-year transitional period, Islamic jurisprudence, and a strong central executive, while also affirming freedoms and rights, reflects the complex balancing act required to unite diverse factions and ideologies. However, the immediate rejection by the Syrian Democratic Council (SDC) highlights the deep-seated divisions, particularly concerning decentralization and representation for various ethnic and political components, which remain significant obstacles to a truly unified Syria.

The visit of approximately 100 Druze sheikhs from Quneitra and the Syrian Golan Heights to Israel for a religious pilgrimage, the first since 1948, underscores the intricate and often sensitive cross-border dynamics in the region. The Druze community in Syria, particularly in the Golan Heights which has been under Israeli occupation since 1967, has historically navigated complex loyalties and identities. While the organizers framed the visit as purely religious, the strong condemnation from within the Druze community in Hader, Quneitra, reflects deep-seated opposition to any perceived normalization with Israel and concerns about the visit being exploited for political purposes, particularly given the ongoing conflict and the disputed status of the Golan Heights.