SITREP: 22-28 Mar 2025 | SALT Strategic Advisory

SYRIA SITREP: 2025-03-22 - 2025-03-28 (Published: 2025-03-29)

Executive Summary

The week of March 22-28, 2025, saw significant political and security developments across Syria, primarily centered on the interim government's efforts to consolidate authority and engage internationally, alongside persistent internal and external security challenges. Interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa and his administration engaged in high-level diplomatic meetings, including a multilateral conference with France, Lebanon, Cyprus, and Greece, and a bilateral border demarcation agreement with Lebanon. Domestically, key appointments were made, notably the formal appointment of Sheikh Osama al-Rifai as Grand Mufti and the establishment of the Supreme Fatwa Council, signaling efforts to shape religious discourse. Security operations by interim government forces, particularly the GSS and Public Security, targeted former regime loyalists, pro-Assad gunmen, and Hezbollah operatives, leading to numerous arrests and weapon seizures. Concurrently, Israel conducted multiple ground incursions, artillery strikes, and an airstrike on Latakia port, highlighting ongoing regional tensions. Civilian casualties from unexploded ordnance and unidentified attacks remained a concern, alongside persistent tribal and inter-factional clashes. A critical humanitarian appeal was issued for cancer medication.

Key shifts observed include the interim government's proactive diplomatic outreach and its assertive stance in internal security operations against remnants of the former regime. However, the continued frequency and scope of Israeli military actions, coupled with persistent internal violence, underscore the fragility of the security environment.

Key watchpoints for the coming period include the interim government's ability to maintain internal stability against various armed elements, the international response to Syria's humanitarian needs, and the potential for escalation stemming from continued Israeli military activity.

Detailed Analysis

1. Politics

International Affairs

On March 26, Interim Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaybani hosted a meeting with China’s Ambassador to Syria Shi Hongwei.
On March 26, Syria’s interim Minister of Transport held a meeting with the Charge d’Affairs of Poland’s Embassy Robert Rockiki to discuss potential avenues for Polish support to Syria’s transport sector.
On March 28, Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa joined a virtual multilateral conference mediated by French President Emmanuel Macron, alongside counterparts from Lebanon, Cyprus, and Greece. During the summit, Sharaa stressed the significance of security challenges posed by Israel; Lebanese President General Aoun stressed the need to enhance security coordination with Syria; while the Greek Prime Minister underlined the need to combat illegal migration and offered Greek support for revitalizing Syria’s energy sector.
On March 28, in a bilateral meeting facilitated by the Saudi Ministry of Defense, the Syrian and Lebanese defense ministers signed an agreement officially demarcating their shared border. They also agreed to establish joint “specialist committees” to enhance cooperation and coordination on shared military and security challenges, including border control.
On March 28, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan agreed on the need for “joint efforts” to re-establish and support stability in Syria and of the need for Syria’s natural resources to be under the central government’s control.
On March 28, Interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa received congratulatory messages in advance of the Eid al-Fitr holiday from Bahraini King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa, Bahraini Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad al-Khalifa, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi, Jordanian King Abdullah II, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, and Arab League Secretary General Ahmed Aboul Gheit.
On March 28, Iraq’s National Security Advisor Qassem al-Araji thanked and expressed support for Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s decision to meet with Shia leaders earlier that day, describing the meeting as “important” and aimed at “building unity and social cohesion.”
News emerged on March 27 that a planned visit by the German and Austrian Interior Ministers to Damascus had been cancelled at the last minute due to “concrete warnings” of a “possible terrorist threat.”
On March 28, the U.S. State Department warned citizens not to travel to Syria due to “significant risks of terrorism and unrest” and the increased possibility of attacks during the Eid al-Fitr holiday that could target “embassies, international organizations, and Syrian public institutions in Damascus.”

Domestic Affairs

On March 25, in a press conference, the spokesman for the investigative committee tasked with looking into the sectarian killings in Latakia and Tartus after March 7, Yasser al-Farhan, stated that “nine sites” had been “inspected” and a total of 95 witness statements collected regarding more than 30 incidents. Farhan declared that armed men from the remnants of the former regime were present in the areas, and while a special court was expected, completing the mission within 30 days would be difficult, potentially requiring an extension.
On March 25, Colonel Khaled Omar, formerly of Harakat Nour al-Din al-Zinki, was appointed the chief of staff for the Aleppo-based 80th Division.
On March 26, Bishop Hanna Jalouf, the head of Syria’s Catholic Church, visited Christian residents in Idlib – in the villages of Quniyah, Judeidah, and Yacoubiyah, triggering street celebrations.
On March 26, the Minister of Higher Education appointed Dr. Marouf al-Khalaf as the director of the Center for Strategic Studies in Damascus University.
On March 27, media reports emerged that interim Governor of Syria’s Central Bank, Maysaa Sabreen, had resigned and was soon to be replaced by Abdulqader Hasriyyah.
On March 28, Dr. Obadah al-Tamer was appointed the Vice Dean of the Political Science faculty at Damascus University and the Syrian Virtual University.
On March 28, Dr. Namir Eissa was appointed the Director of Cultural Affairs at the Ministry of Higher Education.
On March 28, President Ahmed al-Sharaa formally appointed Sheikh Osama al-Rifai as Syria’s Grand Mufti, settling a long-running dispute and establishing the authority of the Shamiya school of Islamic thought.
On March 28, President Ahmed al-Sharaa established the Supreme Fatwa Council, comprised of 15 Syrian clerics including Osama al-Rifai, responsible for issuing fatwas, appointing muftis, and providing guidance on public and civil issues. Sharaa stated the council would “regulate moderate religious discourse” and “resolve disputes.”
On March 28, Syria’s Foreign Ministry established the General Secretariat of Political Affairs, responsible for “supervising and organizing political activities and events inside Syria” and for “repurposing the assets of the Arab Socialist Baath Party and national parties to serve national and political missions.”
On March 28, President Ahmed al-Sharaa hosted a lengthy meeting with 17 prominent Shia religious and civil leaders in Damascus.
On March 28, a Druze delegation led by the leader of the Liwa Ahrar Jabal Arab militia, Suleiman Abdul Baqi, visited the village of Koya in Daraa’s Yarmouk Basin to convey condolences for the death of six local residents during an Israeli ground incursion on March 25.

2. Business

Economic & Infrastructure Developments

On March 27, the interim director of Syria’s Central Bank, Maysaa Sabreen, submitted her resignation, planning to remain in the post until a new bank governor is appointed.
On March 25, Ali al-Rifai, the director of Public Relations in the Ministry of Information, explained that efforts had been underway for four months to establish and launch a new Syrian state TV service, which would be “accessible as soon as a frequency is available on Nilesat,” requiring foreign sanctions on the General Authority for Radio and Television to be removed.
On March 27, the Turkish Minister of Transport and Infrastructure suggested that Syria may take steps towards accepting Turkish internet infrastructure via satellites and ground cabling – all via Turksat.

3. Security

Israeli Military Operations

On March 26, Israeli ground forces launched an incursion into the area between Khan Arnabeh and Kawm Muhayres in southern Quneitra, rigging and detonating several former regime military posts.
On March 26, Israeli ground forces launched ground incursions into the villages of Jamla and Saysoun in Daraa’s Yarmouk Basin.
On March 27, Israeli artillery targeted a former regime military post affiliated with the 90th Brigade in the village of Ayn Aysha in Quneitra.
On March 27, Israeli artillery targeted a former regime military post affiliated with the 4th Battallion in the village of Taranjah in northern Quneitra.
On March 27, Israeli ground forces launched an incursion into the village of Jamlah in western Daraa.
On March 27, Israeli ground forces launched an incursion into the villages of al-Samdaniyah al-Gharbiyah and al-Arjaf in central Quneitra.
In the early hours of March 27, Israeli airstrikes targeted military and naval assets in the al-Bayda Port and in Latakia city. Targets included several naval vessels, the port itself, and the 110th Naval Brigade base in the city.
On the night of March 27, Israeli ground forces also launched at least three coordinated ground incursions into Quneitra, during which they demolished former regime military positions with explosives.
On March 28, three local men from the village of Koya in Daraa’s Yarmouk Basin were abducted by Israeli forces during a ground incursion. The men were identified as Hussein al-Ramadan, Suleiman al-Ramadan, and Bassel al-Zaher. All were released later that day after being told that farming in the area was now prohibited.
Late on March 28, an Israeli shell or missile landed and penetrated deep into the ground in the village of Koya, having been launched from within Israeli-controlled territory to the west. It did not detonate.

Internal Security Operations & Pro-Assad Insurgency

On March 25, local notables in the village of Ayn Shaqaq outside Jableh (Latakia) collectively surrendered their local weapons to the interim government.
On March 25, a former regime soldier, identified as Ziad al-Raz, was detained by Public Security forces in a targeted raid in Tartus.
Late on March 26, one Public Security fighter was killed when pro-Assad loyalists launched an attack on a checkpoint in Sleinfeh in eastern Latakia, triggering clashes.
On March 26, several Assad regime loyalists were captured by GSS forces in a targeted raid in Damascus’ Old City, and a large cache of weapons and equipment was seized, including rifles, rocket propelled grenades, explosives, communications equipment, and night-vision scopes.
On March 26, former regime intelligence officer Maher Ziyad Hadid, implicated in crimes in Tadamon, was detained by GSS forces in a targeted raid in Damascus.
Late on March 26, Bashar al-Assad’s Grand Mufti, Ahmed Hassoun, was detained by GSS forces at Damascus International Airport while attempting to flee Syria.
On March 26, several suspected pro-Assad gunmen were detained by interim government forces in a raid in the village of al-Jabriyah in eastern rural Homs.
On March 27, two pro-Assad gunmen were killed in a raid by interim government forces in the village of Mesaytirah outside Jableh (Latakia).
On March 27, one pro-Assad gunman was killed during a GSS raid in the village of Bustan al-Hamam outside Baniyas (Tartus).
Late on March 27, two Public Security fighters were killed in an ambush by pro-Assad loyalists in Tartus city.
On March 27, local notables in the village of Wadi Ayoun (Hama) collectively surrendered a large supply of rifles, ammunition, and grenades to the interim government.
On March 27, at least five former regime military officers were captured by interim government forces in a raid in Hama city.
On March 27, a drug smuggling cell was captured and a large quantity of captagon and hashish in their possession was seized during a GSS targeted raid in Maskanah (Homs).
On March 27, one former regime militiaman was captured during a targeted raid by GSS fighters in the village of al-Quriya (Deir ez Zour).
On March 27, a number of Hezbollah operatives were detained during a targeted GSS raid in Sayyida Zeinab (Damascus). Local news claimed the Hezbollah cell had been planning “criminal operations.”
On March 27, GSS forces seized a pick-up truck full of weapons and ammunition belonging to a former regime Republican Guard officer in an ambush in Telfita (Rif Dimashq).
On March 28, the GSS ordered all of its personnel to cease wearing any form of face masks.
On March 28, Reuters revealed how Syria’s interim government had escorted a team from the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) to five chemical weapons production and storage locations – some previously unknown or unseen – during a visit to Syria between March 12-21. Government officials provided the OPCW access to “documents and detailed information” and “unfettered access.”
On March 28, Russian air defenses shot down an unidentified drone flying over its naval base in Tartus.
On March 28, two interim government fighters were killed in an ambush by pro-Assad gunmen outside Tartus.
Late on March 28, pro-Assad gunmen launched an attack on a police station in Latakia city, triggering heavy clashes but no confirmed casualties.
On March 28, ten former regime militiamen were detained by Public Security forces in a series of raids in al-Rastan (Homs).
Late on March 28, GSS forces seized a large weapons cache belonging to pro-Assad gunmen during a targeted raid in Homs city’s Waer district, with intelligence provided by locals.
On March 28, one former NDF militiaman was detained by GSS forces in a targeted raid in Deir ez Zour city.
On March 28, one former regime political security officer – identified as Mohammed Ali al-Ghadban – was detained by GSS forces in a targeted raid in Deir ez Zour city.
Late on March 28, prisoners in Adra Prison (Rif Dimashq) initiated a riot, forcing the intervention by Public Security forces that night, which quelled the unrest.

ISIS Activity

On March 26, ISIS militants launched an RPG and machine gun attack on an SDF checkpoint in al-Janiyah in western Deir ez Zour.
On March 27, ISIS militants launched at least three separate attacks on commercial stores in al-Huwayj in eastern Deir ez Zour, but no casualties were confirmed.
On March 28, one ISIS operative was detained in a joint SDF-US operation in the village of al-Tuwaymin in southeastern Hasakeh. Local media reporting claimed he had been assisting in smuggling into and out of al-Hol camp.

Civilian Casualties & Unidentified Attacks

On March 25, one man was killed while an explosive device he was attempting to conceal inside someone else’s home prematurely detonated in Suwayda city. A woman living in the house was severely injured.
On March 25, one boy, identified locally as Mohammed al-Jassem, was shot dead and his mother injured after they were fired upon by SDF fighters while approaching a checkpoint in the village of Umm al-Baramil north of Raqqa.
On March 25, one Moroccan girl was killed – by beating and strangulation – in an attack by unidentified people inside the al-Roj camp outside Malakiyah (Hasakeh).
On March 25, one civilian was killed after accidentally triggering an unexploded munition in the al-Shamiya area in eastern Deir ez Zour.
On March 25, one man was killed after accidentally triggering an unexploded munition in the desert of western Deir ez Zour.
On March 25, one man was shot dead by unidentified gunmen in the village of al-Bali in the Lajat district (Daraa).
Late on March 25, unidentified gunmen threw at least one grenade into the street in the Kashf district of Daraa city, causing damage but no casualties.
Late on March 25, unidentified gunmen rigged a residential building with explosives and then detonated it in the village of Jabab in northern Daraa. No casualties were confirmed.
On March 26, a woman and her son were killed and three other children were injured after they accidentally triggered an unexploded landmine in the village of Buwahyj in eastern Aleppo.
On March 26, one former regime-affiliated engineer was killed by unidentified gunmen in Aleppo city’s Hamdaniyah district.
On March 26, one child was injured after accidentally triggering an unexploded munition in the village of al-Qastal al-Wastani (Hama).
On March 26, one young girl was killed after accidentally triggering an unexploded landmine in al-Quriya in eastern Deir ez Zour.
On March 27, one university student was kidnapped by unidentified gunmen in Aleppo city. Local media reporting claimed she had been kidnapped by SDF-linked fighters for forcible recruitment.
On March 27, one man was shot dead by unidentified gunmen in Manbij (Aleppo).
On March 27, one interim government soldier was shot dead by unidentified gunmen on the outskirts of Manbij (Aleppo).
On March 27, one woman was kidnapped outside Qardaha (Latakia).
On March 27, three men were killed in an armed attack by unidentified gunmen in rural Tartus.
On March 27, one interim government soldier was shot dead by unidentified gunmen in the Abu al-Fida district of Hama city.
On March 27, one man was shot dead by unidentified gunmen in the village of al-Dhahabiyah in western rural Homs.
On March 27, one woman was kidnapped from the village of al-Zafraniyah in western rural Homs.
On March 27, one civilian was injured after accidentally triggering an unexploded munition near al-Mujawadah in eastern Deir ez Zour.
On March 27, one former regime soldier and two civilians were killed in an armed attack by unidentified gunmen in al-Quriya (Deir ez Zour).
On March 27, one man was injured in an attack by unidentified gunmen in Hasakeh city.
On March 28, two children were injured after accidentally triggering an unexploded landmine in the village of Deir al-Gharbi (Idlib).
On March 28, one man was shot dead by unidentified gunmen in the village of Batabo (Idlib).
On March 28, one civilian was killed and two others injured after they accidentally triggered an unexploded landmine in the desert outside Palmyra (Homs).
On March 28, one child was injured after accidentally triggering an unexploded munition in al-Mayadin (Deir ez Zour).
On March 28, one man was killed and another injured when unidentified gunmen opened fire on them in Zabadani (Rif Dimashq). Local media claimed the men had been informants for the regime.
On March 28, one man working as a taxi driver was shot dead in an assassination by unidentified gunmen in al-Sanamayn (Daraa).

Inter-Factional & Tribal Clashes

On March 26, two combatants were killed and several others injured in clashes between rival tribesmen in eastern rural Idlib.
On March 26, one combatant was killed during clashes between rival tribesmen in the village of Umm al-Fursan outside Qamishli (Hasakeh).
On March 26, three combatants were killed and several others injured in clashes between rival tribesman in the village of Daqmaq in Sahl al-Ghab (Hama).
On March 26, heavy clashes erupted between rival tribes in Sahnaya (Rif Dimashq).
On March 27, one combatant was killed and several others injured in clashes between rival clans in Deir Hafer (Aleppo).
On March 27, armed tribesmen launched several attacks on the homes of rival tribesmen in the village of Tel Awdah outside Qamishli (Hasakeh), triggering clashes but no confirmed casualties.
On March 27, two combatants were injured in an armed clash between rival tribesman in the village of Jadel in the Lajat district (Daraa).
On March 28, one combatant was killed in an armed clash between rival tribesmen in al-Haray in eastern Deir ez Zour.
On March 28, one combatant was killed and four others injured in an armed clash between rival tribesmen in the village of al-Zar in eastern Deir ez Zour.

Kidnappings & Executions

On March 25, two men were kidnapped by unidentified gunmen in rural Homs.
On March 25, the body of one man – kidnapped 10 days earlier – was discovered in the village of al-San in eastern rural Hama.
On March 26, one man was kidnapped by unidentified gunmen in the Karam Shams district of Homs city and his executed body was found later that day.
On March 26, the body of one man, identified locally as Yahya Zeidan, was discovered – having been executed by gunshot – outside the al-Walid hospital in Homs city. He had been kidnapped on March 7.
On March 26, one former NDF commander was kidnapped by unidentified gunmen in the village of Qurfah (Daraa). His executed body was discovered in the al-Najih junction area in northern rural Daraa later that day.
On March 27, one man was kidnapped by unidentified gunmen in the Karam Shams district of Homs city.
On March 28, the body of one man – executed by gunshot – was discovered in the Karam Shams district of Homs city. He had been kidnapped three weeks earlier.

Humanitarian & Health Developments

On March 26, Syria’s Ministry of Health issued a public “urgent appeal” to the international community for help with a serious cancer medication shortage, describing it as a “genuine health and humanitarian crisis.” The call came amid a meeting in Damascus, chaired by the ministry’s Director of Planning and International Cooperation, Dr. Zuhayr Qaraat.
On March 28, Syria’s Arab Red Crescent delivered a convoy of humanitarian aid to the village of Koya in western Daraa, in response to the needs resulting from successive Israeli attacks in recent days.

Relevant Context

The week's events highlight several ongoing challenges and transitional efforts in Syria. The investigative committee's work on the March 7 sectarian killings in Latakia and Tartus underscores the deep-seated internal divisions and the continued presence of armed elements loyal to the former regime, posing a significant challenge to the interim government's authority and stability in coastal areas. The abduction and subsequent release of civilians in Koya, Daraa, following a deadly Israeli incursion on March 25, illustrates the direct and often violent impact of Israeli security operations on Syrian border communities, which Israel often justifies as targeting Iranian-backed forces or preventing hostile entrenchment. Furthermore, the OPCW team's access to previously unknown chemical weapons sites, reported on March 28, is a critical step in verifying Syria's compliance with international chemical disarmament obligations, a process that has been fraught with challenges since Syria joined the Chemical Weapons Convention in 2013.