SITREP: 19-25 Apr 2025 | SALT Strategic Advisory

SYRIA SITREP: 2025-04-19 - 2025-04-25 (Published: 2025-04-26)

Executive Summary

This week saw a significant surge in Syria's diplomatic and economic reintegration efforts. Minister of Finance Mohammed Barnieh and Central Bank Governor Abdelqader Hasriyeh held high-level meetings in Washington DC with the IMF and World Bank, securing commitments for technical support and potential loans. The UK Government also lifted all sanctions on Syria’s Ministries of Interior and Defense, and other economic sectors. Internationally, the new Syrian flag was hoisted at the UN Headquarters in New York, with Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaybani declaring Syria's commitment to transitional justice and missing persons commissions. Domestically, President Ahmed al-Sharaa engaged extensively with governors and ministers to discuss public services and economic self-sufficiency.

However, internal tensions escalated, particularly in the northeast. The Syrian Presidency issued a public statement expressing deep concern over SDF actions, accusing them of contradicting previous agreements and threatening national unity. This coincided with the SDF reportedly reducing oil supply to the Baniyas refinery by 50% due to disagreements. Security remained volatile across several governorates, with numerous landmine incidents causing civilian casualties, especially children. ISIS continued its attacks, particularly in Deir ez Zour, and Israeli military forces conducted several ground incursions in Quneitra. Internal security forces conducted multiple targeted raids, detaining former regime figures and organized criminals, and seizing large weapons caches.

Watchpoints:

The SDF-Damascus accord appears increasingly fragile, with the Syrian Presidency's public statement highlighting significant disagreements over autonomy and territorial integrity.
The success of Syria's economic reintegration hinges on continued international financial institution engagement and the materialization of promised technical support and loans.

Detailed Analysis

1. Politics

International Affairs

On April 22, President Ahmed al-Sharaa hosted a delegation of Egypt-based Syrian businessmen in Damascus.
On April 22, Turkish Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, Abdulkadir Uraloglu, visited Damascus and agreed with Syrian counterpart Yaroub Badr to activate all border crossings, aiming for a joint crossing system.
On April 22, Uraloglu also met with Syria’s Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Abdulsalam Haykal, to discuss potential Turkish assistance with satellite-provided internet.
On April 22, Senior Syrian Shia cleric Abdallah Nizam traveled to Iraq and held meetings with Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, marking the "first official visit" by a Syrian Shia leader to Iraq.
On April 23, President Ahmed al-Sharaa hosted a large delegation of Jordan-based Jordanian and Syrian businessmen.
On April 23, Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaybani participated in the regular meeting of the Arab League in Cairo.
On April 23, Minister of Finance Mohammed Barnieh and Central Bank Governor Abdelqader Hasriyeh participated in a multilateral roundtable on the Syrian economy convened by Saudi Arabia in Washington DC, alongside officials from G7 countries, Turkey, Arab states, the European Union, World Bank, and IMF.
On April 23, Barnieh and Hasriyeh met with IMF Managing Director Kristalena Georgieva and World Bank President Ajay Banga, and World Bank’s Vice President for Digital Development, Sangbum Kim, accepting a World Bank offer to support Syria in designing a comprehensive national digital transformation strategy.
On April 23, Minister of Defense Murhaf Abu Qasra hosted a senior Jordanian military delegation led by Major General Yousef Huneiti to discuss enhancing military relations and coordination.
On April 23, Syrian Minister of Endowments, Mohammed Abu al-Khayr Shukri, met with Saudi Ambassador to Syria Faisal al-Mufjel to discuss enhanced bilateral engagement and Hajj affairs.
On April 23, SDF leader Mazloum Abdi met with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot in Irbil.
On April 23, Syria’s Minister of Emergency and Disaster Management, Raed al-Saleh, hosted Canadian Special Envoy to Syria Omar al-Ghabra in Damascus.
On April 23, Syrian Minister of Health Musab al-Ali hosted Norwegian Charge d’Affairs Hilde Haraldstad in Damascus, discussing Syria’s physical and mental health needs, the development of a digitized electronic patient registry, and opportunities for Norway to support it.
On April 23, Syrian Minister of Education Mohammed Turko hosted a delegation from Turkey’s embassy in Damascus to discuss the current status and needs of Syria’s education sector.
On April 24, SDF leader Mazloum Abdi met with President of Iraqi Kurdistan Nechirvan Barzani in Irbil to discuss developments in Syria, intra-Kurdish dynamics, and the continued challenge posed by ISIS.
On April 24, Syria’s Minister of Finance Mohammed Barnieh and Central Bank Governor Abdelqader Hasriyeh met with the President of the OPEC Fund for Economic Development, Abdulhamid al-Khalifa, in Washington DC to discuss potential support for Syria’s energy and electricity sectors.
On April 24, Barnieh and Hasriyeh also met with Baroness Chapman, the UK Minister of State for International Development, in Washington DC, discussing the UK’s recent lifting of sanctions on Syria and plans to support Syria’s economic redevelopment.
On April 24, Barnieh and Hasriyeh met with Executive Director of the Arab Group at the World Bank, Abdulaziz al-Mulla, and Executive Director of the Arab Group at the IMF, Mohamed Maait, discussing the procedure necessary for Syria's return to the Arab offices of the international financial institutions.
On April 24, Barnieh and Hasriyeh met with the President of the Islamic Development Bank Group, Mohammed al-Jasser.
On April 24, Barnieh and Hasriyeh met with the IMF Legal Department to discuss Syria’s technical support needs and strengthening financial integrity, governance and transparency, anti-money laundering and terrorist financing system, combating corruption, government financial management, and updating relevant laws and procedures.
On April 24, the Saudi Minister of Finance held a meeting with the leaderships of the IMF and World Bank in Washington DC to discuss economic support for Syria and the process required to reintegrate Syria’s economy into the international system.
On April 24, IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva publicly stated that the IMF was “looking forward to working with Syria to help reintegrate it into the global economy.”
On April 24, Minister of Energy Mohammed al-Bashir held a meeting with a delegation of Jordanian businessmen in Damascus to discuss opportunities for investment in traditional and renewable energies.
On April 24, a delegation from Syria’s Ministry of Interior visited Saudi Arabia to establish bilateral cooperation.
On April 24, Syrian Minister of Higher Education Marwan al-Halabi hosted Saudi Ambassador to Syria Faisal al-Mufjel to discuss a wide variety of areas for potential cooperation, including university twinning, student recruitment, and advanced research.
On April 24, UN Special Envoy to Syria Geir Pedersen held talks with the Ambassadors to the UN from Russia, China and Turkey in New York focused on Syria’s political transition, representation, terrorism, foreign fighters, and the worsening economic and humanitarian crisis.
On April 25, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaybani participated in a ceremony outside the UN Headquarters in New York, during which the new Syrian flag was hoisted.
On April 25, Shaybani participated in a meeting of the UN Security Council, declaring Syria would soon announce a transitional justice commission and a commission for missing persons, and would coordinate with the U.S. to investigate missing Americans in Syria.
On April 25, Foreign Minister Shaybani hosted a meeting with the Ambassadors and Permanent Representatives of Arab States to the UN in New York to discuss additional opportunities for “joint Arab coordination with the Security Council.”
On April 25, Foreign Minister Shaybani also met with UN Special Envoy to Syria Geir Pedersen, UNDP Administrator Achim Steiner, Secretary General for UN Peacekeeping Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, and Secretary General for Political and Peacebuilding, Rosemary Di Carlo.
On April 25, Foreign Minister Shaybani convened a four-hour workshop with the Syrian American community.
On April 25, an Iraqi government delegation (headed by Iraqi National Intelligence Service chief Hamid al-Shatri) visited Damascus to discuss bilateral security challenges and the potential to restore oil pipelines from Iraq through Syria.
On April 25, President Sharaa and Iraqi intelligence chief Shatri agreed to establish a mechanism to re-open and coordinate the al-Tanf-al-Waleed crossing and explore new investments and trade deals. Sharaa also formally accepted Iraq’s invitation to attend the Arab League summit in Baghdad in May.
On April 25, Syria’s Minister of Finance Mohammed Barnieh and Central Bank Governor Abdelqader Hasriyeh met with the Governor of the Turkish Central Bank, Dr. Fatih Karahan, in Washington DC, discussing opportunities for increasing economic ties and re-establishing Turkish banks on Syrian soil.
On April 25, Barnieh and Hasriyeh also met with the IMF Director of Fiscal Affairs Vitor Gaspar in Washington DC, discussing IMF plans to help with the restructuring of the Ministry of Finance, strengthening public financial management, and advancing reforms in tax and customs systems.
On April 25, Barnieh and Hasriyeh met with Germany’s Minister for Development and Economic Cooperation, Svenja Schulz, discussing EU sanctions and opportunities for German investment in Syria’s development, support for women’s education, in microfinance initiatives, and health infrastructure rehabilitation.
On April 25, Barnieh and Hasriyeh met with a joint team from the European Commission and the European Investment Bank to discuss opportunities for their resumption of work in Syria, to support reconstruction and development programming.
On April 22, the military wing of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, the al-Quds Brigades, called on Syria’s transitional government to release its detained officials.
On April 22, U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Jim Risch and Ranking Member Jeanne Shaheen called on the State Department and Treasury Department to engage Syria’s transitional government and ease sanctions.
On April 22, Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman al-Thani, met with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington DC, stating the United States is “open regarding Syria” and more willing to consider engagement and sanctions easing.
On April 22, Syrian Finance Minister Mohammed Barnieh announced Ron Van Roden had been appointed as the IMF’s Mission Chief in Syria, marking the resumption of IMF cooperation.
On April 22, World Bank Vice President for the Middle East and North Africa Ousmane Dione confirmed the bank stands poised to support Syria’s economic recovery, especially in the energy, banking and digital sectors.
On April 23, Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein met with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot in Baghdad and discussed Syria, stressing the need to prioritize stability, a successful and representative transition, and a continued effort to combat ISIS.
On April 23, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa published remarks mourning the death of Pope Francis.
On April 24, media leaks indicated the UN Communications Group received instructions to begin referring to Syria’s new government as “Interim Government” and Ahmed al-Sharaa as “Interim President,” acknowledging UN recognition of a formal change in government.
On April 24, the spokesman for Germany’s Interior Ministry announced work on a mechanism allowing Syrians to make short trips to their homeland without losing their protected status.
On April 24, news emerged that Saudi Arabia and Qatar were jointly paying off Syria’s approximately $15 million of debts to the World Bank.
On April 25, Russian FSB chief Sergey Naryshkin confirmed a “very constructive and friendly meeting” with a Syrian intelligence leader on April 17-18.
On April 25, the Yemeni Foreign Ministry announced its Embassy in Damascus would re-open on April 27.

Domestic Affairs

On April 23, President Ahmed al-Sharaa met with Minister of Public Works and Housing, Mustafa Abdulrazzaq, in Damascus to discuss the ministry’s strategic plans and needs.
On April 23, Minister of Social Affairs and Labor Hind Kabawat met with Suwayda Governor Mustafa Bakkour to discuss how the transitional government can more effectively assist Suwayda’s services and humanitarian needs.
On April 23, the first political forum held under the “National Dialogue Forum” purview in nearly 25 years was convened in Damascus, involving Joumana Seif, Khawla Dunia, Radwan Ziadeh, and Moutasem al-Syoufi.
On April 24, President Ahmed al-Sharaa held a meeting with all of Syria’s 14 governors in Damascus to discuss the state of public services, new local developments, and the need to continue improving government ability to meet citizen needs.
On April 24, President al-Sharaa met with Minister of Culture Mohammed Yassin al-Saleh in Damascus to discuss efforts to better promote Syrian culture.
On April 24, President al-Sharaa held a meeting with Minister of Health Musab al-Ali to discuss plans to redevelop Syria’s health infrastructure and services.
On April 24, Abdulrahman Salameh, a former HTS figure, was appointed as the Deputy Supervisor of Azaz, Afrin, al-Bab, Jarablus and Manbij.
On April 24, Former Syrian Ambassador to the UK, Sami Khiyami, was appointed as Senior Advisor for Institutional Efficiency within the Ministry of Economy and Industry.
On April 25, Minister of Economy and Industry, Nidal al-Shaar, announced the appointment of six senior advisors: Dr. Rasha Siroub (Policy Affairs), Dr. Karam Shaar (digital transformation), Dr. Alaa Jabal (training), Dr. Razi Mohyeddin (planning), Mr. George al-Khazama (liquidity), and Mr. Manaf Kuman (infrastructure and reconstruction).
On April 25, Minister of Economy and Industry, Nidal al-Shaar, also announced the appointment of Dr. Mazen Dirawan as Senior Advisor for Foreign Trade Affairs.
On April 25, Minister of Information Hamza al-Mustafa clarified in a public statement that the Ministry of Information affirms its full commitment to the freedom of thought, publishing and printing and to get rid of the legacy of the former regime.
On April 25, several hundred Druze clerics reportedly entered Israel to perform the Ziyara pilgrimage to the Nabi Shuayb tomb.
On April 25, President Ahmed al-Sharaa met with Minister of Agriculture Amjad Badr in Damascus to discuss the ministry’s strategic plan and the goal of achieving self-sufficiency.
On April 25, media reporting claimed the SDF had reduced its supply of oil to the government-run refinery in Baniyas by 50% amidst worsening disagreements over the security agreement around the Tishreen Dam. A convoy of oil tankers began amassing on the M4 Highway outside Qamishli, as SDF forces stopped them from moving towards government-held areas.
On April 25, the Syrian government “abruptly” cancelled the first planned flight by Turkish commercial airline AJet to Damascus (scheduled for April 21) and demanded that Turkey allow Syrian airlines to operate flights into Turkey on a reciprocal basis.

2. Business

Economic Reintegration & Development

On April 23, Syria’s Minister of Finance Mohammed Barnieh and Central Bank Governor Abdelqader Hasriyeh participated in a multilateral roundtable focused on the Syrian economy convened by Saudi Arabia in Washington DC, alongside senior officials from G7 countries, Turkey, Arab states, the European Union, as well as senior leaders from the World Bank and the IMF.
On April 23, Barnieh and Hasriyeh met with IMF Managing Director Kristalena Georgieva and World Bank President Ajay Banga, and World Bank’s Vice President for Digital Development, Sangbum Kim, accepting a World Bank offer to support Syria in designing a comprehensive national digital transformation strategy.
On April 24, Barnieh and Hasriyeh met with Baroness Chapman, the UK Minister of State for International Development, in Washington DC, discussing the UK’s recent lifting of sanctions on Syria and plans to support Syria’s economic redevelopment.
On April 24, Barnieh and Hasriyeh met with Executive Director of the Arab Group at the World Bank, Abdulaziz al-Mulla, and Executive Director of the Arab Group at the IMF, Mohamed Maait, discussing the procedure necessary for Syria's return to the Arab offices of the international financial institutions.
On April 24, Barnieh and Hasriyeh met with the President of the Islamic Development Bank Group, Mohammed al-Jasser.
On April 24, Barnieh and Hasriyeh met with the IMF Legal Department to discuss Syria’s technical support needs and strengthening financial integrity, governance and transparency, anti-money laundering and terrorist financing system, combating corruption, government financial management, and updating relevant laws and procedures.
On April 24, the Saudi Minister of Finance held a meeting with the leaderships of the IMF and World Bank in Washington DC to discuss economic support for Syria and the process required to reintegrate Syria’s economy into the international system.
On April 24, IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva publicly stated that the IMF was “looking forward to working with Syria to help reintegrate it into the global economy.”
On April 24, news emerged that Saudi Arabia and Qatar were jointly paying off Syria’s approximately $15 million of debts to the World Bank.
On April 25, Barnieh and Hasriyeh met with the Governor of the Turkish Central Bank, Dr. Fatih Karahan, in Washington DC, discussing opportunities for increasing economic ties and re-establishing Turkish banks on Syrian soil.
On April 25, Barnieh and Hasriyeh also met with the IMF Director of Fiscal Affairs Vitor Gaspar in Washington DC, discussing IMF plans to help with the restructuring of the Ministry of Finance, strengthening public financial management, and advancing reforms in tax and customs systems.
On April 25, Barnieh and Hasriyeh met with Germany’s Minister for Development and Economic Cooperation, Svenja Schulz, discussing EU sanctions and opportunities for German investment in Syria’s development, support for women’s education, in microfinance initiatives, and health infrastructure rehabilitation.
On April 25, Barnieh and Hasriyeh met with a joint team from the European Commission and the European Investment Bank to discuss opportunities for their resumption of work in Syria, to support reconstruction and development programming.

Trade & Infrastructure Activity

On April 22, the primary ship refueling station at the Latakia Port (managed by SADCOP) resumed operation, providing fuel to ships.
On April 22, the first ship carrying approximately 10,000 tonnes of Syrian phosphate departed the Port of Tartus.
On April 24, the Vice President of the Damascus Chamber of Commerce, Mohammed al-Hallaq, stated that 70-80% of all goods imported to Syria come via smuggling channels, leading to damaged or spoiled goods.
On April 24, the UK Government announced that it was lifting all sanctions on Syria’s Ministries of Interior and Defense, as well as inactive Assad-era intelligence directorates and other sectors of the economy, including financial services and energy production.
On April 25, media reporting claimed the SDF had reduced its supply of oil to the government-run refinery in Baniyas by 50% amidst worsening disagreements over the security agreement around the Tishreen Dam. A growing convoy of oil tankers began amassing that day on the M4 Highway outside Qamishli, as SDF forces stopped them from moving towards government-held areas.
On April 25, the Syrian government “abruptly” cancelled the first planned flight by Turkish commercial airline AJet to Damascus (scheduled for April 21) and demanded that Turkey allow Syrian airlines to operate flights into Turkey on a reciprocal basis.

3. Security

Internal Security Operations & Arrests

On April 22, Public Security forces detained three Public Security personnel and one drug smuggler during a heavy armed clash that erupted during a targeted raid on a drug smuggling cell in Latakia city.
On April 22, one suspected pro-Assad gunman was detained by Public Security forces in a targeted raid on his home in Ayn al-Dananir in northeastern rural Homs.
On April 23, Public Security forces detained two pro-Assad gunmen and killed another in a targeted raid outside Latakia, seizing anti-tank rocket systems.
On April 23, Public Security forces seized a large weapons and ammunition cache hidden inside a warehouse in Homs’ northeastern countryside.
On April 23, Former Assad regime military intelligence officer Mohammed Taysir Mahfouz (Branch 215) was captured by Public Security forces in a targeted raid in Tartus.
On April 23, Public Security forces launched a targeted raid on a former compound belonging to local militia leader Thamer Ali al-Halqi in al-Shajara in the Yarmouk Basin, seizing a weapons cache containing rifles, ammunition, grenades and communications equipment.
On April 24, pro-Assad insurgent commander Orwa Suleiman was captured by Public Security forces in a targeted raid in rural Latakia.
On April 24, Former Assad regime military officer Nader Mustafa Kahwaji was captured by Public Security forces in a raid in rural Daraa.
On April 24, Syria’s Interior Ministry announced it had seized a large shipment of hashish and captagon in Daraa prepared for smuggling.
On April 24, former regime state security officer, Bilal Tawfiq Ibrahim, was captured by Public Security forces in a raid in Quneitra.
On April 25, Public Security directorate expelled approximately 20 new recruits from training after discovering they had previously served within Iranian-backed militias in Deir ez Zour.
On April 25, Former Assad regime Brigadier General Mahmoud Farhan was detained by Public Security forces in a targeted raid in Damascus.
On April 22, Three Druze men were reportedly detained by Public Security forces in Erneh southwest of Damascus after being accused of communication with the Israel Defense Force (IDF).
On April 23, Businessman Awni Taktouk (accused of collaborating with Assad regime intelligence) was detained by Public Security forces in a targeted raid in Qutayfa.

Explosive Hazards & Civilian Casualties

On April 22, a woman was killed and five other people were injured after her vehicle triggered an unexploded landmine in Salba outside Palmyra (Homs).
On April 22, three children were injured after they accidentally triggered an unexploded landmine in the al-Siyal desert area outside al-Bukamal (Deir ez Zour).
On April 23, one child was injured after triggering an unexploded landmine in the village of Umm Jaloud near Manbij (Aleppo).
On April 23, four civilians were killed and nine others injured after they accidentally triggered an unexploded landmine in the village of Arab Hassan near Manbij (Aleppo).
On April 23, one man’s vehicle triggered an unexploded landmine in the Jabal al-Bishri desert areas (Deir ez Zour), but it caused no casualties.
On April 23, one boy was killed after accidentally triggering an unexploded landmine in the desert west of Palmyra (Homs).
On April 23, four children were injured after accidentally triggering an unexploded landmine in the al-Sayal area outside al-Bukamal (Homs).
On April 24, a child was killed after accidentally triggering an unexploded landmine in the village of al-Fares near Manbij (Aleppo).
On April 24, two people were killed after triggering an unexploded landmine near the al-Salahiyah Bridge in northern Deir ez Zour.
On April 24, one civilian was killed after accidentally triggering an unexploded landmine in the village of Abu Hurat in northeastern Suwayda.
On April 25, a child was killed and two others were injured after accidentally triggering an unexploded landmine in the Sasa district (Rif Dimashq).
On April 25, one child was killed after triggering an unexploded cluster munition in the village of al-Jisri in the Lajat district (Daraa).
On April 25, a child was killed and another was injured after accidentally triggering an unexploded landmine in the village of Abdin in southern Idlib.

Regional Security Incidents

On April 22, Israeli military forces launched a ground incursion into the village of al-Qahtaniyah in Quneitra, raiding several residential buildings and questioning local civilians. The village’s school was also briefly raided.
On April 22, SDF forces detained seven civilians in the village of al-Qubah near the Qaraqozak Bridge (Aleppo). In the neighboring village of Bir Hasu, several civilian residences were also forcefully emptied by SDF forces, and a minefield laid on the village’s outskirts.
On April 22, six members of the Mando family were executed by a group of gunmen equipped with silencers in the Sheikh Said district of Aleppo city.
On April 22, Dr Hussam al-Darir was shot dead by unidentified assassins inside his medical clinic in the Saif al-Dawla district of Aleppo city.
On April 22, one combatant was killed during armed clashes between rival tribesmen in the Rusafa desert outside Raqqa.
On April 22, one man who had recently defected from the SDF was detained and shot in the leg by SDF forces during a raid on his home in the countryside outside Raqqa city.
On April 22, thirteen men who had recently defected from the SDF were detained by SDF forces in a series of coordinated raids in Tabqa (Raqqa).
On April 22, four men were detained by SDF forces in a raid in the village of Dashisha in eastern Hasakeh.
On April 22, five men were detained by SDF forces in a raid in the village of Tel Awdah south of Qamishli (Hasakeh).
On April 22, one woman and her two children were detained by SDF forces after being accused of providing shelter to a man who recently defected from the SDF in the Ghuweiran district of Hasakeh city.
On April 22, one man and his five children were detained by SDF forces after being accused of providing shelter to a man who recently defected from the SDF in the Ghuweiran district of Hasakeh city.
On April 22, two men who had recently defected from the SDF were detained by SDF forces in a raid in the village of al-Izbah in northeastern Deir ez Zour.
On April 22, one government security force fighter was shot and injured in a brief armed clash between rival local gunmen in Busra al-Sham (Daraa).
On April 22, unidentified gunmen blew up the home of a former regime military officer in Sheikh Miskeen (Daraa).
On April 22, a former Assad regime military officer was kidnapped in rural Latakia. His dead body was discovered outside Latakia National Hospital on April 24.
On April 22, a woman was killed and a man was injured when a group of unidentified gunmen opened fire towards them and threw one grenade in Homs city.
On April 22, one man was kidnapped by unidentified gunmen on the outskirts of Homs city. His executed body was discovered on April 24.
On April 23, Israeli military forces launched a ground incursion into the village of al-Ishah in southern Quneitra.
On April 23, Suspected ISIS militants launched a brief RPG and small-arms attack on an SDF-controlled water station near Dhiban in eastern Deir ez Zour, triggering a heavy clash and several unconfirmed casualties.
On April 23, a man was kidnapped along with his wife and child by a group of unidentified gunmen who raided his home in Homs city.
On April 23, one man was shot dead by two unidentified gunmen in the Walid suburb of Homs city.
On April 23, one man was shot dead by a group of unidentified gunmen who raided his commercial business in the Jab al-Jandali district (Homs).
On April 23, three civilians were killed when unidentified gunmen threw a grenade inside their home in Karam al-Zeitoun (Homs).
On April 23, two men were detained by SDF forces – under unknown charges – in a raid in the village of al-Kubr in western Deir ez Zour.
On April 23, three men were detained by SDF forces – under unknown charges – in a raid in the village of Abu Hamam in eastern Deir ez Zour.
On April 23, unidentified gunmen threw a grenade at the home of a local man, Badr Assad al-Halqi, in Jassem (Daraa), causing localized damage but no casualties.
On April 23, Jordanian military forces intercepted an attempt by unidentified gunmen in Syria to smuggle drugs into Jordan via Suwayda.
On April 24, Israeli aircraft dropped leaflets over rural Quneitra warning farmers and shepherds to stop approaching IDF positions.
On April 24, Israeli military forces launched ground incursions into the villages of Ofaniyah and Jabata al-Khashab in northern Quneitra.
On April 24, a doctor was kidnapped by unidentified gunmen who stormed his business in Homs city.
On April 24, Government military and interior ministry forces deployed into the desert southwest of Palmyra and north of al-Qarayatein (Homs), following reports of detected ISIS movements.
On April 24, Hezbollah militants based across the border in Lebanon launched five artillery rockets towards Syrian government military positions near al-Qusayr (Homs), triggering Syrian return fire.
On April 24, the executed body of one Druze man from Suwayda, Hatem Majed Abu Saad, was discovered along with the body of another unidentified Syrian man in rural Homs near the Lebanese border.
On April 24, one Public Security fighter was killed and four others were injured during a targeted raid that resulted in the killing of a former Assad regime Brigadier General, Ali Salhoub, in the Wadi al-Dahab district of Homs city.
On April 24, one man was shot dead by two unidentified gunmen in Hama city.
On April 24, one man and a woman were shot and injured in an attack by unidentified gunmen in Hama city.
On April 24, unidentified gunmen threw a grenade into a local events hall in Tafas (Daraa), causing a fire and localized damage, but no casualties.
On April 24, the provincial director of transport, Faisal Shahib, was kidnapped by unidentified gunmen in Suwayda. Later that day, tribesmen from Shahba captured one of the gunmen, resulting in Shahib’s release.
On April 25, Israeli military forces placed a number of Arabic-language signs on the road leading to the al-Mantara Dam in Quneitra, warning of “security measures.”
On April 25, Israeli military forces launched a ground incursion into the village of Taranja in northern Quneitra late on April 25.
On April 25, the Lebanese Armed Forces announced that one man had been captured and detained, accused of involvement in the cross-border shelling and clashes near al-Qusayr late on April 23.
On April 25, one man was kidnapped and swiftly executed by two gunmen impersonating government security forces in the Nuzhah district of Homs city.
On April 25, one man was shot dead by unidentified gunmen in a targeted attack in the Sabil district of Homs city.
On April 25, one man was shot dead by unidentified gunmen in a targeted attack in the Nuzhah district of Homs city.
On April 25, an Al Arabiya journalist was detained by SDF forces near Raqqa, hours after he posted on Facebook about alleged detention of AANES anti-drug officials. He was released later that day.
On April 25, three young boys were detained for several hours by SDF fighters in the village of al-Dhahriyah (Hasakeh) and interrogated about their support for the new government in Damascus.
On April 25, four local men – all of them members of the local council – were shot dead by a group of unidentified gunmen impersonating government security forces in the Ash al-Warwar district of Damascus.
On April 25, two men were killed and another was injured when unidentified gunmen ambushed and opened fire on several vehicles driving on the Damascus-Suwayda highway near al-Matlah (Rif Dimashq).
On April 25, Druze gunmen in Jaramana (Rif Dimashq) mobilized and blocked access to the highway to Damascus International Airport, to protest the insecurity on the road to Suwayda. Public Security forces deployed to re-establish stability.
On April 25, one tribal notable, Jamil Ali al-Hammoud, was kidnapped by gunmen in the village of Rim al-Lahaf (Suwayda). He was released late on April 25, suffering the effects of torture.

Relevant Context

The week's events highlight two critical and interconnected dynamics in Syria's ongoing transition: the complex relationship between the central government and the SDF in the northeast, and the country's efforts to re-engage with the international financial system. The SDF, primarily Kurdish-led forces, established de facto self-administration in northeastern Syria during the conflict, often with U.S. support, creating a distinct governance structure from Damascus. While recent reports indicated a security agreement between the SDF and the transitional government, the Syrian Presidency's strong public statement this week, accusing the SDF of undermining national unity by pursuing federalism and monopolizing resources, underscores deep-seated disagreements over the future political structure of Syria. This tension is further exacerbated by the SDF's reported reduction of oil supplies to government-held areas, indicating a potential breakdown in economic cooperation linked to these political disputes.

Simultaneously, Syria is actively pursuing economic reintegration after years of isolation and sanctions under the previous regime. The high-level meetings in Washington DC with the IMF and World Bank, along with the UK's decision to lift sanctions on key ministries, represent significant steps towards normalizing financial relations. For decades, Syria faced severe economic hardship, compounded by conflict and international sanctions, limiting its access to global financial institutions and development aid. The current engagement, including discussions on technical support, digital transformation, and potential loans, signals a cautious but notable shift in the international community's approach, aiming to support Syria's recovery and stability. The joint payment of Syria's World Bank arrears by Saudi Arabia and Qatar further facilitates this reintegration process.