SYRIA SITREP: 2025-04-26 - 2025-05-02 (Published: 2025-05-03)
Executive Summary
The past week in Syria was marked by significant internal unrest, particularly in the Druze-majority areas near Damascus and Suwayda, coupled with intensified Israeli military actions across the country. Heavy clashes in Sahnaya, Rif Dimashq, resulted in numerous casualties among government security forces, Druze militiamen, and civilians, triggered by sectarian tensions. Concurrently, the U.S. military completed its withdrawal from its remaining bases in Deir ez Zour, a notable shift in the foreign military presence. Diplomatic engagement saw Syrian officials, including Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaybani, actively meeting with U.S., EU, Russian, Turkish, and Arab counterparts to discuss sanctions relief, economic recovery, and Syria's regional standing. Economically, a major €230 million contract was signed with French shipping giant CMA CGM for the management and expansion of Latakia Port, signaling renewed foreign investment.
Key shifts include the Syrian government's efforts to reassert control and stabilize the Druze-majority areas through negotiated security agreements and the deployment of Public Security forces, despite continued resistance from some local factions. The complete U.S. military withdrawal from Deir ez Zour marks a significant change in the security landscape of eastern Syria.
Watchpoints for the coming week include the full implementation of the security agreements in Suwayda and Jaramana, and the potential for further Israeli military actions or responses to the altered foreign military presence in Deir ez Zour.
Detailed Analysis
1. Politics
##### International Affairs
* Foreign Minister **Asaad al-Shaybani** held meetings in **New York** on **April 29** with permanent representatives of **European states** and the **EU** to the **UN**, **Russia’s Ambassador Vasily Nebenzia**, **Turkey’s Ambassador Ahmet Yildiz**, and French Foreign Minister **Jean-Noel Barrot**.
* In speeches to the **UN Security Council** and **UN General Assembly** on **April 29**, Foreign Minister **Shaybani** **called** on the international community to **lift all sanctions** on **Syria** “immediately” and **claimed** that “competition among countries” had “undermined” several **UN** initiatives in **Syria**. **Shaybani** also **condemned Israeli military actions** in **Syria**.
* On **April 29**, Foreign Minister **Shaybani** also **met** with a delegation from the **U.S. State Department** to discuss the status of engagement and the issue of **U.S. conditions for sanctions easing**. He also **held meetings** with **Portugal’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Nuno Sampaio**, and **U.S.-based Bishop Jean Kawak**.
* Minister of Culture **Mohammed Saleh** **hosted** his visiting Qatari counterpart **Abdulrahman bin Hamad al-Thani** in **Damascus** on **April 29**.
* Minister of Transport **Yaroub Badr** **hosted Pakistan’s Ambassador to Syria, Omar Hayat Khan**, in **Damascus** on **April 29** to discuss **boosting transport ties** to **boost investment**, **trade**, and **economic exchange**.
* Minister of Energy **Mohammed al-Bashir** **met** with **UNICEF’s representative to Syria Yasumasa Kimura** in **Damascus** on **April 29**.
* Minister of Finance **Mohammed Barnieh** and Central Bank Governor **Abdelqader Hasriyah** **attended** a dinner hosted by the **Syrian American Council** in **Washington DC** on **April 29**, discussing opportunities for **Syria’s diaspora** to support **economic recovery**.
* On **April 30**, Minister of Finance **Mohammed Barnieh** and Central Bank Governor **Abdelqader Hasriyah** **met** with the **IMF’s Director of Statistics, Bert Kroese**, in **Washington DC** and **discussed** the need for **technical support** and **capacity building** in **national accounts**, **price statistics**, **monetary statistics**, **public finance statistics**, and **training**.
* On **April 30**, Minister of Finance **Barnieh** and Central Bank Governor **Hasriyah** also **met** with the **World Bank’s Global Director of Finance, Jean Pesme**, and **Regional Director for Equitable Growth, Finance and Institutions, Nadir Mohammed**, **discussing** potential collaboration including **pension system reform**, **financial infrastructure rebuilding**, **modernizing regulatory frameworks**, **digital technologies**, and establishing a **credit bureau**.
* Minister of Emergency and Disaster Response **Raed al-Saleh** **took part** in a ceremony in **Doha, Qatar**, late on **April 30**, where the **Qatari government donated heavy and specialized disaster response equipment** to **Syria**.
* A delegation from the **World Bank** **met** with the Director of **Syria’s Agency for Financial Supervision** in **Damascus** on **May 1**, discussing potential collaboration in **Syria’s audit systems** and efforts to boost **financial governance standards**.
* Minister of Agriculture and Agrarian Reform **Amjad Badr** **hosted UK Special Envoy to Syria Ann Snow** in **Damascus** on **May 1**, **discussing** potential **UK support** to **Syria’s agricultural sector** through **water harvesting** and **pest control programming**.
* **EU Special Envoy to Syria Michael Ohnmacht** **met** with **Syria’s Justice Minister Mazhar al-Ways** on **May 1** to **discuss** the urgent need to **rebuild Syria’s judiciary**.
* President **Ahmed al-Sharaa** and Foreign Minister **Asaad al-Shaybani** **welcomed** Lebanese Druze leader **Walid Jumblatt** to the **People’s Palace** on **May 2**. **Jumblatt** **expressed** satisfaction with **Arab and international openness** toward the new **Syrian state**, stressing its contribution to **unity** and **stability**.
* President **Ahmed al-Sharaa** and Foreign Minister **Asaad al-Shaybani** **hosted** a meeting with **Dr. Kamel Ghribi**, Chairman of **GKSD Holding** and the **San Donato Hospital Group**, and his advisor **Dr. Tamam Youssef**, at the **People’s Palace** on **May 2**.
* Minister of Finance **Mohammed Barnieh** and Central Bank Governor **Abdulkader Hasriyeh** **traveled** to the **UAE** on **May 2** and **met** with **Mansour bin Zayed al-Nahyan**, the Deputy Minister of State, Deputy Prime Minister of the Cabinet and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the **UAE Central Bank**.
* **Saudi Arabia’s Council of Ministers**, chaired by Crown Prince **Mohammed bin Salman**, officially **affirmed** on **April 29** a policy to **support Syria’s economic recovery** and **called** on the **international community** and **multilateral financial institutions** to **increase** their programming and support for **Syria**.
* In public remarks on **April 30**, Lebanese Druze political leader **Walid Jumblatt** **accused Israel** of “exploiting the Druze to create strife in Syria” amidst hostilities in **Sahnaya** and **Jaramana**. **Jumblatt** **called** for “a transparent investigation into events,” **condemned** “any insults to the Prophet Mohammed,” and **urged** for “calm and dialogue.”
* In public comments **issued** on **May 1**, Syrian Foreign Minister **Asaad al-Shaybani** **issued** “thanks to the **U.S. administration** for facilitating our delegation’s visit to **Washington** and **New York**,” **adding** that “we appreciate the constructive dialogue held with the **U.S. delegation** regarding **Syria’s future**.” He **stressed** the need to **lift sanctions** and **called** the visit an “important milestone” in **Syria’s path to regaining its regional and international standing**.
* In a public statement **issued** on **May 1**, the **French Foreign Ministry** **called** on **Israel** “to refrain from taking any actions that could inflame sectarian tensions in **Syria**,” whilst also **calling** “on all **Syrian parties** to stop sectarian clashes” and “**urging** the **Syrian authorities** to do everything in their power to restore calm and promote civil peace.”
* Iraqi Prime Minister **Mohammed al-Sudani** **announced** on **May 2** that “President **al-Sharaa** represents the **Syrian state** and his attendance at the **Arab League Summit** is important.” He **added** that “**Arab countries** are keen to see **Syria** overcome its decades-long ordeal and we will spare no effort in supporting **Syria** and respecting its choices.”
* A delegation from the **German government** **received** and **repatriated one woman and her four children** from **al-Roj camp** on **May 2** – in coordination with the **SDF** and **AANES**.
##### Domestic Affairs
* President **Ahmed al-Sharaa** **hosted** a meeting with **Patriarch Ignatius Aphrem II** and a wider delegation from the **Syriac Orthodox Church** in the **People’s Palace** on **April 29**.
* Interior Minister **Anas Khattab** **hosted** a meeting with all **14 governors** from across **Syria** on **April 29** to discuss ways to **strengthen civil peace**.
* Syrian Minister of Endowments, **Mohammed Abu al-Khayr Shukri**, **hosted** a meeting with a delegation from the **World Council of Churches** in **Damascus** on **April 30**, to discuss **civil peace** and **inter-faith dialogue**.
* President **al-Sharaa** **hosted** a meeting with a delegation of **Chinese businessmen and investors** in **Damascus** on **May 1**.
* Following his meeting with **Chinese investors**, Transport Minister **Badr** **met** with President **Ahmed al-Sharaa** on **May 1** to discuss updates on the ministry’s plans for **infrastructure upgrades**, **rural-urban connectivity**, and **safety standards**.
* President **Ahmed al-Sharaa** **hosted** a meeting on **May 2** with American businessman **Jonathan Bass**, the CEO of **Argent LNG**, and **discussed** the **future of minority communities** in **Syria**.
* The Governor of **Rif Dimashq, Amr Sheikh**; Governor of **Quneitra, Ahmed al-Dalati**; and the Director of the Security Directorate in **Rif Dimashq, Lieutenant Colonel Hussam al-Tahhan**, **met** with senior leaders representing **Jaramana** on **May 2** to discuss the **distribution of Public Security forces** in the areas and **agreeing** on a timeline for the full implementation of the agreement made for security.
* President **Ahmed al-Sharaa** **met** with Minister of Social Affairs and Labor **Hind Kabawat** on **May 2** and **discussed** opportunities to “**enhance social development** and to **support the labor market**.”
* In a written statement **issued** on **April 29**, **Druze representatives** from civil society and religious leaderships in **Jaramana** and officials from the **Rif Dimashq’s governor’s office** **agreed** to **hold accountable** any and all perpetrators of recent violence; to **clarify** “the truth” of what occurred in **Jaramana** to media; to **guarantee** the **full restoration of rights** for local citizens; to **ensure compensation for families** of those killed; to **end all forms of mobilization**; and to **ensure safe travel** between **Damascus** and **Suwayda**.
* On **April 29**, prominent Druze cleric **Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri** **condemned** what he called “**takfiri gangs**” for committing “**terrorist attacks**” against **Druze communities** in **Jaramana**.
* On **April 30**, with hostilities ongoing in **Sahnaya**, **Syria’s Grand Mufti Osama al-Rifai** **declared** that the taking of any **Syrian blood** was “**haram**” (forbidden) and **ordered** an **immediate end** to all calls for **revenge or retaliation**.
* In an interview with **Al Arabiya** on **April 30**, Syrian Foreign Minister **Asaad al-Shaybani** **claimed** that the **U.S.** had not asked **Syria** to join the **Abraham Accords**, **adding** that **Israel’s recent military actions** in the post-Assad **Syria** were “unacceptable.” **Shaybani** also **added** that **Syria’s government** was “working to document crimes, seek justice, and prevent the recurrence of violations” across **Syria**. He also **stated** that **Syria** needed to cooperate with **China** “for reconstruction;” that “we desire a balanced relationship with **Russia**,” and that the transition seeks to have a “**national parliament that represents the people**… and includes all spectrums in order to be diverse.”
* In a public statement **issued** on **May 1**, Druze cleric **Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri** **condemned** the deadly hostilities that gripped **Sahnaya** in **Rif Dimashq** the previous day and **called** for the **international community** to intervene to protect **Syria’s Druze** from “an unjustified genocidal attack,” **claiming** “we no longer trust the organization that claims to be a government.”
* In a public statement **issued** on **May 1**, the **Druze religious council** in **Jaramana** **declared** conditions in the area back to normal, **expressing** “appreciation” for **Public Security forces** which it said had displayed “wisdom and self-restraint.”
* Late on **May 1**, a comprehensive **security agreement** was **announced** in **Jaramana**, **agreed** to by the town’s **Druze religious and political leaders** and the **Interior Ministry**. The agreement **stipulated** that **Public Security forces** would **re-establish security** throughout the area; all weaponry would be **surrendered to the state**; and all **religious sites** would be **protected by government forces**.
* In an hours-long meeting on **May 1**, **Suwayda’s Druze religious and civil leaders** **met** together with government-appointed Governor **Mustafa Bakkour** and representatives from **Public Security** to **determine an agreement** to **stabilize the governorate** and **tie it together with Damascus**. Late that day, senior **Druze figures** **announced** that **Suwayda** stood united with a cohesive **Syria**; that the governorate opposed any **divisive or separatist agendas**; and that the **Interior Ministry** would establish security through the **local population**. **Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri** **attended** the meeting but **departed** before the final agreement was made and announced.
* Following the announcement, **Sheikh Laith al-Balous** **gave an interview** to **Syria Television** in which he **warned** that “there are those who seek to sabotage and we are trying to put an end to them in coordination with the government.”
* In a public statement early on **May 2**, the **Syrian Presidency** **condemned** the **Israeli airstrike** in the vicinity of the **People’s Palace** the night before, **calling** it a “dangerous escalation” that “reflects a continuation of reckless actions that seek to destabilize the country.”
* In a public statement on **May 2**, the **Suwayda Military Council** – widely considered to maintain links to **Israel** – **declared** its **opposition** to the **security accord** agreed in **Suwayda** the previous night, **calling** it “provocative” and **promising** “a forceful response” to any effort by **government forces** to enter **Suwayda**.
* Later on **May 2**, government-appointed Governor in **Suwayda, Mustafa Bakkour**, **accused** the **Suwayda Military Council** specifically of “obstructing” the **security accord** in **Suwayda**, **claiming SMC gunmen** had been accused of multiple brief attacks on newly established checkpoints.
* The **Interior Ministry** **fast-track approved** approximately **700 Druze militiamen** entry into the **Public Security forces** in **Suwayda** on **May 2**, as part of the implementation of a **security accord**. A further **1,300 men’s names** remained in processing.
* On **May 2**, the Governor of **Rif Dimashq Amr Sheikh** **ordered** the **release of 32 men** detained in **Sahnaya**.
2. Business
##### Port Investment & Economic Engagement
* In a ceremony presided over by President **Ahmed al-Sharaa**, the French shipping giant **CMA CGM** **signed** a **30-year €230 million contract** with **Syria’s government** on **May 1** to **manage Latakia Port** and to **invest** in a **five-year rehabilitation** and **capacity expansion project**. **€30 million** will be **invested** in the first year, and the remaining **€200 million** over the following four years, including a new **1.5km long quay**.
* President **al-Sharaa** **hosted** a meeting with a delegation of **Chinese businessmen and investors** in **Damascus** on **May 1**.
* Minister of Transport **Yaroub Badr** **met** with a delegation of **Chinese businessmen and investors** in **Damascus** on **May 1** to discuss potential **Chinese investment** in **Syria’s transport sector** – specifically **cargo transport**, **railways**, **electric vehicles**, and broader **training of transport workforce**.
##### Financial Sector Development
* Syrian Minister of Finance **Mohammed Barnieh** and Central Bank Governor **Abdelqader Hasriyah** **attended** a dinner hosted by the **Syrian American Council** in **Washington DC** on **April 29**, during which opportunities for **Syria’s diaspora** to support **Syria’s economic recovery** were discussed.
* On **April 30**, Minister of Finance **Mohammed Barnieh** and Central Bank Governor **Abdelqader Hasriyah** **met** with the **IMF’s Director of Statistics, Bert Kroese**, in **Washington DC** and **discussed** the need to provide **Syria** with **technical support** and **capacity building** in areas of **national accounts**, **price statistics**, **monetary statistics**, **public finance statistics**, and requisite **training** for employees in **Syria’s national Statistics Authority**, **Central Bank of Syria**, and the **Ministry of Finance**.
* On **April 30**, Minister of Finance **Barnieh** and Central Bank Governor **Hasriyah** also **met** with the **World Bank’s Global Director of Finance, Jean Pesme**, and **Regional Director for Equitable Growth, Finance and Institutions, Nadir Mohammed**, **discussing** areas for potential collaboration, including **reforming Syria’s pension system**; **rebuilding financial infrastructure** and **modernizing regulatory frameworks**; utilizing **digital technologies** to expand access and enhance efficiency; and establishing a **credit bureau** to enable the safe and effective resumption of lending by the **banking sector**.
* A delegation from the **World Bank** **met** with the Director of **Syria’s Agency for Financial Supervision** in **Damascus** on **May 1**, and **discussed** potential collaboration in **Syria’s audit systems** and efforts to boost **financial governance standards**.
* Minister of Finance **Mohammed Barnieh** and Central Bank Governor **Abdulkader Hasriyeh** **traveled** to the **UAE** on **May 2** and **met** with **Mansour bin Zayed al-Nahyan**, the Deputy Minister of State, Deputy Prime Minister of the Cabinet and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the **UAE Central Bank**.
3. Security
##### Southwest Syria Clashes & Stabilization Efforts
* At least **21 government security forces**, **8 local Druze militiamen**, **four pro-government gunmen** and **four civilians** were **killed** amidst a day of heavy clashes involving **local Druze gunmen**, **pro-government gunmen**, **government security forces**, and **Druze militiamen from Suwayda** in the **Damascus** suburb of **Sahnaya** late on **April 29** and on **April 30**. Fighting appeared to begin when **pro-government gunmen** launched an attack in response to intensifying sectarian tensions resulting from an audio recording insulting the **Prophet Mohammed**.
* In addition to the initial attack and clashes inside **Sahnaya**, local **Sunni Bedouin gunmen** also **set up position** around **al-Matlah** on the **Damascus-Suwayda highway**, ambushing **Druze gunmen** seeking to get to **Sahnaya** themselves. At least **35 Druze militiamen** were **killed** in one such ambush on **April 30**.
* By the mid-afternoon of **April 30**, **government security forces** **claimed** to have **re-established control** in **Sahnaya**. Hours later, **government military forces withdrew** from **Sahnaya**, leaving behind **security forces** linked to the **Interior Ministry**. By the end of **April 30**, a “preliminary ceasefire” covering both **Sahnaya** and **Jaramana** was concluded.
* The mayor of **Sahnaya** (**Hossam Warwar**) and his son were **shot dead** by **unidentified gunmen** late on **April 30**, just hours after he had been filmed welcoming **government security forces**.
* **One man** was **shot dead** after he refused to stop at a **Public Security checkpoint** in **Yalda** on **April 30**.
* **Bedouin gunmen** opened fire with heavy machine guns and several mortar rounds targeting the **al-Sura al-Kubra** area of northern rural **Suwayda** on **April 30**, triggering clashes with **local Druze gunmen**. The violence also spread to several other nearby villages, including **Kanaker**, **Arah**, and **Rasas**.
* Late on **April 30**, **unidentified gunmen destroyed the tomb** of notorious **Assad regime military commander Issam Zahreddine** with explosives in **al-Sura al-Kubra**.
* Early on **May 1**, **government Public Security forces** were **deployed** to **al-Sura al-Kubra**, along the **Rif Dimashq/Suwayda border line**, and they jointly **re-established security** alongside **Druze militiamen** from **Rijal al-Karama** and **Liwa Ahrar al-Jabal**.
* Late on **May 1**, **Druze gunmen** loyal to **Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri** **engaged** in hostilities with **Bedouin gunmen** around the village of **Harran**, triggering a spiral of clashes in the nearby village of **Labin**.
* A former **Assad regime Baath Party official** was **kidnapped** by **unidentified gunmen** in **Sahnaya** on **May 1** and his body was later dumped outside the main hospital.
* **Public Security forces** began **deploying** back into **Jaramana** late on **May 1**, as part of the agreement sealed with the area’s **Druze leaders**.
* On **May 2**, **government Public Security forces** began **deploying** into parts of **Suwayda** in coordination with the **Druze militias**, **Rijal al-Karama** and **Liwa Ahrar al-Jabal**.
* As **Public Security forces** entered **Suwayda** on **May 2**, they were briefly **fired upon** by gunmen suspected to be linked to **Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri** and the **Suwayda Military Council**.
* The executed body of one man originally from **Kobani** in **Aleppo** was **discovered** in **Jaramana** on **May 2**.
* A local lawyer who played a role in **Jaramana’s local committee** – identified as **Khaldoun Maythawi** – was **shot dead** by **unidentified gunmen** on **May 2**.
* **Public Security forces** **seized** several small **weapons caches** in **Sahnaya** and **Ashrafiyeh Sahnaya** during search operations on **May 2**.
* **Public Security forces** launched a search operation in the village of **Suwaysah** in southern **Quneitra** on **April 29**, **seizing** at least **two caches of weapons**.
* **Public Security forces** **took possession** of a quantity of **weapons** that had been concealed in **Dael** on **April 29**.
* **Seven combatants** were **killed** and **one** other was **injured** when heavy clashes erupted following an ambush by **local gunmen** targeting a convoy of **Druze gunmen** traveling through the village of **al-Buraq** in the **Lajat** on their way towards **Sahnaya** in **Rif Dimashq** on **April 30**.
##### Israeli Military Operations
* An **UNDOF patrol** conducted an armored patrol of **Quneitra** and northwestern **Daraa** on **April 29**.
* **Israeli military forces** launched a **ground incursion** into the village of **Jabata al-Khashab** in **Quneitra** on **April 29** – establishing a pop-up checkpoint, inspecting passing vehicles and questioning civilians.
* **Israeli drones** launched at least **four strikes** on **Syrian government military targets** in and around the southwestern **Damascus** suburb of **Sahnaya** on **April 30**, **killing** at least **one soldier**.
* On **April 30**, amid hostilities in **Sahnaya**, an **Israeli military helicopter** also flew into **Syria** and **evacuated four Druze casualties**, taking them back to **Israel** for medical treatment.
* **Israeli military forces** launched a **ground incursion** towards the villages of **Bayt Tayma**, **Qalaat Jandal**, and **Baqasim** in **Quneitra** on **May 1**.
* On **May 1**, another **ground incursion** was also launched into the **al-Tulul al-Hamra** area, located between the villages of **Bayt Jann** and **Hader**.
* **Israel** launched an **airstrike** that hit an empty area just outside the **Presidential Palace** in **Damascus** late on **May 1** – in what Prime Minister **Netanyahu** subsequently described as “a clear message to the **Syrian regime**.”
* **Israeli military forces** launched at least **four ground incursions** into **Quneitra** on **May 2** -- into **al-Tulul al-Humr**; **Hader** (all roads blockaded); **al-Kawnsarah**; and an agricultural area between **Bayt Tayma** and **Qalaat Jandal**.
* Later on **May 2**, a fifth **ground incursion** was launched towards the village of **al-Hurriya**, during which **Israeli military forces** opened fire towards a group of farmers – but no casualties were confirmed.
* **Four Druze men** were **killed** in an **Israeli airstrike** that targeted the entrance to a farm in western **Suwayda** on **May 2**.
* **Israeli aircraft** launched a string of **near-simultaneous airstrikes** in **seven separate locations** across **Syria** late on **May 2** – in **Harasta** and **al-Tal** in **Rif Dimashq**; in **Muthbin** and **Izraa** in **Daraa**; in **Shathah** in **Hama**; in **Jabal al-Sharaa** in **Latakia**; and in rural central **Quneitra**. **One civilian** was **killed** in more than six airstrikes in **Harasta**.
##### ISIS Activity
* **SDF forces detained** a suspected **ISIS explosives expert Hanan Jaber al-Ali** in a targeted raid in rural **Deir ez Zour** on **April 29**.
* **One man** – identified as **Tha’er al-Matar** – was **shot dead** by suspected **ISIS militants** equipped with silencers in **al-Dahla** in eastern **Deir ez Zour** on **April 29**.
* **ISIS militants** launched **two near-simultaneous attacks** on **SDF military posts** in **Gharanij** in eastern **Deir ez Zour** on **April 30**, triggering heavy clashes but no confirmed casualties.
* **One man** – identified as **Mohammed al-Munajid** – was **detained** in a joint **US-SDF helicopter-borne raid** on his home in the **Hamrat** area east of **Raqqa city** late on **April 30**. Some local reporting claimed he had ties to **ISIS**.
* **SDF forces detained three men** accused of maintaining links to **ISIS operatives** in a targeted raid in **al-Izbah** in northern **Deir ez Zour** on **April 30**.
* **Three government soldiers** were **killed** and another was **kidnapped** during an **ISIS assault** on their checkpoint – using a sand storm as cover – in the village of **al-Quriya** in southern **Deir ez Zour** on **May 1**.
* **One former SDF fighter** was **shot dead** by **ISIS militants** in a targeted assassination in government-controlled **al-Zubari** in eastern **Deir ez Zour** on **May 1**.
##### Internal Security Operations & Explosive Hazards
* **One DMO soldier** formerly linked to **Ahrar al-Sham** was **shot dead** by **unidentified gunmen** in **Masaken Hanano** (Aleppo) on **April 29**.
* A former **Assad regime soldier** was **shot dead** by **unidentified gunmen** in the **Sukkari district** of **Aleppo city** on **April 29**.
* **One combatant** was **killed** in clashes between rival clans in **Marea** (Aleppo) on **April 29**.
* **One man** was **kidnapped** by **unidentified gunmen** from the village of **Qarfis** (Latakia) early on **April 29** and his **executed body** was discovered later that day.
* **One former Assad regime military intelligence officer** was **shot dead** by **unidentified gunmen** in the village of **Saraheen** (Hama) on **April 29**.
* **Two men** were **injured** when a group of **unidentified gunmen** threw a **grenade** into the street in the **Arbaeen district** of **Hama city** on **April 29**.
* **Two men** were **kidnapped** by **unidentified gunmen** near **Deir Balbaa** (Homs) on **April 29** and their **executed bodies** were discovered later that day.
* **One man**, identified as **Osama Kalthoum**, was **kidnapped** by **unidentified gunmen** in **Homs city** late on **April 29**, and his **executed body** was discovered dumped in a canal in the city the following day.
* **Three men** who had recently returned to **Syria** from **Turkey** were **detained** by **SDF forces** in a raid in **al-Jarniyah** outside **Raqqa** on **April 29**.
* **Two men** were **detained** by **SDF forces** – for unknown reasons – in a raid in **al-Ratlah** in western rural **Raqqa** on **April 29**.
* **One combatant** was **killed** in a brief **inter-tribal clash** in the village of **Abu al-Bital** in northern **Deir ez Zour** on **April 29**.
* **One man** – identified locally as **Saud Dahham al-Omar** – was **detained** by **SDF forces** on unknown charges in a raid in **al-Huwayj** (Deir ez Zour) on **April 29**.
* **One man** was **killed** after accidentally triggering an **unexploded landmine** in **Tafas** (Daraa) on **April 29**.
* **One man** was **shot dead** in a targeted killing by **unidentified gunmen** in the village of **Aysoun** in rural **Homs** on **April 30**.
* **One man** was **shot dead** by rival tribesmen in a targeted assassination in **al-Bulayl** in eastern **Deir ez Zour** on **April 30**.
* **One man**, identified as **Mohsen al-Darwish**, was **detained** by **SDF forces** in a raid in **al-Izbah** in northeastern **Deir ez Zour** on **April 30**.
* A total of **12 men** were **detained** by **SDF forces** in a series of raids in the village of **al-Jarthi** in eastern **Deir ez Zour** on **April 30**.
* **Five civilians**, including a child and a woman, were **injured** when members of the **SDF-linked Revolutionary Youth** opened fire for an unknown reason into the street in **Raqqa’s Rumaylan district** on **April 30**.
* **Jordanian military forces** launched a **cross-border incursion** into southwestern **Daraa** on **April 30** and **detained two local men** – identified as **Mohammed al-Hussein** and **Murad al-Hunays** – while they were watching their livestock outside the village of **Koya** in the **Yarmouk Basin**.
* **Two gunmen** who had been impersonating **Public Security forces** in order to run a string of kidnaps were **captured** in a targeted raid in **Azaz** (Aleppo) on **May 1**.
* **One man** was **killed** after accidentally triggering an **unexploded landmine** outside **Manbij** (Aleppo) on **May 1**.
* **One child** was **killed** and **two other people** were **injured** after they accidentally triggered an **unexploded landmine** in the village of **al-Sayid** in eastern rural **Aleppo** on **May 1**.
* **One man** was **kidnapped** and swiftly **executed** by **unidentified gunmen** on the outskirts of **Qomhana** in northern **Hama** on **May 1**.
* **Four civilians** were **injured** after accidentally triggering an **unexploded landmine** in the village of **al-Hamamiyat** in northern rural **Hama** on **May 1**.
* **Two former Assad regime military officers** – identified as **Salman Dayub** and **Uday Darwish** – were **detained** by **Public Security forces** in a targeted raid in **Tartus** on **May 1**.
* **Eight civilians** were **killed** and **two others** were **injured** after their vehicle triggered an **unexploded landmine** on the **M4 highway** north of **Raqqa** on **May 1**.
* A former **Assad regime Military Intelligence officer** (from Branch 243) was **captured** by **government security forces** in a targeted raid in **Deir ez Zour** on **May 1**.
* **SDF forces detained** a total of **seven men** in a series of raids – on unknown charges – in the village of **Marat** east of **Deir ez Zour city** on **May 1**.
* **One man** was **shot dead** by two **unidentified gunmen** in a targeted attack in **al-Zubari** (Deir ez Zour) on **May 1**.
* **One man** was **shot dead** by **unidentified gunmen** in the village of **al-Harijiyah** in northern rural **Deir ez Zour** on **May 1**.
* **Two men** were **injured** after accidentally triggering an **unexploded landmine** in the desert outside **al-Bukamal** (Deir ez Zour) on **May 1**.
* **One man** was **executed by gunshot** by **unidentified gunmen** who stopped his vehicle, forced him out and killed him on the **1070 Highway** in **Aleppo city** on **May 2**.
* **One man** was **killed** and **another** was **injured** after they accidentally triggered an **unexploded landmine** in the area around **Jabal Abdulaziz** (Hasakeh) on **May 2**.
* A teenage boy was **abducted** by suspected **SDF-linked gunmen** in the village of **al-Darbasiyah** (Hasakeh) for **forcible recruitment** on **May 2**.
* One former **Assad regime military intelligence officer** accused of close ties both to organized crime and **Iranian proxy militias** was **detained** in a targeted raid in the village of **Gharibah** in eastern **Deir ez Zour** on **May 2**.
* **One civilian** was **killed** and **four others** were **injured** after the ambulance they were driving in accidentally triggered an **unexploded landmine** in rural western **Suwayda** on **May 2**.
* An **UNDOF convoy** visited the village of **Koya** in **Daraa’s Yarmouk Basin** on **May 1**, a day after a **Jordanian cross-border raid** into the area saw two local men detained and taken back to **Jordan**.
* **One man** was **injured** when an **unexploded munition** he was attempting to defuse detonated outside the **52nd Brigade base** in **al-Hirak** (Daraa) on **May 1**.
##### Foreign Military Presence
* Late on **May 2**, local media began **confirming** that **all U.S. military forces had departed Deir ez Zour**, withdrawing to **Iraq** or repositioning in **Hasakeh** to the northeast, as part of a partial withdrawal previously announced by the **U.S. Department of Defense**. The **al-Omar**, **Green Village**, and **Conoco bases** had been **vacated entirely**. A large **100+ vehicle convoy** of trucks **departed** the **U.S. military bases** in **Conoco** and **al-Omar** late on **May 2**, headed north towards **Hasakeh** and the **Iraqi border**, marking the final convoy removing **U.S. forces** and equipment from **Deir ez Zour**.
Relevant Context
The recent surge in violence and political maneuvering in Rif Dimashq and Suwayda highlights the complex and often volatile position of Syria's Druze community. Historically, the Druze have sought to maintain a delicate balance between loyalty to the central government and preserving their communal autonomy. The reported audio recording insulting the Prophet Mohammed acted as a severe provocation, igniting sectarian tensions and leading to direct clashes. This incident underscores the fragility of civil peace in areas with diverse religious and ethnic populations, where local grievances can quickly escalate into wider conflict, sometimes exacerbated by external actors. The subsequent security agreements and deployments of Public Security forces represent the government's attempt to reassert control and stabilize these critical areas, though resistance from factions like the Suwayda Military Council indicates ongoing challenges to full integration.
The U.S. military's complete withdrawal from its bases in Deir ez Zour marks a significant shift in the foreign military presence in eastern Syria. For years, these bases, particularly al-Omar and Conoco, served as key hubs for U.S. operations against ISIS and support for the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). This withdrawal could create a power vacuum or alter the dynamics of control in the oil-rich eastern regions, potentially impacting the SDF's operational capabilities and opening new avenues for other regional and international actors to assert influence. The move may also be interpreted by various Syrian factions as a signal of changing international priorities, potentially leading to new alignments or increased competition for resources and territory.