SITREP: 17-23 May 2025 | SALT Strategic Advisory

SYRIA SITREP: 2025-05-17 - 2025-05-23 (Published: 2025-05-24)

Executive Summary

The reporting period witnessed a pivotal shift in Syria's international standing and domestic governance. Most notably, the United States officially lifted comprehensive sanctions and issued a six-month waiver for the Caesar Act on May 23, effectively reopening Syria's economy to the international financial system and permitting transactions with the government. This was immediately followed by the appointment of a U.S. Special Envoy to Syria, signaling a new era of engagement. Concurrently, Syria engaged in high-level diplomatic meetings with Jordan, Turkey, Norway, the EU, the UN, Saudi Arabia, and France, focusing on reconstruction, energy, and bilateral ties.

Domestically, the Interior Ministry announced a significant restructuring and new appointments, aiming to enhance internal security and civilian oversight. Economic initiatives gained momentum, with new energy supply agreements with Turkey and substantial foreign investment interest in industrial zones from China and France. However, security challenges persisted, including continued ISIS activity in Deir ez Zour and Hasakeh, multiple Israeli ground incursions in Quneitra and Daraa, and internal clashes, particularly in Suwayda and Rif Dimashq, involving organized crime and local factions. The newly formed National Commission for Transitional Justice began its work, emphasizing accountability for past violations.

Key shifts include the dramatic easing of international economic pressure and a surge in diplomatic re-engagement. Watchpoints for the coming period include the tangible impact of lifted sanctions on economic recovery and the effectiveness of the Interior Ministry's reforms in stabilizing internal security and addressing ongoing criminal and insurgent activities.

Detailed Analysis

1. Politics

International Affairs

Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaybani signed a memorandum of understanding with Jordanian counterpart Ayman al-Safadi in Damascus on May 20, establishing a Supreme Coordination Council for bilateral coordination on trade, energy, health, reconstruction, and transport. Plans include connecting electricity grids, a Syrian gas hub by late-2026, a bilateral trade committee in July, a business forum, a joint business council, and a bilateral land transportation committee in July 2025 for rail connectivity.
President Ahmed al-Sharaa hosted Turkish intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin in Damascus on May 20, alongside Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaybani and General Intelligence chief Hussein al-Salama. Turkish media reported discussions included challenges associated with the PKK and SDF, ISIS-linked prisons and camps in northeastern Syria, border security, and countering drug and weapon smuggling.
Minister of Defense Murhaf Abu Qasra hosted a delegation from Turkey’s Ministry of Defense, headed by Major General Ilkay Altindag, in Damascus on May 20.
Minister of Education Mohammed Turko visited London, United Kingdom on May 20 and attended meetings with the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office’s Minister of State for the Middle East Hamish Faulkner and Syria Special Envoy Ann Snow. He also met with the Director General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO) on May 21, discussing new proposals for educational and cultural cooperation after Syria reactivated its membership.
Minister of Agriculture Amjad Badr hosted a meeting with the Director of Development at the UK FCDO, Peter McDermott, in Damascus on May 20, discussing potential partnerships in the agricultural sector.
Minister of Social Affairs and Labor, Hind Kabawat hosted a meeting with Khaled Abdulwahab al-Khaja, the director of the UAE-based Charity Organization in Damascus on May 20.
Governor of Latakia, Mohammed Abdulrahman hosted a delegation from Turkey’s disaster and emergency authority AFAD, headed by Taner Bayindir, on May 20 to discuss damage assessments, needs for refugee and IDP returns, and health sector needs in the governorate.
Governor of Tartus Ahmed al-Shami hosted a meeting with Italy’s Ambassador to Syria Stefano Ravagnan on May 20, discussing potential Italian support for the agriculture, tourism, and commercial sectors in Tartus.
President Ahmed al-Sharaa received a phone call from EU President Antonio Costa on May 21, congratulating him on the EU’s decision to lift sanctions on Syria.
Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaybani held a phone call with the EU’s Foreign Policy chief Kaja Kallas on May 21 to discuss the EU’s decision to lift sanctions from Syria and opportunities for cooperation in early recovery, reconstruction, and facilitating refugee returns.
Minister of Health Musab al-Ali met with World Health Organization Director General Tedros Ghebreyesus in Geneva, Switzerland on May 21 (on the sidelines of the 78th World Health Assembly), discussing future projects. He also met a WHO delegation later that day, and his Jordanian counterpart Firas al-Hawari and the World Bank’s Global Director for Health, Nutrition and Population, Juan Pablo Uribe, on May 22.
Minister of Energy Mohammed al-Bashir hosted a meeting with Bahrain’s Ambassador to Syria, Wahid Mubarak Sayyar, in Damascus on May 21, discussing potential opportunities for bilateral cooperation in the oil and gas sectors.
Minister of Higher Education Marwan al-Halabi hosted a meeting with Italy’s Ambassador to Syria Stefano Ravagnan on May 21, alongside a visiting delegation from the University of Venice who sought to discuss opportunities for academic collaboration.
The Governor of Damascus, Maher Marwan hosted a meeting with the Algerian Charge d’Affairs Nasser Alem on May 21, discussing potential new projects for collaboration in cultural and historical issues.
President Ahmed al-Sharaa received a phone call from Jordan’s King Abdullah on May 22, discussing advancing Syrian-Jordanian bilateral ties.
Energy Minister Mohammed al-Bashir hosted a meeting with his Turkish counterpart Alparslan Bayraktar in Damascus on May 22, confirming agreements on new gas pipelines and electricity supplies from Turkey. Later, President al-Sharaa hosted Turkey’s Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar to discuss further collaboration and sign new agreements.
Norwegian Minister of Development Asmund Aukrust traveled to Damascus on May 22 and held meetings with Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaybani, Minister of Energy Mohammed al-Bashir, and Deputy Minister of Health Hussein al-Khatib.
Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaybani hosted a meeting with the EU’s Director-General for the Middle East in Damascus on May 22.
Foreign Minister Shaybani met with Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to Syria, Faisal al-Mufjel, in Damascus on May 22, discussing opportunities now available following the lifting of sanctions on Syria.
Minister of Information Hamza al-Mustafa visited the UK on May 22 and participated in meetings with Oxford University’s Center for Middle East Studies, including providing a lecture on disinformation in media.
Minister of Justice Mazhar al-Ways hosted a delegation of Swedish officials in Damascus on May 22, led by Sweden’s Charge d’Affairs Jessica Svardstrom, discussing the lifting of sanctions from Syria and the importance of transitional justice.
The Governor of Damascus Maher Marwan hosted a meeting with Sweden’s Charge d’Affairs Jessica Svardstrom in Damascus on May 22, discussing the city’s needs in redevelopment and local community.
Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaybani met with UN Special Envoy to Syria Geir Pedersen on May 23, discussing transitional justice, strengthening cooperation and coordination between Syria and the UN, and ensuring Syria’s transition continues to stabilize and widen in representation.
Minister of Communications and Information Technology Abdulsalam Heikal met with France’s new Charge d’Affairs in Syria, Jean-Baptiste Faivre, in Damascus, discussing Syria’s strategic plans, including the SilkLink project and other telecommunications needs.
Minister of Social Affairs and Labor Hind Kabawat met with her counterpart, Turkish Minister of Family and Social Services, in Istanbul, Turkey on May 23 (on the sidelines of the International Family Forum).
Senior delegations from Turkey and the U.S. met in Washington DC on May 20 to discuss and coordinate plans to work together on Syria, including in security coordination, countering terrorism, on sanctions relief and reconstruction, and humanitarian assistance.
In testimony to the U.S. Senate on May 21, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio declared that without the recent announcement of U.S. sanctions lifting on Syria, the country looked destined to collapse into severe civil conflict. Rubio stated steps were underway to ensure U.S. sanctions were removed to allow Syria to recover and rebuild, with the primary U.S. response coordinated from Turkey.
UN Special Envoy to Syria Geir Pedersen issued a briefing to the UN Security Council from Damascus on May 21, describing “an atmosphere of cautious optimism and renewed hope” in Syria amid international efforts to support recovery and stability.
Media reported on May 21 that the recently appointed U.S. Ambassador to Turkey, Thomas Barrack, was soon to be named as the U.S. Special Envoy to Syria.
A report by Middle East Eye on May 22 claimed that Turkey and Israel had established a 24/7 deconfliction hotline for use over Syria, following several rounds of mediated talks in Baku, Azerbaijan. Israeli media confirmed the reporting later that day.
The U.S. Ambassador to Turkey, Thomas Barrack, announced on May 23 that he had been appointed by President Trump as the U.S. Special Envoy to Syria.
On May 23, the United States government introduced General License 25 effectively lifting sanctions on Syria, as well as a six-month comprehensive waiver for the Caesar Act, thereby definitively opening Syria’s economy back up to the international financial system and permitting all transactions with Syria’s government. This included removing restrictions and designations against President Ahmed al-Sharaa, Interior Minister Anas Khattab, the Central Bank of Syria, and numerous other key Syrian financial institutions, state-owned companies, and ministries.
In a public post on Twitter/X, U.S. Special Envoy to Syria Thomas Barrack declared the "era of Western interference is over," emphasizing regional solutions, partnerships, and diplomacy grounded in respect, and affirming U.S. support for the Syrian people through sanctions elimination to enable prosperity and security.

Domestic Affairs

Minister of Public Works and Housing, Mustafa Abdulrazzaq met with the governor of Aleppo, Azzam al-Gharib in Aleppo on May 20, discussing plans for reconstructing residential buildings and constructing “alternative housing” for returning refugees.
The Commander of Syria’s Air Force, Brigadier General Assim Hawari, visited and inspected the al-Seen (or Sayqal) Airbase in the Qalamoun on May 20 alongside his Chief of Staff Brigadier General Mustafa Bakour.
President Ahmed al-Sharaa appointed by decree on May 20 Mohammed Rahhal as the Assistant Minister of Transport for Land Transport Affairs.
Governor of Daraa Anwar al-Zoubi appointed Faisal al-Shaqran as the director of Nawa district on May 20. Shaqran holds a degree in Sharia Law from Damascus University and played political and legal roles within the FSA’s leadership in Nawa until 2018, when he was displaced to northern Syria, where he became the President of the Free Daraa Provincial Council.
Assem Ghalioun was appointed as the Ministry of Defense’s Director of Media and Communications on May 20.
Minister of Communications and Information Technology Abdulsalam Heikal hosted a meeting with Aleppo Governor Azzam al-Gharib on May 21 to discuss the governorate’s damaged communications infrastructure and opening steps to begin rehabilitating it.
Former Ahrar al-Sham leader Hisham al-Sheikh was appointed as the government’s director for Manbij district in Aleppo on May 21. He is originally from Manbij.
Minister of Endowments Mohammed Abu al-Khayr Shukri hosted a meeting with a delegation of notables from Druze-majority Jaramana on May 21, to discuss the importance of coexistence, moral values, and building upon the diversity of Syria.
Minister of Culture Mohammed Yassin Saleh hosted a meeting with a delegation from Syria’s Center for Statistics and Research on May 21, to discuss a potential project aimed at documenting the process of transitional justice on an electronic platform – providing insight into uncovering truth, prosecuting perpetrators, compensating victims, commemorating victims, and ensuring violations are not repeated.
Foreign Minister Shaybani hosted a meeting with the governors from across Syria on May 22 to discuss issues of local development and early recovery programming, and needs.
Minister of Interior Anas Khattab convened a roundtable with human rights activists, lawyers, and defected police officials in Damascus on May 22 to present reforms and a restructured Interior Ministry and to receive their feedback.
Governor of Daraa Anwar al-Zoubi appointed a 9-man “executive council” on May 22, to assist in the governance of Daraa. He met with them later that day.
Later on May 22, Governor of Daraa Anwar al-Zoubi appointed Faisal al-Zaml as his director for al-Sanamayn district.
Sheikh Hamoud al-Hinnawi and Youssef Jarbou both issued public comments on May 22 condemning the attack the previous night on Governor Mustafa Bakkour’s headquarters in Suwayda, describing the attack as “illegal” and “irresponsible”, while declaring their continued support for the “activation” of police forces manned by Druze men but linked now to the Interior Ministry in Damascus.
Governor to Suwayda Mustafa Bakkour submitted his resignation to President Ahmed al-Sharaa on May 23 – freezing his authority and position until a decision is made to accept or reject it.
Governor of Daraa Anwar al-Zoubi appointed Mohammed Fatih (Abu Dabous) as the director of Daraa city district on May 23. He had previously spent five years in Assad regime prison for political activities (2006-2011) and later became an active opposition figure in Daraa involved in education, religious and humanitarian activities.
In a public address on May 23, the newly named head of Syria’s National Commission for Transitional Justice, Abdulbasit Abdullatif, stated he began forming his working team with victims' representatives, legal/human rights experts, and forensic experts. He emphasized efforts to uncover the truth about former regime violations, hold perpetrators accountable, provide justice, address effects, prevent recurrence, and establish national reconciliation. An electronic platform for complaints/information would also soon be established.

2. Business

Economic Policy & Investment

The Ministry of Economy announced on May 21 that it had suspended Assad regime-era decrees imposing taxes on cement produced domestically within Syria.
The Director of Syria’s Land and Sea Ports Authority signed a memorandum of understanding with Chinese contracting firm “Fidi Contracting” to provide it with a 20-year right to invest in the free industrial zones in Hasiya, Homs and Adra, Rif Dimashq.
Finance Minister Mohammed Barnieh stated on May 22 that his ministry was working on a new, supplementary budget for 2025 and a new budget for 2026, dedicating resources specifically towards Syria’s health, education, and basic infrastructure needs. He confirmed Syria would not resort to borrowing but was actively exploring several lines of major foreign investment, with the Islamic Development Bank planning to fund projects in electricity, agriculture, and health.
The Ministry of Economy clarified on May 23 that a decision had been made to exempt merchants across Syria from having to regularly compile and submit a document detailing the number of its employees officially registered with them in order to join, or sustain membership of a provincial or regional Chambers of Commerce. This decision aimed to encourage and facilitate greater numbers of new companies and for merchants to return to their Chambers of Commerce.
The Authority for Land and Sea Ports signed a memorandum of understanding with French shipping giant CMA CGM on May 23, awarding them a stake in establishing and operating dry ports in Adra outside Damascus and in the Syrian-Jordanian free trade zone in southern Daraa.
On May 23, the United States government introduced General License 25 effectively lifting sanctions on Syria, as well as a six-month comprehensive waiver for the Caesar Act, thereby definitively opening Syria’s economy back up to the international financial system and permitting all transactions with Syria’s government. This included removing restrictions and designations against key Syrian financial institutions, state-owned companies, and ministries.

Trade & Infrastructure

A Korean-flagged tanker docked into Tartus Port on May 21, delivering 1,254 passenger vehicles to Syria – the third such delivery of vehicles since Assad’s fall in December 2024.
A Belarusian-flagged tanker docked into Tartus Port on May 21, delivering a fleet of passenger buses intended for use in Latakia, Aleppo, Homs, and Damascus.
Media reported on May 21 that UAE airline Fly Dubai planned to resume commercial flights to Syria at the beginning of June 2025.
A delegation from German airline Lufthansa visited Damascus International Airport on May 21 to conduct a preliminary assessment of its capabilities to consider a potential future resumption of flights to Syria.
Governor of Idlib Mohammed Abdulrahman hosted a meeting with Tourism Minister Mazen al-Salhani on May 23 to discuss plans to establish new tourist resorts in Idlib and to rehabilitate old ones (the Sheikh Issa baths and the Carlton Hotel) in Darkoush.

Food Security

The UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) warned on May 21 that Syria was to experience a severe drought in 2025, which could lead to the failure of 75% of the wheat crop, threatening food security for millions of citizens. The FAO had projected Syria would suffer from a domestic wheat shortage of 2.7 million tonnes in 2025.
The seventh convoy of trucks to arrive into Syria carrying grain from Iraq arrived into Idlib on May 20.

3. Security

Counter-Terrorism & Internal Security Operations

A joint US-SDF raid targeted a suspected ISIS cell in the village of Tayb al-Fawl in northern rural Deir ez Zour on May 20, with local media claiming three men were detained.
Syrian government forces captured 10 suspected ISIS militants – nine Syrians and one Iraqi – in a series of coordinated raids around Deir ez Zour on May 20.
ISIS militants briefly opened fire at an SDF checkpoint in the village of Makadeh in southern Hasakeh on May 21, but caused no casualties.
A General Security Service operative was shot dead by two ISIS-linked gunmen on a motorbike in Kafr Sajna in Idlib on May 21. Later that day, Public Security forces detained both gunmen, identifying them as ISIS militants also responsible for other deadly shootings targeting government security forces in Idlib since March. They were swiftly executed.
ISIS militants launched a drive-by shooting at an SDF patrol passing through Suwaydan in eastern Deir ez Zour on May 21, but no casualties were confirmed.
ISIS militants ambushed an oil tanker driving outside the village of al-Sabha in eastern Deir ez Zour on May 22 – opening fire with machine guns and causing damage, but no casualties.
Two suspected ISIS operatives were captured by the SDF during a raid – with U.S. air support – in al-Yaroubiyah in Hasakeh, near the Iraqi border on May 23.
Two SDF fighters were injured when ISIS militants opened fire on their checkpoint, triggering clashes in the village of al-Bahrah in eastern Deir ez Zour late on May 23.
Jihadist group Ansar al-Sunnah granted its first interview to Lebanese media outlet Annahar on May 21, claiming it had established itself secretly in Idlib prior to Assad’s fall and had since “emerged into the open… to declare” its stance against “the tyrant al-Jolani” and the new Syrian government. The group’s priorities are to “strike at the apostate sects: the Nusayris, the Druze, the Rafidis, and the ‘SDF’ Kurdish militia.” The spokesman confirmed responsibility for deadly attacks against minority communities and clarified that while the group had not pledged allegiance to ISIS, “whoever agrees with us in pure monotheism and sincere jihad are our brothers.”
International media, led by AFP, reported on May 23 that Palestinian militia leaders loyal to Iran had fled Syria since Assad’s fall in December 2024 and that the factions themselves had handed over their weapons to the new Syrian government. Those leaders who have left included Khaled Jibril (PFLP-GC), Khaled Abdel Majid (Palestinian Popular Struggle Front), and Ziad al-Saghir (Fatah al-Intifada).
One soldier and a civilian were injured when a group of unidentified gunmen opened fire on a government checkpoint in Deir ez Zour city on May 23.
A former Assad regime soldier was captured by Public Security forces in a targeted raid in Deir ez Zour on May 23. Media reporting claimed he had been involved in an infamous scene in which the dismembered bodies of two men were strung up for a photograph next to Assad regime General Issam Zahreddine.

Border Security & Drug Trafficking

Local police in Azaz seized 250,000 captagon pills and detained several drug smugglers on May 21.
Public Security forces announced on May 21 the seizure of 70,000 captagon pills during a large-scale search operation conducted in the village of al-Hari outside al-Bukamal since May 20. The operation targeted notorious organized crime leader Hussein Jaghifi (who was captured). Deir ez Zour’s provincial security chief claimed the campaign sought to neutralize what had been the core node of weapons and drug smuggling from Iraq into Syria and then Lebanon. A unit of what had been HTS special forces was dispatched from Damascus to undertake the operation. A large cache of anti-tank guided missiles was also discovered and seized.
On May 22, Public Security forces seized another arms cache in al-Hari linked to Hussein al-Jaghifi, containing artillery rounds, mortar shells, anti-tank missiles, and ammunition.
Public Security forces seized a large arms cache that included anti-tank guided missiles, artillery rockets, and RPGs in Homs city on May 22 after being tipped off that they were being prepared for smuggling into neighboring Lebanon.
Public Security forces seized a large arms cache containing anti-tank weapons, heavy artillery rounds, mortars, and ammunition during a raid in rural western Homs on May 22. The Interior Ministry claimed the weapons were prepared for smuggling into Lebanon.
Several organized crime operatives – involved in the production and trafficking of drugs – were detained in a targeted raid by Public Security forces in Jaramana on May 22.
Seven organized crime operatives and one locally recruited Druze Public Security force member were killed and five other Public Security fighters were injured in armed clashes that began after an organized crime cell launched an attack on a Public Security checkpoint in Jaramana on May 23.
In an arrangement mediated by local notables, the village of al-Hari outside al-Bukamal collectively surrendered its weaponry to government forces on May 23.

Regional & Local Incidents

Israeli military forces launched a ground incursion into the village of Maariyah in Daraa’s Yarmouk Valley on May 20.
Israeli military forces launched a ground incursion into the village of al-Hamidiyah in Quneitra on May 21. Later that day, the same forces moved further into Quneitra, establishing a pop-up checkpoint in the village of al-Samdaniya al-Gharbiya. A separate military incursion was also launched that day into the village of Breiqah, before moving into al-Kudnah.
Two Russian soldiers were killed when a cell of former HTS militants, including several foreign fighters led by Abu Jihad al-Masri, launched an attack on the Russian military base of Hmeymim late on May 20, triggering heavy clashes that left at least three militants also dead. Government security forces were dispatched to the base perimeter and reportedly captured four militants.
Government security forces launched a large-scale search operation throughout several villages outside Baniyas on May 20, in search of pro-Assad insurgents.
One civilian was killed after accidentally triggering an unexploded landmine in the village of al-Zafr al-Kabir in Idlib on May 20.
A former Assad regime military officer was shot dead by unidentified gunmen in the Bustan al-Qasr district of Aleppo city on May 21.
A former Assad regime military officer was shot dead by unidentified gunmen in al-Safira on May 21.
One child was killed after accidentally triggering an unexploded landmine in the Maskaneh on May 21.
One man was kidnapped by unidentified gunmen in the village of Kuweiris on May 21.
Unidentified gunmen kidnapped an Alawite man outside the village of al-Basateen near Baniyas, before swiftly executing him and dumping his body in the neighboring village of al-Baydah on May 21.
One Alawite man was shot dead by two unidentified gunmen on a motorbike on the road linking the villages of Baduh and al-Mashrafah in eastern rural Homs on May 21.
Two men were injured after an unexploded munition they were attempting to defuse detonated in Hama city on May 21.
A man was injured after accidentally triggering an unexploded landmine in the village of Rasm Ghazaleh on May 21.
A child was killed after accidentally triggering an unexploded landmine in Kabajeb on May 21.
A group of gunmen broke into the governor’s building in Suwayda late on May 21 and then broke into Governor Mustafa Bakkour’s office, threatening him by gunpoint to secure the release from prison of two men (Raghab Qarqout and Dia’a Barjaas) detained on charges of car theft. As local Druze militiamen working with the Interior Ministry arrived on the scene, the gunmen fled.
Israeli military forces launched a ground incursion into the village of al-Dariyat outside al-Mualaqah in southern Quneitra on May 22 – setting up pop-up checkpoints and questioning local citizens. Later that day, Israeli forces also launched a ground incursion into the area between Ayn al-Bayda and Jabata al-Kashab in northern Quneitra.
One man was shot dead by unidentified gunmen in the village of Mazar al-Qatariya south of Latakia city on May 22.
Two Alawite men were kidnapped by unidentified gunmen in the village of Jabourin in northern rural Homs on May 22.
Five men allegedly involved in the infamous 2012 Houla massacre that left 108 civilians dead were detained by General Security Service personnel in a raid in rural Homs on May 22.
Three Syrian Civil Defense (‘White Helmets’) volunteers were killed when an IED they were attempting to defuse was remotely detonated by unidentified gunmen on a section of train tracks in the village of Karah in northeastern Hama on May 22. The Syrian Civil Defense subsequently made clear in a public statement that the attack had been deliberate and targeted.
Two Public Security personnel were killed after they accidentally triggered an unexploded landmine near Talul al-Safa in Suwayda’s desert on May 22.
The Interior Ministry announced on May 22 that Assad regime parliamentarian Khaled al-Aboud had been detained.
A former Assad regime military intelligence militiaman – accused locally of a string of assassinations – was shot dead by unidentified gunmen and his body hanged from a bridge in Daraa city on May 22.
Several wanted gunmen were captured by Public Security in a raid in Daraa on May 22 and their weapons seized.
Public Security forces captured a senior commander in the pro-Assad insurgency, identified as Assef Rifat Salem, in a targeted raid in Latakia on May 23. Salem was implicated in previous regime crimes in Madaya and Zabadani.
Israeli military forces launched a ground incursion into the al-Kudnah and Ayn Ziwan areas of southern Quneitra on May 23. Later that day, Israel also launched a ground incursion into the village of Um Batnah in Quneitra.
Four young men were kidnapped by unidentified gunmen outside Homs city late on May 23.
Two SDF fighters were injured in clashes with a local organized criminal cell dealing in drug smuggling in Raqqa city on May 23.
One child was killed in crossfire and a combatant was injured in heavy clashes between rival tribesman in Raqqa city on May 23.
One elderly man – identified as Mohammed al-Matran, aged 75 – was detained by SDF forces in the town of al-Mansoura west of Raqqa city on May 23. Local media claimed he had been arrested due to his son’s defection from the SDF, to join government forces.
One Public Security force operative was killed and another was injured when they intervened in a brief clash between rival gunmen in al-Kiswah late on May 23.

Relevant Context

The Caesar Act (Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act of 2019) was a significant piece of U.S. legislation that imposed wide-ranging sanctions on the Syrian government, including President Bashar al-Assad, and associated entities and individuals, for alleged war crimes and human rights abuses against its own population. The effective lifting of these sanctions and the waiver of the Caesar Act on May 23, 2025, represent a major policy shift, aiming to facilitate Syria's economic recovery and reintegration into the international financial system after years of isolation and conflict.

The establishment of Syria's National Commission for Transitional Justice and its stated goals of uncovering truth, prosecuting perpetrators, compensating victims, and preventing future violations are crucial steps in post-conflict reconciliation. This initiative aims to address the widespread human rights abuses and atrocities committed during the Syrian conflict, particularly under the former Assad regime, and to lay a foundation for a more just and stable future through accountability and national reconciliation.

The events in Suwayda, including the attack on the governor's office and the governor's subsequent resignation, highlight the complex and often volatile internal dynamics within this Druze-majority governorate. The Druze community has historically maintained a degree of autonomy and has been wary of external interference. The calls for activating local police forces linked to the Interior Ministry reflect ongoing negotiations and tensions between local leaders and the central government regarding security arrangements and governance within the province.