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26 Jul - 1 Aug 2025

Published: August 2, 2025

SYRIA SITREP: 26 July - 1 Aug 2025 (Published: 2 August 2025)

Executive Summary

This week in Syria was marked by significant diplomatic maneuvers, most notably a second round of direct de-escalation talks between Syrian and Israeli officials in Paris. This engagement, facilitated by the US and France, coincided with a complete cessation of Israeli airstrikes, though ground incursions in Quneitra continued at a reduced pace. The transitional government also advanced its international outreach with a presidential call to France and ministerial meetings with Indian and Jordanian officials. Economically, the focus was on attracting investment, highlighted by a new Memorandum of Understanding with Saudi Arabia for energy sector development and the launch of a $10 million Syrian Angels Network to fund local startups.

The security landscape saw two divergent trends. While overall violence has returned to average levels after the Suwayda crisis, ISIS activity surged sharply, with nine attacks recorded this week—a substantial increase from the recent weekly average of five. These attacks included deadly incidents in Raqqa, signaling the group's intent to expand its operational footprint. In contrast, vigilantism targeting former regime elements remained a primary driver of fatalities, accounting for nearly half of all non-UXO deaths. Domestically, the government announced dates for parliamentary elections in September and took steps to address judicial capacity shortfalls.

Key watchpoints for the coming weeks will be the tangible outcomes of the Syria-Israel de-escalation dialogue and the government's ability to manage the resurgent ISIS threat. Furthermore, observers will be monitoring whether the government follows through with concrete accountability measures related to recent and past conflicts, a critical test of its transitional justice agenda.

Detailed Analysis

1. Politics

International Affairs
  • A second round of direct Syria-Israel talks was held in Paris on July 26, mediated by the US and France. The delegations, led by Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaybani and Israeli Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer, focused on security de-escalation. (Related: See Security/Israeli Activity)
  • President Ahmed al-Sharaa spoke by phone with French President Emmanuel Macron on July 26 to discuss Syrian unity, sovereignty, and recent Israeli military actions.
  • Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaybani hosted Suresh Kumar, a director from India's Ministry of External Affairs, in Damascus on July 28 to discuss bilateral relations.
  • A Syrian Foreign Ministry delegation traveled to Tripoli, Libya, on July 28 to assess the potential for reopening the Syrian embassy.
  • Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani stated on July 29 that Iraq is coordinating closely with Syria on security matters, defining ISIS as a "common enemy."
  • The French Counterterrorism Prosecutor’s Office filed for a new international arrest warrant for former president Bashar al-Assad on July 28 for his role in the 2013 Sarin attack, after a previous warrant was repealed on immunity grounds.
  • A joint delegation from Syria’s Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor and the Social Insurance Corporation visited Jordan on July 26 for talks with their counterparts.
Domestic Affairs & Governance
  • The Supreme Committee for People’s Assembly Elections announced on July 26-27 that parliamentary elections will be held between September 15-20. The parliament will be expanded from 150 to 210 seats, with 70 appointed by the President and 140 elected.
  • SDF leader Mazloum Abdi reaffirmed his commitment to the March 10 framework agreement for "a united Syria with one army and one flag" in an interview on July 29. This followed a meeting he hosted with Deir ez Zour’s Military and Civil Councils on July 27.
  • In a move to address judicial system shortfalls, the Ministry of Justice and Ministry of Higher Education signed an agreement on July 29 to channel law graduates and judges into advanced academic programs.
  • President al-Sharaa met with the Supreme Committee for the People’s Assembly Elections on July 26, where he was presented with the temporary election system.
  • Mohammed Ali Hussein al-Tawil was appointed as the new head of Syria’s Bar Association on July 27.
  • Interior Minister Anas Khattab hosted a meeting with all of Syria's governors on July 26 to coordinate responses to national security challenges.
  • Local governors in Damascus and Latakia held separate meetings on July 26 with representatives of Christian and Armenian Orthodox communities to promote dialogue.

2. Business

Foreign Investment & Agreements
  • Syria's Minister of Energy, Mohammed al-Bashir, signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Saudi Arabia on July 27 for the kingdom to explore potential projects in Syria's electricity, renewable energy, oil, and gas sectors.
  • The Minister of Tourism, Mazen al-Salhani, signed an MOU with the international hotel chain Le Park Concord on July 27 to explore hotel management and tourism projects across Syria.
  • Turkish Airlines confirmed on July 28 that its first flight to Aleppo International Airport will take place on August 1.
  • A delegation from DP World met with the Tartus Governor on July 28 to discuss the implementation of the contract to develop Tartus Port.
  • The Minister of Higher Education announced on July 26 that the University of Idlib would be significantly expanded and modernized with support from Qatar.
  • Minister of Communications and Information Technology Abdulsalam Heikal traveled to Jordan on July 28 for meetings on telecommunications and technology cooperation.
Domestic Economic Policy & Initiatives
  • The Syrian Angels Network was launched on July 28 with an initial $10 million in seed funding from 30 investors to support youth-led technology start-ups.
  • The General Authority for Land and Sea Ports announced on July 28 that the import of various agricultural goods, including tomatoes, apples, and chicken, will be prohibited from August to support domestic producers.
  • MTN Syria announced on July 27 that the first phase of its 5G service launch had begun, providing coverage to 100 centers across the country.
  • Syria’s Engineers Union announced on July 27 that Saudi engineers working in Syria will be considered members of the local union, facilitating their involvement in investment projects.

3. Security

Resurgence of ISIS Activity
  • A sharp increase in ISIS attacks was recorded, with nine incidents over seven days, a substantial rise from the recent weekly average of five.
  • In Raqqa city, ISIS militants shot dead an SDF fighter and a civilian near a checkpoint on July 28, highlighting the group's efforts to expand its operational reach.
  • ISIS militants killed a man working with the SDF in a targeted attack in northern Deir ez Zour on July 28.
  • An SDF fighter was injured in an ISIS attack on a patrol in western rural Deir ez Zour on July 28. An earlier ambush on an SDF patrol in northern Deir ez Zour on July 27 resulted in unconfirmed casualties.
  • The SDF announced on July 27 the capture of a senior ISIS commander, Ahmed al-Taleb, responsible for explosives production. The raid occurred on July 20.
Vigilante Killings & Targeted Attacks
  • Vigilantism and targeted killings remain a primary source of violence, accounting for nearly half of all non-UXO deaths this week.
  • Two former Assad regime informants were shot dead by unidentified gunmen in Hama city late on July 26.
  • Two additional former Assad regime informants were shot dead in separate attacks in Aleppo city's al-Kalaseh and al-Firdaws districts on July 28.
  • Two Druze brothers were killed in a targeted attack by gunmen in the Barzeh district of Damascus on July 28.
  • A man was kidnapped and later executed by unidentified gunmen in northern rural Homs late on July 26.
Counter-Insurgency & State Security Operations
  • Government security forces broke up a five-man anti-government insurgent cell in the Jableh area on July 26. Media reports linked the cell to Hezbollah, Maher al-Assad, and the initial attacks on government forces on March 6.
  • Public Security forces detained Major General Imad Nafouri, a former Chief of Staff of Syria’s Air Force under Assad, in a raid in Aleppo on July 27.
  • A large shipment of weapons, including artillery shells and anti-tank rockets reportedly destined for Hezbollah in Lebanon, was seized by security forces near Nabk on July 26.
  • A drug trafficker was detained in Latakia on July 28 with 50 packs of hashish and 75 bags of captagon.
Israeli Activity
  • No Israeli airstrikes were reported in Syria this week, a significant de-escalation coinciding with direct talks in Paris.
  • However, Israeli military ground incursions continued, albeit at a reduced intensity. Multiple incursions into villages in Quneitra governorate, including al-Koudna, al-Hamadiyah, and al-Samdaniya, were reported on July 27 and July 28.
Explosive Hazards & Humanitarian Conditions
  • A child was killed and two others were injured after triggering an unexploded landmine near Maarat al-Numan, Idlib, on July 28. Two civilians were killed by a landmine in eastern Homs on July 27.
  • Aid convoys led by SARC and international partners continued to enter Suwayda between July 26-29, delivering flour, fuel, food, and medical supplies.
  • The UNHCR facilitated the first voluntary return of 72 Syrian refugees from Lebanon to areas in Homs and Rif Dimashq on July 29.
  • The situation in Suwayda was relatively calm, though sporadic gunfire on July 27 reportedly injured two civilians near al-Walgah.

Relevant Context

Syria-Israel De-escalation Talks: This week's direct meeting in Paris is a highly significant development, representing the first publicly confirmed high-level talks between Israel and the new Syrian transitional government. The discussions follow a period of extreme tension, which peaked during the Suwayda crisis when Israel conducted strikes in response to perceived threats. The current dialogue, mediated by the US, is focused on immediate, tactical de-escalation, particularly concerning security arrangements around the Golan Heights, rather than a comprehensive "Abraham Accords" style peace agreement. From the Syrian perspective, this engagement is driven by a pragmatic "no problems, no enemies" foreign policy, born from the country's profound vulnerability after years of war and its need for stability to attract investment and rebuild.

The Challenge of Transitional Justice: The transitional government is navigating the complex and sensitive issue of justice and accountability. It faces pressure from its core constituency to hold the former Assad regime accountable for past atrocities, while simultaneously facing demands from minority communities and the international community for accountability regarding recent violence, such as the coastal clashes in March 2025. This week's announcement of an agreement between the ministries of Justice and Higher Education to train a new generation of judges is a direct acknowledgment of a critical resource deficit hindering any judicial process. While security forces arrested a cell allegedly involved in the March coastal violence, the government has yet to announce formal judicial proceedings based on the official investigative report, highlighting the immense challenge of translating promises of accountability into credible, impartial action.