25.08.25 – 31.08.25

IDF operations on Syrian soil
In the past week, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) carried out multiple airstrikes targeting Ministry of Defense personnel in various locations within the Damascus countryside. These strikes were aimed at preventing MoD forces from seizing Israeli surveillance and listening devices. The IDF executed at least 13 additional airstrikes on the Jabal Manea Syrian military base, likely intending to eliminate any remaining equipment. Subsequently, four IDF helicopters deployed a ground team to the base to recover or destroy any leftover equipment.
Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey have condemned Israel’s recent military incursions into Syrian territory, urging respect for Syria’s sovereignty and regional stability.
On Thursday, Benjamin Netanyahu announced that his government is working to establish a “demilitarized zone” in southern Syria, including the Suweida Governorate, and indicated that negotiations are currently underway to achieve this objective.
Israel’s recent military actions in Syria are part of a specific policy aimed at maintaining instability in Syria by imposing certain military realities: a doctrine of “negotiations under fire.” Israel’s actions are designed to prevent Syria’s political and economic recovery, focusing on measures that exacerbate the crisis. For example, Israel aims to exploit Syria’s instability to impose its will by creating a buffer zone and instrumentalizing tensions between ethnic groups like the Druze, Kurds, Alawites and the Syrian Transitional Government.
This apporach is motivated by fears regarding a potential Turkish-Arab role that could strengthen the Syrian state and alter the regional power balance.

The Syrian transitional government will hold its first parliamentary elections
The Supreme Committee for People’s Assembly Elections of the Syrian transitional government has announced significant developments: the government will conduct its first parliamentary elections through provincial subcommittees from September 15 to 20. The Committee also stated that elections in the provinces of Suwayda, Raqqa, and Hasakah will be postponed due to the government’s lack of control in these areas.
In a statement, the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) underscored the necessity for a comprehensive national project that includes all citizens. They asserted that “these elections are neither democratic nor reflective of the will of the Syrian people in any form, but rather a continuation of the marginalization and exclusion that Syrians have suffered for the past 62 years under Ba’ath rule.”
The scheduling of these elections, along with the postponement in regions governed by the AANES, occurs amid ongoing negotiations regarding the integration of the Autonomous Administration and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) within the framework of the Syrian state. Advocating for the integration of the North and East Syrian society into the Syrian state while simultaneously denying its residents the right to choose their representatives exemplifies the authoritarian practices that these so-called “democratic” elections are enforcing in Syria.

Relations AANES/SDF – Syrian Transitional Government
Despite various challenges affecting the negotiations between the revolutionary movement of NES and the Syrian government —such as Turkish interventionist politics, provocations and uncooperative stances from the Syrian authorities— discussions continue. On the 25th, a U.S. Senator, along with al-Sharaa and Mazloum Abdi, met in Damascus. The results of this meeting remain unclear.
The Syrian Transitional Government persists in its provocative tactics. Residents of Sheikh Maqsud and Asrafieh have been without fuel for over two weeks due to an embargo imposed by the Syrian government forces. Additionally, last week, SDF had to repel an attack by armed groups affiliated with the Damascus government in the countryside of Deir ez-Zor.

Anti-ISIS operation in Heseke – coalition SDF training
On Saturday, SDF launched a large-scale security operation in Hasakah city and surrounding areas to dismantle ISIS cells and networks. This operation was coordinated with the Internal Security Forces of North and East Syria (Asayish) and the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ), with intelligence support from specialized Military Operations Teams (MOT).
The campaign aims to track down ISIS remnants, disrupt logistical networks, and prevent attacks on prisons.
As part of the operation, all entrances and exits to Hasakah were closed, and military vehicles were deployed throughout the city.

Attempts to revive the commune system in NES
For several years, the commune system in most regions of NES has been moderately active, primarily focusing on essential services like the distribution of bread and gas. However, in recent weeks, significant steps have been taken to revitalize this system: weekly meetings are now being held, committees have been reactivated, and various issues that would typically be addressed within the municipality are being discussed within the commune framework.
While it remains uncertain whether this initiative will be sustained, it gives a powerful demonstration of resilience: while surviving the Baath authoritarian regime and enduring attacks from Turkish forces, the revolutionary movement and the people of NES continue to uphold their commitment to developing a horizontal, multi-ethnic, and decentralized system of governance. Long live the Rojava Revolution!