04.08.25 – 10.08.25

“Unity of communities” conference
On August 8th, the DAANES hosted the “Unity of Position for the Components of Northeastern Syria” conference, which saw participation from over 400 representatives, including DAANES members, tribal leaders, religious figures, and various community representatives from across Syria. The attendees issued a statement advocating for a new democratic constitution that would ensure political pluralism, equitable participation of all Syrian communities in governance, and a decentralized system that respects the cultural and political diversity of northeastern Syria. Leaders from the Druze and Alawite communities emphasized that “Syria’s future can only be realized through dialogue among its components.”

Syrian Transitional government rejects the conference and withdraws from Paris talks
On August 9th, the Syrian Transitional Government announced its withdrawal from the Paris meeting, stating, “The SDF conference dealt a blow to the ongoing negotiation efforts; therefore, the government will not participate in any meetings scheduled in Paris.” The purpose of the Paris meeting was to facilitate discussions between the Transitional Government, the Syrian Democratic Forces, and some DAANES representatives.
In response to the conference a government representative remarked that “religious or national groups have the full right to express their political visions and establish their parties within national legal frameworks, provided that their activities are peaceful, do not involve armed conflict against the state, and do not impose their vision of the Syrian state.” He also urged the SDF to “seriously engage in implementing the March 10 agreement.”
The Damascus government’s opposition to the decentralized project advocated by DAANES at the conference is bolstered by support from the Turkish state.

Visit Turkish Foreign Minister in Damascus
In a meeting held in Damascus on August 7th, Syrian Foreign Minister Al-Shara and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan addressed the recent clashes between the Syrian Democratic Forces and the transitional government. They noted that “talks are expected to assess Turkey’s national security concerns stemming from northeast Syria, at a time when preserving Syria’s territorial integrity and unity is more important than ever.” The SDF has since held the Syrian government accountable for the escalation of tensions.
On August 9th, the SDF issued a statement highlighting ongoing violations of the ceasefire by factions supported by Turkey and operating under the Damascus Government. They called for an immediate cessation of these violations, urged international actors to monitor the situation, and reiterated their willingness to engage in dialogue.
The meeting also covered various topics, including bilateral relations, tensions between Syria and Israel, counter-terrorism cooperation, and efforts related to the reconstruction of Syria.

Anti-ISIS operations
In a statement aimed at recruiting new fighters from the hardline factions within Al-Shara’s coalition, ISIS accused Al-Shara of manipulating Sunni Bedouin fighters for his political agenda and then abandoning them to face “siege, betrayal, and displacement.” The statement condemned the involvement of the Syrian Transitional Government Forces in a US-led anti-ISIS operation in Al-Bab. Shortly after this statement was released, the Syrian Ministry of Interior conducted an operation that resulted in the arrest of a significant ISIS cell in northern Idlib.
On August 5th, Mazlum Abdi asserted that the SDF aims to conduct joint counter-ISIS operations with both the United States and the Syrian Transitional Government. He emphasized that the Syrian Transitional Government has a responsibility to join the fight against ISIS, particularly due to its relationship with the US.

Economic cooperation with Turkey
A delegation led by the Syrian Minister of Economy and Industry from the transitional government visited Ankara to discuss ways to enhance economic collaboration between Turkey and Syria. This visit ended with the establishment of the “Syrian-Turkish Economic Cooperation Council” in Ankara.
This cooperation comes at a crucial time as the Syrian Transitional Government aims to advance the country’s development. On Wednesday, Al-Sharaa unveiled 12 major infrastructure projects valued at $12 billion.

11.08.25 – 17.08.25

Turkey’s impact on the SDF – Syrian Transitional Government relations
On the 13th, Syrian and Turkish representatives met in Ankara. Several topics were discussed, among them, the military support from Turkey to the Syrian government. Turkish and Syrian defense officials signed a military training and “consultation” agreement. The growing Turkish military and economic support to Syria gives to Turkey leverage to push for its anti-SDF agenda. It is very likely that the Turkish officials put pressure on the Syrian Transitional Government to withdraw from the integration negotiations in Paris with the SDF, which directly undermines US policy objectives in Syria. On Thursday, the co-chair of the DEM Party, a pro-Kurdish political party in Turkey, denounced this interventionist politics. Talking about the Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, he stated “Hakan Fidan is not a member of the Syrian government, but all his work consists of obstructing the achievements of the Syrian Kurds”.
Nevertheless,the SDF and the transitional government have continued to make progress in negotiations over the integration agreement: on August 11th an SDF delegation arrived in Damascus.

Rising tensions between the SDF and the transitional government forces
On August 14th, the SDF engaged in clashes with Syrian Ministry of Defense forces across the Euphrates River in Deir ez Zor Province, following similar confrontations on August 12 in Aleppo Province. The SDF attributed these clashes to provocations from the MoD forces and warned that they would respond in legitimate self-defense if the attacks continued. Although these clashes are currently minor, they have the potential to escalate the conflict further if dialogue and diplomatic solutions encounter additional delays or obstacles.

Al Qaeda attempts to influence the Syrian Transitional Government
According to a recent statement from the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), some Al-Qaeda-aligned groups are operating with “some degree of autonomy” under the new Syrian government. Many Salafi-jihadi ideologues distanced themselves from President Ahmed al Shara because they viewed his governance and cooperation with the West as moderate politics. Because of this, the DIA believes that Al-Qaeda will likely attempt to influence the formation and policies of the Syrian government.
The presence of Sunni hardliners within the ruling coalition constrains the government’s ability to achieve its objectives. Shara has created a coalition that includes both former allies and adversaries of HTS, many of whom hold hardline views, although not all are Salafi-jihadist. The government faces the challenge of balancing the demands of these hardliners while answering to the expectations of its various international partners.

Islamist foreign fighters request for Syrian nationality
Foreign Islamists have requested Syrian citizenship from the transitional government, arguing that they deserve it for their role in helping Hayat Tahrir al Sham (HTS) oust the Assad regime. This petition could benefit thousands of foreigners from over a dozen countries, many of whom lack documentation and face severe consequences, including lengthy prison sentences or death, if they return home.
Some of these fighters are reported to have participated in the March coastal massacres targeting the Alawite community. Granting citizenship to these individuals would further demonstrate the al Sharaa government’s unwillingness to hold its forces accountable for past crimes.

Tribes announce a general mobilization against the SDF
From August 11 to 14, several clans and tribes in Deir ez Zor announced their mobilization against the SDF. The last major clash between the SDF and Arab tribes occurred two years ago when the SDF removed the head of the Deir ez Zor military council.

Emergency response underway as forest fires hit Latakia and Hama
Firefighting teams are currently battling forest fires in Latakia and Hama. The communities in southeastern Latakia are on high alert. Local residents, civil defense teams, and volunteers are collaborating in firefighting efforts. The fires pose a threat to vegetation, especially during the dry season.
A report from last month noted that over 10,000 hectares of forested and agricultural land have been destroyed in Latakia, affecting at least 28 sites and causing significant damage to homes and farms. The fires have forced more than 1,120 residents to evacuate, with around 5,000 people affected by smoke in Hama city and surrounding areas.

28.07.25 – 03.08.25

Suweida
The situation in Suweida province remains unstable, with the Syrian Transitional Government enforcing an embargo and controlling exits through new checkpoints. Civilians report being monitored by military personnel wearing ISIS patches. Tensions remain high, as clashes between Ministry of Defense (MoD) forces and Druze fighters occurred recently.
On the 1st, hundreds of citizens protested in Suweida, demanding the withdrawal of transitional government forces and condemning their repressive policies. They criticized the “Committee to Investigate the Truth,” suspecting it aims to absolve the government of responsibility for recent massacres. In response to the government’s lack of transparency, the Druze community established six committees focused on human rights, legal application, humanitarian support, and religious matters. Addressing the humanitarian crisis is essential, as the transitional government has failed to provide electricity to the region for over 17 days.

Thomas Barrack statement
U.S. envoy to Syria, Thomas Barrack, stated that the United States will not remove Syria from its list of state sponsors of terrorism without significant political changes in the Syrian Transitional Government politics. He called for a “military restructuring” to eliminate hardline elements. Barrack also addressed the assassination of a US citizen during recent events in Suweida, promising accountability for those responsible.
The Syrian Transitional Government faces pressure to prove its reliability to the international community, especially following recent massacres and its collaboration with jihadist tribes, which have raised concerns about the Ministry of Defense’s control over its forces. Regarding Israel, Barrack noted that no mutual understanding has been reached between Syria and Israel, hindering progress. US efforts to facilitate agreements have yielded little success, as Israel has targeted military sites linked to the transitional government three times in the past three weeks.

Syrian transitional government – SDF/DAANES
Discussions about integrating the Syrian Democratic Forces into the Syrian National Army are ongoing. Mazlum Abdi stated the SDF’s commitment to the March 10 agreements, acknowledging that implementation will take time. Tensions persist regarding the integration approach: the SDF prefers to join as a block to retain its structures, while Syrian transitional government officials advocate for individual integration, which would dismantle SDF structures and command.
The SDF remains skeptical due to the Syrian government’s treatment of minorities and the inclusion of armed groups in the Ministry of Defense that have previously committed atrocities against Kurds. French, US, and UK officials are mediating the talks, with a meeting scheduled in Paris between the SDF and the Syrian Transitional Government to discuss the implementation of the March 10 agreements and the SDF’s integration into the Syrian state.

Syrian parliament
Between September 15th and 20th, Syria will hold its first parliamentary elections. The number of seats have been elevated to 210 (against 150 before). A third will be directly elected by Al-Sharaa, while the rest will be elected by subcommittees constituted of members chosen by the transitional president. The electoral process will be monitored by communities and international organizations.
The Chairman of the Higher Committee for People’s Assembly Elections confirmed that provisions for women’s participation of at least 20% are included. The People’s Assembly is responsible for proposing, adopting, and amending laws according to the Syrian Constitutional Declaration. However, it is questionable how effectively this body could challenge or oppose laws proposed by Al-Sharaa.

Syrian transitional governement – Russia
On July 31st, Syrian political and defense officials met with Vladimir Putin and Russian officials in Moscow for the first time. The discussion mainly focused on economic and military agreements. It seems that Putin wants to use the support of Russia to Syria’s reconstruction to negotiate basing rights in Syria.

21.07.25 – 27.07.25

Suweida
The transitional government faces major obstacles in restoring stability in Suweida, even as the ceasefire holds. The deathtol of the massacres that occurred last week is estimated at more than 1,400 including civilians (number of civilian casualties still unknown). 176,000 persons have been displaced across As-Sweida, Dar’a, and Rural Damascus Governorates. The basic living conditions of the people of Suweida have fallen below critical levels. The Syrian red crescent, the UN and the DAANES have sent convoys to answer to the basic human needs of the inhabitants. On the 20th, as a result of the deep distrust from the Druze community towards the Syrian Transitional Government, some of the humanitarian convoy entering the city of Suweida have been blocked by the Druze Militias.
Several ISIS-linked social media accounts claimed that ISIS supporters participated to the massacres “discreetly and independently” alongside the Sunni Bedouin tribes. IS supporters have also called on Sunni Bedouin tribes to “form an alliance” with ISIS and reach out to ISIS fighters in the Syrian desert.

Report from the commission investigating alawite massacres
On July 22nd, the National Commission investigating the massacres on the alawite community of March 2025 released its final report. The spokesperson of the commission stated that the massacres were not centrally organized or sectarian, but that the lack of control over armed groups in the Ministry of Defense contributed to the abuses. He added that the massacres were motivated by revenge against supporters of the Assad regime. In the report,the commission referred 298 individuals to the Syrian judiciary for their attacks on Alawites in March.
Killings targeting an Alawite for perceived affiliation with the Assad regime are by definition sectarian because such killings are punishing an individual for the acts of other members of their sect.
As a reminder, between the 6th and 17th of March 2025, more than 200,000 militia men connected to HTS entered Latakia, Tartus and Hama. For 11 days, they committed massacres, killing 1557 alawite civilians.
Alawite leaders rejected the report and called for the formation of independent international investigation committees. Talking about the report, one of them stated: “It was created by the very perpetrators of the crimes, to serve as a veil hiding their disgrace.”

Syrian transitional government – Israel
US, Israeli, and Syrian officials held a meeting in Paris on July 24th to discuss de-escalating tensions between the Syrian transitional government and Israel in southern Syria. The meeting was facilitated by the French foreign minister. After the meeting, the three parties issued a statement emphasizing several points of cooperation and support. Struggle against terrorism in Syria, facilitation of dialogue with SDF and support to the Syrian government in the political transition process were the main topics of agreements.
On the 21st, speaking to reporters, Erdogan stated that “Israel sees unified Syria against its interests” and added that Turkey will not abandon al-Sharaa and stands by him.
Israel and the Syrian Transitional Government remain opposed on the topic of the Syrian part of the golan heights occupied by IDF. The zionist state also unilaterally declared a demilitarized zone in southern Syria that “prohibits the introduction of forces and weapons”. The Syrian government rejected Israel’s declaration of a demilitarized zone and has consistently called for Israeli forces to withdraw from Syrian territory.

Syrian transitional government – SDF
On July 23rd, the SDF spokesman stated in Syrian media that the SDF refuses to disarm: he made reference to the recent Suweida massacres affirming that the Syrian Democratic Forces fear attacks from forces affiliated with the government. He emphasized that the SDF must be integrated in the Syrian army as a military bloc, rather than as individuals. This statement comes as a response to the repeated request from the Syrian Transitional Government for SDF to disarm, dissolve and integrate the Ministry of Defense. This request of dissolving is a double standard that the Syrian Transitional government wants to impose on SDF: certain Syrian armed groups, like some elements of the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army (SNA) and Druze forces have been integrated as a bloc in the Syrian army.
A Syrian government official condemned the SDF’s statement describing it as using the violence in Suweida Province as a justification to refuse to integrate into the Syrian state.

Syrian transitional government – Turkey
The Syrian transitional government officially requested the Turkish government’s support to strengthen its defense capabilities and combat terrorist groups such as ISIS. The Turkish Ministry of Defense said that it will continue to provide Syrian forces with training, consultation, and technical support in line with the request.
It is essential for Turkey to support militarily the Syrian Transitional Government: in its struggle against the Kurdish Liberation Movement, Turkey wants to demonstrate to the US that the fight against ISIS can be carried out without SDF. It challenges the US narrative defending the necessity of the support to SDF in the struggle against ISIS and shows Turkey as a major actor of the region able to deal with jihadism, a major problem for various western countries.

US – SDF relation
On the 19th of July, Mazlum Abdi and the US Special Envoy for Syria Thomas Barrack met. The meeting was related to the topic of the SDF integration in the Syrian army, following the 10th March agreements. It was reported that the meeting was markedly better, Thomas Barrack having a more conciliatory and cooperative approach. The US envoy itself stated after the meeting that there could be a breakthrough in negotiations between the SDF and the Syrian transitional government “in the coming weeks”. It is likely that the massacres committed last week against the Druze community impacted the US position on the topic of SDF integration.

14.07.25 – 20.07.25

Suwayda
On the 13th, clashes between Sunni Bedouin tribes and Druze militias erupted in the region of Suwayda. It seems that the fighting started because some Bedouin militias beat and robbed a Suwaydawi Druze man two days before. In the goal of putting an end to the clashes, the Syrian Ministry of Defense deployed its forces in the region, reaching Suwayda city on the 14th. The government forces clashed with the Druze fighters and engaged in abuses like execution of Druze civilians and pillage. IDF conducted several airstrikes targeting Ministry of Defense tanks and vehicles, stating that the strikes aimed to protect the Druze minority in Syria and “eliminate the regime’s gangs”.
The United States demanded that Israel cease all airstrikes in southern Syria. On the 15th, the Syrian Defense Minister announced a ceasefire between the Syrian transitional government and local Suwaydawi leadership. A Druze militia not aligned on the Suwaydawi leadership broke the ceasefire when the transitional government forces entered Suwayda city. The leader of this militia, the Sheikh Hikmat al Hijri, stated that the Druze face a “war of extermination” and that they must confront the “barbaric campaign with all available means”. The Seikh, strong opponent to the transitional gorvernment, also called for international intervention in Suwayda. Ignoring the request of the US, Israel continued its airstrikes, hitting ministry of defense personnel, tanks, vehicles, and military bases as well as targeting the Syrian Presidential Palace and the ministry of defense headquarters in Damascus. In the face of the IDF bombing, the government forces left from Suwayda. This retreat resulted in a security vacuum: Druze militias and Bedouin tribes continued fighting, with both groups carrying out violence like murder, torture and kidnapping on civilians. In answer to the violence, Bedouin clans from Deir ez Zor, Idlib, and Daraa provinces deployed to Suwayda, seizing several towns in the Suwayda region. In a public speech, Al Sharaa stated that his “efforts to restore stability and expel outlawed factions succeeded, despite Israeli interventions”, framing the IDF operation as a way to oppose Syria’s unity.
On the 18th, Syria and Israel agreed on a ceasefire: despite previous demands for the demilitarization of the south of Syria, Israel allowed Ministry of Defense fighters to enter Suwayda province. The agreements will be implemented in three phases: In the first phase, the government forces will ensure the end of the fighting between the Druze militias and the Bedouin tribes. In the second phase, humanitarian help will be delivered to the civilians of Suwayda and infrastructure will be rebuilt. In the third phase, the Syrian government will activate state institutions, gradually redeploy government forces to Suwayda Province, and integrate Suwaydawi institutions into the Syrian state. Bedouin tribes and Druze leaders, including Sheikh Hikmat al Hijri, agreed with the ceasefire. As an implementation of the first phase, the government forces entered the region and Suwayda city where fighting is still ongoing.
In a speech given on the 19th, Al Sharaa reiterated the transitional government’s commitment to protect minorities and hold all perpetrators of violence accountable. The Syrian Transitional Government’s ability and willingness to hold its forces accountable for the crimes they committed during the conflict is questionable: still today and despite reports from humanitarian groups identifying perpetrators, the Syrian Transitional Government has not publicly held Syrian soldiers accountable for the massacres of Alawites on the Syrian coast in March. Lack of accountability will result in distrust from the Druze community of Suwayda towards the Syrian Transitional government. It is also likely that this episode will impact the already complicated relations between other minorities of Syria and the Al Sharaa government.

Attack against Asayish in the city of Hasake
On Sunday, 5 members of Asayish were killed in Shaddadi, southern countryside of Hasake. The actions have been claimed by ISIS, who continues its activities in different parts of Syria including Deir-Ez-Zor, Hasake and the Syrian desert. In a statement,the security forces said that “such attacks directed against the security of our society and aimed at destabilizing it will not shake our determination to fulfill our duty” and emphasized their “loyalty to the gains of our revolution and the values for which our people have sacrificed their lives”.

Controversy over presidential decrees in Syria’s transitional phase
Two recent decrees issued by Al Sharaa raised questions. One establishes a “Sovereign Fund” as an independent institution exclusively linked to the presidency. Journalists expressed concerns regarding the lack of accountability and transparency in this fund, suggesting a trend toward consolidating power within the presidency. The second decree is the amendment of a law which placed legislation and legal amendments under the exclusive authority of the People’s Assembly (not the transitional president). Legal experts expressed that, by questioning this law, the decree violates the constitutional declaration, which assigns legislative authority to the People’s Assembly.
Concerns were raised regarding the lack of democratic process: until a new People’s Assembly is elected, citizens have no legal means to challenge these decrees. Human rights activists, lawyers and journalists emphasized the need for accountability and adherence to constitutional processes in Syria’s transitional governance.

07.07.25 – 13.06.25

Meeting in Damascus between DAANES and Syrian transitional government
On the 9th of July, a delegation of the DAANES went to Damascus to meet with representatives of the Syrian transitional government. France and US mediated the meeting. It was focused on the implementation of the 10th of March agreements signed by Mazlum Abdi and Ahmed Al-Sharaa. A joint statement issued by the Syrian government and the DAANES delegation highlighted some points of agreement. Among them, the creation of expert subcommittees to monitor the implementation of the 10th of March agreements, efforts regarding the return of displaced people to their regions and the reopening of discussions related to Sheikh Maqsud and Eşrefiye. It was agreed that another meeting would be held soon.
On the 13th, a senior official of the DAANES praised the work of France and the United States in facilitating dialogue between the Autonomous Administration and the Syrian transitional government.

APO statetment, outcomes and reactions
On the 9th of July, a video of Abdullah Ocalan was published. In this video, the Kurdish leader brings different points regarding the Kurdish Liberation struggle, especially related to the PKK and its recent dissolution. He descibes this process as a historic and positive step, enphasizing the necessity of putting an end to the 48 years armed struggle carried out by the revolutionary party. With its call for “Peace and Democratic Society”, the statement marks a significant shift from armed struggle to democratic engagement in addressing Kurdish issues.
Following the statement, a disarmement ceremony happened in a district of Suleymaniyah. 30 guerilla fighters led by Besê Hozat, co-chair of the KCK Executive Council, burned their weapons. Turkish, Iraqi, and Kurdish officials observed the ceremony.
On Friday, Erdogan held an AKP meeting in which he framed the disarmement process of PKK as a victory of the Turkish state over terrorism. He stated that the Turkish Grand National Assembly will establish a commission and begin discussing the legal reforms required.
While Turkish officials signaled that they believe that Ocalan’s call will pressure the SDF to disarm and integrate into the Syrian government, the impact of the potential disarmament of the Kurdistan Workers Party on the NES revolution remains unclear.

SDF denies presence in coastal Syria
In an official statement, the SDF said that unidentified vehicles bearing the flags of the Syrian Democratic Forces have been seen in several coastal villages, falsely claiming affiliation with Syrian Democratic Forces. The statement denied having any activity in the coastal region.
Manipulations and propaganda against SDF and the structures of NES are common tools used by its enemies. They aim to create distrust in the people and build legitimacy on politics directed against the NES revolution.

Wildfires in Syria’s Latakia
Last week, wildfires destroyed over 15,000 hectares of forest and agricultural land in the region of Latakia. Until today, the wildfires are not fully contained. Firefighting operations are being severely obstructed by several factors, including strong winds, landmines, and remnants of past conflicts that pose significant risks to response teams. Turkey, the DAANES, Qatar and Jordan offered their support, providing aircrafts, helicopters and firefighting teams.

Commune and council system in Rojava being renewed
On June 28, the Peoples’ Assembly of Northern and Eastern Syria agreed on a reorganization of the commune system applied nowadays in Rojava. The decree published stated that their was a need of extensive efforts to implement the social system. If for now the long term outcomes of the re-evaluation are unclear, small steps have already been made: Thursdays were designated as environmental cleaning days and Saturdays as days for participation in commune activities!