War updates

Weekly Highlights 03.11.25 – 09.11.25

03.11.25 – 09.11.25

Syrian transitional government to join the anti-ISIS Coalition
The Syrian transitional government is poised to join the Coalition to Defeat the Islamic State (ISIS) during Al-Sharaa’s anticipated visit to Washington. This development would formalize 13 years of intelligence collaboration between Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and the US in combating ISIS and al-Qaeda networks in northern Syria.
Currently, the integration of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the DAANES structures into the New Syrian Army and broader Syrian state framework is at a standstill. However, Syria’s potential entry into the coalition could bolster cooperation between the SDF and the New Syrian Army in the efforts against ISIS in the region.

US plan to deploy air force in Damascus
The United States is planning to establish a military presence at an undisclosed airbase in Damascus. On November 5 two Western officials and a Syrian defense official, affirmed that this military presence would allow the U.S. to monitor the potential agreement between Israel and Syria. This airbase is expected to be part of a demilitarized zone outlined in the agreement.
According to two Syrian military sources, US forces might utilize the base for logistical support, surveillance, refueling, and humanitarian missions, while Syria would maintain full sovereignty over the facility.
Until now, the Syrian Foreign Ministry denied these informations.

UN remove Al-Sharaa from terrorism lists
On November 6, the UN Security Council approved a US-backed resolution removing Al-Sharaa and Syria’s Interior Minister from the ISIS and al-Qaeda sanctions list. All members of the United Nations Security Council, with the exception of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), voted in favor of a motion. The PRC’s UN Ambassador urged the Syrian transitional government to take additional measures against “terrorism,” specifically mentioning the East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM). This reference likely refers to the Turkistan Islamic Party (TIP).
PRC officials have consistently expressed concern regarding the Syrian transitional government’s decision to appoint Uyghurs associated with TIP to high-ranking positions in the Syrian army. The Syrian transitional government has rebranded TIP as the 84th Division within the new Syrian army.
Despite the PRC’s concerns regarding the Turkistan Islamic Party (TIP), Chinese companies have continued to engage with the new Syrian government. On October 21, Syrian Economy Minister Mohammad announced that the transitional government is in the process of securing five to six investment projects with the PRC, amounting to hundreds of millions of dollars.

Continuous development:

  • The Turkish state pursues its policies of demographic change and preventing the return of the local population by building colonial structures in the Afrin region. The construction of new residences called “Toros Housing Site” began on October 5 in the Afrin Canton.
  • The Democratic Autonomous Administration of Cizire Canton in Northern and Eastern Syria organized the 1st Communes Conference of Jazira Canton. This conference takes place in the context of the DAANES efforts to revive the commune system in NES.