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.