16.06.25 – 22.06.25
US strike in Iran
On the 22nd, Donald Trump announced US strikes to put an end to Iran’s uranium enrichment capabilities. Those strikes reportedly destroyed the three main Iranian nuclear facilities. Israeli officials confirmed the statement but added that one of the site was not destroyed. No radiation was detected from the sites of the strikes after the attack. As an answer, the Iranian parliament decided to close the strait of Hormuz, an essential corridor for the oil of the Gulf. This decision has not been carried out till now. Closing the strait would have a major impact on the world’s economy. Experts are suggesting that Iran will likely retaliate using its proxy militias in Iraq and Yemen.
Israel has continued to strike Iranian internal security and social control institutions, which could possibly destabilize the regime over time. Iran retaliates with ballistic missiles and drones. The current death toll is 639 in Iran and 24 in Israel.
International actors insist on Syrian transitional government to fulfill its commitments
France and US representatives at the United Nations urged the Syrian transitional Government to fulfill its commitment. The French permanent representative insisted on the guarantee of equal rights for all Syrian communities and highlighted the rights of the Kurdish population.
During the meeting of the Security Council, the US ambassador emphasized the necessity for the Transitional government of Syria to “present its plan and intentions with regard to the foreign fighters on Syrian soil”. She also insisted on the need for a non-aggression pact between Syria and Israel, stressing the demand to remove the “terrorist Palestinian groups” from Syria.
In the last months, the Syrian government put an increased pressure on the Islamic Jihad, restricting the activities of the group. As a result, some members crossed to Lebanon and Turkey.
Suicide bombing in Christian church in Damascus
On Sunday, an attacker entered the Mar Elias church of the Dweila neighbouhood of Damascus, opened fire and detonated his suicide vest. The reports on details of the attacks vary. Some report two men attacking. The explosion killed 20 people and injured dozens. Syria’s Interior ministry said the suicide bomber was a member of the Islamic State. It is the first suicide bombing inside Damascus since the end of Assad’s regime.
Inhabitants of refugee camps return home
With the fall of the Assad regime, a growing number of refugees are returning to their home. The number of IDPs living in the Waşokani camp is going down and last week, 178 families voluntarily left Al-Hol camp and set out for Aleppo. The return process happened in coordination between the DAANES, the Al-Hol camp and UNHCR. These departures is a result of the decision by the autonomous administration regarding the request of Syrian IDPs to return to their homes.