Syria news/Current
29 Jan. Russian delegation first visiting Damascus was met with demands for "compensation", "reconstruction and recovery", "addressing past mistakes", and reportedly handing over Assad.
23 Jan. Following reports that Syria annulled a treaty with a Russian company earlier given to manage the port of Tartus for 49 years, this Southfront article provides a commentary.
19 Jan. According to the UNHCR, around 200.000 Syrian refugees have returned to the country in the first 16 days of 2025.
12 Jan. Arab and Western FM-level talks in Riyadh on Syria.
10 Jan. Literally acting as "human shields", the vigil at Tishreen Dam is going on for the third day.
8 Jan. Turkey bombs convoy of civilians heading to Tishrin Dam to protest the escalating attacks
- SDF: “The Turkish state will bear full responsibility for any disaster that may occur at the Dam or other areas in Syria due to the ongoing Turkish air and artillery strikes. These attacks reached a peak intensity earlier this morning and are continuing at this time.”
(You can find Tishreen Dam on the map to the right, south-east of Manbij, in the north of Syria. It is the second largest dam in the Syrian part of the Euphrates river, second to al-Thawrah further down the flow. A failure of Tishreen dam would cause a chain reaction felt all the way down through the densely-populated river sides into Iraq.)
7 Jan. After the US Treasury lifted some sanctions on delivering basic goods to Syria the day before, humanitarian aid arrives from Saudi Arabia and Jordan.
Also with the lift of US sanctions on support of basic needs in Syria, rumours are that Qatar and Saudi Arabia will financially back the recent promise of the caretaker finance minister of a 400% raise in public sector salaries.
Two of the most important militias in southern Syria express willingness to merge into a new national army.
5 Jan. The new Minister of Justice of Damascus proved to be a killer of women
3 Jan. The French and German foreign ministers visit Damascus. Jolani refuses to shake the hand of Annalena Baerbock. (Noted, 1, 2, 3). According to German media, a large telegram channel close to the new Syrian regime blurred Baerbock and other women in reports of the event (1, 2, 3), while Syria's official news agency SANA didn't.
Karin Leukefeld, by far the most experienced German Syria correspondent, reports from the ground in Damascus (German language).
1 Jan 2025. First official talks between Jolani and the SDF take place in Damascus.
28 Dec. For the first time in nine years, a delegation of the Turkish DEM party, which is friendly to the Kurdish struggle, was able to visit Abdullah Öcalan on the prison island of Imrali, finding him in good health and optimistic about a reconciliation between the Turkish state and the Kurds in Turkey and Syria.
18 Dec. Israel and Turkey are accusing each other of occupying parts of Syria and destabilizing the situation.
17 Dec. HTS closes the ar-Rastan bridge on the main road between Hama and Homs after its fighters were attacked by "unidentified gunmen".
The electricity grid in Hasakah province is severely damaged by repeated Turkish shelling.
16 Dec. Statement attributed to Bashar Assad published 1, 2, 3
15 Dec. According to Firat News Agency, Erdoğan's government is caught up in the hysteria of destroying Kurds.
US flag in Kobani, after negotiations yesterday allegedly failed
"Manbij military council shared drone footage of a mop-up of Tishrin dam" (video)
14 Dec. (US forces) are already in Kobani -reports, photo, earlier video.
The city has been four days without electricity and water supply due to the situation around Tishreen Dam. It is also reported that the dam may fail as its gates are closed.
13 Dec. Israel continues its air strikes on Syria.
Report: Mujahids took control of the Tishreen dam -which is on a road connecting Manbij to Kobani (video)
Erdogan made comments which have been interpreted as considering a revision of the WW1 outcomes (Turk., auto-transl.; Rus. text, Turk. video).
12 Dec. The transitional government is established. It's supposed to be "caretaking" until March 2025. Behind the prime minister fly the black-on-white Shahada and the French colonial flag. Authorities in the Kurdish-controlled areas are also raising the "Revolution"/French colonial flag on their buildings.
Despite the alleged ceasefire, fierce fights are going on between SNA and SDF around the Tishreen Dam, Syria's second largest power plant. Workers warn that it is already damaged and could break if further damage happens.
11 Dec. The military leader of SDF announces a "US-mediated" ceasefire with the SNA around Manbij. Meanwhile the SDF hands over Deir Ez-Zor to HTS.
10 Dec. The transitional government takes form. Meanwhile, in a large bombing campaign Israel destroys SAA installations. It also invades Syria's south to "create a buffer zone". The SNA continues to attack the Kurds, the US bombs alleged desert hotspots of ISIS. In Latakia and Homs provinces, atrocities against Alawites are reported.
Iranian gen. Mohamad Asadi is quoted saying that Assad was aware of the low morale of SAA forces and their inability to defend him; and that he not only did not ask for Iranian help but raised concerns about such prospects
09 Dec. Idlib's SSG PM Muhammad al-Bashir, with Bachelor degrees in electrical & electronic engineering. Aleppo Univ (2007) and Sharia "and" Law (Idlib Univ, 2021), a proponent of e-government, is to lead the transitional government.
The Fall of Assad
08 Dec. In the night, rumours from several sides including Reuters that Assad has fled Damascus. State TV has been taken over and a broadcast is expected soon.
Flightradar appears to show YK-ATA Syrian Air IL-76T transport plane taking from Damascus airport and (crashing or vanishing) soon after flying over Homs (noted, occurred around 2.30 UTC, 8 Dec. Attributed to Assad statement says he left Damascus for Khmeimim in the morning of Dec 8. Flightradar record was seen but is no longer available)
In the morning, HTS announces the fall of Assad over Syrian state TV. "We are ready to cooperate with any leadership chosen by the people and extend our hand to every Syrian citizen keen on preserving the country’s resources." Meanwhile the military commander of the SDF issues a statement including the words "This change represents a unique opportunity to establish a Syria based on democracy and justice, guaranteeing the rights of all Syrians."
"Syrian PM leaves home for Damascus hotel to hand over power to opposition" (video). Syrian PM, the top government official remaining in Damascus, is negotiating a 'peaceful transfer of power' with the rebels (video)
Syrian president Bashar al-Assad arrives in Moscow and is granted asylum. (Sputnik, TASS). Earlier the Russian Foreign Ministry informed, that "As a result of the negotiations that took place between Bashar al-Assad and a number of participants in the armed conflict on the territory of the SAR, he decided to leave the presidential post and left the country, giving instructions to transfer power peacefully," "Russia did not participate in these negotiations." (Sputnik, TASS, full text RU)
07 Dec. In the shadow of the HTS offensive, the Turkey-hired SNA gangs attack Manbij.
During the day, Homs falls. From the south, Damascus is reached. The airport, the Sednaya prison and some other spots are out of government control. Even in Latakia there are large anti-government protests.
There appear to be no signs of significant fighting. Unverified videos appear to show SAA soldiers taking off their uniforms and leaving. So far, two SAA soldiers became known by name as killed in battle,
"Jihadis capture Palmira": video shows few rebels on motorbikes with Kalashnikovs near Palmira historic site, and seemingly no one else around.
06 Dec. Many villages between Hama and Homs and the two relevant cities of Talbiseh and Rastan are taken over by HTS. Meanwhile in the north-east, the SAA is also retreating from places like Raqqa, where the SDF comes in to fill the vacuum.
In the afternoon, SDF enters Deir ez-Zor. In the south, independent from HTS, local opposition forces seem to have taken several border crossings to Jordan, the city of as-Suweida and rural areas in Daraa province. The SAA seems to be in retreat everywhere, unwilling to fight.
05 Dec. Without much of a fight, HTS takes over Hama city. The SAA General Command announces that it has retreated to positions south of the city to avoid putting civilians in danger through urban fighting.
It is said that SAA keeps/tries to Jabal Zayn al-Abideen, on a hill north of Hama 1, 2. Yet claims made overnight quoting pro-SAA media that SAA have Hama surrounded were later characterized as "utterly false" by the same source. Updated map, by an unknown source, shows rebel intrusion towards Homs along the M5 road. Earlier, SAA defended against the first frontal attack on Hama; withdrawal came shortly after reports of rebels encircling the city.
In the evening reports that SAA retreated from other places like the city Salamiyah and the christian village Muhrada in Hama countryside, leaving them to HTS without a fight.
Jolani, in Zelenski fatigues, gives an interview (video) to CNN.
04 Dec. Fierce battles between SDF and SNA over the Kuweiris military airport and the Al Khafsah water plant - the most important water supply to Aleppo city -, both on the city's eastern outskirts and both apparently at the moment under SNA control.
Report: "Turkey-backed militants are preparing attack on Kobani enclave, Syrian and Russian troops are getting withdrawn."
"SDF captured the settlements of Al-Hussaniya, As-Salihiya, Hatla, Marrat, Mazlum, Hisham and At-Tabia on the left bank of the Euphrates River - said to be backed by US A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft and artillery.
03 Dec. While the SAA receives regional reinforcements from Hezbollah, Iraq's PMU and apparently hardware from Egypt, there seems to be infighting between SNA and HTS, with the former accusing the latter of "liberating the liberated", i.e. taking over territory that was previously taken over by SNA forces. Comments say that the hired SNA gangs were looting which goes against the religious feelings of the HTS.
02 Dec. A map by the Rojava Information Center tries to show the still very confusing happenings around Aleppo, elaborated on in a series of posts on X. The shown factions are:
- HTS (Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham): radical Islamists born out of Al-Qaeda and ISIS with many Uyghurs among them
- SNA (Syrian National Army): less religious hired gangs under direct Turkish control
- SDF (Syrian Democratic Forces): secular forces dominated by Kurds
- SAA (Syrian Arab Army): regular Syrian Army
"The flame of the Syrian revolution has reignited."
"An operations room of the SDF and Deir Ezzor Military Council forces launches the Battle of Return to retake the seven villages “Husseiniyah, Salhiyah, Hatlah, Marat, Mazlum, Khasham, Tabiyah” in Deir Ezzor_Jazira countryside, which are controlled by the Syrian regime forces and Iranian militias" Reddit, liveuamap, "Middle East Spectator".
30 Nov, daytime: In the center of Aleppo, the insurgents captured the Citadel and demolished the monument to Hafez al-Assad, the father of the current president of Syria. The fighting in the city will continue, the Kurds are holding their Sheikh Maksud district and the surrounding areas. The militants still do not control the entire city. (visuals).
29/30 Nov. Syria MoD statement
HTS militants have a photo-op by the Aleppo citadel, which was held by the government throughout the war so far. While a pro-Assad civilian filmed a video from the CItadel, disputing the claim (showing it empty at night).
29 Nov. SAA 25th brigade/'Tiger Forces' arrived in Aleppo, and recorded 'Inshallah' social media message.
Cassad: "Syria is losing Aleppo." (Factually, rebels apparently seen in the western outskirts of Aleppo).
28 Nov. "Militants advance in Aleppo". (Ru media reported militants' advances, Ru airstrikes yesterday).
19 Nov. The BBC publishes a long article "Turkish strikes in Syria cut water to one million people" about the recent history of water supply in north-eastern, Kurdish-led Syria.
14 Nov. Israeli airstrikes destroy what appears to have been a HQ of Islamic Jihad in a suburb of Damascus, killing 15 people and wounding 16, including women and children.
13 Nov. Israeli airstrikes destroy several bridges over the Orontes river in Homs province near the Lebanese border in an attempt to separate both banks of the river to reduce alleged weapons smuggling.
11 Nov. Assad visits Riyadh for an "extraordinary Arab and Islamic summit" and has a one-on-one talk with the Saudi crown prince. Later he addresses the summit.
10 Oct. The General Command of the Kurdish-dominated Syrian Democratic Forces releases a lengthy statement commenting on its 9th anniversary.
1 Oct. Iran fires 180 ballistic missiles on Israel, of some 14 min flight time, met by air defenses. Reports on damage differ. There were videos suggesting hits at airbases and near Mossad HQ in Tel Aviv. According to Western and Israeli sources, "some of air bases had been hit during the attack, but no weapons, aircraft or critical infrastructure was damaged and the air force's operational abilities were not affected." "Just north of Tel Aviv on Wednesday, close to the Mossad’s headquarters, a BBC correspondent found several badly damaged cars and a pile of earth next to a road where a missile impact was said to have caused a crater between 8m and 10m deep.The nearby municipality of Hod HaSharon also said about 100 houses were damaged by a missile explosion and shrapnel." With Iran keeping most of the arsenal intact, Israel did not immediately respond to the attack, and kept fighting in southern Lebanon and Gaza against the respective proxies and affiliates; with high human cost, and the danger of far broader conflict remaining.
28 Sep. Iran's Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is 'moved to a secure location', after Israeli strike in Beirut killed Hezbollah's leader Nasrallah, and Iranian gen. Abbas Nilforoushan, deputy commander of Guards operations.
- "Aftermath of 85 bombs hitting Hezbollah headquarters in Beirut bunker where Hassan Nasrallah was killed. Israeli air force strike with 900 kg bunker buster bombs leaves huge crater" (85 x 900 ??) -Rusvesna
- Aftermath of Israeli attacks in Lebanon -MEE
24 Sep. Ukrainian-flag-stovepiping USNS Big Horn, the ACG oiler, is taking water off the cost of Oman in the Arabian Sea (while a Russian marine blogger points to Yemen)
Centcom: US airstrikes on Sept 24 and Sept 16 killed "37 militants affiliated with extremist groups" (Hurras al-Deen group named, IS/AQ type implied; said to be in remote locations) 900 US troops + contractors said to be present in Syria.
16 Sep. Shoigu visits Assad in Damascus (after visiting Kim Jong-Un, and prior to meeting president of Iran Masoud Pezeshkian).
9 Sep. Starting late Sunday night and going on for several hours, Israel conduct a large scale operation against central Syrian targets both military and civilian. Observers say it was the most ferocious since 2011. Vanessa Beeley reports the details.
7 Aug. In a large-scale operation, Tribal forces have crossed the Euphrates in the Deir-Ezzor countryside and are battling US-backed SDF-Forces. It is said that several towns and military posts have fallen and that the US-occupied Al-Omari oilfield is under siege.
26-27 Jul. Israel says (1, 2) that Iranian-made Falaq-1 rocket hit Majdal Shams, a Druze town in Golan Heights, killing 12 and wounding 19. Hezbollah tells UN forces that it was Israeli air defense missile (TASS, Al Jazeera) -- "a twist in the conflict" (JPost). The incident threatens a slide towards bigger war in Lebanon. (Visuals do not appear conclusive. Better view on crater in CNN report).
26 Jul. VP Harris following Netanyahu meeting the teleprompter
25 Jul. Russian commenters on Assad's visit to Moscow. Kedmi: "Assad arrived alone on a Russian plane, and most likely the purpose of the visit was to agree on the positions that Russia will present at negotiations in Europe regarding Syria. The parties wanted to discuss certain points. If Assad had come with any request, he would have taken with him those to whom this request was relevant".
7 Jul. Erdogan comments after the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit on Turkish peace mediation efforts on Syria and Ukraine, restoring good relations with Syria, and possible Russian-Turkish-Syrian summit in Turkey.
5 Jul. Former Al Jazeera reporter turned Assad's media advisor and strong supporter Luna al-Shibl dies after car crash. SOHR claims that her brother was arrested earlier on charges of "communicating with the enemy," "following the Israeli airstrikes on the Iranian consulate building in Damascus", while her husband was allegedly dismissed from Damascus University, for what SOHR describes as "corruption", and Israeli-based sources as a "leak to Russia of the minutes of meetings between Syrian and Iranian leaders" (unverified).
28 May. Jeffrey Sachs: in 2012, an agreement was reached between the Syrian government and the insurgents to end the conflict, but the US opposed.
25 May. Syria's first lady Asma al-Assad publishes a short video announcing, after having survived a different form of cancer in recent years, that she was diagnosed with leukemia.
10 May. US rep at the UN explanation on the Palestinian UN membership vote (UNGA resolution passed 143-9)
24 Apr. MxM: "Mass arrests made at NYU after hundreds arrested at Columbia over Palestinian protests". 'Berkeley warns anti-Israel protesters: 'We will take the steps necessary' to avoid disruptions'. CBS: CBS: "8 students, 1 employee arrested at U of M(ichigan) pro-Palestinian encampment, sparking more protests".
21 Apr. Assad interview - Russian TV1 program "Global Majority"
19 Apr. Israel stages a retaliatory strike on Iran. Iran says three quadrocopters were shot down and no damage was caused. Three booster sections of Israeli air-launched ballistic missiles are found in Iraq, over 100 km west of the Iranian border.
15 Apr. ''Saudi Arabia acknowledged that it had helped the newly forged regional military coalition — Israel, the United States, Jordan, the United Kingdom, and France — repel an Iranian attack against the Jewish state early Sunday morning, according to a story on KAN News. Reported the Jerusalem Post
14 Apr. According to reports, Iran's strike on Israel in retaliation for the attack on their consulate in Damascus consisted of a swarm of hundreds of drones that partly overwhelmed the Iron Dome air defense system, followed by a number of ballistic and cruise missiles that, according to Israel, did "minor damage" to some military installations inside the country. According to Iran, the two targets of the strike, the Israeli intelligence headquarters in Mount Hermon and the Nevatim military base were "successfully destroyed". (Unverified) videos suggest that some missiles were not intercepted. Videos (Cassad 1, 2, Iran Press 3, Middle East Eye 4) claimed to be "footage of attacks on the air base in Ramon" show some hits, with 7 hits claimed in the description.
Mount Hermon is a mountain in the Golan Heights that is partly occupied by Israel. Other parts of the mountain are controlled by Lebanon and Syria. Wikipedia mentions an Israeli observation post there, which is likely here on Google Maps. Ramon airbase is in the Negev south-east of the Gaza strip. Hence the claimed targets are around 400 km away from each other.
In his collection of reports, Larry Johnson lists four targets that were hit: Mount Hermon in the north, both Ramon and Nevatim airbases in the south, and the Airforce Intelligence HQ in central Tel Aviv.
JP: "Israeli retaliation against Iran stopped by Biden phone call - report"
13 Apr. Al Arabiya, via TASS: 'In the skies over Damascus there are Iranian drones flying towards Israel'; also ballistic missile launches have been reported . Earliest report seen on drones launched by Iran, 20:00 UTC.
The Coalition of Civil Society Organizations holds a forum in the city of Qamishli in Kurdish-dominated North-East Syria, to improve education process in the region, presenting research on agricultural, healthcare, and educational sectors.
7 Apr. IDF downgrades its military operation in Gaza 1, 2
1 Apr. Israel strikes the Iranian consulate in Damascus, killing, among others, IRGC General Mohammad Reza Zahedi. The US loudly denies any involvement. Iran threatens retaliation.
14 Mar. Russian military police set up additional checkpoint in the Golan Heights area
7 Mar. Speculation mounts that Israel may be close to launching a large scale incursion into Lebanon to "push back Hezbollah". According to the report by the Hezbollah-linked Al-Akhbar, if a diplomatic agreement is not reached by mediators by March 15, Israel is prepared to escalate its military operations along the border into a full-scale war against Hezbollah. "Israeli official later denied the report to Hebrew-language media."
Netanyahu needs a 'come to Jesus' meeting with me, says Biden (video)
"The US, Iran, and Russia cooperate in a joint naval exercise in India" ( ? ).
19 Feb. Yemeni forces targeted and hit the Rubymar cargo ship, believing it to be British owned. The anti-ship missile attack caused catastrophic damage. The crew were able to abandon ship safely. British ownership was acknowledged by @Centcom
10 Feb. Reuters - Air defence systems operated by U.S.-led coalition troops based in eastern Syria halted six drone attacks targeting their base at the Conoco oil field on Saturday, a security source said.
IDF sources claim to have found secret Hamas underground data centre linked to UNRWA HQ in Gaza - evacuated by UN staff in October. The presentation of alleged connection to UNRWA appears weak under scrutiny.
7 Feb. US strike on Baghdad kills leader of Kataib Hezbollah. The group declared on Jan 30 that it would suspend attacks on US forces in the region following the drone attack on Tower22.
6 Feb. ASBMs were fired at two vessels off Yemen's Hodeidah, as AnsarAllah continued its military operations.
3 Feb. US & UK launched airstrikes against "houthi military targets". The following day Yahya Sare'e - Yemeni military spokesman - said 48 attacks in six provinces took place and that retaliation would follow.
28 Jan. Reports of 3 US soldiers killed and 34 injured after reported drone attack on US base, said to be Tower22 in NE Jordan, but believed by some to be the Al Tanf base on Syrian border.
Fighting between the IDF and Hezbollah in the border regions continued to intensify. As the US carried out further airstrikes on Yemen on Saturday, after the Ansarallah govt widened its targeting of shipping to include US and UK linked vessels.
21 Jan. Unclear number of US personnel reported as being assessed for 'traumatic brain injuries' after the Iraqi 'Islamic Resistance' group's missile attack on the Al Asad airbase in Iraq.
According to the WaPo: The Biden administration is crafting plans for a sustained military campaign targeting the Houthis in Yemen after 10 days of strikes failed to halt the group’s attacks on maritime commerce... Parliament in Sana'a issued a statement condemning the US redesignation of the 'Houthi's' as a terrorist group, saying that Israel, US and UK should be at the top of any global terrorism list.
20 Jan. 5 IRGC officers, including Syria intel chief, killed in Damascus strike blamed on Israel
14 Jan. Roundup of events in the region - from SouthFront via NiqNaq.
13 Jan. Biden: US delivered a private message to Iran following airstrikes on Houthi targets (1, 2).
Another strike on a Houthi's radar site. U.S. Central Command reported that the USS Carney, a destroyer, conducted the strike at 3:45 a.m. local time Saturday on a Houthi radar site using Tomahawk missiles. No further details were provided, although Associated Press journalists in Sanaa, Yemen's capital, heard one loud explosion... This was apparently a Radar site for Sana'a Intl Airport. Facilities at the airport had been hit by the Saudis in December 2021.
Media reports : Houthis naval base in Hodeida was hit from the air.
11 Jan. Western coalition strikes Houthi -controlled areas in Yemen, while Iran seizes oil tanker 'with links to US' in the Gulf of Oman.
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