Syrian and Iraqi Leaders Discuss Regional Security Concerns
Syrian interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa and Iraq’s Kurdish regional president, Nechirvan Barzani, met to discuss cooperation and regional security as Iranian-backed Iraqi militias carried out multiple drone strikes on U.S. facilities across Iraq, including its Kurdish region (AP).
Israel Launches Military Incursion Into Syria During UN Secretary-General Visit
Israeli soldiers advanced toward villages in southwestern Syria, setting up a checkpoint at Al-Ardah while shelling was heard nearby, Syria’s state news agency SANA reported; meanwhile, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres visited Syria for the first time in seventeen years, condemning Israel’s recent violations (Al Jazeera).
Separately, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa said in an interview that Syria is seeking to reach a security agreement with Israel, which could pave the way for comprehensive peace between the two countries (Reuters).
New Syrian Parliament Meets for First Time
Syria’s new parliament convened in Damascus for the first time in nineteen months after rebels toppled Bashar al-Assad, representing a milestone in the country’s political transition despite the legislature’s current limited powers (Reuters).
Foreign Minister Says Syria Open to Meeting Hezbollah
Syria’s foreign minister said that Damascus was open to meeting Hezbollah “if interests require it,” according to Lebanon’s state news agency; his comment came after U.S. President Donald Trump suggested that Syrian forces combat Hezbollah in Lebanon (Reuters)
Al-Sharaa Appoints Seventy Lawmakers to Parliament
Syrian authorities announced the names of seventy lawmakers appointed to a transitional parliament by President Ahmed al-Sharaa, paving the way for the body to convene for the first time, eight months after the process of forming it began (Reuters).
U.S. Strike Kills ISIS Leader
U.S. Central Command announced an airstrike in northwestern Syria that killed a senior ISIS leader last week, as part of “ongoing U.S. efforts to disrupt and eliminate terrorists seeking to attack Americans abroad or the U.S. homeland” (CENTCOM)
Syria Holds Legislative Elections in Kurdish-Majority Northeast
Syria held parliamentary elections in the Kurdish-majority northeastern province of Hassakeh and the town of Kobani for the remaining eleven seats in Syria’s first parliament after the ousting of former President Bashar al-Assad; both areas were reintegrated under government control after fighting in January (AP).
EU Trade Ties With Syria
The European Union (EU) announced it is fully restoring an economic cooperation agreement with Syria that it began scaling back in 2011 due to human rights violations by the former Bashar al-Assad regime; the resumption of the deal reflects changing conditions in Syria after Assad’s fall and the EU’s goal of supporting Syria’s economic recovery, Brussels said (Council of the EU)
Alleged Syrian Militia Member Denies Crimes Against Humanity Charges
A Syrian man known as Rafik A. went on trial in The Hague, denying twenty-five charges including torture, rape, and sexual violence as crimes against humanity, allegedly committed while he led an interrogation unit for a pro-Assad militia in Syria from 2013 to 2014; the case is the first in the Netherlands to address atrocity crimes committed by pro-government forces in Syria, with a verdict expected June 9 and a potential life sentence if convicted (Reuters)
Zelenskyy in Syria
Ukraine and Syria agreed to cooperate on security and economic issues during Zelenskyy’s trip to Damascus (President of Ukraine)
Turkey’s foreign minister also attended a portion of the talks (Reuters)
It was Zelenskyy’s first visit to Syria since the two countries restored diplomatic ties; Syria’s former Assad regime was a close ally of Russia (Al Jazeera)
Al-Sharaa Says Syria Will Not Get Involved in Iran War
Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa stated that Syria would not get involved in the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran unless Syria faces aggression and does not have any diplomatic solutions (Reuters)
Drones Strike Syrian Military Bases Near Iraqi Border
The Syrian army reported that drones targeted several bases near the Iraqi border; in a statement posted on Syrian state media, the army, which did not specify the origin of the drones, noted that most of the drones were successfully shot down (Reuters)
Separately, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said during a visit by Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa that the two countries will coordinate to speed the return of Syrian refugees living in Germany; both leaders said Syrians who wish to stay in Germany would be allowed to, but Merz said that 80 percent of Syrians in Germany are expected to repatriate in the next three years (DW)
Sectarian Attacks Erupt in Suqaylabiyah
An interpersonal dispute between two men escalated into sectarian attacks in the Christian town of Suqaylabiyah, Hama province, when scores of armed men from a neighboring Sunni community descended on motorcycles, damaging homes, shops, and vehicles throughout the night; there were no immediate reported casualties in the attacks (AP)
UN: July 2025 Violence Killed Over 1,700 Syrians
A UN investigation found that more than 1,700 people were killed and nearly 200,000 displaced during a week of violence in southern Syria in July 2025, with Syrian government forces, tribal fighters, and Druze armed groups potentially committing war crimes; the report said most of the 1,707 deaths in Sweida Governorate were Druze civilians, along with members of the Bedouin community and at least 225 government personnel (Reuters)
Syrians Protest Alcohol Restrictions in Damascus
Large crowds rallied to protest recent efforts by authorities to limit the sale and consumption of alcohol in Damascus; the demonstration, which reflected fears that the new government may threaten secular freedoms, was surrounded by heavily armed security forces and passed without any incident (AP)
Authorities slightly walked back the ban, saying that alcohol sales would be allowed in hotels and other designated sites (MEE)
Ukrainian, U.S. Negotiators Meet in Florida
Ukrainian and U.S. negotiators began the latest round of talks in Florida to move towards a settlement; the White House described the talks as productive, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that talks would continue on Sunday (Reuters)
Israel Strikes Syrian Military Sites
Israel struck Syrian government military infrastructure in southern Syria overnight in response to attacks against Druze civilians in Sweida, targeting command centers and weapons sites; Syria condemned the strikes as a violation of sovereignty and warned Israel would bear responsibility for further escalation (Reuters)
Syria’s Alcohol Restrictions
Municipal authorities in Damascus banned alcohol in bars and restaurants except in the city’s predominantly Christian neighborhoods; it marks a step toward more conservative legal mores following the country’s takeover by Islamist rebels led by current President Ahmed al-Sharaa (AFP)
Some critics argue the move violates parts of Syria’s constitution, which Sharaa approved last year (Reuters)
Syria Accuses Hezbollah of Cross-Border Shelling
Syria’s army accused Hezbollah of shelling targets inside Syria, west of Damascus, from across the Lebanese border (Times of Israel)
Meanwhile, Damascus appointed Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) commander Sipan Hamo as deputy defense minister for the country’s eastern territories; the move is seen as part of the implementation of a U.S.-brokered integration agreement between the Syrian Democratic Forces and the Syrian government (Reuters)
Turkey Allegedly Asks MI6 to Help Protect Syrian President
Turkey’s intelligence agency, MIT, reportedly asked Britain’s MI6 to take a larger role in protecting Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa following recent assassination plots; however, after Reuters published the story, Turkey denied making any such request (Reuters)
Border Crossing With Lebanon Temporarily Closed
The Syrian land and sea ports authority briefly closed its border crossing with Lebanon for all departures; the closure came as Israel warned that it may target the crossing in its operations (Reuters)
Syria Reinforces Border With Lebanon
Syria sent rocket units and thousands of troops to its border with Lebanon; the move reportedly was aimed at preventing the infiltration of Hezbollah or other militant groups into Syria, as well as to stop cross-border arms and drug smuggling (Reuters)
Four Killed by Iranian Missile in Sweida
An Iranian missile hit a building in Sweida, killing four people and wounding several others; other missile debris fell in parts of southern Syria as residents reported hearing interceptor missiles in the skies of Damascus (Reuters)
Syria, Druze Factions Hold First Prisoner Exchange Since July Clashes
The Syrian government and Druze factions controlling the southern city of Sweida conducted their first prisoner exchange on Thursday since deadly sectarian clashes last July (Reuters)
Self-Proclaimed Islamic State Militants Kill Four
Self-proclaimed Islamic State militants killed four security personnel in northern Syria, marking the deadliest attack on government forces since the ouster of Bashar al-Assad (Reuters)