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)
U.S. Military Withdrawing From Largest Base in Northeastern Syria
The Syrian military and security sources stated that U.S. forces began withdrawing from their largest base in Qasrak; the base was the main hub for the U.S.-led global coalition to defeat the self-proclaimed Islamic State (Reuters)
While U.S. Central Command did not immediately comment, it confirmed earlier this month that U.S. troops had withdrawn from different base in southeastern Syria (CENTCOM)
Self-Proclaimed Islamic State Claims Responsibility for Two Attacks
The self-proclaimed Islamic State claimed responsibility for two attacks on Syrian army personnel in eastern and northern Syria; this came as the group announced it had entered a “new phase” in operations (Reuters)
Militant Attack Kills One Security Officer
The self-proclaimed Islamic State took responsibility for an attack that killed one security officer and injured another in eastern Syria’s Deir Ezzor province (Reuters)
United States to Withdraw All Forces
American officials stated that the United States is in the process of withdrawing all its troops from Syria; the removal will be “conditions-based” and will occur over the next two months (WSJ)
Australians Released From Roj Camp Returned
Thirty-four Australians released from Roj camp were later returned due to “technical problems” between families and the Damascus government (Reuters)
This comes as Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated that the Australian government will provide “absolutely no support” towards repatriation efforts (AP)
Syrian Army Takes Control of Shaddadi Base
The Syrian Army announced that it had taken control of the Shaddadi base in northwestern Syria in coordination with the United States (Reuters)
U.S. Conducts Strikes on ISIS Targets
The United States Central Command announced that it conducted ten airstrikes against at least thirty self-proclaimed Islamic State infrastructure and weapons storage targets between February 3 and February 12 (Reuters)
U.S. Military Completes Prison Transfers
The United States Central Command announced that U.S. forces successfully completed their mission of transferring self-proclaimed Islamic State detainees from Syria to Iraq; the transfers included moving over 5,700 self-proclaimed IS militants (Reuters).
Saudi Arabian and U.S. Firms to Partner on Energy Project
Three U.S.-based and two Saudi-based firms are to form a consortium for an energy production and oil and gas exploration project in northeast Syria; the move reflects Damascus’s need for energy investments after fourteen years of war (Reuters)
Saudi Investments in Syria
A new Saudi fund will invest around $2 billion to develop two airports in the Syrian city of Aleppo, Saudi Arabia’s investment minister Khalid al-Falih said (Reuters)
The Saudi Telecom Company also said it will invest $800 million in a telecommunications infrastructure project in the country (Communications Today)
These and other new investments represent a “qualitative leap” in their bilateral relations, Al-Falih said, following more than $6 billion in Saudi investment pledges in Syria last year (NYT)
Syrian Government Blocks Al-Qaeda Affiliated Book
The Syrian government blocked a book containing multiple audio addresses by Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, al-Qaeda’s leader in Iraq before his death in 2006, from being displayed at a book fair in Damascus; officials stated the book would dampen relation-building efforts between Baghdad and Damascus (Reuters)
Syrian Government Security Forces Enter Qamishli
Syrian security forces continued deployments to Kurdish-led regions and entered Qamishli to engage in talks with senior Kurdish officials (Reuters)
Syrian State Forces Enter Al-Hasakah
Syrian government forces entered Al-Hasakah as part of the U.S.-backed ceasefire deal between Damascus and the Syrian Democratic Forces that plans to merge Kurdish-led regions with Damascus (Reuters)
Syria to Close Al-Hol and Roj Camps
Syria announced plans to close Al-Hol and Roj displacement camps that held civilians and foreigners linked to the self-proclaimed Islamic State (Reuters)