NATIONAL OVERVIEW

Nationwide incidents 

SIGNIFICANT EVENTS

• Update: Lebanese Prime Minister to visit Syria
• Syrian Officials Plan to Attend IMF, World Bank Meetings in Washington
• Syrian Government Forces Deploy to Tishrin Dam Under Security Agreement
• Peaceful demonstration in Damascus condemns Israeli actions in Gaza
• Explosive incidents, local tensions, and Israeli military operations in the south
• Report from SOHR highlights Iranian-aligned Militia smuggling activity
• Hand grenade incident and remnant detonations in Deir ez Zour
• Local violence in Aleppo
• Shooting Incident on Homs-Lebanese Border Sees Fatality
• Murder and Counter-Drug Operations in Latakia

STRATEGIC AND POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS

Update: Lebanese Prime Minister to visit Syria

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam is scheduled to visit Syria tomorrow, Monday, April 14. In a statement to the Lebanese News Agency, Salam indicated that the issue of Lebanese citizens who disappeared in Syrian prisons or were kidnapped during the era of the former regime will be among the topics of discussion.

Syrian Officials Plan to Attend IMF, World Bank Meetings in Washington

According to multiple sources, the Syrian government is expected to participate in the upcoming International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank Spring meetings in Washington through an official delegation later this month.

The delegation is anticipated to include Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani, Finance Minister Mohammed Yosr Bernieh, and Central Bank Governor Abdelkader Husrieh. This visit marks both Syria’s first high-level presence in the United States since the change in regime and its first participation in these financial forums in over two decades.

The upcoming meetings could provide a platform for Syria to initiate dialogue with international financial institutions and lay the groundwork for future cooperation. Any progress, however, is likely to depend on Damascus fulfilling conditions set by the US and seeing a potential loosening of existing sanctions.

Syrian Government Forces Deploy to Tishrin Dam Under Security Agreement with SDF

On April 12, Syrian government forces began deploying to the Tishrin Dam in Aleppo province under an agreement with the Kurdish-led SDF. The arrangement, facilitated by the U.S.-led coalition, allows the dam to remain under Kurdish civilian administration while transferring security responsibilities to the Syrian government. The SDF withdrew its forces to positions eight kilometers east of the dam, establishing a buffer zone between themselves and the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army (SNA).

A joint reconnaissance tour by representatives from the U.S.-led coalition, the Syrian Government, and SDF special units was conducted to oversee the implementation. The agreement also stipulates the withdrawal of Turkish-backed SNA factions from the dam’s western side, to be replaced by units from the Syrian Ministry of Defense.

Beyond military arrangements, the agreement reflects broader political developments in Syria. SDF Commander Mazloum Abdi noted that the deal dropped several preconditions previously demanded by Turkey and indicated a shift towards integrating the SDF and regional administrative institutions into the Syrian state.

DAMASCUS & THE SOUTHERN REGION (including Suwaida, Daraa & Quneitra)

Peaceful demonstration in Damascus condemns Israeli actions in Gaza

In Damascus, dozens of individuals staged a peaceful demonstration in the Arbin area of the Damascus countryside, aiming to condemn Israeli actions in Gaza and express support for the Palestinian people. No major incidents were recorded during the event.

Explosive incidents, local tensions, and Israeli military operations in the south

In Daraa, unidentified individuals detonated an explosive device inside of a home belonging to Imad Abdul Ghani al-Nawateer, also known as Abu Nizar, who had overseen security in Sheikh Maskin City under the previous government. The incident is initially assessed as a retaliation attack, however, no casualties were reported as the home was unoccupied at the time of the incident. A separate explosive incident occurred in the Taybeh area of Daraa late on 12 April after unidentified individuals threw a hand grenade at a local home. The incident was likely related to a local matter and intended to intimidate the occupant as only material damages were sustained.

In eastern Daraa, tensions are reportedly elevated following the death of Bilal al-Droubi, who was killed by individuals linked to the 8^th Brigade in Busra al-Sham. The incident prompted demonstrations and the eventual imposition of a curfew by security forces. Subsequent security operations in the area resulted in the arrest of two individuals linked to the death of al-Droubi, however, two additional suspects are reportedly at large. Sources have since noted elevated security measures, including the establishment of six military posts in the area.

Meanwhile, Israeli military operations were consistently recorded in Daraa and Quneitra provinces, with ground operations specifically noted within Quneitra’s Tal Ahmar area. Israeli aerial operations were also noted, however, these are consistent with general force protection measures.

NORTH & EAST SYRIA (Including Hasaka, Deir Ez Zour, Aleppo & Raqqa provinces)

Report from SOHR highlights Iranian-aligned Militia smuggling activity

According to a report from the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, Iranian-aligned militias in Iraq are coordinating with Syrian smugglers and former militia members to move stored weapons, enticing smugglers with money and drugs to re-establish transportation routes to Lebanon. The report states that the Damascus government’s weak enforcement allowed smuggling to persist, particularly by forces such as the 47th Regiment. SOHR reported that 70 militia members received $200 each in financial support before Eid al-Fitr, distributed in a house in al-Sukkariyah near Abu Issa al-Mashhadani. Public Security Forces reportedly began ambush operations in the southern desert of Albukamal and the border strip, arresting smugglers from al-Hari and individuals cooperating with Iranian militias – though the overall effects of this remain unclear.

Hand grenade incident and remnant detonations in Deir ez Zour

A number of local incidents were also recorded in the northeast over the reporting period, including a hand grenade attack near the Hokan Bakery in Deir ez Zour’s Jubaylah neighborhood. While no casualties were reported, a remnant detonation in the Kamounat area of Deir ez Zour resulted in the death of one individual. A similar incident occurred in the Marat area, though not resulting in any casualties.

Local violence in Aleppo

Violence in Aleppo province included reports of two burned bodies being discovered in the Bireh village area of southern Manbij. According to local reports, the individuals had recently been accused of sexually assaulting and filming two individuals – serving as the motivation behind the incident. Meanwhile, two members of the Syrian National Army were reportedly killed during a clash with Public Security Service personnel after being implicated in the kidnapping of a young man in the al-Bab district. The incident reportedly saw an exchange of gunfire that resulted in the two fatalities. SOHR also reported that an individual close to Turkish intelligence agencies severely beat a young man in the town of Midan Ikbis. The individual accused the man of stealing ammunition and subsequently tortured him.

CENTRAL REGION (Including Idlib, Hama, Latakia, Tartous, Hama & Homs)

Shooting Incident on Homs-Lebanese Border Sees Fatality

In Homs, a young Syrian man was killed and his brother injured while attempting to cross the Lebanese Border on 12 April. Lebanese security forces reportedly opened fire at the two who had recently sold property and belongings before attempting to flee to Lebanon. In Hama, social media sources reported an incident in the Abu al-Fida suburb in which a woman fatally stabbed her mother-in-law with a knife following a family dispute.

Additional convoys of displaced persons arrived in Hama over the latest reporting period, returning displaced families to their original homes. The families were previously residing in northern Idlib, now returning following the previous government’s collapse and the new government’s efforts to return displaced families.

Families returning to Hama

Murder and Counter-Drug Operations in Latakia

In the coastal areas, sources reported incidents of violence and ongoing counter-drug operations. On 12 April, the decapitated body of the father of Colonel Louay Yousef Yousef, former director of Sednaya Prison, was found in Qardaha City, northern Latakia countryside. Colonel Yousef had previously been imprisoned for advocating for prisoners’ rights under the former government. Security forces also carried out a number of counter-drug operations, seizing large quantities of Captagon pills hidden in warehouses in Latakia City. Separate reports suggest as many as four million Captagon pills were seized during the operation.