NATIONAL OVERVIEW

Nationwide incidents 

SIGNIFICANT EVENTS

• Iraqi Government spokesperson express support for cooperation with Syria
• Kurdish factions reach agreements to enhance cooperation with Damascus
• Clashes reported in the Zorava area of Damascus
• Israeli airstrikes and shooting reported in the countryside
• Hostilities reported in Daraa countryside following grenade attack
• Activity involving Israeli forces reported in Daraa and Quneitra
• Turkish airstrikes continue in eastern Aleppo
• SDF released statement on recent operations
• Two body finds reported in Homs city
• Attack attributed to former regime remnants denied by security forces
• Controversy surrounding leaflets at Latakia University

STRATEGIC AND POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS

Iraqi Government spokesperson express support for cooperation with Syria
In an interview with the state-run Iraqi newspaper al-Sabah, the spokesperson for the Iraqi Government Bassem al-Awadi, expressed Baghdad’s readiness to cooperate with the new Syrian government. Al-Awadi said Iraq was “the first to pay attention to and acknowledge a new reality in Syria”, and that Baghdad has already shown signs of “openness” and a welcoming attitude towards the new rulers in Damascus. The spokesperson also emphasized the importance of not interfering in the internal affairs of Syria, and that the Syrian people should be free to choose their own future and reality.

Speaking about the upcoming visit of Interim Foreign Minister Assad al-Shaibani, al-Awadi said the visit will strengthen diplomatic relations between the two “brotherly countries” and constitute a “starting point for starting new relations based on cooperation and mutual respect.” The discussions between the two foreign ministers will further focus on ways to explore joint opportunities in various fields, including economics, finance and security, Awadi said.

Iraqi Govt Spokesperson Bassem al-Awadi

Awadi’s remarks follow Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein’s formal invitation to al-Shaibani and represent a shift towards a more open attitude towards the new government following months of caution. So far, the interactions between the two governments have been primarily technical, and limited to urgent matters such as the fate of Iraqi former IS detainees in Syria and border security. With the exception of a visit by the Iraqi Chief of Intelligence, Hamid al-Shatri, in December, diplomatic engagements have otherwise been limited and the upcoming visit by al-Shaibani represents the most significant interaction between the two sides so far.

Kurdish factions reach agreements to enhance cooperation with Damascus
Further to the previously discussed statements from Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) Commander Mazloum Abdi and related reports of a decision by the SDF to integrate into the new Syrian Army (see daily report from 18 February), a high-level meeting took place involving the SDF, Syrian Democratic Council and the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES). The meeting reportedly resulted in several agreements that aim to strengthen cooperation with the government in Damascus. This included a commitment to integrating the SDF and AANES security institutions with the structure of the Syrian army, as well as to reactivate state-run civil service and other institutions in the region. Crucially, the meeting also concluded with an agreement to facilitate the withdrawal of non-Syrian foreign fighters from the SDF.

The meeting and subsequent agreements form an important step in the integration process, yet key issues are still assessed to remain unresolved and pertain to the manner in which the integration will take place. Senior members of the SDF, stated separately that the SDF is ready to integrate under the Ministry of Defense as a single unit, potentially as a corps or part of the Ministry’s eastern command. This however appears to contradict Damascus’ demand that the SDF be integrated on an individual basis, which practically would amount to its dissolution as a separate entity. Likewise, Damascus has called for the SDF to cede control over refugee camps and to hand over control over IS detention camps to the government – an issue that the SDF has said it is willing to discuss and cooperate over, but only under the condition that this and other related matters are managed jointly. While the recent rhetoric from the SDF does signal a significant outreach to Damascus, these subtle but significant differences underscore that issues remain to be resolved. As of writing, the interim government has also not formally responded to the latest statements and a formal agreement on the discussed issues remains to be concluded.

Jordan announce changes to border crossing hours
On 18 February, the Jordanian Ministry of Interior announced a modification to official working hours at the Jaber Border Center, extending operations until 22:00  instead of 18:00, starting from the morning of 20 February. This decision was coordinated with the Syrian side.

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

Clashes reported in the Zorava area of Damascus
In a noteworthy incident on 18 February, armed clashes were reported in the predominantly Kurdish area of Zorava in Damascus city. According to local sources, a group of armed individuals from Deir Ez Zour province, and reportedly loyal to the Laamshat faction of the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army, attacked several residents in the area and chanted anti-Kurdish slurs. Light and medium weapons were used, prompting clashes with the residents, with injuries reported on both sides. Among the injuries was the owner of a shop, whose store was also vandalized. Other reports stated that the incident escalated from a dispute between an Arab and a Kurdish resident.

No further escalation was noted after that a security force reportedly deployed to the area but tensions can be expected to remain elevated in the area over the coming days. The area, which is located on the outskirts of the city, is associated with high levels of crime and poverty, and area residents have long complained about being neglected by the former government. Earlier this year, security forces loyal to the HTS reportedly entered the area and conducted an arrest campaign that resulted in the detention of hundreds of individuals, as per local sources.

Activity in Damascus city was otherwise subdued overall and limited to a small protest. On 18 February, dozens of people demonstrated in Umayyad Square in Damascus City to oppose displacement plans that may target Palestinians in Gaza.

Israeli airstrikes and shooting reported in the countryside
In the countryside, Israeli forces reportedly conducted an airstrike targeting material assets linked with the former regime. The Israeli military confirmed that the airstrike targeted a site in the Sa’sa area, southwest of Damascus city. The outcome was not initially discussed but no casualties have been reported as of writing. Like the majority of Israeli airstrikes, the operation was conducted overnight, shortly after midnight, so as to limit any significant repercussions or risk collateral damages.

Separately, on the evening of 18 February, random gunfire was heard in the Sayyida Zeinab area in the Damascus countryside. Reports confirmed that there were no security incidents in the area.

Hostilities reported in Daraa countryside following grenade attack
An uptick in hostilities was reported in the town of Naima, in the eastern countryside of Daraa province, on 18 February between local residents and members of the security forces. The situation started when a house in the town was attacked with a hand grenade and gunfire – causing no casualties but material damage only. The targeted individual was a former commander of a group affiliated with the 8th Brigade. Reports indicated that the perpetrators were members of a cell accused of being affiliated with IS, led by an individual named Maher Yousef Al-Aboud.

In response, security forces launched a security campaign targeting the homes of suspected cell members, resulting in the arrest of five individuals. Reports stated that the families of the detainees protested and responded by blocking roads in the town. A convoy of internal security forces later entered the town, reopened the roads, and established checkpoints at the entrances to control the security situation. However, the head of the Naima area detachment, Ahmed Al-Ghazali, reported that an outlaw threw a hand grenade at an internal security officer’s car, causing minor injuries to the officer’s wife. He stated that security forces arrested the suspect and several others after clashes, noting that the campaign remains ongoing to maintain security and stability.

Activity involving Israeli forces reported in Daraa and Quneitra
On the evening of 18 February, the Israeli army conducted an artillery bombardment targeting the Yarmouk Valley, west of Daraa, firing a total of eight shells. The target of the operation was not specified and further details were limited.  On the same day, local sources stated that the Israeli army advanced on the outskirts of Brega town and deployed along the road between Bariqa and the governorate center in Quneitra province. Video footage of their deployment was also disseminated and circulated by various sources.

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

Turkish airstrikes continue in eastern Aleppo
According to multiple sources, Turkish airstrike activity continued in eastern Aleppo and around established frontlines. At least three airstrikes were recorded on SDF positions in Zor Maghar village, west of Kobani City, destroying rocket launchers and tunnels utilized by the group. Separately, social media sources reported that Turkish warplanes carried out multiple airstrikes on SDF positions in the Maskanah and Deir Hafer areas. The results of these operations were not initially discussed.

Meanwhile, both SNA and SDF-aligned sources provided updates on developments in recent days. SNA-linked sources reported that the SDF initiated digging and trenching operations at multiple locations in Raqqa city, including the Panorama area west of the city center, the Roman Bridge to the northwest, the Construction Company to the northwest, and near the 17th Division, north of the city. Reports indicated that numerous tunnels previously constructed by IS remain intact and have been updated for use by the SDF.

SDF released statement on recent operations
For their part, the SDF released a statement on 19 February, detailing recent operations against the SNA. This included the targeting of SNA bases and forces on the Qara Qozak hill during an operation on 18 February. The operation resulted in casualties among the Turkish forces, although the exact numbers are not known. Meanwhile, Turkish warplanes launched a series of raids targeting the villages of Tina and Ghasq, as well as the Seifi hill near the Qara Qozak bridge. These raids caused material damage to the residents’ properties but no casualties.

Additionally, intensive shelling with heavy artillery, tanks, rocket launchers, and mortar shells also took place on 18 February near the villages of Tina, J’ada, Bir Hassou, Ghasq, Dikan, Malha, and Sana, as well as the hills of Seifi and Qara Qozak. More than 60 shells were fired, resulting in significant material damage to the homes and properties of civilians according to the SDF. Moreover, operations also continued near the Tishreen Dam, where UAVs targeted the hills surrounding the village of Khirbet al-Zamala, and another UAV targeted the body of the dam, causing material damage.

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

Two body finds reported in Homs city
Notable activity in the Homs province included the discoveries of two individuals following recent disappearances and arrest operations. On 18 February, a young man from the Alawite sect, who worked as a taxi driver on the Nuzha-Al-Wurood line, was found dead in the Waer neighborhood of Homs City less than 24 hours after his disappearance. The circumstances and motivation behind the abduction were not specified. Separately,  social media sources reported that the body of a young man was discovered in Homs Grand Hospital, bearing signs of torture and multiple gunshot wounds to the head. According to local sources, the victim had been arrested earlier during a security operation by HTS that targeted the village of al-Ghor in western Homs countryside. While unconfirmed given the limited details, both incidents are indicative of sectarian and reprisal violence that continues to be reported within Homs City.

Peaceful demonstration by prisoner relatives in Homs
Also in Homs City, dozens of families of Syrian detainees in Roumieh prison in Lebanon held a demonstration in front of Khalid bin al-Walid Mosque in Homs City, demanding that the Syrian government secure the release of the prisoners and facilitate their return to Syria.

Attack attributed to former regime remnants denied by security forces
Violence in Idlib province remains relatively subdued yet isolated incidents linked to criminality and other threat conditions continue to be reported. On the evening of 18 February, social media sources reported that a group of remnants of the regime traveling in a car attacked an Internal Security Force patrol on the Maara-Khan Sheikhoun road in the Idlib countryside. The attack resulted in the death of one ISF member and injuries to others. A security operation was initiated to locate the assailants.

However, later reports denied that a car had opened fire on an ISF patrol, clarifying that the incident occurred while security personnel were pursuing and arresting wanted individuals. A confrontation ensued between the patrol and some of the suspects, leading to the death of an ISF member.

Controversy surrounding leaflets at Latakia University
A subdued reporting period was noted in Latakia in terms of hostilities, yet limited tensions linked to sectarian issues were reported. On 18 February, social media sources reported the circulation of leaflets at Latakia University condemning the removal of previously posted anti-Alawite leaflets in Saffan market, Latakia. The new leaflets contained threats of slaughter against the Alawite sect and is plausibly attributed to Islamist elements in the province. Separately, a young man from the Alawite sect, from Qala’i village in the Jableh countryside, was found dead near the Ras Al-Ain triangle in Jableh City, Latakia province. The last contact with the victim, who worked as a taxi driver, was on 17 February yet the circumstances and motives surrounding his disappearance remain unclear.