Will SDF Join the Syrian Army or Break the State Apart?

Syria’s Transport Ministry plans an e-platform for fairer cargo transport. The Arab Federation for Internet and Communications will help via feasibility studies, AI tools, and digital transformation to ensure competitive, transparent logistics and protect small truck owners. A

US Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack:. "Damascus shows strong enthusiasm to integrate the SDF into its institutions. The only path for SDF negotiations is the path to Damascus."

Amid reports of stalled negotiations between the SDF and the Syrian government, US Envoy to Syria Tom Barrack stated that the SDF “must quickly accept that Syria is one country, with one army and one people,” stressing that federalism “doesn’t work in Syria.”

President Ahmad al-Sharaa met with members of the team responsible for developing Syria’s new national visual identity, commending their work and acknowledging their role in completing the project.

Syria’s Defense Minister met with a Turkish Defense Industries delegation to discuss military cooperation. The talks focused on ways to strengthen the capabilities of the Syrian army, as Turkey’s defense sector has grown significantly in recent years, offering potential benefits

According to Reuters, this week, thousands of Syrian refugees begin returning from Lebanon under a UN-backed plan offering $100/person and $400/family in reintegration support . Lebanon aims for up to 400,000 returns this year, coordinated with Syria's new government . UNHCR's

President Al-Sharaa received US Special Envoy Thomas Barak at the People's Palace today. Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shibani attended as both sides discussed advancing political dialogue and cooperation.

EU has announced the deployment of the Copernicus system today to aid in fighting the wildfires in the Latakia countryside. The Copernicus system, operated by the EU, relies on multiple satellites to collect, process, and analyze data connected to disasters, climate change,

In a first-of-its-kind operation, the European Union—represented by Italy, Greece, and Cyprus—has joined firefighting efforts in Syria’s Latakia province. The mission is being carried out in direct coordination with the Syrian Ministry of Defense, with aircraft and crews deployed

According to Al Jazeera, Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) commander Mazloum Abdi arrived in Damascus for talks on completing the March 10 agreement.

During the Bonn International Media Forum, Syria and the Committee to Protect Journalists discussed potential collaboration to improve journalist safety, enhance the media environment, and deepen international partnerships promoting press freedom.

Over 60,000 people crossed Bab al-Hawa in the past month, voluntary returns of Syrian refugees accounting for approximately 50% of the total number of crossings with 1,000 dual nationals crossing recently. New measures have been implemented to ease return for refugees.

From 2019–2025, the Assad regime destroyed over 1.5m olive, 350k pistachio, and 100k fig trees in southern Idlib’s countryside. The campaign devastated trees between 30-70 years old, ruining livelihoods and causing over $250m in losses. Full recovery could take up to 15 years.

North Press, an outlet with close-ties to the SDF, reports a Damascus meeting between an Autonomous Administration of North Eastern Syria (AANES) delegation and the Syrian government, attended by US envoy Tom Barrack and French Chargé d'Affaires Jean-Baptiste Favre.

Syria Civil Defense teams are battling three major fires in Latakia for a seventh day, hindered by rugged terrain and water shortages. Despite the challenges, no human losses have been reported. Syrian Foreign Ministry says the EU has pledged technical and humanitarian support.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported 22 Israeli incursions in southern Syria’s Quneitra, Damascus Countryside, and Daraa governorates from June 9–July 5, involving home raids, arrests, and one civilian death. Civilians faced fear, vandalism, theft and rising tensions.

Interior Minister Anas Khattab says evidence is lacking to support suspicion of arson behind the wildfires in Latakia. The fires, worsened by winds and a heatwave, have scorched 100 km², displaced 5,000 people, and forced evacuations. Investigations and rescue work continues.

The UN has extended cross-border humanitarian aid delivery to Syria via Bab al-Salama, Bab al-Hawa, and al-Rai crossings with Turkey for another six months. So far in 2025, 1,500 aid trucks have entered—five times more than in the same period of 2024.