Syria has strongly condemned Israel’s recent attacks in Lebanon and called for an immediate ceasefire. In a statement issued by the Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the government described the assault on what it called the “brotherly” nation of Lebanon as a clear violation of international law, international humanitarian law, and the principles of the United Nations Charter.

According to the statement, Israeli forces carried out strikes on nearly 100 targets across Lebanon within just ten minutes on Wednesday, with most of the attacks concentrated in the capital, Beirut. The ministry said that more than 250 people were killed and over 1,160 others injured in the attacks. The condemnation was also reiterated in a post on the social media platform X, emphasizing that Israel’s continued assaults constitute a blatant breach of international norms.

The report, citing Middle East Eye, highlights the scale of the strikes and the mounting civilian toll, underscoring Syria’s demand for an immediate cessation of hostilities.

During a visit to London on Tuesday, Syrian President Ahmed Al-Shara stated that Syria will not engage in any war unless it is directly attacked. His remarks came amid escalating tensions following a joint United States-Israel strike on Iran, which prompted Iran to retaliate against American bases in the Middle East.

Speaking at the Chatham House think tank in central London, Shara emphasized that after fourteen years of civil war, he does not want Syria to be drawn into another conflict. He repeatedly stressed the importance of keeping his country away from war and clarified that Damascus would not join the U.S.-Israel confrontation against Iran unless Syria itself is targeted.

Shara added that Syria would refrain from involvement as long as no external pressure is applied and no diplomatic solution is reached, underscoring his government’s cautious stance amid regional instability.

A drone attack launched from Iraq targeted a US military base in Kasrak, Syria, on the morning of March 29, 2026, according to Syrian Deputy Defense Minister Sipan Hamo. He stated that four drones were fired from Iraqi territory toward the base but were intercepted without causing any casualties. The Syrian official confirmed that the attack was successfully repelled.

Hamo said Syria holds Iraq responsible for the incident and urged it to prevent such actions that threaten regional stability. The statement was posted on social media platform X, where he emphasized the need to stop the recurrence of similar attacks.

The report added that a day earlier, the Syrian army claimed to have intercepted another drone attack from Iraq targeting the Al-Tanf base in southeastern Syria, a site previously used by US forces.

Syrian President Ahmed Al-Shara said his government is working to keep the country away from the ongoing Middle East war. Speaking after Eid al-Fitr prayers at the presidential palace in Damascus on Friday, he emphasized that Syria is taking every step with extreme caution to avoid involvement in any conflict.

Al-Shara noted that Syria had long been a center of conflict and instability for over 15 years but is now maintaining good relations with neighboring countries both regionally and internationally. He described the current situation as one of the most significant and rare historical events since World War II.

The president added that Syria’s careful approach aims to ensure the nation can continue on a path of development and reconstruction while avoiding entanglement in regional hostilities.

Syria’s government has accused Iran-backed Hezbollah of launching missiles from Lebanon into Syrian territory overnight. According to Syria’s state news agency SANA, citing a military official, the missiles struck near the town of Serghaya, west of Damascus. The Syrian army claimed Hezbollah targeted Syrian military positions and said it had observed Hezbollah reinforcing its presence along the Syria-Lebanon border.

SANA reported that the Syrian Arab Army warned it would not tolerate any attacks directed at Syria. The incident comes amid ongoing hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, which intensified after Hezbollah attacked Israel last week in retaliation for a U.S.-Israeli strike that killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Recent days have seen clashes in eastern Lebanon and Israeli strikes across the country, including in Beirut.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun accused Hezbollah of leading the country toward destruction, while a parliamentary leader stated that resistance was their only option, reflecting deep divisions within Lebanon over the conflict’s direction.

Debris from an Iranian missile has been discovered in the northeastern Syrian city of Qamishli, close to the Turkish border. Images circulating from the area show local residents gathering near the wreckage. The exact time when the missile fell in the area has not been confirmed.

According to Turkey, a missile heading toward its airspace was intercepted by NATO’s air defense system. The debris found in Qamishli is believed to be part of that downed missile. The incident adds to ongoing regional tensions involving Iran, Syria, and neighboring countries.

No official confirmation has yet been provided by Iranian or Syrian authorities regarding the missile’s origin or the interception details.

Syria has closed its border crossings with Lebanon after receiving a warning from Israel that Israeli forces might target the crossings. The decision was reported by Al Jazeera on Wednesday, citing the Syrian land and sea port authorities. The closure follows heightened regional tensions and security concerns along the Syrian-Lebanese frontier.

According to the report, the Syrian land and sea port authorities stated that the move came after Israel issued a warning about potential strikes on the crossings. A media officer at the Jdeidet Yabous border crossing said that while the crossings are closed, entry will remain open for Syrians fleeing from Lebanon.

The closure comes amid reports of displacement in Lebanon due to Israeli attacks, with more than 65,000 people reportedly affected. The situation underscores the growing instability in the region and the potential for further humanitarian challenges if border restrictions continue.

Syria’s Kurdish armed group, the People’s Protection Units (YPG), has agreed to disband and integrate into the Syrian army under a new deal with President Ahmed al-Shara’s government. The agreement follows the withdrawal of U.S. support and the earlier dissolution of Turkey’s Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). The accord marks the end of the Kurds’ long-running armed struggle in northeastern Syria and signals a consolidation of central authority in Damascus.

The development has raised security concerns in neighboring Iraq, which shares a 600-kilometer border with Syria. As Syria reasserts control over its Kurdish regions, Iraq faces growing security, political, and legal challenges along its western frontier. The transfer of thousands of Islamic State (IS) detainees from Syria to Iraq has further complicated Baghdad’s internal security landscape. Iraqi officials have strengthened border defenses and called for international cooperation to manage the influx of foreign detainees.

Analysts view the YPG-Damascus deal as a turning point in regional geopolitics, compelling Iraq to reassess its counterterrorism and border strategies while deepening coordination with Syria to maintain stability.

The Islamic State (IS) on Saturday called on its members to fight against the government of Ahmed al-Shara in Syria. The appeal came through an audio message from IS spokesperson Abu Huzaifa al-Ansari, marking his first public statement in nearly two years. In the pre-recorded message released online, al-Ansari urged IS fighters to prioritize combat against the new Syrian administration, its secular government, and the National Army.

Al-Ansari’s previous message was released in January 2024, when he had called for attacks in retaliation for Israeli strikes in Gaza. The current Syrian interim government took power in December 2024 after the ouster of long-time ruler Bashar al-Assad. Ahmed al-Shara, who previously had ties with al-Qaeda, has since sought to project a more moderate image.

The report also noted that Syrian forces recently advanced against Kurdish fighters, raising questions about the fate of IS detainees held in Kurdish-controlled areas. Amid this uncertainty, the United States transferred more than 5,700 IS prisoners from Syria to Iraqi prisons.

The United States carried out airstrikes on more than 30 Islamic State (IS) bases in Syria between February 3 and February 12, according to a statement from the US Central Command (CENTCOM). The strikes targeted IS infrastructure, weapons depots, and communication facilities. CENTCOM said the operations were conducted in response to a December attack by IS that killed two US soldiers and their interpreter. Drones and other advanced weapons were used in the missions.

The December attack had claimed the lives of two Iowa National Guard reservists and injured three members of Syria’s security forces. Following the incident, CENTCOM launched a series of retaliatory operations under “Operation Hawkeye Strike.” In January, CENTCOM forces also killed Bilal Hasan al-Jamis, an al-Qaeda-linked figure. CENTCOM Commander Admiral Brad Cooper stated that those who attack or conspire against US citizens or troops would find no safe haven.

CENTCOM reported that from late January to mid-February, five additional strikes targeted IS weapons and communication centers. Over the past two months, US forces have hit more than 100 IS sites, killing or capturing at least 50 IS fighters.

The United States has withdrawn its remaining military units from the strategically important Al-Tanf base in Syria, located near the Iraq and Jordan borders. Following the withdrawal, the Syrian Arab Army took control of the base in coordination with the American side, according to a statement from Syria’s defense ministry. The ministry said the area has been secured and that military units have begun deployment along the Syria-Iraq-Jordan border, with border guards to follow.

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed the withdrawal, describing it as orderly and part of agreed conditions. CENTCOM Commander Admiral Brad Cooper stated that US forces remain ready to respond to any emerging ISIL threats while supporting partner-led efforts to prevent the resurgence of terrorist networks. The Pentagon had announced in April 2025 that troops deployed in Syria since 2019 would be withdrawn, fulfilling that plan now.

The Al-Tanf base was established in 2014 as a key hub for the global coalition against ISIL during Syria’s civil war. The withdrawal comes months after Syrian President Ahmed al-Shara, formerly a rebel leader, joined the anti-ISIL coalition, with the Trump administration expressing support for his government.

Syria has signed several multi‑billion‑dollar investment agreements with Saudi Arabia aimed at rebuilding its war‑torn economy after 14 years of civil conflict. The deals, announced on Saturday by Syrian Investment Authority chief Talal al‑Hilali, cover aviation, energy, housing and telecommunications. Projects include constructing a new international airport in Aleppo, launching a low‑cost airline named Flynas Syria, and implementing a major telecom initiative called SilkLink to strengthen regional connectivity.

Saudi Investment Minister Khalid al‑Falih said the newly launched Elaf Fund will invest about US$2 billion to develop two airports in Aleppo, while Syria’s ICT Minister Abdul‑Salam Haykal confirmed a US$1 billion telecom investment to lay thousands of kilometers of fiber‑optic cables linking Asia and Europe. The Syrian Energy Ministry also signed a separate deal with Saudi firm ACWA Power for water and energy projects. Analysts view the agreements as politically significant following Bashar al‑Assad’s ouster in December 2024 and the lifting of U.S. sanctions.

International reactions have been largely positive, though some analysts caution that many previous investment pledges in Syria have yet to become binding contracts.

Syria and Saudi Arabia have signed a multibillion-dollar investment package covering aviation, energy, real estate, and telecommunications as Damascus’s new leadership moves to rebuild after a 14-year civil war. Syrian Investment Authority chief Talal al-Hilali announced the agreements, which include developing a new international airport in Aleppo, launching a low-cost Syrian-Saudi airline, and creating a telecommunications project called SilkLink to position Syria as a regional hub. Saudi Arabia’s Elaf fund will invest $2 billion to develop two airports in Aleppo, while nearly $1 billion will go into telecommunications infrastructure.

Saudi Arabia has been a key supporter of Syria’s new government, which took power after toppling Bashar al-Assad in December 2024. The deals mark the largest investment since the United States lifted sanctions on Syria in December. The Ministry of Energy also signed a water agreement with Saudi firm ACWA Power, and Flynas partnered with the Syrian Civil Aviation Authority to establish “Flynas Syria,” expected to begin operations in late 2026.

US envoy Tom Barrack praised the agreements as a boost for reconstruction, while analyst Benjamin Feve cautioned that the deals may carry more political than immediate economic weight.

A landmine explosion in Syria’s northwestern Idlib province has killed a 10-year-old boy and left his two younger brothers permanently disabled. The incident occurred in Khan Shaykhun when the children discovered a buried object resembling a toy, which detonated as they tried to unearth it. Syrian Civil Defense, known as the White Helmets, rescued the injured and took them to a hospital 15 kilometers away, but the eldest boy, Mohammad, later died.

The family had returned home months earlier after spending five years in a displacement camp near the Turkish border, believing the area was safe following the ouster of Bashar al-Assad in December 2024. However, landmines and unexploded ordnance remain widespread across Syria, killing or maiming civilians almost daily. The International NGO Safety Organization (INSO) reported that more than 1,600 people, including children, have been killed or injured by mines since Assad’s fall.

Humanity & Inclusion estimates around 300,000 active explosive devices still scattered across Syria, making Idlib one of the country’s most contaminated regions.

Syrian President Ahmed Al Shara held a phone conversation with French President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday to discuss regional developments and efforts to strengthen stability, according to an official statement cited by Syria’s state news agency SANA. Al Shara emphasized support for Syria’s political process and the importance of reinforcing stability across the country.

The discussion also covered the recent comprehensive agreement between the Syrian government and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). Macron expressed support for the deal and stressed the need to implement it in a way that preserves Syria’s unity and sovereignty. He reaffirmed France’s commitment to coordinating efforts to help Syria and its people move toward stability, justice, and reconstruction.

The latest agreement, announced Friday in Damascus, includes an immediate ceasefire, withdrawal of forces from conflict zones, and deployment of interior ministry security units in key northeastern cities. It aims to unify Syria’s territory, restore state authority, and advance institutional integration following earlier ceasefire violations and renewed military operations.