Regional Diplomacy: Syria’s foreign minister met US envoy Tom Barrack in Istanbul after President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s talks with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Amid reports Riyadh had sought Syrian military support against Yemen’s Houthis, Damascus said it would not join the war or open a new front. Southern Syria: Israeli forces entered eastern Samadaniyah in Quneitra with tanks and military vehicles, a day after shelling near the village. Damascus continues to demand Israel withdraw from areas seized near the Golan. Security: Iraq rejected Syria’s request to take back about 4,000 suspected Islamic State detainees transferred from northeast Syria, saying those accused of crimes in Iraq would face Iraqi law. Separately, seven people were killed in a gun attack on a bus in Homs province. Missing Sailors: Nine Syrians remain missing after a drone strike sank a cargo ship off Bulgaria. Damascus called for an independent investigation and questioned why the search was halted. Tourism and Investment: Hotel groups are exploring opportunities in Syria as visitor numbers more than doubled in the first half of 2026, reaching 3.52 million, according to Syrian state figures.