AGP Executive Report

Damascus Security: An improvised explosive device detonated inside a crowded cafe near the Palace of Justice in central Damascus, killing at least nine people and injuring around 19–22, with Syrian authorities saying civilians were among the victims and that security forces are reviewing surveillance footage as investigations continue. Regional Diplomacy: Syria’s foreign minister Asaad al-Shaibani wrapped up a Lebanon visit that included meetings with President Joseph Aoun, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and Speaker Nabih Berri, as Damascus and Beirut moved to set up a joint higher committee for coordination and economic cooperation. US-Syria Policy Pressure: A bipartisan group of US lawmakers urged Secretary of State Marco Rubio to remove Syria from the State Sponsor of Terrorism list, arguing the legal basis no longer applies after the Assad era and that delisting would help Syria’s recovery. Humanitarian Fallout: The US Supreme Court’s TPS rulings are set to end protections for Syrians and Haitians, while the Episcopal Church condemned the decisions as harmful to vulnerable migrants. Culture & Heritage: Syria’s culture ministry backed the opening of a private folk heritage museum in Jayroud, highlighting efforts to preserve local artifacts and traditions.

Damascus–Beirut Talks: Syria’s foreign minister Asaad al-Shaibani met Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and parliament speaker Nabih Berri in Beirut, saying Damascus is open to meeting Hezbollah “if interests require it,” while insisting the Hezbollah issue was not raised in his Berri talks; Aoun said al-Sharaa pledged a “new chapter” with Syria, stressing non-interference and a joint higher committee for border security and smuggling prevention. Post-Assad Governance: Syria’s first post-Assad parliament is taking shape as interim president names lawmakers, with a new People’s Assembly set to convene soon. Hezbollah Signal, Carefully Framed: Reuters reports al-Shibani’s comments come after Trump floated the idea of Syrian action against Hezbollah, while Syria’s leadership has repeatedly denied any plan to enter Lebanon. Connectivity Update: Jazeera Airways marks one year of Kuwait–Damascus flights, boosting to four daily services from July 14.

Aleppo Countryside Rights: The Syrian Democratic Council (MSD) condemned raids and arrests in Tel Aran and Tel Hasel, saying civilians—including women and elderly people—were targeted and that the actions risk forced displacement and social division, calling for an immediate end. Suwayda Ceasefire Tensions: Suwayda National Defense Forces said government-affiliated forces fired on its member on the western front of the city, injuring him and violating a ceasefire. UNRWA Funding Crisis: UN chief Antonio Guterres warned at a donor conference that a $100 million gap could push UNRWA “beyond breaking point,” putting millions of Palestinian refugees at risk as restrictions and cash shortages bite. Syria’s Post-Assad Parliament: Syria’s interim leadership finalized the first post-Assad parliament, with a first session set for July 6, as lawmakers are appointed to reflect war-affected groups and professionals. Telecom Deal: Kuwait’s Zain won a 25-year Syria mobile network license in a $747 million bid, aiming for commercial launch in 2027 and major network investment. Regional Security Talks: CENTCOM hosted a Bahrain dialogue with senior military leaders from 12 countries, including Syria, focused on defense cooperation and keeping commerce flowing through the Strait of Hormuz.

Post-Assad Politics: Syria’s first post-Assad Parliament is taking shape as interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa names 70 lawmakers, with the People’s Assembly set to hold its inaugural session Monday in Damascus. Governance & Representation: The 210-member chamber will run for 30 months under a presidential ruling system, with attention on minority and women’s representation after earlier election phases left gaps. Security & Diplomacy: Türkiye’s interior minister met Syrian officials in Damascus to discuss security cooperation and the repatriation of Syrian refugees, citing returns of more than 1.4 million people since 2017. Humanitarian Support: Human Appeal launched a wheat supply chain project in northwest Syria to help returning farmers in Aleppo, Idlib and Hama, backing harvesting and providing seeds and fertiliser for more sustainable production. Regional Pressure: UN chief António Guterres warned UNRWA is nearing a breaking point amid a $100 million funding gap, as political pressure and restrictions continue to hamper aid across Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon, Jordan and Syria. Local Incidents: An Iraqi oil tanker overturned and burned along the Homs–Al-Tanf highway in Syria’s desert, with the driver escaping unharmed.

Tourism Recovery: Syria’s Ministry of Tourism has kicked off the 2026 summer season with President Ahmad al-Sharaa, aiming to revive the sector and boost local businesses, starting in Tartus and highlighting upgrades like the Al-Tahouna Port link to Arwad Island. Humanitarian Funding Pressure: UN chief Antonio Guterres warned UNRWA is nearing a breaking point, urging countries to cover a $100 million funding gap as the agency faces both financial shortfalls and restrictions across Gaza, the West Bank, Syria and Jordan. Healthcare in Idlib: Qatar Red Crescent launched a specialist cardiac program in northwestern Syria, adding heart surgery and catheterization services at Al Hidaya Hospital and training staff to cut the need for patients to travel for treatment. Telecom Investment: Zain won a 25-year license to operate a mobile network in Syria after a $747 million bid, with a planned Q1 2027 commercial launch and a six-month transition to support MTN’s current 6.3 million customers. Security Developments: Transitional Damascus government forces reportedly launched a large assault on Tel Aran and Tel Hasel in Aleppo countryside, using more than 200 vehicles and detaining Kurdish residents.

Southern Syria Escalation: Israeli troops entered Abdin in the Golan-area buffer zone, with residents blocking roads and throwing stones as artillery rounds hit the village; many fled and fear more raids after the latest clash. Diplomatic Pushback: The UAE condemned Israeli attacks on Quneitra and Daraa as violations of international law and the 1974 Disengagement Agreement, urging the UN and the wider world to stop escalation. Regional Condemnations: The Arab League and Arab Parliament also denounced repeated Israeli intrusions and shelling in Syria, calling for UN Security Council action to halt attacks and enforce the disengagement deal. Security Cooperation: Türkiye’s interior minister met Syria’s counterpart in Damascus to discuss public order and security ties, including traffic monitoring, identity systems, and emergency response coordination. Humanitarian/Economy: Saudi KSrelief and UNDP signed a rural women’s economic empowerment program in Syria under the Bathraa initiative, while UNIDO-linked talks focused on industrial recovery support for Syria. Telecom Update: Reuters reports Zain Kuwait secured a 20-year licence to run a mobile network in Syria, taking over MTN Syria’s infrastructure. US Policy Shock: The US Supreme Court move ending TPS for Syrians and Haitians is driving fresh fear for thousands facing loss of legal protection.

Diplomacy: Iraq’s top diplomat Fuad Hussein met Syria’s foreign minister Asaad al-Shibani in Damascus, agreeing to form joint committees on energy, agriculture, water, transport and border ports, plus a higher-level coordination body. Regional security: Israel’s strikes and incursions in southern Syria—especially around Quneitra and Daraa—drew fresh condemnation from Türkiye and the UAE, with reports of killings and renewed shelling driving civilians to flee. Politics and transition: In Damascus, activists rallied outside the Justice Palace demanding enforcement of Article 49 to criminalize “Assadism,” as Syria’s transitional justice framework takes shape. Media freedom: Syria’s new publishing prohibitions sparked debate among journalists over whether the rules will be used to curb press freedom during the post-conflict transition. Culture & society: The Doha Film Institute announced its 2026 Spring Grants, including projects from Syria, while Armenian language courses in Hasakah aim to revive indigenous language education. Humanitarian/legal fallout (US): A major US Supreme Court decision allows the Trump administration to end TPS for Haitians and Syrians, prompting renewed fears of deportations.

Israeli Incursions in Southern Syria: The GCC condemned Israel’s incursions and artillery shelling in Quneitra and Daraa, calling them a dangerous escalation that violates Syria’s sovereignty and international law. Regional Diplomacy: Qatar and Saudi Arabia echoed the condemnation, urging deterrence and enforcement of the 1974 Disengagement Agreement. On-the-Ground Developments: In Daraa’s Abideen, Israeli forces attacked and pushed ground troops across the frontier, damaging homes and farmland and forcing residents to flee, according to SANA, while the Syrian foreign ministry warned of wider escalation and called on the UN to act. Iraq-Syria Talks: Iraq’s FM Fuad Hussein held his first official visit to Damascus since Assad’s fall, meeting Syrian FM Asaad al-Shaibani to expand cooperation in political, security, and economic areas. Humanitarian/Legal Fallout Abroad: In the US, Homeland Security chief Markwayne Mullin urged migrants under Temporary Protected Status from Haiti and Syria to seek permanent residence or leave after the Supreme Court cleared the administration to end TPS. Syrian Heritage: A historic ceremonial chair stolen from Damascus’ Jewish quarter was reported recovered, with local residents credited for helping secure its return.

Israel-Syria Border Escalation: The IDF said it struck after gunfire targeted a post in Syria’s Tel Qudna buffer zone, using mortar, artillery and an attack helicopter, while SANA and Hezbollah-linked reporting described displacement after strikes in Daraa’s Abdin. Southern Syria Incursions: Israel also reported killing two people during an operation in Quneitra’s “security zone,” and SANA said troops raided villages and set up checkpoints in Daraa, expanding deeper into the area. Trump’s Hezbollah Gambit: The White House is pushing a controversial idea that Syria should take on Hezbollah instead of Israel, alarming Lebanon and Israel as Damascus’ Islamist leadership rejects the proposal. Damascus Drug Crackdown: President Ahmad al-Sharaa declared an all-out national war on drugs and launched a campaign under “A Syria Without Drugs,” calling for regional and international cooperation. Justice & Accountability: Syria’s National Transitional Justice Commission signed a technical cooperation MoU with the SJAC to strengthen truth-seeking and accountability mechanisms. US TPS Fallout: US Homeland Security chief Markwayne Mullin told TPS holders to seek permanent status or leave, following a Supreme Court move that ends protections for many Haitians and Syrians.

Israel-Syria Border Clashes: The IDF said it killed “armed individuals” in southern Syria’s security zone and vowed to keep operating to remove threats to Israeli troops and civilians, while SANA reported additional Israeli vehicle movements, home searches, and firing toward agricultural areas in Daraa’s western countryside. US Push on Hezbollah: AP reports Trump is pressing Syria’s new leadership to take on the Iran-backed Hezbollah instead of Israel, a move that has alarmed both Lebanon and Israel; Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa says he has no interest. Damascus–Venezuela Aid: Syria launched its first overseas search-and-rescue mission to earthquake-hit Venezuela, sending 15 specialists from Damascus to work with Qatar’s Internal Security Force. Regional Fallout From Iran-US Tensions: Iran’s Revolutionary Guard said it launched drone and missile attacks targeting Bahrain and Kuwait after US strikes, while warning it could halt talks if attacks continue. Humanitarian Pressure in Syria’s Neighborhood: Separate reports highlight ongoing security strain in the region as Israel continues strikes and operations tied to Hezbollah.

Israel-Syria Tensions: Israeli forces carried out near-daily incursions in southern Syria, including raids and civilian searches in Quneitra’s Ain al-Eid and Ain al-Ziwan, with detentions reported. Damascus-Lebanon Hezbollah Line: Syria’s Kurdish factions said they won’t join any confrontation between Damascus and Hezbollah, stressing their role is limited to defending their areas while coordinating with the Syrian army. Israel-Lebanon Deal Fallout: Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem rejected the US-brokered Israel-Lebanon framework, calling it invalid and a “loss of sovereignty,” while warning against the withdrawal-disarmament linkage. Regional Diplomacy: Qatar’s Shura Council speaker Hassan bin Abdullah Al Ghanim urged Arab unity on digital sovereignty and security at a Cairo conference, with emphasis on Palestinian centrality. Court Case Impact (Diaspora): The US Supreme Court cleared the way to end Temporary Protected Status for Haitians and Syrians, raising fears of sudden legal limbo and deportation risk for affected communities.

Child Recruitment Allegations: A Syrian human rights network says the Syrian Democratic Forces abducted three children (ages 12–14) from Manbij, Qamishlo and Hasaka and sent them to recruitment camps, despite UN efforts to stop under-18 enlistment. Diplomacy Watch: President Ahmad al-Sharaa is reported to be preparing a September visit to the U.S., including a major address at the UN General Assembly—its first Syrian presidential speech there in six decades. Local Governance & Survival: In Hasakah, the women-run village of Jinwar—built after displacement—highlights how residents manage farming, workshops and community affairs together to rebuild stability. Security in Southern Syria: In western Daraa’s Yarmouk Basin, Israeli forces carried out two brief incursions with temporary checkpoints, house searches and civilian questioning before withdrawing. Human Rights Record: A Syrian Network for Human Rights report marks 13 years since 2011, documenting 231,278 civilian deaths. Regional Context: Separately, Iraq’s parliament plans a special session on worsening Tigris and Euphrates pollution, citing contamination hotspots near the Syria border.

TPS Shockwave in U.S.: The U.S. Supreme Court cleared the way for the Trump administration to end Temporary Protected Status for Haitians and Syrians, putting hundreds of thousands of families at risk of losing work authorization and facing deportation. Local Fallout: Haitian and Syrian communities in places like Miami and Chicago held urgent rallies, with mayors and lawmakers warning the ruling could destabilize local economies and uproot long-settled residents. Political Pushback: U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz announced the “TPS Review Act” to limit executive power over TPS decisions, while other officials and faith leaders urged Congress to extend protections. Court Tensions: A rare Supreme Court statement addressed a “misunderstanding” between Justices Samuel Alito and Sonia Sotomayor after the TPS ruling. Broader Immigration Shift: The same Supreme Court term also backed tighter asylum access at the U.S.-Mexico border, deepening fears of wider enforcement.

US Supreme Court on Syria TPS: The US Supreme Court cleared the way for the Trump administration to end Temporary Protected Status for Haitians and Syrians, exposing hundreds of thousands to deportation and work-permit loss while legal challenges continue. Border asylum shift: In a separate ruling, the court backed limits that let authorities turn back asylum seekers at the US-Mexico border before they “arrive,” tightening access to protection. US strike in Syria: CENTCOM said a June 19 airstrike in northwest Syria killed a senior ISIS leader, as Washington vows to root out remaining remnants. Israeli moves in Quneitra: Syria’s state media reported Israeli forces building new fortifications and barriers inside occupied Quneitra, alongside detentions and patrol activity near the separation line. Regional diplomacy: GCC and US foreign ministers met in Bahrain, reaffirming strategic ties and discussing Iran, Hormuz security, and stability in Syria and Lebanon.

US Supreme Court on TPS: In a 6-3 ruling, the court cleared the way for the Trump administration to end Temporary Protected Status for Haitians and Syrians, potentially exposing about 350,000 Haitians and 6,000 Syrians to detention and deportation while legal fights continue. Border asylum limits: The same day, the court also backed a move to restrict asylum processing at the southern border, allowing officials to turn away some seekers before they reach US soil. Syria-US security: CENTCOM said it killed a senior ISIS commander in northwestern Syria, as the group targets the post-Assad government. Israel’s Syria/Lebanon posture: Israel’s defense minister vowed troops will stay in “security zones” in Lebanon, Syria and Gaza “indefinitely.” Regional diplomacy: US and GCC ministers in Bahrain urged reopening the Strait of Hormuz without tolls or control, while Rubio said any Iran deal must protect Gulf interests.

Damascus-Diplomacy: Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa met Egyptian businessman Naguib Sawiris in Damascus, in a rare high-profile business encounter that follows Sawiris’ past claims about needing partners tied to the Assad era to invest. Border-Restrictions: In Quneitra, Israeli forces installed a new iron-and-concrete barrier on a reopened road near the separation line, limiting civilian movement and citing ongoing military activity. Transitional Justice: Deir ez-Zor’s “transitional justice” protests are feeding into faster court action in Damascus, with hearings reported for former regime figures including Atef Najib and Wassim al-Assad. Prisoner Transfers: Lebanon transferred 128 Syrian convicts to Damascus under a prisoner exchange arrangement, adding to the broader post-ceasefire repatriation push. Security-Returns: Australia approved the return of the last “ISIS bride” from Syria under a permit system, after legal conditions changed. Terror-Finance Crackdown: The US sanctioned a Lagos-based ISIS financier and three bureaux de change tied to terror funding networks spanning Nigeria, France, Türkiye, Syria and beyond. Economy-Workplace Pressure: Private-sector workers in southern Damascus staged strikes and sit-ins over wages, healthcare and safety, signaling a new push for labor rights after Assad’s fall. Regional Water Talks: Syria said it is working with Iraq to revive a trilateral technical committee with Türkiye to address declining river flows and water quality.