Syria

Al Sharaa says negotiations remain active and could eventually lead to peace; Defense Minister Israel Katz rejects Syrian demands for an Israeli withdrawal

After three months operating in the forward security zone in Syria, forces from the 228th Brigade completed their mission. During the operation, operatives were detained, dozens of suspects were questioned, and terrorist infrastructure and weapons were destroyed.

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa said Israeli strikes in Syria are intended to "impose facts on the ground" and harm regional stability. He added: "The opportunity for historic peace exists."

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited the Mount Hermon Summit in Syria. During the visit, he addressed security threats in the region and said, “The main task is to defeat the terrorist regime in Iran.”

Syria is promoting an overland route and oil pipeline from the Gulf to the Mediterranean that could reduce reliance on the Strait of Hormuz. The U.S. is increasing maritime security in the region, while Trump is considering declaring an end to the war.

On August 1, 2008, an Israeli commando unit assassinated Syrian Gen. Mohammed Suleiman at his home in the Syrian city of Tartus. Suleiman was considered President Bashar Assad’s most senior adviser. The information was revealed in a new book by former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.

The International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed that its inspectors found uranium remnants at a Syrian site the Assad regime tried to conceal. The inspectors’ report states: "The findings discovered at the site are consistent with a nuclear reactor."

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan issued indirect messages to Israel amid rising tensions following the strike in Syria. At the same time, Ankara is pursuing legal action against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The SDF commander announced the force’s dissolution and its full integration into state institutions, 11 years after it was founded. The move brings a decade of Kurdish autonomy in northeastern Syria to an end.

Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri, the spiritual leader of Syria’s Druze community, said at a conference that he sees his community as an inseparable part of the State of Israel. Druze residents of al-Suwayda organized a convoy in support of Israel yesterday, flying Israeli flags.

The U.S. State Department has removed Syria from its list of state sponsors of terrorism, according to an announcement from the U.S. Treasury Department. The move was announced earlier this year, but it required a congressional review process before it could be finalized.

Syria’s new government continues prosecuting senior figures from the Assad era. Ahmad Badr al-Din Hassoun, who served as Syria’s grand mufti under Bashar al-Assad, has been sentenced to life in prison.

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani told Reuters that Syria expects talks with Israel on a security agreement to resume soon. He called on Israel to take advantage of what he described as a “historic opportunity.”

Israel and Turkey are using back channels in an effort to prevent friction, but officials in Jerusalem say there are red lines when it comes to a Turkish military foothold in Syria. The central concern: radar and air-defense systems that could restrict the Israeli Air Force.

Defense Minister Israel Katz sharply criticized Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan amid recent developments between Turkey and Israel: “He would be better off continuing to deliver fantasy-filled empty speeches against Israel in the Turkish parliament.”

IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir toured Israeli military positions in the security zone in southern Syria and met with troops. The visit came two days after the strike in Idlib, which intensified the exchange of accusations between Israel and Turkey.

Prime Minister’s Office says Damascus ignored repeated warnings over plans to allow Turkish forces to deploy at the Abu al-Duhur airbase

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani acknowledged at a joint press conference with IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi that Syria possesses nuclear material. He stressed: “It will remain in our custody; we have the right to use it for civilian purposes.”

Syria says Israeli fighter jets struck a runway and warehouses at Abu al-Duhur Airport. U.S. envoy Tom Barrack criticized the reported attack, urging Israel to choose restraint and dialogue over further escalation.

Ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is living in Russia. A Syrian court sentenced him to death after convicting him in absentia of crimes against the Syrian people. A similar sentence was handed down to his brother, Maher al-Assad.