Syria Weekly: Jan 14-21, 2025

Transition engagement expands further; Sharaa congratulates Trump; while instability rises & unexploded munitions remain rife.

Dear readers,

As Syria’s transition continues, an issue of terminology is becoming increasingly important to address. Until now, Syria Weekly has used the phrase “HTS-linked forces” to describe the “Department for Military Operations” -- the military coalition pulled together by HTS and other armed factions in late-November to attack Aleppo and which then advanced south into Damascus. As the integration of armed factions within the DMO becomes increasingly clear, the continued use of “HTS-led” risks painting an increasingly broad umbrella of actors with an insufficiently accurate label. For this reason, Syria Weekly will now use “Department for Military Operations” and “DMO” to describe this umbrella force, going forward. If and when HTS is specifically involved, “HTS” will be used — likewise for the still heavily HTS and Salvation Government-linked General Security Service (GSS).

SYRIA’S TRANSITION:

• HTS Transition Meetings

• Appointments

• Economic Developments

• Infrastructure Developments

• Health Developments

• Security Developments

• Humanitarian Developments

• Justice Developments

• International statements & developments

CONFLICT & SECURITY:

• Israel

• ISIS

• Idlib

• Aleppo

• Latakia

• Tartus

• Hama

• Homs

• Raqqa

• Hasakeh

• Deir ez Zour

• Damascus

• Rif Dimashq

• Daraa

• Suwayda