The Turkish government has appointed Nuh Yilmaz as its new ambassador to Syria. Turkey had closed its embassy in Damascus in 2012 in protest against the Assad government and the outbreak of the Syrian war.
In a recent report, the American newspaper Wall Street Journal claimed that the terrorist group ISIS has significantly intensified its attacks in northeastern Syria during 2025. Citing data from the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), the report noted that from January through the end of August, ISIS carried out 117 attacks—compared to just 73 throughout 2024.
The U.S.-led coalition has begun constructing a new military base near the strategic Baghdad–Damascus international highway, outside the 55-kilometer zone surrounding al-Tanf.
Since early January, forces loyal to the Jolani-led administration have begun inspecting vehicles, detaining civilians, and confiscating portions of goods entering the Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyeh neighborhoods. These measures have led to long lines of vehicles and delays of several hours for residents trying to enter or exit the area.
Zeki Akturk, spokesperson for Turkey’s Ministry of Defense, announced in a press briefing in Ankara that the Turkish Armed Forces will continue to take necessary measures against all threats to national security. His remarks followed the Turkish parliament’s approval of a three-year extension for Ankara’s military deployment in Syria and Iraq.
Israeli military operations continue in the provinces of Rif Dimashq and Quneitra under the silent watch of the Jolani administration.
On October 17, unidentified armed individuals assassinated Hisham Khazami in the Al-Furqan neighborhood of Aleppo. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack so far.
The ancient city of Palmyra, located in eastern Homs province, witnessed the presence of U.S. military forces on October 17. According to local sources, American troops conducted a field visit to the city and its historic fortress without coordination with the Syrian army.
In the latest issue (No. 517) of its weekly publication Al-Naba, ISIS published an infographic summarizing its activities over the past 70 days in eastern Syria.
During a meeting in Moscow, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that the Russia–Syria Joint Cooperation Committee will soon resume its activities. Both sides emphasized the expansion of strategic and economic relations.
In this text, we examine Al-Sudani’s efforts to establish ties with Al-Jolani’s administration and outline the reasons behind them. Overall, ten factors can be identified, grouped into four categories. In recent years, several security-related files have emerged between the two countries, with the following being the most notable.
Over the past 24 hours, Israeli military forces have carried out several field operations and maneuvers in Quneitra province. These activities have primarily taken place along strategic routes connecting key villages and included the setup of temporary checkpoints.
