Southwestern Syrian city, cradle of the 2011 revolution
A Damascus criminal court has sentenced ousted president Bashar al‑Assad, his brother Maher and several senior former officials — including Atef Najib, who is in custody — to death for murders, torture and crimes against humanity committed during Syria’s 14‑year conflict. The rulings have been issued in absentia for Assad and Maher, who are in Russia.
Latakia authorities have arrested two senior officers linked to Bashar al-Assad’s forces for detaining civilians, extortion, and war-crime involvement. The arrests follow a broader crackdown on regime-era officials accused of rights abuses.
Authorities have detained nine pilots in Latakia after investigations tied to airstrikes across Syria, including Eastern Ghouta, Aleppo, Deir Ezzor and Hama. They are accused of combat sorties, targeting civilians and facilities, and transporting former regime officers. The case forms part of a broader accountability push following the war’s upheavals.
Syria says intelligence services have thwarted a Hezbollah‑affiliated cell in the Yarmuk basin, arresting three individuals and revealing plans to prepare rocket launch platforms. Hezbollah denies any link, stating it has no presence in Syrian territory. The case unfolds as Israel warns of potential attacks ahead of October elections.
A military court in Aleppo has sentenced several defendants connected to the March 2025 coastal violence to death, long prison terms or acquittals. The rulings address charges of inciting civil war, sectarian fighting and attacks on government forces, with further verdicts in September and ongoing trials highlighting accountability efforts.
Jordan has described air strikes against militant sites in southern Syria in response to a church attack in Karak. Syria says it coordinated with neither the strikes nor border crossing closures, and reports casualties among civilians in Daraa and Suwayda. The Nassib border crossing has been closed, and two brothers and a brother-in-law have been detained in connection with the church attack.
Jordanian air strikes on southern Syria have killed civilians and damaged homes, triggering Syria’s condemnation for sovereignty violations. Damascus says the strikes targeted IS cells and weapons depots, while Amman cites threats and terrorist activity. The two sides are coordinating to manage fallout and preserve bilateral ties.
Syria’s security forces have thwarted a plot to attack the Homs refinery, arresting two individuals and seizing explosives. Syrian authorities say the operation involved a cell linked to Hezbollah, though Hezbollah denies involvement. The Homs refinery remains a focal point amid a string of attacks on energy infrastructure.
The cross-border strikes by Jordan into southern Syria have killed civilians and prompted Syria to condemn the action as a sovereignty violation. Jordan and Syria agree to form a joint security committee to investigate the strikes and to strengthen border coordination as both sides seek to avoid further civilian harm.