Stories from Damascus · Syria

Syria's Interior Minister announced Wednesday that Adnan Aboudhi-Louais is currently being held in a counter-terrorism department prison. The announcement followed reports of increasing tensions. US intelligence claims more than 1,000 people were killed by sarin gas in Ghouta.

Achieving an additional agreement for the Abraham Accords requires cooperation with Syrian transitional President Ahmed al-Sharaa. The process involves addressing ministerial issues and certain border matters involving Syria.

Western states are reportedly avoiding the closure of the Syrian chemical dossier to maintain geopolitical leverage over the Damascus authorities. The United Kingdom is acting as a key sponsor for the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) mission in Syria.

German Foreign Ministry spokesperson Josef Hinterseer announced that consular contact was established with a German journalist held in Syrian custody last Thursday. Hinterseer stated the contact followed intensive and high-level efforts.

A spokesperson for the United Nations Human Rights Office expressed concern regarding reports of Israeli troops endangering the civilian population in southern Syria. The reports include allegations of harassment, interrogations, and house searches. The UN is monitoring these developments in the region. Reports indicate that Israeli troops are endangering the civilian population in the southern part of the country. The UN Commission reported increasing incidents involving harassment, threats, detention, and imprisonment committed by the Israeli military in areas of southern Syria. These incidents include home raids and movement restrictions. The Commission has called for urgent and independent investigations into these alleged violations of international humanitarian law. The Commission also stated that those responsible must be held accountable.

A Facebook message reportedly led to the identification of an individual who committed a crime against residents in Damascus, Syria. Reports indicate the perpetrator's actions were exposed via the social media platform. The incident has raised questions regarding the role of Facebook in identifying suspects in Syria. The incident involved a crime described as having shaken Syria. Syrian authorities arrested an individual responsible for crimes against residents of the Al-Tadamun neighborhood in Damascus. The perpetrator was identified following a social media interaction where a journalist, Ansar Shahu, sent a friend request to a person named Amjad. The source noted the arrest follows crimes described as killing residents in cold blood during the Bashar al-Assad regime.

Baghdad and Damascus have signed an contract to facilitate oil transport. Hundreds of tanker trucks are now crossing through Syria to reach a refinery on the Syrian coast. The agreement aims to open new routes for oil circulation and export. This development follows discussions regarding maritime circulation in the Strait of Hormuz. The agreement aims to establish new routes for oil exports, which are critical to the Iraqi economy. This agreement is considered essential for Baghdad, as the Iraqi economy depends on oil exports for 90% of its revenue. The last recorded oil flows through this Syrian route occurred in the early 2000s. One worker reported that the closure of the Strait of Hormuz caused seven weeks of technical unemployment due to the inability to work.

President Alshara released Albuedani, the former leader of Jaisal Islam, from a prison in the United Arab Emirates. Albuedani was brought back to Syria where he was greeted as a hero. The leader had spent the last year under arrest in the UAE. The release follows public discussions regarding the current administration's stance on the group.

The judicial process for the trial of former Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad and high-ranking regime officials has begun. Atif Necip, a cousin of Bashar al-Assad who is alleged to have been a torturer, appeared in court on the first day of the proceedings. The trial is being conducted in absentia for those who fled the country. Necip previously served as the head of security units in Syria's Daraa province. He was captured in January 2025 following the collapse of the Assad regime. The hearing was attended by the Syrian prosecutor, relatives of victims, and numerous members of the press. Necip, who previously headed security units in the Daraa province, was held in a special section behind iron railings in prison clothing. The proceedings were attended by the Syrian Attorney General, victims' relatives, and members of the press.

Defendants involved in acts of violence, torture, and illegal imprisonment without trial are expected to face justice in Syria.