Syria

In a major development that has changed the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East, the Bashar al-Assad regime in Syria collapsed in a matter of days in the face of a sudden challenge by rebel forces, just after a cease-fire was declared between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon. The rapid collapse and Israel’s concern over the intentions of the radical Islamist elements within the rebel groups led Israel to create a buffer zone along the Golan Heights and to conduct a rapid air and naval campaign to destroy the strategic weaponry of the former Syrian regime. It is far from clear how the situation in Syria will unfold.

Reports:

  • Meir Amit Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center
  • Institute for the Study of War

Significant Occurrences

2025
The Security Council Discusses Gaza Ceasefire and Prospects for Regional Peace

Security Council discusses “ways to ensure steps bring positive change for region”.

The Security Council Reviews Developments In Syria

The Security Council heard calls for the backing of the Syrian people after the fall of the Assad regime.

2024
The Security Council Extends Mandate for UNDOF in the Golan

The Security Council renewed the mandate of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in the Golan for six months until 30 Jun 2025.

Syrian Druze Call to be Annexed to Israel

A convention of dignitaries from the Druze village of Hadar in the Syrian Golan called to join the Israeli Golan.

IDF Strikes Syrian Strategic Weapons

The IDF, on 8 December and continuing for several days, struck strategic weapons stockpiles in Syria, to prevent them from falling into the hands of terrorist elements.

IDF Moves to Create Buffer Zone in Syria

The IDF stated that the deployments were a defensive and temporary operation to protect Israel from possible instability in Syria resulting from the fall of the Syrian regime.

Syrian Regime Collapses – Assad Flees to Russia

The IDF stated that the deployments were a defensive and temporary operation to protect Israel from possible instability in Syria resulting from the fall of the Syrian regime.

The Security Council Is Warned About the Situation in Syria

The Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Syria warned about the dramatic shifts in the front lines in Syria, noting that a vast swathe of Syrian territory — containing approximately 7 million people — had come under the control of non-State actors, including the terrorist group Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham and armed opposition groups. Amid calls for de-escalation delegations at the Security Council accused each other of being responsible for the situation.

Rebel Forces Launch Operation Against the Syrian Regime

The al-Fateh al-Mubeen Joint Operations Room — a coalition containing both Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham and armed opposition groups, including the Syrian National Army — launched a ground operation, with drone cover, across agreed de-escalation lines, taking de facto control of almost the entirety of the Aleppo and Idlib governorates.