18 August 2026
Jordan condemns the Israeli airstrikes that targeted Abu al-Duhur military airport in Idlib province, calling on the international community to uphold its responsibilities and compel Israel to cease its attacks on Syria. Jordanian Foreign Ministry spokesman, Ambassador Fouad Majali, stated: "This aggression is unjustified and constitutes a flagrant violation."
The Israeli army is advancing towards the Bat al-Warda hill overlooking Beit Jinn in the western Damascus countryside.
New Israeli airstrikes rock Abu al-Duhur airport in eastern Idlib countryside
US Ambassador to Iraq and Syria Tom Barrack: We are deeply concerned by confirmed Israeli airstrikes on Abu al-Duhur Air Base, which constitute an unnecessary escalation that does not contribute to regional stability. The Shar'a government has not adopted an aggressive stance, nor has it maintained proxy forces. On the contrary, it has repeatedly expressed its preference for de-escalation with Israel. The United States has hosted, and will continue to host, dialogues to encourage diplomatic engagement rather than resorting to military violence, which only serves to frustrate both countries. Lasting de-escalation agreements are built through ongoing dialogue with all relevant states and parties. The United States continues to believe that restraint and dialogue are the most constructive path forward. We encourage all parties to prioritize reasoned dialogue over further military incidents.7 hour ago
US Ambassador to Iraq and Syria Tom Barrack: We are deeply concerned by confirmed Israeli airstrikes on Abu al-Duhur Air Base, which constitute an unnecessary escalation that does not contribute to regional stability. The Shar'a government has not adopted an aggressive stance, nor has it maintained proxy forces. On the contrary, it has repeatedly expressed its preference for de-escalation with Israel. The United States has hosted, and will continue to host, dialogues to encourage diplomatic engagement rather than resorting to military violence, which only serves to frustrate both countries. Lasting de-escalation agreements are built through ongoing dialogue with all relevant states and parties. The United States continues to believe that restraint and dialogue are the most constructive path forward. We encourage all parties to prioritize reasoned dialogue over further military incidents.
The Syrian Foreign Ministry: We condemn in the strongest terms the Israeli airstrikes that targeted Abu al-Duhur military airport in Idlib.
Internal Security Forces: The arrest of Hamza Abdullah Muhammad, nicknamed "Abu Jihad al-Muhajir," classified as one of the prominent military leaders in the Islamic State, was carried out in a well-executed security operation in the countryside of Manbij, Aleppo Governorate. He held the position of General Military Commander for the Levant Province within the organization and previously served as the organization's former Deputy General Military Commander. He also held responsibility for the "Idlib Province."
Syrian Criminal Court: Accused Wassim al-Assad convicted of premeditated murder and torture of civilians
Damascus Criminal Court: Wassim al-Assad convicted of premeditated murder
According to Syrian reports, Israeli jets hit Abu al-Duhur Air Base in eastern Idlib, Syria, in four airstrikes overnight
Israeli jets hit Abu al-Duhur Air Base in eastern Idlib, Syria with four airstrikes overnight, targeting the runway. The base houses Syria's fledgling post-Assad air force — roughly two restored Su-22s, several L-39 trainers, and old helicopters. The strike came after footage emerged of Su-22s conducting training flights over northern Syria
Hama a short while ago: A young man was killed and several people were injured, after a bomb was thrown by gunmen on a motorcycle in the village of Al-Rasif in the Al-Ghab Plain in Hama.
Tasnim News Agency: Tehran has informed regional capitals (Ankara, Baghdad, Doha, and Riyadh) that if Syria undertakes any military adventure in Lebanon, it will escalate into a large-scale regional confrontation within Syria, and the Iranian missile response will target more than 100 strategic targets, including the Syrian presidential palace.
A Rossotrudnichestvo delegation visited Syria, and the Russian House in Damascus will resume operations.
Damascus Criminal Court: Death sentence for ousted regime leader Bashar al-Assad and Daraa's political security chief Atef Najib
Damascus Criminal Court: Death sentence for Maher al-Assad and other figures of the former regime
The Damascus Criminal Court: The court convicted the fugitive defendant Bashar al-Assad of the premeditated murder of more than one person.
The Damascus Criminal Court: The court imposed the harshest penalty allowed under Syrian law on the defendant Atef Najib.
Damascus Criminal Court: Former head of the Political Security branch in Daraa, Atef Najib, is accused of torturing detainees.
Israeli army: Overnight (Tuesday), three Israeli civilians arrived at the Mount Hermon area and crossed the border into Syrian territory. Israeli army soldiers were dispatched to the area to locate them and returned them to Israeli territory.The detained civilians were transferred to the Israel Police for further handling.The Israeli army strongly condemns such incidents, which constitute an additional incident that disturbs the soldiers' operational activity in the area and puts them in danger.The law enforcement authorities are required to bring those involved to justice and to prevent those individuals from repeatedly engaging in this incident, which constitutes a criminal offense.
Internal Security in Aleppo Governorate: Curfew lifted in the city of Ain al-Arab (Kobani) after security was restored and calm returned to the city.
Deputy Commander of Internal Security in Hasakah, Mahmoud Khalil Ali: Return trips to the city have been temporarily suspended as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of residents, and will resume as soon as the situation stabilizes and full protection is provided for those returning.
Banias-Al-Juwaibat: For the past five days, the Al-Juwaibat area in the Banias countryside has been under unprecedented security alert, accompanied by a siege of the area and the establishment of checkpoints at its entrances, in addition to identity checks and restrictions on the movement of residents to and from the village. These measures come days after similar security measures were implemented in the area, amid complaints from residents about the difficulty of movement, especially since the majority of Al-Juwaibat's inhabitants rely on agriculture and their farms for their livelihood. In recent hours, the tension has escalated after drones were spotted flying in the vicinity of the village, followed by the arrival of security reinforcements to the area. According to residents, the number of vehicles began with about seven cars and pickup trucks, before increasing to approximately 12 security vehicles within half an hour, with deployments from several directions. Residents reported that the security deployment extended from the beginning of the village to its end, reaching the areas of Al-Mustah, Al-Mazari', the farms' road, and above Babluta, with a clear cordon around the area and difficulty entering or leaving. The residents also reported hearing gunfire in the air shortly beforehand, causing fear and panic among them, as the reasons for the deployment remained unknown, and no official request or explanation regarding the measures taken had been received at the time of this report. The state of tension and alert continues in the area, with residents anxiously awaiting news of the reasons for the security campaign and whether the area will witness further escalation or measures in the coming hours.
The "Revolutionary Youth" affiliated with the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) burned the Syrian flag that had been raised a few days earlier
In protest against the attack on those returning to Ras al-Ayn in the Hasakah countryside, protesters smashed a sign at the Kobani district directorate in the Aleppo countryside amid a tense situation in the city.
Attacks target displaced families returning to Sere Kaniye/Ras al-Ain, sparking protests and tensions in Hasakah and Qamishli
SDF Commander-in-Chief Mazloum Abdi has condemned reported attacks on displaced Kurdish families returning to Sere Kaniye (Ras al-Ain), urging calm and saying efforts are underway with relevant authorities to protect the returnees
Al-Sharaa discussed with Barham Salih the return of refugees and early recovery in Syria.
Sipan Hamo, Syria's Deputy Defence Minister for the Eastern Region, says the official dissolution of the SDF (Syrian Democratic Forces) and the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria will be announced in the coming days. He said the SDF's role "is over" and stressed that "there cannot be two administrations in a single state." Four SDF-derived brigades have already been integrated into the Syrian army in Kobani, Hasakah, Qamishli, and Derik
Armed group claims it targeted an Israeli military position in the western countryside of Daraa, southern Syria, in response to recent Israeli incursions
Syrian TV: Israeli forces advance into Tel Abu Qubays in the Quneitra countryside