Syria postponed the inaugural session of its newly formed 210-member People’s Assembly until further notice, the Higher Committee for People’s Assembly Elections announced on Sunday, delaying the launch of the country’s first legislature under the 2025 constitutional declaration. In a statement, the committee clarified that the postponement was based on the constitutional declaration, decrees No. 66 and No. 143 of 2025, and “public interest” requirements. It did not set a new date.

The session had been scheduled for July 5, when members were expected to take the constitutional oath, after Syria completed the formation of the new Assembly, which is made up of 140 members chosen through electoral bodies and 70 appointed by transitional President Ahmed Al-Sharaa.

Under Syria’s transitional framework, the Assembly is expected to serve a 30-month term, renewable once, pending a permanent constitution and new elections.

Syrian government forces allegedly violated a ceasefire by shelling several areas of the southern city of Suwayda, killing at least two people and wounding more than 20 others, several critically, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported on Friday.

Artillery and gunfire from government and allied positions targeted the Tal Hadid axis, the industrial area on the Al-Thaala road, and the towns of Umm Al-Zaytoun and Al-Matouna from Thursday night into the early hours of Friday, the Observatory said.

The Internal Security Forces on Friday arrested former Major General Ali Saleh Diab, a prominent officer within the military and security apparatus of the deposed regime, during a specialized security operation based on precise tracking and monitoring.

The Ministry of Interior clarified via its official Telegram channel that security records indicate Diab served as the head of the Military Security Branch in the city of Qamishli within Hasakah province for ten years, between 2008 and 2018. His name is linked to the commission of systematic violations and crimes, and he was known to be a close associate of the top security agency chiefs during that era.

The ministry stated that investigations point to Diab’s responsibility for the tracking and arrest of large numbers of young men in Hasakah and Qamishli, who were subsequently handed over to the notorious Palestine Branch and Sednaya Prison.

An explosion at a cafe in central Damascus has killed at least nine people and injured 20 others, according to Syria’s Ministry of Health. The explosion was reported at around 3:24pm local time (12:24 GMT) on Thursday inside a cafe on al-Nasser Street in the al-Marjah district, close to the Palace of Justice, according to Syrian state media.

Israeli occupation forces advanced on Tuesday into Tel Abu Qubais and the village of Ein Zivan in the Quneitra countryside of southwestern Syria. Several Israeli soldiers, accompanied by two tanks, entered Tel Abu Qubais during the incursion. A separate Israeli force consisting of more than five military vehicles also entered Ein Zivan shortly after midnight. The forces raided the home of a civilian and detained him for several hours before releasing him and withdrawing from the area. Earlier on Monday, Israeli forces also advanced into the Al-Arada village in the western countryside of Daraa.

Syria continues to condemn Israel’s repeated violations of the 1974 Disengagement Agreement, including incursions into southern Syrian territory, attacks on civilians, home raids, arrests, land bulldozing, and shelling incidents. Syria stresses that all measures taken by Israeli forces inside Syrian territory are null and void and carry no legal effect under international law. Syria reiterates its call on the international community to assume its responsibilities, put an end to these violations, and ensure Israel’s full withdrawal from southern Syria.

The head of Syria’s General Authority of Civil Aviation and Air Transport, Omar Hosari, announced on Sunday that final steps are being completed with authorities in the Netherlands to launch direct flights between Damascus and Amsterdam.

Hosari said that, after years of suspension, Syrian Airlines would once again operate direct services between Damascus and Amsterdam.

Syrian Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Marwan al-Halabi inaugurated a cardiac catheterization and vascular intervention unit at Homs University Hospital on Sunday, as part of the “Syria Recovery 2026” initiative aimed at supporting and upgrading the country’s health sector.

The unit, established in cooperation with the MedGlobal organization, is designed to provide advanced diagnostic and interventional cardiac services, enable rapid emergency treatment, and enhance training for medical residents and students in modern clinical techniques.

ISIS on Saturday claimed responsibility for the recent attack in the city of Manbij, northern Aleppo, vowing a new phase of assaults targeting the government of transitional President Ahmed Al-Sharaa.

Earlier today, Syria’s Defense Ministry confirmed that two Syrian soldiers were killed in a deadly ambush, yet no further details were provided regarding the assailants or the circumstances surrounding the incident. ISIS does not maintain a permanent website or verified accounts on major social media platforms, relying instead on encrypted messaging applications —most notably Telegram— where supporters continuously create temporary channels to evade content bans.

Two Syrian soldiers were killed in an attack by unidentified gunmen near the city of Manbij in northern Aleppo province, Syria’s Defense Ministry reported on Sunday.

No details were released on how the attack unfolded or on the identity of those responsible.

• 23 Jun: Israeli occupation forces advance into areas of Quneitra in southwestern Syria

• 21 Jun: Syria to launch direct Damascus–Amsterdam flights starting in July

• 21 Jun: Syria inaugurates upgraded cardiac catheterization unit at Homs University Hospital

• 21 Jun: ISIS confirms role in fatal Syria's Aleppo ambush

• 20 Jun: Deadly ambush claims two Syrian soldiers in Aleppo