Syria Monthly Report

Summary

The US House of Representatives passed the anti-normalization act on 14 February, making the bill ready for the Senate’s vote next. The primary purpose of the legislation is to prohibit “any official action to recognize or normalize relations” with the Syrian government under President Bashar al-Assad.

In south and central Syria, the Syrian government increased the price of subsidized goods and basic services. Fuel, electricity, and bread prices were all increased to reduce expenditure and ensure the continuity of service provision. In other developments, former opposition groups in Dar‘a have seemingly united and have fought together against both the Syrian government alleged ISIS-affiliates in several locations, most notably in Yadudeh and Mhajeh.

In northeast Syria, the Autonomous Administration in North and East Syria’s Internal Security Forces seized hundreds of thousands of Captagon pills and other illicit materials in Al-Thawrah (Tabqa) and Ar-Raqqa. Meanwhile, alleged ISIS attacks in Al-Hasakeh and Quamishli cities signal the potential ability of the group to inspire lone-wolf attacks in areas previously thought secure.

In northwest Syria, tensions heightened between the Mawali tribe and the Syrian National Army (SNA) after a tribal member detained by an unidentified SNA faction was killed under torture. In response to the killing, the Mawali tribe called on its members to defect from the Amshat Division, an armed group. Unknown assailants also assassinated an Amshat leader in an incident that may be linked to the clashes. Fearing a possible military escalation between both sides, 400 families fled the area.