Military/Diplomatic Highlights:
• As of December 16th, hostilities continue to be reported across Syria with attacks affecting the country’s southern and north-eastern governorates as well as Aleppo, Homs, Tartous and Lattakia:
o Airstrikes were reported in the southern governorates of Syria as well as Homs, Tartous and Lattakia, resulting in damage to residential houses, health facilities, a bridge in Homs governorate, port in Lattakia and a main water pipeline in the Alhamediya town in Quneitra governorate.
o Hostilities have also been reported in Aleppo governorate, notably in Aleppo city, Menbij and Ain Al-Arab districts, as well as in Deir-ez-Zor, damaging the Hatla bridge and cutting off routes between seven villages and the western bank of the Euphrates River.
• Between December 15-17, Maxar satellite imagery has shown that Russian vehicles and equipment continue to be withdrawn from the Khmeimim airbase near Latakia and likely arrived at the nearby port of Tartus.
• In Northern Syria a four-day ceasefire between the Syrian National Army (SNA) and Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in the Manbij area expired without an extension on December 16:
o The SNA is reportedly seizing private and government property in Manbij. Some of these seizures target Kurds, “under the pretext of the Kurds belonging to the SDF.
o Turkish forces and the SNA on December 17th appeared to be preparing to launch an attack on SDF held territory after the ceasefire expires.
o The SDF wants to negotiate a permanent ceasefire under which it would establish “a demilitarized zone in Kobani” under US supervision.
• Syrian Interim Government Updates:
o On December 16th, HTS leader Ahmed al Shara announced that the HTS-led interim Syrian government will dissolve all former opposition forces and integrate them under the new Defense Ministry.
o The Interim Syrian Government expires in March 2025, but no definitive plan has been announced to draft a new constitution.
• The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) continue to operate in southern Syrian towns near the Jordanian border as of December 16.
• Some Iranian media outlets appear to be engaged in an information campaign to stoke sectarian tensions and promote a hardline approach toward the new HTS-led interim government.
• On December 16, U.S Central Command conducted precision airstrikes targeting known ISIS camps and operatives in Syria. A total of 12 terrorists were killed.
• The UN Special Envoy for Syria on December 17th laid out several priorities for the future of Syria. These priorities were:
o Syrians need an orderly transition that provides for preservation of state institutions that serve their interests and provide them with critical services.
o The transition to a new government must be credible and inclusive, including the broadest spectrum of Syrian society and parties.
o A new constitution must be drawn up in line with UNSC Resolution 2254.
o Free and fair elections must be held that are open to all Syrians and in accordance with international standards.
o Syrian women’s status and rights must be protected and built upon.
Displacement and Humanitarian Assistance Highlights:
• Over 7 million people were already internally displaced inside the country while more than 90% of the population needs humanitarian support to survive.
• Over 880,000 people remain newly displaced in Syria since the start of the escalation of hostilities on November 27:
o Over 225,000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) have returned, mostly to Hama and Aleppo governorates.
• The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) is also present at border crossings both inside Syria and in neighboring countries. Their teams in Aleppo have travelled to the Bab Al Hawa border crossing on December 16 for the first time in years, visiting the main border area, meeting with refugee returnees and listening to their expectations and priorities.
• As of December 17th, UNHCR reported that Syrian refugees have spontaneously returned to Syria from Türkiye and Lebanon, and a smaller number from Jordan.
• UNHCR reports that community centers inside Syria have re-opened, with approximately 82% of centers now delivering critical protection and assistance in all governorates.
• The Syrian Red Cresent Society (SRCS) continues to support humanitarian assistance throughout the country:
o On December 16th they received humanitarian aid (1,000 food kits, canned goods, and 1,000 blankets) from the Turkish Red Crescent Society.
o Supported by the World Food Programme (WFP) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), SRCS provided immediate aid (1,090 mattresses, 1,600 blankets, 580 water bottles, and 3,000 canned food kits) to displaced families in Aleppo, Raqqa and Tabaqa.
• Healthcare and Public Health Updates:
o The Syrian American Medical Society (SAMS) reported on December 16th that their teams delivered ventilators and medical supplies to Hama Hospital and the Red Crescent Hospital in Homs.
o On December 17th, the SRCS completed the renovation of the emergency department and built a new waiting room at the Sweida National Hospital. This project was conducted in partnership with the Ministry of Health and ICRC.
• Water Security:
o At least 2 million people in Aleppo city and the eastern countryside are facing water shortages due to the suspension of two water stations following damage to the Tishreen Dam on December 10:
As of December 16th, the SRCS is providing water to vital facilities by transporting it in tankers until maintenance work is completed and the water system is restored.
o On December 18th the SRCS in Damascus installed a new electrical cable to operate the eastern Barzeh reservoir which ensures water access for the local population.
• Food Security Update:
o There were 3 million people severely food insecure before November 27:
An additional 12.4 million are food insecure or at risk of falling into food insecurity.
Approximately, 700,000 people have been targeted with food assistance.
o The WFP as of December 12th assisted nearly 70,000 people with food rations, ready-to-eat and hot meals.
o Through collective kitchens, the SRCS as of December 13th served 500 meals to 250 families in Baba Amr, Homs.
• The Syrian Civil Defense (White Helmets) has been continuing to support recovery and rebuilding efforts throughout the country. One example occurred on December 17th, in which their teams cleaned the hospital in Manbij to facilitate its return to full operation.
Violations of International Humanitarian Law Highlights:
• The killing of civilians continues throughout the country. As of December 17th, the Syrian Network for Human Rights (SNHR) has documented the extrajudicial killings of 12 civilians, including 4 children, by Syrian democratic forces and unidentified parties.
• The International Commission on Missing Persons (ICMP) has established a website, where family members looking for missing loved ones can upload a photograph.
• Mass Graves:
o On December 16th, the Syrian Emergency Task Force (SETF) reported that the mass grave in Al Qutayfah which was used for several years by the Assad government could hold as many as 150,000 bodies.
o Syrians who have information on detention centers or mass graves can report their location confidentially via a ICMP website.
o The SETF on December 17th urged that all humanitarian organizations, journalists, and media outlets in Syria refrain from touching or collecting samples from mass graves.
o The SNHR has published guidelines on the Treatment of Mass Graves.
Sources:
• Syrian Arab Republic: Flash Update No. 6 on the Recent Developments in Syria (as of 16 December 2024)
• UNHCR Regional Flash Update #4 - Syria Situation Crisis (16 December 2024)
• WFP Syria Emergency Response - External Situation Report #01 - 15 December 2024
• UN Special Envoy for Syria Twitter Page
• UN Refugee Agency, Syria Twitter Page
• Syrian Red Crescent Society Twitter Page
• Syria Civil Defence Twitter Page
• Syrian Emergency Task Force Twitter Page
• Syrian American Medical Society Twitter Page
• Syrian Network for Human Rights Twitter Page
• U.S. Central Command Twitter Page
• International Commission on Missing Persons Twitter Page
Resources
Statement from The White Helmets Regarding Israeli Attacks on Syrian Territory (New)
UN Refugee Agency, Monetary Donations Website (New)
Interactive Map: Assessed Control of Terrain in Syria
Syrian American Medical Society Monetary Donations Website
Syrian Emergency Task Force Monetary Donations Website