Rising tensions in rural Damascus, Kurdish Unity dominate headlines

Events in Syria and Sudan dominated the press over the past week, with three primary themes emerging: the reappearance of ISIS mercenaries, key developments in the Kurdish political file, and escalating security tensions in the Damascus periphery. Meanwhile, the Sudanese crisis persisted, fueling growing regional instability.

The Return of ISIS: Exploiting Disorder

The week opened with media reports highlighting a renewed surge in ISIS mercenary activity within Syria, capitalizing on security vacuums and internal unrest. Asharq Al-Awsat headlined: “ISIS Options in Syria: Capitalizing on Jihadist Disillusionment,” noting the group’s reliance on a strategy of dormancy and reactivation of sleeper cells, particularly amid discussions of a possible U.S. military withdrawal.

The report underscored the group’s escalating incitement efforts through its Al-Naba magazine and social media platforms, including open threats against Syria’s new president, Ahmad Al-Shar’a. Despite ongoing security operations that have constrained the group's capabilities, analysts warned of a tactical shift toward clandestine operations to evade direct confrontation. Combating ISIS, they argued, remains among the most pressing challenges facing Damascus, especially amid rising feelings of marginalization within certain communities.

Kurdish Unity: Toward a National Partnership

In a notable shift, the “Conference on Kurdish Unity in Rojava” was held in Qamishlo on April 26. Al-Modon emphasized the significance of the event against the backdrop of prior partisan divisions. The conference produced a consensus document advocating for a resolution within the framework of a unified Syrian state, embracing decentralization and rejecting separatist agendas.

The newspaper described the preliminary agreement between President Ahmad Al-Shar’a and Syrian Democratic Forces Commander Mazloum Abdi as a positive indication of dialogue as a means to resolve outstanding issues—foremost among them, relations between the central government and predominantly SDF's regions. The report noted that the emerging Kurdish discourse reflects a clear intent to integrate into the national Syrian project, while underscoring demands for constitutional guarantees of cultural and political rights.

Rural Damascus: Sectarian Clashes and Unrest

The towns of Jaramana and Ashrafiyat Sahnaya made headlines due to escalating security incidents. An-Nahar reported under the headline “The Story of Sectarian Clashes in Jaramana and the ‘Suspicious Hidden Hands’” that violent confrontations broke out early Tuesday, triggered by a fabricated audio recording falsely attributed to Druze cleric Sheikh Marwan Kiwan, which provoked public outrage. Both the Ministry of Interior and the Druze spiritual leadership confirmed the forgery, warning of hidden actors attempting to incite sectarian strife.

In parallel, Al-Quds Al-Arabi reported that Israeli aircraft conducted airstrikes on the outskirts of Ashrafiyat Sahnaya, targeting a security installation and resulting in casualties. The strikes coincided with clashes between regime forces and armed Druze groups. The newspaper linked these developments to an alleged Israeli strategy aimed at dismantling the Syrian state by fueling sectarian conflict.

Al-Quds Al-Arabi also reported that an Israeli strike near the presidential palace in Damascus carried “a clear message to the Syrian regime,” citing statements from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant: “We will not allow the deployment of forces south of Damascus, nor any threat to the Druze.” The strikes followed armed confrontations in Jaramana, Ashrafiyat Sahnaya, and several villages in Suwayda province, leaving over 100 dead among security personnel and Druze fighters.

The report concluded that the targeting of Syria’s new leadership and its president, Ahmad Al-Shar’a, prompted a response from the presidency, which framed the attacks as an assault on state institutions.

Sudan: A Crisis Without Resolution

On the regional front, Sudan remained a focal point of press coverage. Al-Quds Al-Arabi examined the complexities of the ongoing crisis under the headline “Sudan and Its Prolonged Ordeal,” highlighting bloody confrontations between the national army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and their implications for regional security, particularly in Egypt.

The paper observed that Cairo backs the national army as the legitimate authority, warning against the risks of dual military power and the continued human and material toll. It called for the integration of the RSF into the army under a regionally brokered settlement. The crisis, the report argued, stems from the legacy of ousted President Omar al-Bashir, who entrenched the presence of armed militias at the expense of state institutions.

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ANHA