Syria Carries Out First Cabinet Reshuffle Since Assad's Ouster

Opposition groups and unknown actors conducted multiple drone attacks on Russia's Khmeimim Air Base near Latakia, with significant attacks on December 31, 2017 and January 6, 2018, destroying 7 Russian aircraft on the ground. Russia blamed Western advisors. Attacks highlighted vulnerability of major bases to drone swarms.

Following Assad's fall on December 8, 2024, Israeli jets struck Syrian Arab Air Force assets across Syria within hours — airfields at Mezzeh, Dumayr, and Tiyas (T-4), SAM batteries (S-300, Pantsir), armored vehicles, and missile stockpiles. Approximately 450 strikes documented in 72 hours. Israel's stated goal: prevent transfer of advanced weapons to hostile actors.

Israeli airstrike hit a building adjacent to Iran's consulate in Damascus on April 1, 2024, killing 16 including IRGC Quds Force General Mohammad Reza Zahedi and deputy. Iran launched ~300 drones and missiles at Israel on April 13 in retaliation, the vast majority intercepted by a US-Israeli-Jordanian coalition. Marked Israel's boldest overt action against Iran in Syria.

Following the Khan Shaykhun sarin attack (April 4, 2017), the US fired 59 Tomahawk cruise missiles at Syria's Shayrat airbase on April 6, 2017. Targeted aircraft, fuel, and infrastructure used in the chemical attack. Russia condemned the strikes; Syria resumed air operations from Shayrat within 24 hours.

The US, UK, and France fired 105 missiles on April 14, 2018 at three Syrian chemical weapons targets: Barzah Research Centre (Damascus), Him Shinshar chemical storage facility (Homs), and Him Shinshar bunker. Response to the Douma chlorine attack. Russia claimed 71 missiles intercepted; Pentagon disputed this.

On February 7, 2018, US forces with F-15E airstrikes and Apache helicopters repelled an attack by ~500 pro-Assad fighters (including ~200–300 Wagner Group contractors) on an SDF/US position near Khasham. US forces killed approximately 100–200 attackers. Russia initially denied involvement; Wagner casualties later confirmed by Russian investigative journalists.

US-backed SDF launched the Battle of Raqqa (June–October 2017). Coalition aircraft flew ~1,600 strike sorties; SDF ground forces cleared ISIS block by block over four months of intense urban combat. City infrastructure was extensively damaged. ISIS fighters evacuated under a contested deal before final SDF capture on October 17, 2017.

On May 2, 2026, the IDF launched at least 20 airstrikes and artillery strikes across Syrian military sites — hitting targets in Damascus (including near the presidential palace), Harasta suburb (1 killed), Hama (4 injured), Latakia, Daraa, and the Quneitra countryside. IDF also warned Syrian military to halt operations against the Druze community in Suwayda. The strikes were part of Israel's ongoing campaign to prevent Syrian military buildup near the Golan and to protect Druze communities in southern Syria.

Syrian transitional government security services announced the dismantling of a Hezbollah-linked cell on May 5–6, 2026. Nationwide raids arrested at least 11 people; seized weapons included firearms, explosive devices, and grenade launchers. The cell was allegedly in the 'final stages of readiness' to assassinate senior transitional government officials. Syria publicly attributed the plot to Hezbollah, framing it as an Iranian proxy operation to destabilize the new government.