Tensions in Syria have escalated sharply following new Israeli airstrikes, drawing strong condemnation from the United Nations and threatening the already fragile peace in the war-torn nation. The latest strikes, reported on April 3, 2025, targeted multiple locations within Syria, including a Syrian airbase in Hama, according to sources on the ground.
UN Condemnation and International Concern
The UN envoy has cited these military actions as a clear violation of international law, adding to the growing international concern over the ongoing instability in the region.
Syria’s Transitional Government Faces Immense Challenges
These airstrikes come at a particularly sensitive time, as Syria’s interim President, Ahmed al-Sharaa, just unveiled a new transitional government at the end of March 2025. The government is composed of 23 ministers from diverse backgrounds, signaling an attempt to unify the country after years of conflict. However, the new government faces immense challenges, including ongoing factional violence and the presence of various armed groups.
Background: Ousting of Assad and Power Vacuum
The backdrop to this current unrest is the ousting of President Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, following a devastating civil war that began in 2011. The power vacuum has led to a complex web of conflicts involving remnants of the Assad regime, the Islamist militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), and the Kurdish-dominated Syrian Defense Forces (SDF).
US-Backed Kurdish Fighters Withdraw from Aleppo
In related developments, US-backed Kurdish fighters recently withdrew from two neighborhoods in Aleppo as part of a deal with the central government in Damascus. This move has significant implications for the balance of power in northern Syria, raising questions about the future of Kurdish autonomy in the region.
Summary Executions by Islamist Leaders
Adding to the dire situation, reports have emerged of summary executions carried out by fighters affiliated with Syria’s new Islamist leaders. A war monitor reported 35 such executions in a 72-hour period, primarily targeting officers from the Assad era. These reports raise serious concerns about human rights in post-Assad Syria and pose a challenge to the new leadership.
Humanitarian Crisis Deepens
The humanitarian crisis continues to deepen, with millions of Syrians displaced and in urgent need of assistance. Access to basic necessities, healthcare, and shelter remains a critical issue, with aid organizations struggling to meet the overwhelming needs of the population.
Fears of Broader Regional Conflict
Israel’s continued military actions within Syria further exacerbate the instability, drawing international scrutiny and raising fears of a broader regional conflict. The recent airstrikes have intensified calls for de-escalation and a renewed commitment to finding a peaceful resolution to the Syrian conflict.