★ SYRIA
1. Barrack Facilitates Sharaa-Abdi Meeting on March Deal
U.S. Special Envoy Tom Barrack facilitated talks between President Ahmad al-Sharaa and SDF Commander Mazloum Abdi in Damascus Wednesday to advance implementation of the March 10 agreement on Kurdish integration. The meeting marked Barrack’s direct mediation role in Syrian territorial governance negotiations, with France providing additional oversight. Discussions addressed Syrian state structure, relationship between Autonomous Administration and Damascus, military authority, and economic arrangements. Kurdish sources described the atmosphere as positive, with talks expected to continue. The U.S.-brokered session coincided with PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan’s video message declaring the end of armed struggle against Turkiye, potentially supporting American efforts to stabilize northeastern Syria. Barrack’s involvement underscores Washington’s commitment to resolving the final obstacle to Syrian territorial unity through diplomatic engagement. Sources indicate the U.S. envoy may return for follow-up meetings as implementation committees work toward the year-end deadline for integrating SDF forces and civilian institutions into Syrian state control.
2. Damascus Facilitated Three Successful OPCW Field Missions
Syria cooperated with the OPCW on chemical weapons destruction, earning British praise and £2 million in additional UK funding. Damascus facilitated three successful OPCW field missions this year, marking a turning point from Assad regime violations. Syria’s compliance fulfills a key U.S. government condition for normalized relations with Washington.
3. Israel Hits Quds Cell in South, Syria Arrests IRGC in Northeast
Israel’s army says it arrested an Iranian Quds Force cell in a special forces operation near Tel al-Qudsiyah in southern Syria—the second such raid in a week. Meanwhile, Syria’s Internal Security Forces arrested 50 individuals in Deir Ezzor’s Al-Bukamal region, including members linked to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The arrests followed a sweeping campaign targeting arms trafficking, drug distribution, and threats to civilian safety. Syrian commander Drar al-Shamlan said the detainees were implicated in smuggling and destabilization efforts.
4. SDF and Coalition Forces Capture ISIS Cell Commander in Syria’s Northeast
Syrian Democratic Forces and U.S.-led Coalition units arrested an ISIS cell commander during a joint nighttime raid in Salhabiyah, west of Raqqa. The targeted operation was conducted by the SDF’s General Security Service and Asayish Special Forces with Coalition air and ground support. Two days earlier, SDF and Coalition forces detained seven ISIS-linked suspects in Abu Khashab, western Deir ez-Zor.
5. Israeli Report Claims Netanyahu and Al Sharaa Will Meet in Washington in September
Israeli media claimed Syrian President Ahmad Al Sharaa is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Netanyahu at the White House in September ahead of the UN General Assembly. The story originated on i24NEWS citing unnamed Syrian sources, alleging the leaders will sign a U.S.-brokered security agreement as a first step toward normalization. The same outlet previously published a false claim that Al Sharaa met Israeli National Security Advisor Tzachi Hanegbi in Abu Dhabi while Hanegbi was confirmed in Washington. Syria’s government denied the claim and has not confirmed any planned meeting with Israeli officials. Gulf sources cited by i24 claimed UAE mediation continues under Saudi awareness, but Israeli refusal to commit to Golan withdrawal remains a key obstacle as Tel Aviv doubts Al Sharaa’s control over southern Syria’s armed factions.
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★ ISRAEL
6. IDF Troop Withdrawal Blocks Gaza Ceasefire Deal Progress
Hamas and Israel have resolved disagreements on aid delivery and ceasefire guarantees, but Israeli troop presence in Gaza remains the final obstacle to a ceasefire agreement. Talks advance in Qatar while Trump and Netanyahu conduct parallel negotiations in Washington. Hamas accepted U.S. assurances through backchannel figure Dr. Bishara Bahbah that Israel will not unilaterally resume war after the proposed 60-day ceasefire expires. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation will be restricted to IDF-controlled zones, with international organizations taking over distribution in IDF-withdrawn areas. Netanyahu resists U.S. pressure for IDF withdrawal, citing concerns over Hamas regrouping. No postwar governance structure for Gaza has been agreed, leaving the enclave’s strategic future unresolved and potentially creating a security vacuum threatening Israeli border security.
7. IDF Encircles Beit Hanoun in Deadly Advance Against Hamas
The IDF fully encircled Beit Hanoun, killing dozens of Hamas operatives but losing five soldiers. The assault is part of “Operation Gideon’s Chariots,” targeting Hamas strongholds across Gaza. Israeli forces now control over 65% of the Strip, with intensified strikes destroying tunnels, weapons caches, and senior Hamas leadership, including the commander behind the October 7 Kibbutz Magen attack.
8. Hackers Disable Israeli Army Food Plant, Compromise Safety Data
Pro-resistance group “Cyber Support Front” hacked and shut down a factory supplying food to Israeli forces, breaching databases tied to food safety. The facility, certified by Israel’s defense ministry, had its production lines disabled. ============
★ LEBANON
9. IDF Eliminates Senior Hezbollah and Hamas Leaders in Southern Lebanon
The IDF killed Hezbollah’s Radwan Force commander, Ali Haidar, in Deir Kifa. Additional strikes eliminated operatives in Beit Lif and Al-Babliyah. Separately, Hamas commander Mehran Ba’jur was killed near Tripoli. Israel continues operations to enforce ceasefire terms and prevent Hezbollah’s rearmament in Southern Lebanon.
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★ GULF COUNTRIES
10. MBS Hosts Iranian FM in Jeddah Palace for Security Talks
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman hosted Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi and his delegation at Al-Salam Palace in Jeddah to discuss the Gaza ceasefire, bilateral relations, and regional stability. The Crown Prince welcomed Araqchi personally in his official office, reflecting the high-level nature of the reception. Discussions emphasized Riyadh’s commitment to diplomatic dialogue and support for ceasefire efforts aimed at reducing tensions. Araqchi praised the Kingdom’s condemnation of Israeli strikes on Iran and commended MBS’s leadership in promoting regional security. The visit followed earlier talks between Araqchi and Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan in Mecca, as well as meetings with Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman on July 8.
11. Saudi Cabinet Approves Foreign Real Estate Ownership Law for 2026
Saudi Arabia has approved a new system allowing non-Saudis to own real estate within designated zones, starting January 2026. Housing Minister Majid Al-Hogail stated the law is designed to attract foreign investors and developers.
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★ AFRICA
12. Tunisia’s Ghannouchi Sentenced in Four Cases, Totals 40 Years
Tunisian courts have sentenced Ennahda Movement leader Rached Ghannouchi to a total of 40 years across four separate cases. The latest, handed down Tuesday by the Criminal Chamber for terrorism cases, sentenced him to 14 years in the “Conspiracy Against State Security 2” file. That followed a 22-year sentence in the Instalingo media case, a 3-year term in the lobbying contracts case, and 15 months for glorifying terrorism. Ghannouchi, in detention since April 2023, faces charges ranging from inciting terrorist acts to forming a criminal group and undermining state security. The court also issued sentences of 12 to 35 years against 20 additional defendants, including ex-intelligence chief Mehrez Zouari, Ennahda leader Habib Ellouz, former PM Youssef Chahed, and ex-presidential advisor Nadia Akacha. Many remain outside Tunisia. The Ennahda Movement denounced the rulings as a targeted campaign to silence opposition and dismantle political dissent.
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★ TÜRKIYE
13. Türkiye Blocks Grok Content for Insulting Erdogan, Violating Religious Values
A Turkish court has ordered a block on content generated by Elon Musk’s AI chatbot Grok for insulting President Erdogan, Atatürk, and religious values. The decision, Türkiye’s first against an AI tool, followed a prosecutor-led investigation into 50 flagged posts. Authorities cited criminal laws, while critics say the move highlights growing online censorship under Türkiye’s content control laws.
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★ Disclaimer: The Early Phoenix is a digest of various news sources compiled by the Early Phoenix team and edited by Rania Kisar. The items are curated, concise summaries of news items hyperlinked within each story. The items and summaries presented do not necessarily represent the views of the American Center for Levant Studies.
