Syrian Arab Republic: Flash Update No. 13 on the Recent Developments in Syria (as of 29 January 2025) [EN/AR]

This Flash Update covers the period between 22 to 28 January 2025, following recent developments in Syria that led to the takeover of new caretaker authorities on 8 December 2024. To read the previous OCHA Flash Updates, please click here.

Highlights

• Hostilities persist in the north-eastern region of Syria, affecting eastern Aleppo, Al-Hasakeh and ArRaqqa, with reports of civilian casualties. Over 25,000 people have been newly displaced from Menbij, eastern Aleppo, due to intensified fighting.
• Clashes and other violent incidents were also reported in Coastal Area and Quneitra over the past week, with the countryside of Coastal Area experiencing a rise in criminal activities.
• Across governorates, the lack of public services and liquidity constraints are severely affecting communities and the humanitarian response. In Homs and Hama, electricity is available for only 45 to 60 minutes every eight hours.
• Underfunding of the response is leading to serious humanitarian consequences. In north-west Syria, 102 health facilities had already run out of funds since the start of 2025.
• The UN and humanitarian partners are appealing for US$1.2 billion to help the most vulnerable 6.7 million people in Syria through March 2025.

Situation Overview

Over the past week, hostilities continued to impact the north-eastern region of Syria, particularly in eastern Aleppo and around the Tishreen Dam, as well as Al-Hasakeh and Ar-Raqqa governorates.

Shelling and other incidents were reported in eastern Aleppo following a week of intensified attacks. On 27 January, hostilities re-intensified around the Tishreen Dam and Qurret Qawagez bridge, with shelling and airstrikes reported in Menbij and other sub-districts in eastern Aleppo. On 25 January, shelling struck a town in the Menbij countryside, resulting in unverified casualties among children. Two days earlier, on 23 January, hostilities affected a camp in Jarablus, injuring two children and five men while destroying five shelters. On the same day, a car bomb detonated in front of a local hospital and school in Menbij city, reportedly killing one civilian and injuring seven others, according to partners.

Over 25,000 people have been newly displaced from Menbij due to intensified fighting over the past week, according to the IDP Taskforce. As a result, the number of newly displaced people has increased from 627,000 people, recorded on 20 January, to 652,000 as of 27 January.

Meanwhile, clashes and conflict-related violence were also reported in other governorates, including Coastal Area and the South over the past week. The countryside of Coastal Area witnessed increased criminal activities, including looting and vandalism, constraining the movements of civilians during night hours. On 25 January, several civilian houses in rural Tartous were looted. Partners reported that school attendance in Tartous and Lattakia is low because of security concerns. Meanwhile, in the South, Israeli incursion activities continued to be reported in Quneitra over the past week.