The court convicted Bashar al-Assad of crimes including premeditated murder , torture, arbitrary detention and crimes against humanity. Six other former officials were also sentenced to death in absentia.

But one member of the Assad family was actually in the Damascus courtroom.

Atef Najib, Assad's cousin and former head of political security in Daraa, stood inside a cage wearing a prison uniform as he received his own death sentence.

Najib's case takes Syria back to where its uprising began. In 2011, 15 young people were detained and tortured after anti-government graffiti appeared in Daraa. Their treatment helped trigger protests that spread across the country, followed by a government crackdown and a civil war lasting almost 14 years.

For Syria's new authorities, the verdicts are part of a wider effort to hold former Assad-era officials accountable and establish a system of transitional justice .

But the process is already facing scrutiny.

Human rights and legal observers have raised concerns about the speed and fairness of the proceedings. Monitors of Najib's trial reported inadequate legal representation and weaknesses in witness testimony, while questions remain about applying crimes against humanity under Syria's existing legal framework.

Rights advocates who welcomed the move towards accountability have also stressed that future proceedings need to respect fair-trial standards, defence rights and judicial independence.

The challenge is particularly important in a country still dealing with violence after Assad's fall, including killings involving Alawite and Druze communities.

Questions also remain about whether Bashar and Maher Assad will ever face Syrian justice in person. Both remain in Russia, making their sentences largely symbolic unless they are eventually returned to Syria.

Intense clashes broke out between the Syrian army and Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in Deir Ezzor, marking one of the most significant flare-ups in recent months. Both sides exchanged fire using light and medium weapons following alleged infiltration attempts by SDF units. The fighting underscores persistent friction between government forces and Kurdish-led groups in the oil-rich eastern region.

Syrian security dismantles Latakia cells linked to Assad associates

The Syrian Interior Ministry announced that it dismantled several cells in Latakia purportedly tied to associates of the former Assad regime. Authorities allege that these groups were engaged in destabilising activities aimed at undermining national security . The crackdown suggests that internal challenges from loyalist remnants continue to test the authority of the country’s new leadership.

Arab and Gulf nations cautiously engage with Syria’s new leadership

Arab and Gulf nations are showing cautious openness toward President Ahmad al-Sharaa’s administration after years of diplomatic estrangement. This measured re-engagement signals a potential thaw in regional relations, with nations like Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar exploring avenues for political and economic cooperation while maintaining careful distance amid lingering concerns about Syria’s stability and governance.

Syria accelerates destruction of Assad-era chemical weapons

In a move symbolising a break from its controversial past, Syria announced plans to fast-track the destruction of chemical weapons remnants dating back to the Assad era. The initiative, overseen by the current government, is intended to rebuild international trust and demonstrate a commitment to compliance with global disarmament norms. Analysts view this as both a domestic reform step and a diplomatic signal to Western powers.

Germany seeks deportation deal with Syria amid refugee policy shifts

Germany is negotiating a deportation agreement with Damascus to return Syrian refugees lacking valid residence permits. Meanwhile, the Syrian government has offered free flights home for returnees under specific conditions. The proposal has drawn concern from human rights groups, who warn of potential violations and the risks facing those sent back to unstable regions.