Evening Brief: Syria’s New Foreign Minister Meets Putin, US Navy Ends Search for Missing Sailor in Timor Sea

· Guy D. McCardle

USS George Washington (CVN 73) conducts dual operations alongside HMS Prince of Wales (R09) during Talisman Sabre in the Timor Sea. (DVIDS)

Tonight’s SOFREP Evening Brief brings you the latest: A deadly day in Gaza has drawn renewed US diplomatic attention, while Syria’s post-Assad leadership makes its first move toward Moscow. The UN prepares for a major refugee return effort, and tensions rise in Ethiopia as violence spreads. Meanwhile, Western nations confront Iran over transnational threats, and Ukraine reels from another brutal Russian strike. From defense contracts to frontline developments, here’s what you need to know before this month ends.

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Trump Envoy Arrives in Israel as Gaza Aid Death Toll Rises, Famine Worsens

US special envoy Steve Witkoff arrived in Israel on Thursday to discuss Gaza’s deteriorating humanitarian crisis amid reports that at least 91 Palestinians died in the past 24 hours while trying to access food aid.

Alongside US Ambassador Mike Huckabee, Witkoff will inspect aid distribution sites in Gaza on Friday.

The Gaza Health Ministry reported that 54 people were killed near the Zikim crossing while waiting for aid. Israel claims warning shots were fired but denied responsibility for injuries. Other officials suggested that gunfire erupted within the crowd.

Aid drops in central Gaza have caused chaos and violence, with desperate civilians fighting over supplies.

Despite international pressure, only 270 trucks and 32 airdropped pallets entered Gaza on Wednesday, far below the 500-600 trucks a day needed. Aid agencies warn famine is now unfolding after months of a near-total blockade.

Germany, once a firm ally of Israel, has increased criticism of Tel Aviv’s conduct in Gaza. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul urged more aid access and renewed focus on a two-state solution during his visit to Israel and the West Bank.

While Germany has not committed to recognizing a Palestinian state, Wadephul emphasized the need to begin that process.

Witkoff’s visit marks the first US-Israeli diplomatic contact since both countries pulled negotiators from Qatar last week.

US President Donald Trump reiterated calls for Hamas to surrender and release the 50 remaining hostages from its October 7 attack, which killed 1,200 Israelis and triggered Israel’s retaliatory offensive. Gaza’s Health Ministry reports over 60,000 Palestinian deaths to date.

 

Syria’s New Foreign Minister Meets Putin in First Post-Assad Visit to Moscow

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani visited Moscow on Thursday in the first official trip by a member of Syria’s new government since the ouster of former President Bashar Assad.

Al-Shibani met with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, signaling Russia’s intent to build ties with Damascus’ new leadership under interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa.

Russia, which backed Assad for over a decade, did not intervene during the rebel offensive that led to his downfall in December but provided him refuge.

Al-Shibani emphasized Syria’s commitment to continued cooperation with Moscow and called for Russian support in the country’s post-Assad “transitional justice” process. He also noted Syria has launched a review of past agreements with Russia.

The two sides discussed regional security, military cooperation, and Russia’s ongoing presence at air and naval bases along Syria’s coast.

Syrian Defense Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra also met with Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov.

Lavrov reaffirmed Moscow’s support for Syria’s unity and reconstruction efforts and thanked Syrian officials for ensuring the security of Russian personnel and facilities.

Al-Shibani and al-Sharaa have taken a pragmatic approach to Russia, despite past tensions during the civil war. Both criticized ongoing Israeli strikes in Syrian territory, which have escalated amid clashes involving the Druze minority.

Al-Shibani said Syria seeks peace and reconstruction, declaring, “We pose no threat to Israel. We are tired of the war over the past 14 years.”

 

UN Expects Up to 200,000 Syrian Refugees to Return from Lebanon by Year-End

The UN refugee agency (UNHCR) announced plans to assist up to 200,000 Syrian refugees in returning from Lebanon to Syria by the end of 2025, following a sharp rise in interest among refugees since the fall of former Syrian President Bashar Assad last December.

Prior to Assad’s ouster, just one percent of Syrian refugees in Lebanon planned to return. Now, that figure has now climbed to 24 percent, according to outgoing UNHCR Lebanon representative Ivo Freijsen.

Lebanon, once host to 1.5 million Syrian refugees, still shelters around 1 million. Under the new voluntary return plan, refugees will receive $100 per family member, transportation, and waived residency fines.

UN agencies will also assist with legal documentation, mental health support, and reintegration efforts upon arrival in Syria.

The UNHCR confirmed 120,000 spontaneous returns since Assad’s fall and hopes to scale the program to meet a high-end goal of 400,000 returns by year’s end. At least 17,000 refugees have already registered under the plan.

However, Freijsen cautioned that Syria’s shattered economy, where 90 percent live in poverty, remains a major hurdle.

Despite diplomatic progress and the recent lifting of US sanctions under President Donald Trump, instability and economic hardship persist.

Meanwhile, over 100,000 new refugees have fled Syria into Lebanon since Assad’s fall, mostly Shiites and Alawites fearing retribution from the new Sunni-led government.

Sectarian violence and revenge attacks have complicated return prospects and strained Lebanon’s already limited resources. Aid cuts have further reduced support for both longstanding and newly arrived refugee populations.

 

Red Cross Warns of Civilian Toll as Ethiopian Army Clashes with OLA in Oromia

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) warned Thursday that the ongoing conflict between the Ethiopian Army and the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) in Oromia is having “devastating consequences” for civilians, especially in remote areas.

Oromia, Ethiopia’s most populous region with around 40 million people, has been the site of escalating violence since 2018.

The OLA, designated a terrorist group by the government, claims to fight for Oromo rights. Peace talks have failed, and skirmishes continue to cut off communities from healthcare and aid.

The ICRC highlighted the danger for civilians living along shifting front lines, where violence frequently disrupts movement and access to essential services.

The OLA’s strength has reportedly grown, but analysts believe it remains too poorly armed and organized to pose a serious threat to the central government. In one 2023 attack blamed on the group, 48 people, including a local official, were killed.

Ethiopia remains mired in multiple conflicts despite the 2022 peace deal ending the war in Tigray. Federal forces are also battling the Fano People’s Militia in Amhara, the country’s second most populous region.

The nation of 130 million continues to face severe internal instability.

 

US, NATO Allies Condemn Iranian Threats Against Dissidents in West

The United States and 13 NATO allies, along with Austria, issued a joint statement Thursday accusing Iran of escalating attempts to target dissidents, journalists, Jewish citizens, and former officials across Europe and North America.

The countries condemned Iran’s intelligence services for collaborating with criminal organizations to conduct surveillance, harassment, and assassination plots, calling such actions “clear violations of our sovereignty.”

Signatories vowed to cooperate in disrupting Iranian plots and demanded Tehran immediately halt these operations. While no specific incident was cited, Western officials have long warned of Iranian-sponsored threats.

The United Kingdom recently charged three suspected Iranian spies with planning violence against journalists, and German authorities reported an arrest tied to alleged Iranian intelligence targeting Jewish sites in Berlin.

British intelligence labeled Iran a “persistent and unpredictable threat.”

Despite this, the Trump administration earlier this year ended US government protection for several former officials, including John Bolton, Mike Pompeo, and Brian Hook, previously under threat from Iranian-backed plots.

 

Marine Reserve Sergeant Dies After Collapsing During Fitness Test in Florida

Sgt. Gordon Reed, a Marine reservist with the 4th Marine Logistics Group, died after collapsing during a physical fitness test (PFT) at Navy Reserve Center Orlando on June 24, Military.com reported Thursday.

According to the Marine Forces Reserve, Reed was transported to Orlando Regional Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

The Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) has launched an investigation into the incident, which remains ongoing. Additional safety and command investigations are planned following NCIS’s findings.

The cause of death has not yet been determined, and officials have not confirmed if factors like heat or hydration contributed.

An on-site corpsman provided immediate aid before Reed was transported via ambulance.

Marine officials notified his next of kin the same day.

Reed, believed to be around 30 years old, is remembered as a dedicated Marine, husband, and father. A GoFundMe campaign has been set up in his honor.

Although the incident was noted in a Naval Safety Command report, the Marine Corps did not issue a public release until questioned.

Marine Forces Reserve stated it delayed public disclosure to ensure accuracy and completeness pending investigation results.

 

US Navy Ends Search for Missing USS George Washington Sailor in Timor Sea

The US Navy has suspended its search for a sailor believed to have gone overboard from the USS George Washington (CVN-73) on Monday during operations in the Timor Sea, north of mainland Australia.

The search was officially called off at 12:40 p.m. Wednesday, two days after the sailor was reported missing.

The sailor’s identity has not been released, pending next-of-kin notification.

The incident occurred while the George Washington Carrier Strike Group was participating in Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025, a major US-Australia joint military drill involving nearly 20 nations.

Navy units involved in the search included cruiser USS Robert Smalls (CG-62), destroyer USS Shoup (DDG-86), various aircraft, and helicopters. Australia contributed a P-8 Poseidon patrol aircraft and border force vessels.

Weather conditions were clear, and sea temperatures were around 78°F at the time of the incident.

The cause and timeline of the overboard event remain under investigation.

Talisman Sabre 2025 is scheduled to run through early August and is the largest military exercise hosted by Australia, emphasizing joint Indo-Pacific readiness and cooperation.

 

AM General Secures Contract for More Humvees for US Army

AM General has recently received a $126.5 million contract to supply additional M1165A1B3 Humvees to the US Army, raising the total value of its ongoing contract to $3 billion.

The Pentagon did not specify the number of vehicles in the latest order, which adds to the Army’s current fleet of approximately 120,000 Humvees.

Production will take place in South Bend, Indiana, with completion expected by August 2027.

The company will coordinate with the Army Contracting Command – Detroit Arsenal in Michigan to fulfill the order.

This new contract follows AM General’s separate $150 million contract with Israel, which will begin receiving Humvees later this year to replenish systems lost in the ongoing conflict with Hamas and to strengthen future readiness.

First introduced in the 1980s, the 4×4 Humvee platform has seen numerous upgrades. It can carry up to six personnel, reach speeds over 70 mph, and travel up to 350 miles. It supports various weapon configurations, including grenade launchers, machine guns, and anti-tank missile systems.

 

Leonardo to Acquire Iveco Defense, Expanding European Land Systems Presence

Italian defense giant Leonardo announced Wednesday it will acquire Iveco Defense for 1.7 billion euros ($1.95 billion), bolstering its role in Europe’s growing land defense sector.

The acquisition is expected to close in the first quarter of 2026, pending regulatory approval.

Leonardo CEO Roberto Cingolani said the move positions the company as a key player in a segment poised for sustained growth.

“The transaction consolidates our position as a reference player in the European land defense sector, a market characterized by strong future growth prospects,” said Cingolani.

Iveco Defense specializes in armored vehicles for military and civil applications.

The announcement came alongside Leonardo’s first-half financial results, which showed an 11.7% increase in revenues to 8.9 billion euros ($10.1 billion), with full-year revenue projections holding steady at 18.6 billion euros ($21.2 billion).

 

Russian Missile Barrage Kills 13 in Kyiv, Injures 132 in Largest Child Casualty Attack

Russian missile and drone airstrikes on Kyiv overnight killed at least 13 civilians, including a 6-year-old boy, and injured 132 others, Ukrainian authorities reported Thursday.

Among the wounded were 14 children, marking the highest number of children injured in a single attack on the capital since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in 2022.

The Ukrainian Air Force said Russia launched 309 Shahed drones and eight Iskander-K cruise missiles. Ukrainian defenses intercepted 288 drones and three missiles, but five missiles and 21 drones struck targets. The attacks hit 27 locations across Kyiv, collapsing part of a nine-story residential building and damaging over 100 structures, including homes, schools, and hospitals.

In eastern Ukraine, Russian forces also struck a residential building in Kramatorsk, killing one and injuring 11.

The Russian Defense Ministry claimed its forces captured the strategic city of Chasiv Yar in Donetsk, though Ukrainian officials denied this, saying heavy fighting continues and parts of the city remain contested.

The strikes coincided with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s renewed plea for Western nations to uphold defense commitments and pressure Moscow toward genuine negotiations.

US President Trump has issued an August 8 deadline for Russia to show progress in peace talks or face new sanctions and tariffs. Western leaders accuse Russia of stalling diplomacy to seize more territory. Meanwhile, Russian drone debris disrupted rail traffic in Volgograd and caused a fire in Penza, though no casualties were reported.

 

Ukraine Restores Anti-Corruption Watchdog Independence After Backlash

Ukraine’s Parliament on Thursday overwhelmingly passed a bill reinstating the independence of two key anti-corruption bodies, reversing a controversial move by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy last week that had placed them under the prosecutor general’s oversight.

The bill passed with 331 votes and just nine abstentions, and Zelenskyy signed it into law within two hours.

Zelenskyy’s initial measure drew sharp criticism from the European Union (EU), international rights groups, and domestic civil society, prompting nationwide protests, the first major demonstrations since Russia’s 2022 full-scale invasion.

Critics warned the move threatened to weaken Ukraine’s anti-graft progress, which is central to its EU membership ambitions and continued access to Western aid.

EU leaders welcomed the swift reversal. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas praised Ukraine’s recommitment to democratic values, while Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos called the new law a necessary correction but warned challenges remain.

Zelenskyy said the new law ensures independent operation of anti-corruption bodies and law enforcement and pledged to prevent political interference.

Transparency International Ukraine had previously labeled the original reform one of the most damaging since the 2014 Revolution of Dignity.

The parliamentary vote took place in a high-tension session, briefly interrupted by a fistfight between lawmakers. As Ukraine faces escalating Russian attacks and uncertain Western resupply, Zelenskyy emphasized the importance of preserving public trust and institutional integrity amid war.

 

Sources: News Agencies