Syria-Pakistan trade push: Syrian FM Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani visited Islamabad for talks with PM Shehbaz Sharif and ministers, aiming to expand cooperation across politics, defense, trade, investment, education and people-to-people links, with plans to restore direct flights and set up a business council and investment forum in Damascus. Defense alignment debate: Syria said it hasn’t decided yet whether to join the Turkey–Saudi Arabia–Pakistan Mecca Joint Defense Agreement, while calling Türkiye a key partner in reconstruction and stressing Israeli strikes must end first. Reconstruction & security cooperation: In parallel, Syrian officials met Pakistan’s military leadership to deepen security and defense coordination. Humanitarian ID upgrade: UNRWA expanded its eUNRWA digital ID platform in Lebanon, using it to authenticate aid for Palestinian refugees from Syria, including monthly cash support for eligible households. Justice & detention concerns: A Syrian detainee’s death in Latakia after alleged beating sparked protests and a government investigation, with an investigator detained and procedural shortcomings cited. Regional logistics pressure: Iraq signaled it will boost oil exports via Türkiye’s Ceyhan port and also develop routes through Syria’s Baniyas and Jordan’s Aqaba as Hormuz disruptions persist.