SANA - Syrian Arab News Agency

Damascus, Jan. 11 (SANA) Syria’s Ministry of Health launched a workshop in Damascus to implement the Field Epidemiology Training Program (FETP) curriculum. The event is being held at the Armitage Hotel and will run until January 15.

Officials said the workshop aims to strengthen public health capacities and improve the readiness of health personnel to meet current and future challenges.

The event is part of the Syrian government’s broader efforts to rehabilitate the health sector, which was heavily impacted by the 14-year war under the deposed regime.

Rabat, Jan. 11 (SANA) The Egyptian national football team has qualified for the semi-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations after defeating Côte d’Ivoire 3–2 in Saturday’s quarter-final in Morocco.

Egypt’s goals came from Omar Marmoush in the 4th minute, Ramy Rabia in the 32nd, and Mohamed Salah in the 52nd. Côte d’Ivoire scored through an own goal by Ahmed Abou El Fotouh in the 40th minute and Doué in the 73rd.

In the semi-finals, Egypt will face Senegal, while hosts Morocco will play Nigeria in the other match.

N.J

Damascus, Jan. 11 (SANA) German writer and researcher Heike Weber delivered a lecture at “Zawaya” Gallery in Damascus, shedding light on Syria’s rich tradition of handicrafts, particularly embroidery, as a deeply rooted cultural identity.

Weber emphasized the resilience of intangible heritage in the Middle East, noting that while wars and disasters have destroyed much of the region’s material heritage, traditional crafts have endured as vital symbols of identity. She drew parallels with the Palestinian experience, where embroidery became a form of cultural resistance and economic survival under occupation.

Highlighting Syria’s unique role as a crossroads of civilizations, Weber pointed to ancient Egyptian manuscripts from the second millennium BC that referenced embroidered textiles from “Retnu” (ancient Syria), underscoring the antiquity of the craft. She explained that Syrian embroidery carries symbolic meanings—such as the “cross stitch” representing life and death, and the “sun stitch” linked to Baal, the Canaanite god of fertility.

Weber also shared her personal experience supervising over a thousand women in northern Syria working in embroidery, stressing its importance for local economies and cultural preservation. She referred to her book “Anat and Her Hero Baal,” written during her stay in Syria since 1982, which explores embroidery patterns across the Levant and their philosophical symbolism.

“Zawaya” Gallery director Rola Suleiman concluded by stressing the importance of cultural initiatives in safeguarding Syria’s identity, warning that much of the country’s heritage remains undocumented and must be preserved as a global treasure.

Aleppo, Jan. 11 (SANA) Aleppo Governor Azzam al-Gharib said on Sunday that security conditions in the neighborhoods of Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh are steadily improving, signaling a gradual return to stability in the northern Syrian city following the end of the SDF organization’s latest escalation.

In a statement posted on the social media platform X, al-Gharib said: “The chapter of anxiety has been closed, and today Aleppo is safe with its people, strong in their unity, and fortified by their will.”

He added that authorities are continuing field operations to consolidate security and restore normal life across all districts. “Aleppo is safe today, and will be more stable tomorrow,” the governor affirmed.

The remarks come after the Syrian Arab Army announced the end of the military operation in the two neighborhoods and the transfer of SDF organization elements to areas in northeastern Syria, marking the conclusion of the organization’s latest escalation

Aleppo, Jan. 10 (SANA) Minister of Energy Mohammad al-Bashir announced early Sunday that water pumping to Aleppo governorate and its countryside has resumed following a temporary suspension that lasted several hours due to the shutdown of the key Babiri Water Pumping Station in the eastern Aleppo countryside.

In a statement to SANA, Minister al-Bashir said: “We assure our people in Aleppo governorate and its countryside that water pumping to the area has been resumed after addressing the causes that led to the suspension.”

On Saturday, the Ministry of Energy said that water pumping had stopped at 5:30 p.m. local time following orders issued by SDF organization military personnel. It added that it was working to restore water supplies from the Babiri station, the main source of water for Aleppo city and its countryside.

The minister stressed the Ministry’s full commitment to taking all necessary technical and logistical measures to ensure the continuity of water pumping and prevent future interruptions. He added that the Ministry’s institutions in the governorate continue to work around the clock to restore vital services across Aleppo’s neighborhoods and towns and to improve service delivery to citizens.

M.S

Riyadh, Jan. 11 (SANA) The Syrian Olympic football team defeated the Qatari team 1–0 in the second round of the group stage of the AFC Asian Cup, held in Saudi Arabia.

Syria’s winning goal was scored by Mahmoud al-Aswad in the 85th minute.

In Group B standings, Japan tops the group with six points, followed by the UAE and Syria with three points each, while Qatar is in fourth place with no points.

R.A

Aleppo, Jan. 11 (SANA) Buses carrying the final group of SDF organization elements departed shortly after midnight on Saturday from the Sheikh Maqsoud neighborhood in Aleppo toward northeastern Syria, SANA reporter in the city said.

The departure marked the end of the SDF organization’s escalation in the Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh neighborhoods of Aleppo against residential areas.

The Syrian Arab Army announced on Saturday the end of all military operations in the two neighborhoods, stating that SDF militants entrenched in Yassin Hospital would be transferred to the city of al-Tabqa in northeastern Syria, and that their weapons would be confiscated.

The statement added that the Army would begin handing over health and government facilities in the neighborhood to state institutions and would gradually withdraw its forces from the streets of Sheikh Maqsoud.

N.J

Damascus, Jan. 11 (SANA) The Syrian Network for Human Rights (SNHR) has condemned the drone attack carried out by the SDF organization targeting the Aleppo Governorate building, stressing the need to avoid attacks on civilians and civilian facilities and to respect the principles of international humanitarian law.

In a statement issued Sunday, the Network described the shelling of the Governorate building as a direct and unlawful assault that may amount to a war crime, since the site is a civilian facility protected under international law.

The statement further noted that the presence of journalists and media workers at the time of the attack exacerbates the gravity of the violation.

On Saturday, January 10th, Aleppo’s Media Directorate announced that the SDF organization struck the Governorate building with a drone during a press conference attended by Aleppo Governor Azzam Al-Gharib, alongside Information Minister Hamza Al-Mustafa and Minister of Social Affairs and Labor Hind Kabawat, to discuss recent developments in the city.

The Directorate emphasized that this attack reflects the criminal conduct pursued by the SDF organization in an attempt to silence the media and prevent the truth from reaching public opinion.

Aleppo, Jan. 11 (SANA) Buses carrying the SDf organization fighters began leaving Aleppo’s Sheikh Maqsoud neighborhood toward northeastern Syria.

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Damascus, Jan.10 (SANA) Syria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Ibrahim Olabi, accompanied by UN Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix, conducted a field visit to southern Syria on Saturday to examine the situation on the ground.

During the visit, Olabi and Lacroix held a series of meetings with officials of Quneitra Governorate, local community leaders, and a number of civilians affected by Israeli violations. They also reviewed the field and humanitarian conditions in the area.

The tour included visits to several military positions belonging to the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) within the buffer zone.

The visit comes as part of ongoing efforts to track repeated Israeli violations of Syrian territory, ensure respect for the Disengagement Agreement, and reinforce the security and safety of civilians.

A/Dh

Tartous, Jan. 10 (SANA) The Internal Security Directorate in Banyas area of Tartous province successfully dismantled two explosive devices planted near al-Anaza Bridge on the Lattakia–Tartous highway.

According to a statement published by Tartous Governorate Saturday, security patrols were immediately deployed extensively around the site to secure the area and prevent any potential danger to pedestrians and vehicles, while specialized engineering teams from the Ministry of Defense handled and neutralized the devices.

In recent days, the Internal Security Command in Tartous conducted a large-scale operation targeting around 30 locations, including leaders of deposed regime remnants, inciters, and lawbreakers. The operation led to the arrest of several involved individuals with weapons and ammunition also seized.

Additionally, two days ago, the Internal Security Directorate in Tartous defused an explosive device that had been planted in a building under construction in the Radar neighborhood.

Aleppo, Jan. 10 (SANA) Syria’s Ministry of Energy said water supplies to Aleppo were cut after pumping was halted at the Babiri water station in the eastern Aleppo countryside, following a direct attack by SDF organization elements.

In a statement, the ministry said water pumping stopped at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday after orders were issued by SDF organization military personnel. The Babiri station, which is under SDF control, is the main source of water for Aleppo city and its countryside.

The disruption has had widespread repercussions across the province, affecting daily life and essential services for residents, the ministry said. It held the SDF fully responsible for the deliberate shutdown, which constitutes a violation of humanitarian and international norms.

The ministry said it is working to restore water supplies and urged relevant authorities and international organizations to address actions that threaten essential services and humanitarian conditions for millions of residents.

Aleppo Governor Azzam al-Gharib strongly condemned the SDF organization’s halt of water pumping from the Babiri Water Station in the eastern Aleppo countryside, cutting off supplies to residents across Aleppo province.

He said the station is the sole source of drinking water for more than four million people in the province, describing the move as a crime against humanity and a clear violation of international law.

Amman, Jan. 10 (SANA) Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi and his Egyptian counterpart, Badr Abdelatty, discussed regional developments, particularly in Syria, during a phone call on Saturday.

According to the Jordan News Agency, the two ministers stressed the importance of achieving security and stability in Syria, respecting its sovereignty and territorial integrity, and ensuring the safety of its citizens.

On Gaza, both sides underscored the need to fully implement the ceasefire agreement, facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid, and move toward the second phase of the deal. They also highlighted the importance of creating conditions for early recovery and preserving the unity of Palestinian territory.

Regarding Lebanon, the ministers called for an end to Israeli attacks and reaffirmed support for Lebanon’s security, stability, sovereignty, and efforts to strengthen its national institutions.

The two ministers also reiterated Jordan’s and Egypt’s rejection of Israel’s recognition of “Somaliland,” reaffirming their full support for Somalia’s sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity, which they described as essential to stability in the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea region. They further expressed support for dialogue in Yemen to ensure security and stability while respecting the country’s sovereignty.

Aleppo, Jan. 10 (SANA) Syrian Minister of Information Hamza al-Mustafa condemned repeated attacks by the SDF organization on civil and public facilities, describing them as reflecting the organization’s criminal nature.

Al-Mustafa said in a post on X that over the past eight months, the SDF organization has carried out approximately 350 attacks from the Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh neighborhoods, targeting schools, hospitals, and other vital infrastructure, resulting in more than 30 deaths and dozens of injuries.

The Minister added that the latest attack, which occurred during a government press conference, underscores the organization’s criminal nature and its hostility toward media work that exposes its false claims and militia-style operations, contrary to the slogans it promotes.

Earlier, the Aleppo Media Directorate reported that the SDF targeted the governorate building with a drone while a press conference was underway, attended by Governor Azzam al-Gharib, Minister al-Mustafa, and Minister of Social Affairs and Labor Hind Kabawat.

Aleppo, Jan. 10 (SANA) Syrian Minister of Social Affairs and Labor Hind Kabawat visited shelter centers in Afrin, in Aleppo’s countryside on Saturday, to assess conditions for families displaced from Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh neighborhoods.

Accompanied by regional officials, Kabawat inspected living conditions, reviewed families’ basic needs, and emphasized ongoing government support. She said authorities are coordinating with relevant agencies to ensure essential services while maintaining the dignity and safety of those affected.

The visit comes amid expanded relief efforts in Aleppo, which include opening and equipping temporary shelters and distributing essential supplies. The governorate also launched a Central Committee for Aleppo Response to coordinate the work of key directorates and unify relief operations.

Governor Azzam al-Gharib reported that 155,000 displaced people from Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh have been sheltered in temporary centers.

Damascus, Jan 10 (SANA) Minister of Defense, Major General Murhaf Abu Qasra, held a telephone conversation with his Turkish counterpart, Yaşar Güler, to discuss developments in Aleppo and issues of common interest.

The talks focused on recent developments in Aleppo’s Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh neighborhoods. Güler expressed Turkey’s support for the Syrian state in its efforts to extend sovereignty across all Syrian territory.

Minister Abu Qasra expressed his gratitude for Turkey’s supportive stance, highlighting the importance of continued cooperation between the two ministries.

On the 30th of last month, the Turkish Minister of Defense discussed several issues of mutual interest with a delegation from the Syrian Ministry of Defense, headed by Major General Ali al-Nassan, Chief of the General Staff, in Ankara.

Aleppo, Jan 10 (SANA) The Media Director of the Aleppo Health Directorate, Munir al-Mohammad, said that the death toll from recent attacks on residential neighborhoods by SDF organization has risen to 23, with 104 others injured, between Tuesday and Saturday.

Al-Mohammad indicated that among the victims were a child, four women, and a dental student who was shot by a sniper.

He added that most of the injured are women and children, with several cases in critical condition and at risk of death.

Aleppo has witnessed a sharp escalation as the SDF organization intensified drone and shelling attacks on residential areas, causing civilian casualties and damage to infrastructure.

These assaults come amid government efforts to restore stability through limited security operations in certain neighborhoods.

Damascus, Jan. 10 (SANA) The General Authority of Civil Aviation and Air Transport announced Saturday that Aleppo International Airport will remain closed to air traffic until further notice, in light of recent developments. The measure aims to ensure the safety of passengers and flight crews, and to maintain the security of airport operations.

The authority emphasized in a statement that the closure is precautionary and temporary, pending the completion of technical and security assessments in coordination with relevant authorities. Official updates will be issued as soon as a decision is made to resume flights, and passengers are advised to check with their airlines for the latest information, the statement added.

Flights to and from Aleppo Airport were initially suspended last Wednesday following shelling by the SDF organization against residential neighborhoods in the city, which involved both artillery and drone attacks.

Aleppo, Jan. (SANA) The Operation Command of the Syrian Arab Army said Saturday that the SDF organization has entered a new phase of military escalation against the Syrian people by targeting the city of Aleppo, its civil institutions, mosques, and facilities with more than 10 Iranian-made drones, causing multiple injuries and significant property damage.

The command told SANA that “in response to this escalation, the army struck the launch sites of these drones using appropriate measures,” adding that the army also destroyed several heavy tracked and wheeled vehicles at an SDF organization site—specific details will be released later.

The command warned that “this marks the army’s initial response,” noting that further phases of the response will be carried out at the appropriate time and place.

Earlier Saturday, the SDF organization targeted the Aleppo Governorate with a suicide drone, causing property damage but no injuries.