SANA - Syrian Arab News Agency

Damascus, Jan. 2 (SANA) Idleb Governor Mohammad Abdul Rahman on Friday visited displaced residents living in camps in the north of the province, following severe weather and a snowstorm that struck the area.

The visit coincided with the launch of a campaign to distribute 1,000 tonnes of heating materials to camp residents, aimed at easing hardships caused by the extreme weather. The initiative was carried out under the governor’s supervision and supported by the Idleb Loyalty Campaign Fund.

Speaking to SANA, the governor said the campaign aims to deliver heating supplies to camps across rural Idleb. He pledged those efforts would continue to secure more than the initial 1,000 tonnes to cover all camps in different areas.

He noted that distribution has already taken place in most camps through humanitarian organizations and local benefactors, coordinated with the governorate and the Social Affairs and Labour Directorate. Supplies were being delivered on Friday to camps that had not yet received heating materials. He emphasized continued support for displaced families until they can return to their homes.

The governor said Idleb authorities had raised readiness levels across all service sectors to respond to the snowstorm and flooding in recent days, continuing to operate under a comprehensive emergency plan to meet residents’ needs, particularly in the camps.

He said an emergency response centre was activated at the onset of the storm, with full mobilization of directorates and field teams. Conditions in the camps remain very difficult, he added, noting that since the start of winter the governorate has been distributing heating supplies in cooperation with the Social Affairs Directorate and humanitarian organizations.

The governor said several humanitarian organizations had halted support for camps and shifted focus to reconstruction projects. He stressed that the governorate is working to address the crisis at its roots by rehabilitating damaged rural areas in Idlib, Hama and Aleppo, and restoring essential services to enable residents to return to their towns and gradually end the camp situation.

Displaced families have lived for years in camps across northern Syria after being forced to leave their homes due to armed attacks and forced displacement policies pursued by the deposed Assad regime. The vast majority of these families remain in temporary shelters, facing weak infrastructure and limited resources.

The need for heating, especially during winter, is among the most pressing humanitarian challenges for camp residents. Officials say that providing assistance, including the distribution of heating supplies, is intended to ease the impact of harsh weather conditions and ensure a minimum standard of dignified living for displaced civilians.

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Tartous , Jan. 2 (SANA) The Internal Security Directorate in Safita, in Tartous countryside, carried out a joint operation with the local Counterterrorism Branch that led to the arrest of Shujaa Ibrahim, identified as the leader of a faction belonging to the “al-Taramih” militia. The group was linked to Division 25, formerly commanded by the criminal Suhail al-Hassan during the rule of the former regime.

Preliminary findings showed that Ibrahim had held a senior position within the militia in the town of Khattab, in Hama province. He allegedly used his role to organize and coordinate criminal activities carried out against local residents, the Ministry of Interior stated on Friday.

The ministry added that the arrested has been transferred to the Counterterrorism Directorate to complete legal procedures and necessary investigations, ahead of referral to the competent judiciary.

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Aleppo, Jan. 2 (SANA) Chief of the General Staff, Major General Ali al-Nassan, held talks on Friday with commanders of military divisions stationed in Aleppo province and surrounding areas.

During the meeting, he reviewed the latest developments on the ground.

They also discussed measures to boost joint coordination between divisions and combat units, aiming to ensure the highest levels of operational readiness.

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Daraa, , Jan. 2 (SANA) An Israeli occupation military unit advanced on Friday evening toward the abandoned Jumla outpost in the Yarmouk Basin area, west of Syria’s Daraa province.

The force, consisting of four military vehicles and around 20 soldiers, moved into the Jumla site, took positions around it, and later withdrew after a short period, according to SANA’s correspondent.

Israel continues its aggressive policies and repeated breaches of the 1974 Disengagement Agreement through incursions into the southern Syrian countryside and attacks on civilians.

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Damascus, Jan. 2 (SANA) Syria’s newly issued currency combines national symbolism with modern visual design. According to officials, its motifs tell the story of land and people, drawing inspiration from the country’s historic agricultural diversity. The symbols were chosen not only for aesthetic value but also for colours reflecting the nature of each crop.

The Symbols Used

The new banknotes feature a range of agricultural motifs, including plants and animals native to Syria. Agricultural experts told SANA that the choice reflects growing awareness of farming’s role in strengthening food security and supporting the national economy.

Wheat: A Strategic Crop

The depiction of wheat ears on Syria’s largest banknote carries deep national and social meaning, said agricultural engineer Nibal Khazal. Wheat is a strategic crop central to both Syrian and global food security, and it is a staple that unites Syrians.

Cotton: Syria’s Textile industry

Cotton’s inclusion highlights its importance as an industrial crop that bolsters the economy, increases production value, and provides jobs for farmers and workers nationwide, Khazal noted.

Syrian cotton is renowned for its high quality, serving as the primary raw material for textiles and clothing. It is used extensively in local spinning and weaving factories, giving it a vital role in Syria’s textile industry and demand in both domestic and international markets.

Damascene Rose and Mulberry: A Cultural Dimension

The Damascene rose and Syrian mulberry add cultural and civilizational depth. Khazal said the rose has become both a cultural and economic crop, listed by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage, and is now part of Syria’s national identity.

Syrian mulberry is considered among the finest globally for taste and yield, and remains an important crop, particularly in rural Damascus and Quneitra.

Olive: Symbol of Peace

The olive tree and its branches symbolize peace, life, and attachment to the land. Agricultural expert Yasser Daboul said olives embody memory, labour, and continuity across generations, while providing livelihoods for many families and contributing significantly to the economy.

Citrus: A National Product

Citrus fruits are another key economic crop for thousands of Syrian families, Daboul said. They symbolize national production and resilience, supporting local industries and reflecting farmers’ determination to preserve cultivation despite climate challenges. Citrus is particularly significant in Syria’s coastal regions.

Livestock Symbols

The design also features animals such as butterflies, gazelles, Arabian horses, swallows, and sparrows. Agricultural expert Salim al-Buqai said these highlight the value of Syria’s livestock and wildlife, their role in the local economy, and the need to sustain biodiversity.

Butterflies symbolize the growth of pastures and crops, while gazelles contribute to vegetation diversity and ecological health in regions such as al-Jazira and Palmyra’s desert.

Swallows help control harmful insects, while sparrows spread seeds, both aiding agricultural productivities.

The Arabian horse carries economic and cultural significance, especially in Aleppo, Hama, and Homs, known for equestrian traditions. It also symbolizes Arab heritage and authenticity.

Minister of Agriculture: Symbols Tied to Economy, Stability and Land

The chosen symbols reflect the richness and quality of Syrian agriculture, underscoring its role as a cornerstone of the economy. By embedding agricultural wealth into the country’s monetary instruments, the design conveys both economic meaning and symbolism of stability and deep connection to the land.

Agriculture Minister Amjad Badr told SANA that selecting specific crops for the new currency carries significant weight, given their importance to Syrians and their status as strategic staples.

Badr also stressed the importance of the new design in avoiding portraits or personal symbols. Instead, it features motifs that highlight equality among Syrians. He said the current phase is one of work and national service, marked by pragmatism, realism and humility in serving the country.

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Riyadh,2. Jan (SANA) Foreign ministers from Saudi Arabia, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Pakistan, Turkey, Qatar and Egypt called on Israel to immediately lift restrictions on the entry and distribution of essential supplies to Gaza Strip.

In a joint statement qouted by the Saudi Press Agency, the ministers demanded Israel to ensure the unhindered operation of United Nations agencies and international non-governmental organisations, warning that any obstruction of their work was unacceptable.

They expressed deep concern over the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza, worsened by severe weather conditions, including heavy rain and storms, which have exposed the vulnerability of around 1.9 million people, many of them displaced and living in inadequate shelters amid continued shortages of aid.

The ministers also called on the international community to pressure Israel, as the occupying power, to allow the full and immediate entry of humanitarian assistance, including shelter materials, medical aid, water and fuel, and to open the Rafah crossing in both directions.

Provinces, Jan. 2 (SANA) Homs al-Fidaa defeated Taliya 1–0 in a tightly contested match at the Municipal Stadium in Hama, part of the third round of the Syrian Prime Professional Football League.

The only goal of the game came in the 20th minute, scored by Homs al-Fidaa striker Mohammad Malta.

Club head Najib Al-Farra told SANA the team was well-prepared despite missing several players due to injury, adding that the match was difficult as it was played against a strong Taliya side on their home ground in front of their supporters.

This marked Taliya’s first defeat of the season, after recording one win and one draw earlier, leaving them with four points.

In other third-round fixtures, Ahli Aleppo beat Damascus Ahli 5–2 at Hamdania Stadium in Aleppo, while Shorta edged past Foutoua 1–0 at al-Fayhaa Stadium in Damascus.

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Damascus,2. Jan (SANA) Syria’s Minister of Emergency and Disaster Management, Raed al-Saleh, said the country’s civil defence responded to more than 135,000 emergency and humanitarian needs in 2025, covering fires, ambulance services, search and rescue operations and the clearance of war remnants.

Speaking to SANA, the minister said that’’ civil defense teams dealt with more than 11,000 fires during the year, including around 3,000 house fires and 2,500 forest and agricultural ones. Two civil defence members were killed while fighting fires, he added.

“Search and rescue teams saved 350 people and responded to more than 270 rescue reports, while ambulance crews handled over 100,000 emergency cases,” Minister Saleh said.

Teams also removed more than 270 pieces of unexploded ordnance and carried out 1,100 awareness sessions reaching about 25,000 people.

Two volunteers were killed during operations to clear explosive remnants of war, he added.

According to the minister, the civil defence provided more than 18,000 direct services, cleared over 540,000 cubic metres of rubble and reopened hundreds of kilometres of closed roads.

He said the organizations also helped rehabilitate infrastructure by using recycled rubble to resurface roads and participated in dozens of tree-planting campaigns and community volunteer initiatives.

Beirut, Jan. 2 (SANA) Lebanese Deputy Prime Minister Tarek Mitri called Friday on Lebanon’s security agencies to strengthen cooperation with Syrian authorities to prevent any actions that could undermine Syria’s unity or threaten its security and stability from within Lebanon.

In a post on X, Mitri said reports circulating in the media about movements by supporters of Syrian defunct regime in Lebanon were “cause for concern.” He stressed that Lebanese security services must verify the information and take appropriate measures, describing this as part of their responsibility.

Mitri underscored the importance of enhanced coordination with Syrian authorities based on trust, mutual respect for the sovereignty of both countries, and shared interests.

His remarks follow the release by Al Jazeera earlier this week of leaked recordings and documents showing political and military figures who played prominent roles under the deposed Syrian regime attempting to reorganize and plan armed actions against the Syrian government following the regime’s fall, particularly in the coastal region.

The leaked materials include recordings and phone calls spanning more than 74 hours, including a call between criminal Suheil al-Hassan, who is based in Russia, and former regime brigade commander, the criminal Brigadier General Ghiath Dalla, who is believed to be in Lebanon.

London, Jan. 2 (SANA) Precious metals opened the new year on a positive note, with gold rebounding from a two-week low and other metals recovering part of last week’s losses. Despite recent volatility, the sector posted record annual gains in 2025.

(CNBC) ,an American business news channel, reported that Spot gold rose 0.8% to $4,346.69 per ounce, bouncing back after hitting a two-week trough on Wednesday. The metal had reached an all-time high of $4,549.71 on December 26. U.S. gold futures for February delivery added 0.5% to $4,360.60.

Gold surged 64% last year, marking its strongest annual performance since 1979. The rally is attributed to falling interest rates, expectations of further monetary easing by the U.S. Federal Reserve, geopolitical tensions, and robust demand from central banks.

Silver rose 2.1% to $72.75 per ounce, after hitting a record $83.62 on Monday. The metal posted a staggering 147% annual gain in 2025, its best year on record and far outpacing gold.

Platinum edged up 0.2% to $2,057.74 per ounce, having reached a record $2,478.50 earlier this week, closing 2025 with a 127% annual gain, its strongest ever.

Palladium climbed 2.4% to $1,642.90 per ounce, after posting a 76% rise in 2025, its best yearly performance in 15 years.

The strong start to 2026 reflects continued investor interest in precious metals as a safe haven amid ongoing economic uncertainty and geopolitical tensions worldwide

Damascus, Jan. 2 (SANA) Towering above Aleppo’s Old City, the Aleppo Citadel has stood for centuries as both a military stronghold and a symbol of the city’s layered history. Rising around 38 meters above its surroundings, the fortress has played a central role in Aleppo’s political, military, and urban development.

Fortification and Defensive Engineering

Surrounded by a deep defensive moat, the citadel reflects advanced military engineering. According to historian Abdullah Hajjar in his book Archaeological Landmarks of Aleppo, the moat was excavated and reinforced during the reign of Ayyubid ruler al-Zahir Ghazi, at times reaching 22 meters in depth and about 30 meters in width, and was once filled with water to strengthen defenses.

Parts of the citadel date back nearly two millennia. The lower section of its main entrance originates from the third century AD, while upper additions were made in the fifteenth century. Most of the towers and walls were built or expanded between the thirteenth and sixteenth centuries.

The citadel has repeatedly been damaged and rebuilt over the centuries. It was destroyed by the Sassanids in 540 AD, but later restored.

Inside its walls, the citadel contains mosques, military structures, and residential buildings, offering a rare glimpse into daily life within a medieval fortress. Among its landmarks are the Ibrahim al-Khalil Mosque, the Great Mosque, defensive towers, barracks, and several historic houses.

Landmarks Inside the Citadel

Archaeological excavations have uncovered remains from multiple eras, including a ninth-century BC temple, Roman and Byzantine sarcophagi, and water cisterns dating back to the reign of Byzantine Emperor Justinian, who rebuilt Aleppo’s fortifications in the sixth century against Persian invades.

The citadel flourished during the Mamluk period, when it was restored by Sultan Baybars after the 1260 Battle of Ain Jalut. Later inscriptions document victories by Mamluk rulers over Crusader and Mongol forces. Under Ottoman rule, following the Battle of Marj Dabiq in 1516, the fortress gradually lost its military role and became an administrative and residential site.

Earthquakes and Restoration

The book outlines the various stages of restoration of the Aleppo Citadel over the centuries. It highlights that al-Zahir Ghazi, son of Salah al-Din al-Ayyubi, excavated the moat, reinforced the entrance with three wrought-iron gates, and built a large mosque within the fortress. Later, al-Zahir Baybars restored the citadel after the Mongol invasion, and in 1417, Sultan al-Mu’ayyad Shaykh repaired its walls following their destruction by Timur in 1401.

Aleppo Citadel has also survived powerful earthquakes, including a devastating quake in 1138 and another in 1822, each followed by major restoration efforts led by regional rulers of the time.

Beyond the citadel itself, Hajjar’s research documents Aleppo’s wider architectural heritage, including historic bathhouses and caravanserais that once supported the city’s role as a major trade center.

After years of closure, neglect, and damage during the war, the Aleppo Citadel reopened to visitors on September 27 following months of restoration work. The site has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage landmark since 1986.

Damascus, Jan. 2 (SANA) Syrian officials held talks on Thursday with the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) on improving water services and infrastructure across the country, amid ongoing challenges to the sector.

Osama Abu Zaid, Assistant Minister of Energy for Water Resources, met with DRC’s Syria Country Director, Lisa Jean, in Damascus to review the state of Syria’s water system and explore ways to improve service sustainability.

Discussions focused on difficulties in securing water sources, improving water management efficiency, and the government’s efforts to rehabilitate damaged infrastructure. The two sides also reviewed DRC projects carried out over the past year in several provinces, including the rehabilitation of wells and pumping stations, upgrades to water distribution networks, and support for communities affected by years of war.

Officials agreed on the need for closer coordination and knowledge-sharing. They also emphasized the importance of developing programs tailored to the needs of the most affected areas, in line with national water management priorities.

The talks come as part of Syria‘s broader efforts to expand cooperation with international organizations to address severe damage to water infrastructure by the defunct regime’s bombardment during the Syrian revolution, and rising demand for basic services.

Tartous, Jan. 2 (SANA) Syrian internal security forces in the coastal province of Tartous have arrested an individual from the remnants of the deposed regime who was involved in terrorist attacks targeting the Ministry of Defense and internal security forces during the events of March 6, 2025.

In a statement published on its Telegram channel, the Tartous Governorate said investigations indicate that the individual took part in assassinations and arson attacks against an internal security patrol following an ambush on the Deir al-Bashl Bridge. The ambush was carried out by a group from the deposed regime.

Israeli occupation forces fired on civilians near al-Rafeed town in the countryside of Quneitra in southern Syria on Thursday, killing several sheep.

The civilians were searching for wild mushrooms near the disengagement line in the Quneitra countryside when the assault occurred.

Syria has repeatedly demanded the withdrawal of Israeli occupation forces from its territories, stressing that all measures taken by the occupation in southern Syria are null and void and have no legal effect under international law, and calls on the international community to assume its responsibilities and deter the occupation’s practices.

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Lattakia – Idlib, Jan. 1 (SANA) Tishreen and Hutteen secured victories on Thursday in the opening matches of the third round of Syria’s Prime League professional football competition.

In the first match, played at the Municipal Stadium in Lattakia, Tishreen defeated Khan Sheikhoun 3–0 to take all three points.

In the second match, held at the Municipal Stadium in Idlib, Hutteen edged Omaya 1–0 in a closely contested encounter.

The third round continues on Friday, with al-Shorta SC set to face al-Fotuwa at 2:30 p.m. at al-Fayhaa Stadium in Damascus. Ahli Aleppo will host Damascus Ahli at al-Hamadaniah Stadium in Aleppo, while al-Taliya will host Homs al-Fidaa at the Municipal Stadium in Hama.

The round will conclude on Saturday with two matches, as al-Wahda take on Jableh, and al-Shouleh face al-Jaish SC.

Damascus, Jan. 1 (SANA) Syria’s Ministry of Agriculture on Thursday warned farmers of a moderate to strong frost wave expected to affect the country from Friday morning, Jan. 2, until Thursday, Jan. 8, stressing the need to take preventive measures to protect crops.

The ministry said in a statement that the frost will be strong in northwestern Syria and the Jazira region, while southern and eastern areas are expected to experience moderate frost.

The ministry urged farmers to monitor daily weather updates and apply appropriate agricultural measures to reduce potential damage to crops during the cold spell.

Syria is going through an active polar severe weather system, which has brought heavy snowfall and rain. the Syrian Civil Defense warned that the country will experience a frost wave starting at dawn on Friday, Jan. 2, lasting until dawn on Thursday, Jan. 8, with peak intensity expected on Saturday and Sunday.

Damascus, Jan.1 (SANA) Governor of Central Bank of Syria (CBS), Abdelkader Husrieh , called on economic activities to cooperate in implementing the cash replacement process and ensuring financial accuracy in transactions, in line with commercial customs and ethical values. This applies to all dealings among citizens.

“Provisions of Law No. 23 of 2002, as amended by Decree No. 293 of 2025, stipulate that the standard unit of Syrian currency is the new pound, which is divided into one hundred piastre (qirsh). Accordingly, fractions of the pound can be used in individual pricing, while the final payment amount is rounded to the approximately circulating denomination,” CBS governor said Thursday on Facebook account.  

He clarified that the old 1000, 2000, and 5000 pound banknotes will be withdrawn during the current period, while the remaining categories will continue to circulate until further notice, allowing their use during the existing period until they are gradually phased out.

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