SANA - Syrian Arab News Agency

Damascus, Dec. 24 (SANA) Head of Syria’s Investment Authority met Tuesday with a delegation from U.S. energy giant GE Vernova to discuss potential investments and technology transfer to the Syrian market.

The Authority’s Director-General, Talal al-Hilali, outlined Syria’s investment law, highlighting incentives and opportunities for foreign companies. He noted that GE Vernova’s business areas align closely with Syria’s national development priorities and could play a key role in supporting technology transfer and economic growth.

The GE Vernova delegation expressed interest in entering the Syrian market and contributing to the nation’s rehabilitation and development. They also emphasized their readiness to share expertise in education and capacity-building within the relevant sectors.

The meeting is part of Syria’s broader push to attract strategic international investments aimed at developing vital industries and advancing sustainable development.
GE Vernova is a leading global energy company that includes Power, Wind, and Electrification segments.

Rabat, Dec. 24 (SANA) Nigeria opened their Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 campaign with a 2–1 victory over Tanzania on Tuesday, taking early control of Group C.

Semi Ajayi gave Nigeria the lead in the 36th minute, before Tanzania responded after the break through Charles M’Mombwa in the 50th. The Super Eagles quickly restored their advantage just two minutes later, when Ademola Lookman struck a powerful shot past goalkeeper Foba to seal the win.

The result puts Nigeria top of Group C, which also features Tunisia and Uganda.

Damascus, Dec. 24 (SANA) Syrian businesswomen are seeking new export opportunities for women-led enterprises through their participation in the Motex Khan al-Harir exhibition, currently underway at the Damascus Exhibition City.

The initiative follows the success of another event called Basmet Fan (Art imprint) forum dedicated to supporting women’s creativity and small-scale entrepreneurship. Building on that momentum, the Businesswomen’s Committee at the Damascus and Countryside Chamber of Industry is using Motex as a platform to move women’s fashion products from local showcases to international markets.

“Our goal is to take these projects beyond the local market and into the export arena,” said Wafaa Abu Labdeh, head of the Businesswomen’s Committee. She noted that the exhibition highlights handmade and embroidered garments produced with a high level of craftsmanship.

According to Abu Labdeh, the committee supported participants throughout the production process, from design and sourcing materials to final manufacturing, ensuring that each displayed piece represents a viable small business and reflects the designer’s individual identity.

Eight women-led projects are featured in the committee’s pavilion, presenting collections distinguished by original designs, careful workmanship, and high quality. The displays have drawn interest from Arab traders and international visitors, underscoring the added value of Syrian handmade fashion within an export-focused exhibition.

Participation in Motex provides direct support to Syrian products and contributes to the long-term sustainability of women-owned enterprises.
Fashion designer Suzan al-Barnim, one of the exhibitors, said Motex offers an important opportunity to introduce Syrian women’s fashion to new markets. Her collection includes formal jackets, trousers, skirts, handmade pieces inspired by Eastern aesthetics, and special designs for Ramadan that combine elegance with traditional identity.

The Motex Khan al-Harir exhibition, which focuses on the Spring–Summer 2026 season, opened on Monday. It is organized by the Chambers of Industry and Commerce in Damascus and Aleppo in cooperation with the Ministry of Economy and Industry, and features more than 250 Syrian companies from the apparel, textile, and logistics sectors.

Damascus, Dec. 24 (SANA) Syria’s Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Marwan al-Halabi, met with Armenia’s Ambassador to Syria, Rouben Kharazian, on Tuesday to discuss expanding cooperation in scientific research and student exchange programs between the two countries.

The talks focused on strengthening academic partnerships, renewing existing agreements, and establishing new mechanisms for collaboration between Syrian and Armenian universities.

Al-Halabi said the ministry is seeking to deepen cooperation in joint scientific research, university accreditation, academic and professional exchanges, medical education, and collaboration between university hospitals. He stated the importance of drafting a bilateral memorandum of understanding to formalize future cooperation.

Kharazian highlighted at the meeting, the long-standing historical ties between the Syrian and Armenian peoples and stressed the importance of revitalizing scientific and cultural cooperation. He noted Armenia’s extensive experience in international student exchange programs and expressed readiness to expand such initiatives with Syrian institutions.

The ambassador said the Armenian embassy is prepared to serve as a liaison between the two ministries of higher education and to coordinate with Armenian education authorities on drafting a new cooperation agreement and developing a roadmap for future bilateral engagement.

Syria and Armenia share deep historical links, including long-established Armenian communities in Syria, particularly in Aleppo, Damascus, and Hasakah. The two countries also maintain city-twinning agreements, including a partnership between Damascus and Yerevan that has been in place since 1998.

Damascus, Dec 23 (SANA) The Syrian Chemical Society, in cooperation with the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor, held a ceremony on Tuesday evening to mark the 80th anniversary of its establishment, honoring a number of academics, experts, and industrialists working in the chemical sector, as well as winners of the Syrian Scientific Olympiad who have received international awards.

The event, held at Dama Rose Hotel in Damascus, highlighted the Society’s longstanding role in advancing chemical sciences in Syria and supporting professionals in the field.

Founded in Damascus in 1945 and officially registered in 1960 under No. 440, the Syrian Chemical Society is one of the country’s earliest professional associations. It has branches across several governorates and aims to promote chemical sciences, serve and represent Syrian chemists, defend their professional interests, develop their capacities, and harness chemical sciences in community development and in supporting economic and social development processes.

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Moscow, Dec 23 (SANA) Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Asaad Hassan Al-Shaibani and Minister of Defense Major General Murhaf Abu Qasra met in Moscow with Russian President Vladimir Putin Tuesday to discuss a range of political, military, and economic issues of mutual interest, with particular emphasis on strategic cooperation in the military industries sector.

During the meeting, both sides reviewed ways to advance military and technical partnership in a manner that strengthens the defensive capabilities of the Syrian Arab Army and keeps pace with modern developments in military industries. Discussions focused on upgrading military equipment, transferring technical expertise and know-how, and expanding cooperation in research and development, contributing to the enhancement of Syria’s national defense system and supporting security and stability in Syria and the region.

On the political front, the two sides exchanged views on regional and international developments, underscoring the importance of continued political and diplomatic coordination between Damascus and Moscow in international forums. They reaffirmed the necessity of respecting international law and rejected all forms of external interference in the internal affairs of states.

Economically, the meeting addressed prospects for expanding economic and trade cooperation, including support for reconstruction projects, development of infrastructure sectors, and encouragement of investment in Syria. The talks also covered boosting trade exchange and facilitating partnerships in ways that positively impact the Syrian economy and contribute to improving living conditions.

President Putin reaffirmed Russia’s steadfast support for Syria, stressing the importance of preserving Syria’s unity, territorial integrity, and full sovereignty, and rejecting any projects aimed at partitioning the country or undermining its independent national decision. He also renewed Moscow’s condemnation of repeated Israeli violations of Syrian territory, describing them as a direct threat to regional security and stability.

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Damascus, Dec. 23 (SANA) Energy Minister Mohammad al-Bashir met on Tuesday with Minister of Emergency and Disaster Management Raed al-Saleh to discuss ways to enhance security and safety in institutions and companies affiliated with the Ministry of Energy, during a meeting held at the ministry’s headquarters in Damascus.

The two sides reviewed mechanisms for developing comprehensive security and safety plans, applying approved standards across various departments, and drafting clear policies to ensure the sustainability of preventive measures within the energy sector.

Both ministers stressed the importance of training and qualifying human resources, raising preparedness levels, and strengthening institutional cooperation and coordination in the preparation and implementation of safety procedures, in order to provide the highest levels of protection for workers and facilities.

The meeting comes as part of the Energy Ministry’s efforts to entrench a culture of occupational safety and develop its organizational structure, enhancing its capacity to respond to emergencies and disasters with efficiency and high effectiveness.

Damascus, Dec. 23 (SANA) Transport Minister Yarub Badr on Tuesday discussed a set of visions and ideas for the development of the Damascus International Airport highway with a delegation from Qatar’s UCC Holding, during a meeting held at the ministry headquarters in Damascus.

The company’s delegation presented an outline for upgrading the road extending from Damascus International Airport through the city of Damascus to the Jdeidet Yabous border crossing. The proposal divides the route into four sections based on usage patterns and the surrounding environment.

The presentation included recommendations for rehabilitation works, surface treatments, color schemes and lighting poles, in addition to landscaping, sidewalks and traffic signage, with the aim of enhancing the road’s appearance and meeting high road safety standards.

The meeting also reviewed several international models for airport gateway design, with the objective of developing a modern main entrance for Damascus International Airport that reflects the state’s new visual identity and aligns with international standards.

Minister Badr underscored the project’s strategic importance, stressing the need to prepare standard design plans and submit them to the ministry. He also proposed holding a follow-up meeting to review technical details and the implementation timetable.

The project falls within the Transport Ministry’s efforts to modernize road transport infrastructure and improve traffic safety in line with international standards, while reflecting the state’s new visual identity. It also seeks to strengthen partnerships with experienced regional and international companies and draw on global best practices in designing and implementing key road projects, particularly those linked to airports and border crossings, in support of economic development and the image of Syria’s transport sector.

Damascus, Dec. 23 (SANA) A plane carrying 32 Syrian citizens evacuated from Sudan arrived on Tuesday at Damascus International Airport, as part of an evacuation operation previously announced by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates.

Director of the Expatriates Affairs Department at the ministry and head of the Syrian technical delegation to Sudan, Mohammad Abdulsalam, said to SANA that preparations for the return of citizens wishing to come back began two months prior to the delegation’s visit to Sudan. He said the mission was carried out under an assignment from Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani to follow up on the situation of Syrians in Sudan.

Abdulsalam explained that the Syrian delegation coordinated with all relevant Sudanese authorities and provided full consular services to help regularize the legal status of Syrians residing there.

He added that, in coordination with capable international organizations and several airlines, the evacuation of 32 people was launched in partnership with the International Organization for Migration (IOM). He noted that a second flight is expected to carry 42 people, out of a remaining total of about 200 Syrian citizens.

For his part, IOM Syria Chief of Mission Laurence Hart said: “A number of Syrians who had been stranded in Sudan due to the difficult situation there returned today, amid an escalating humanitarian crisis that has affected many foreigners, including Syrians.” He added that another evacuation operation is scheduled for next week.

Hart said: “Our role involves verifying the nationality of individuals in their country of residence, organizing the necessary documentation, arranging travel, receiving them at the airport and coordinating their transport to their final destinations, whether in Damascus, Aleppo, Idlib or elsewhere, in addition to providing support to help meet their initial needs upon arrival.” He added: “Seeing the smiles on the faces of those returning today is very important and meaningful for us.”

Several returnees expressed their gratitude to the Syrian state for the efforts made to secure their return home, saying they had faced difficult conditions abroad that prevented them from arranging their return on their own, an issue addressed by the Foreign Ministry through legal and logistical support.

In October, a plane arriving at Damascus International Airport from Libya brought back a number of Syrian citizens whose return had also been arranged in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates.

Riyadh, Dec.23 (SANA) Saudi cabinet welcomed on Tuesday US decision to repeal “Caesar Act,” which has been imposed on Syria since 2019 to punish the former regime for its crimes against the Syrian people.

According to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), the cabinet praised the positive role of U.S. President Donald Trump by lifting the sanctions, beginning with his announcement during his visit to Saudi Arabia and ending in his signing of the law that repealed the “Caesar Act.”

It reaffirmed that Saudi foreign policy attaches the utmost importance to strengthening regional security and stability, resolving conflicts peacefully, providing aid, promoting intercultural dialogue, supporting international organizations and creating conditions in support of development in the Middle East and the world.

President Donald Trump signed last Thursday the U.S. Department of Defense budget law for 2026, which included a provision that completely repeals the “Caesar Act” imposed on Syria since 2019, making it effective.

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Quneitra, Dec.23 (SANA) Israeli occupation forces once again entered on Tuesday the old village of Buraykah in southern Quneitra countryside.

According to SANA reporter in Quneitra, a force comprised of three white “Hilux” vehicles advanced through the entrance of Beer Ajam town and headed toward the old village of Buraykah, where its members deployed and stationed near the residents of the village.

Earlier today, another force consisting of three “Hummer” vehicles and a taxi from Tel al-Ahmar moved along the road to Kudna village, reaching the Youth Housing area—a compound of abandoned residential buildings southeast of Buraykah. They searched the buildings before continuing east toward the area of Rasm Sand, then to Abu Qubeis hill adjacent to Ayn Zwan village.

Israel continues its aggressive policies and violations of the 1974 Disengagement agreement by advancing into southern Syria and assaulting civilians.

Syria repeatedly demands the withdrawal of Israeli occupation forces from its territory, stressing that all measures taken in southern Syria are null and void under international law. Syria calls on the international community to assume its responsibilities, deter the occupation’s practices, and compel Israel to fully withdraw from southern Syria and return to the 1974 Disengagement agreement.

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Damascus, Dec. 23 (SANA) Syria’s garment industry is showing signs of gradual recovery as companies and factories resume production despite ongoing economic challenges, participants said at the Motex Khan al-Harir 2026 clothing exhibition.

Manufacturers cited renewed confidence in the sector and the return of Syrian brands to the market, while noting that rising costs for raw materials, labor, energy, and taxes remain major obstacles. Some expressed optimism that improved economic stability and eased import-export procedures could support growth.

Garment factory executive Yaman Armanazi said the sector plays a key role in job creation, adding that skilled labor gives Syrian manufacturers potential to compete in regional export markets.

Industry representatives also called for modernizing production lines, lowering costs, and simplifying customs and shipping procedures to access new markets, particularly in the Middle East.

The exhibition opened this week at the Damascus Countryside Exhibition City and is organized by the Chambers of Industry and Commerce of Damascus and Aleppo in cooperation with the Ministries of Economy and Industry.

LONDON, Dec. 23 (SANA) Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the occupied Palestinian territories, called on Monday for the suspension of Israel’s membership in the UN General Assembly, citing what she described as genocide in Gaza since Oct. 7, 2023.

In an interview with Anadolu Agency, Albanese said that “the truth cannot be silenced,” stressing that “Israel should not sit in the United Nations as if it were a normal member state” while committing widespread violations.

She also called for a comprehensive political and cultural boycott, criticizing Israel’s participation in the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest as inconsistent with what she described as the scale of crimes committed. Albanese noted that some countries’ boycotts of the contest represent a form of effective pressure that should extend beyond the cultural sphere to include political and legal measures at the international level.

Albanese said Israel has violated human rights for years, adding that the past two years have seen an unprecedented escalation of violence.

“Israel is an illegal, apartheid occupying power,” she said, adding that it is facing legal proceedings before both the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the International Court of Justice (ICJ). She urged the international community to take “firmer steps” and to maintain sustained popular and political pressure to halt what she described as ongoing crimes.

Damascus, Dec. 23 (SANA) Syrian anti-narcotics authorities said on Tuesday they had dismantled a drug trafficking and distribution network operating in the capital, arresting six suspects, including the alleged ringleader.

The Ministry of Interior said on its Telegram channel that the arrests followed a security operation based on surveillance and intelligence gathering by specialized units. About 162,000 Captagon pills were seized during the operation, the ministry added.

The Ministry said the drugs were confiscated in accordance with legal procedures and that the suspects were referred to judicial authorities for prosecution.

Damascus, Dec. 23 (SANA) Syria and Japan announced on Tuesday the resumption of relation, marking the start of a new chapter in bilateral cooperation.

The announcement followed an official meeting in Damascus between Mohammad Zakaria Lababidi, Director of the Department of Afro-Asian and Oceania Affairs, and Japanese Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Yohei Onishi, along with senior officials from both sides. The visit represents the highest-level Japanese diplomatic trip to Syria in more than 15 years.

During the meeting, both sides discussed ways to expand bilateral ties and resume cooperation across multiple sectors. Onishi extended an official invitation to Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani to visit Japan.

Lababidi expressed Syria’s interest in benefiting from Japan’s experience in reconstruction and development, while the Japanese delegation pledged new support for Syria’s rebuilding efforts and reaffirmed Japan’s support for Syrian sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The officials also discussed the role of the Japanese private sector in reconstruction, including a planned business forum to encourage investment and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) training programs for Syrian professionals, particularly in the electricity sector. Japan also welcomed Syria’s participation in Expo 2027.

The Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates thanked Japan for its continued support and reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening cooperation and coordination to deepen bilateral relations.

Moscow, Dec. 23 (SANA) A Syrian delegation, including Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani, Defense Minister Major General Murhaf Abu Qasra, and officials from the General Intelligence Directorate, arrived in Moscow on Tuesday.

The Foreign Ministry said the delegation will hold talks with Russian officials on bilateral relations and other issues of mutual interest.

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Damascus, Dec. 23 (SANA) The first passenger plane carrying 32 Syrian citizens arrived at Damascus International Airport from Sudan on Tuesday, marking the start of the evacuation process announced earlier by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates.

The flight is part of a coordinated evacuation plan to ensure the safe return of Syrians wishing to leave Sudan amid the ongoing situation. The ministry previously organized registration for those seeking evacuation to facilitate their return to Syria.

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Capitals, Dec. 23 (SANA) The Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), a grassroots international solidarity movement that includes pro-Palestinian activist groups, called on Tuesday to stop what it described as the largest shipment of military equipment expected to dock at Israel’s port of Ashdod since October 2023.

In a statement posted on its Telegram channel, the coalition said the vessel “Ocean Gladiator” is carrying 1,605 tonnes of U.S.-made munitions, including bomb shells, ammunition and military-grade chemicals, and is traveling through the Mediterranean before reaching Israel. The coalition said the shipment would be one of the largest weapons transfers to Israel since October 2023.

The FFC urged European dockworkers and port authorities to intervene, calling on them to “immediately halt this shipment’s passage through territorial waters and stop allowing arms transit that fuels the slaughter of Palestinians.”

“To all dockers, trade unionists, and international solidarity movements, refuse to load or unload any cargo that contributes to war crimes,” the statement said.
“Organize on the ground at ports and mobilize labor solidarity against the military supply chains that sustain genocide,” it added.

The coalition argued that what it described as genocide in Palestine would not be possible without the participation of governments worldwide, citing international law, which it said obliges states to take all measures to prevent genocide.

It also referred to the International Court of Justice’s January 2024 order, which called on states to halt the transfer of weapons used in such crimes.

Addressing dockworkers and their supporters, the statement said: “Every piece of ammunition on this cargo ship will be responsible for the deaths of children in Palestine. Let us not miss any opportunity to disarm Israel.”

The FFC concluded its appeal with a call to action:“Stand with the people of Palestine. Stand with the dockworkers. Stand against genocide.”

The shipment is reportedly passing through Spanish territory aboard the Ocean Gladiator, which is ultimately bound for Israel. Although the ship’s declared destination is the Greek port of Heraklion, it is expected to switch off its identification system at sea and dock instead at Israel’s port of Ashdod.

Damascus, Dec. 23 (SANA) The Ministry of Interior affirmed on Tuesday that the findings of the report issued by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) provide clear evidence of security measures’ effectiveness of the taken to combat narcotics.

The ministry emphasized the importance of regional and international cooperation, as well as intelligence-sharing, in dismantling drug trafficking networks and cutting off their sources of funding.

In a statement published on its Telegram channel, the ministry said: “The Ministry of Interior values the report issued by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, which highlighted the widespread halt in the illicit production of Captagon following the change of regime in Syria. The report’s documented data reflects the scale of efforts exerted at both the national and regional levels to combat this dangerous scourge.”

The ministry reiterated its commitment to continue intensive efforts to combat the production and smuggling of narcotics in all forms, while strengthening coordination with international partners, foremost among them UNODC.

It stressed that such cooperation contributes to protecting societies from the dangers of drugs, preserving security and stability, and confronting this cross-border phenomenon.

UNODC confirmed in a statement Monday that large-scale manufacturing of Captagon in Syria has been disrupted, one year after the fall of the former regime ,noting that Syrian government has dismantled 15 Captagon production facilities and 13 smaller storage sites since December 2024.