SANA - Syrian Arab News Agency

Damascus, Dec.30 (SANA) Defense Minister Major General Murhaf Abu Qasra met in Damascus with Major General Patrick Gauchat, Head of Mission and Chief of Staff of the UN Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO)and the accompanying delegation.
During the meeting, the two sides discussed mission-related issues and ways to enhance coordination on matters of mutual interest.

Damascus, Dec.30 (SANA) Minister of Economy and Industry Mohammad Nidal al-Shaar met with Minister of Administrative Development Mohammad Hassan al-Skaf on Monday to discuss plans to develop and restructure the Ministry of Economy and Industry in line with current requirements and the economic and administrative changes taking place in Syria.

The meeting, held at the Ministry of Economy and Industry in Damascus, focused on a number of key issues, including strengthening coordination among administrative units and exploring ways to improve electronic service systems to streamline procedures for beneficiaries.

Al-Shaar stressed that restructuring is a fundamental step toward enhancing institutional performance efficiency and improving the quality of services provided. He underscored the importance of aligning the administrative structure with current economic challenges.

For his part, al-Skaf highlighted the need to modernize administrative systems, develop human resources, and activate work mechanisms in order to achieve greater flexibility and effectiveness in government performance.

The meeting comes within the framework of the government’s broader approach to updating the administrative structure of public institutions, raising their efficiency in line with economic recovery requirements, and improving the business environment in Syria.

R.K

Damascus, Dec.30 (SANA)   US President Donald Trump praised the efforts of President Ahmed al-Sharaa in leading Syria, expressing hope that Syria and Israel would reach an understanding in the period ahead.

US media quoted Trump as making the remarks during a meeting with the Israeli prime minister in the US state of Florida on Monday, where he said he respects President al-Sharaa and described him as “a strong man doing a good job for the prosperity of his country.”

Trump added that he hopes Syria and Israel can reach an understanding, noting that developments in Syria this year have been remarkable. He reiterated that the United States is working to ensure lasting peace in the Middle East, stressing that Damascus is an integral part of that peace.

Earlier this month, Trump said that what Syria has witnessed this year was “amazing,” reaffirming Washington’s efforts to promote sustainable stability across the region.

On the situation in the Gaza Strip, Trump said he is seeking to reach the second phase of the ceasefire agreement as quickly as possible. He acknowledged that the agreement faces obstacles preventing progress to advanced stages, while noting efforts to create new momentum to move the process forward.

Meanwhile, the Israeli occupation continues to violate the ceasefire agreement that entered into force on October 10, through ongoing attacks on Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and by obstructing and preventing the flow of humanitarian and relief aid to the devastated areas.

Homs, Dec 29 (SANA)  A national Christmas evening blending patriotic songs with traditional Christmas hymns was held at St. Elias Church in the town of al-Hawash in the Homs countryside, highlighting the values of national belonging, love and peace during the Christmas season.

The event featured performances by the Children’s Choir of St. Elias Church and the Our Lady of the Valley Choir, combining national anthems with Christmas carols in a program that underscored the central place of the homeland in collective and spiritual life.

Mai Al-Waisi, head of the Children’s Choir at St. Elias Church, said the evening conveyed a message about the importance of the homeland as a foundation in people’s lives, noting that holding the event during the Christmas season reflected the idea that love of country is inseparable from celebration and faith.

She added that the children’s choir includes 50 members, and that the first part of the program focused on national songs expressing pride in the homeland and aspirations to build it through love and peace.

Father Polycarpos Rizk, priest of St. Elias Church, said the evening’s spiritual atmosphere elevated the audience through the voices of children and youth, combining religious praise with expressions of devotion to the homeland.

Meanwhile, Deacon Jawarjios Deeb, supervisor of the Our Lady of the Valley Choir and a servant of the al-Hawash parish, said the second part of the evening featured Christmas hymns performed by the emerging choir from the St. John of Damascus School for Byzantine Church Chant and Music.

He said the hymns placed the audience in the spirit of Christmas while reinforcing values of love and peace and linking national songs with Christmas traditions.

The evening was part of a broader series of cultural and spiritual activities taking place across towns in the Homs countryside during the holiday season.

R.A

New York, Dec.29 (SANA) Syria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ibrahim Olabi, said that Israel has been occupying the Syrian Golan for nearly sixty years, and the UN General Assembly reaffirmed Syria’s sovereignty over the Golan this month, with 123 countries voting for the necessity of Israel’s complete withdrawal from the area.

“Israel continues fortification operations in the disengagement zone, while also persisting in violating international laws. In contrast, Syria has demonstrated full commitment to international legitimacy despite repeated incursions, assaults on Syrian civilians and acts of abduction.” Olabi added in a session of the UN Security Council Monday.

He added that “Israel” is obstructing the work of the UN peacekeeping force in the occupied Syrian Golan, and it must withdraw from Mount Hermon and abide by the 1974 Disengagement Agreement.

Today, the United Nations Security Council has approved the renewal of the mandate of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in the occupied Syrian Golan for six months.

MZN

Damascus, Dec. 29 (SANA) President Ahmad al-Sharaa officially launched the new national currency Monday at the Conference Palace in Damascus, the ceremony was attended by Mrs. Latifa al-Droubi.

President al-Sharaa and the Governor of the Central Bank of Syria, Abdulkader Husrieh, unveiled the new banknotes during the event.

President al-Sharaa said the redenomination marks the end of an era and the start of a new stage for Syria, emphasizing that removing zeros from the old currency eases transactions but does not itself improve the economy. He stressed that economic growth depends on higher production, lower unemployment, and a stable banking sector.

President al-Sharaa called for calm during the transition, assuring citizens that old notes will be exchanged gradually according to a structured timeline. The new notes, reflecting Syria’s heritage, aim to simplify trade, reduce dollar dependence, and restore confidence in the Syrian pound.

Advisor Abdulah Al-Shamma noted that the reform strategy rests on five pillars: monetary stability, a transparent exchange market, a robust banking sector, secure digital payments, and sustainable international financial integration.

Damascus, Dec.29 (SANA) Governor of the Central Bank of Syria (CBS) Abdulkader Husrieh said on Monday that the banknotes redenomination will take place over 90 days, extendable if needed, adding the step helps stabilize prices as pricing during this phase will be in both the old and new currencies.

“Our vision is to make the Central Bank of Syria the national pillar of stability, and within this vision came the decision to replace the currency. It is a technical process that does not change the value of the currency, but is merely a redenomination,” Husrieh added during a dialogue panel at a celebration to launch the new Syrian banknotes.  

CBS Governor affirmed that the Bank has benefited from the experiences of successful countries in currency redenomination, such as the French and German experiments, especially since they followed the end of a war or a major political change.

“We received the central bank in a catastrophic state because of the practices of the deposed regime, and despite the challenges, we succeeded in achieving stability,” Husrieh said.

He added that the currency redenomination will not affect the exchange rate, and it is expected to help people rely more on the Syrian pound in their daily transactions.

He called on citizens to boost confidence in the Syrian pound and to be reassured about the currency renomination process.

“We emphasize that the replacement deadlines we have set are essential to ensure the smooth progress of this process, and that there is no room for increased inflation or rising prices,” Husrieh added.

He demanded merchants and money change dealers to abide by the regulations and laws, and not to exploit the currency exchange process.

MZN

Lattakia, Dec. 29 (SANA) Internal Security forces in the Jableh area arrested Zulfiqar Mahmoud Deeb, identified as a member of the deposed regime’s remnants, during a high-precision security operation carried out in Baabda village, the Interior Ministry said on Monday via Telegram.

The ministry said preliminary investigations indicate that the suspect was involved in terrorist attacks that targeted army and internal security positions along the coast on March 6. It added that the suspect is also implicated in acts of desecration of the bodies of martyrs who were killed during those attacks.

The Interior Ministry said the operation is part of ongoing efforts to pursue the deposed regime’s remnants and anyone who threatens the safety of the country and its citizens, emphasizing that justice will take its course and that security services will continue their work relentlessly to uproot all pockets of terrorism.

Damascus, Dec. 29 (SANA) The Central Bank of Syria will illuminate its facade this evening in the colors of the Syrian national flag, before transitioning to a visual display of the new currency denominations, Central Bank Governor Abdulkader Husrieh said on Monday in a post on Facebook.

Husrieh said the lighting “brings together symbolism, identity and confidence in the future,” adding that it forms part of Syria’s celebrations marking the launch of the new currency. He said the display underscores continuity and steadfastness, linking the country’s history with steps toward stability and modernization, in a scene that “reflects a spirit of belonging and embodies a national moment that lights memory and inspires hope.”

The governor said the executive instructions for Decree No. 293 of 2025 on currency replacement represent an important organizational step, signaling the start of the practical phase of this national undertaking. He said the instructions clarify mechanisms and procedures, ensure smooth implementation, protect citizens’ rights, and strengthen confidence in the monetary system within a clear legal framework.

Husrieh added that issuing the executive instructions confirms readiness to move into a new phase based on stability and modernization, serving the public interest and the national economy.

Earlier today, the Central Bank of Syria issued some of the executive instructions for Decree No. 293 of 2025 related to the launch of the new Syrian currency, noting that full details will be published later alongside the decree.

Damascus, Dec. 29 (SANA) Syrian Foreign and Expatriates Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani received Maj. Gen. Patrick Gauchat, head of the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO) mission, in Damascus on Monday, the Foreign Ministry said.

During the meeting, both sides underscored the role of the UNTSO mission in documenting Israeli violations in southern Syria and discussed ways to enhance existing cooperation and coordination, in a manner that supports stability and helps maintain calm in the region.

The talks took place within the framework of respect for the sovereignty of the Syrian Arab Republic and its territorial integrity, officials said.

Damascus, Dec. 29 (SANA) The Syrian Ministry of Interior expressed its deep condolences and sympathy to the Republic of Turkey following the martyrdom of three Turkish police officers during clashes with the ISIS terrorist organization in Yalova, which also resulted in the killing of six ISIS members, according to Turkish officials.

In a statement, the ministry extended its condolences to the Turkish Interior Ministry and to the families of the fallen officers and the wounded, stressing that the group’s criminal actions underscore the danger it poses to the stability of countries across the region.

The Syrian Interior Ministry emphasized the need to continue uprooting terrorist organizations in all their forms and highlighted the importance of enhancing regional and international coordination to combat terrorism, in a way that protects civilians and reinforces security and stability.

Earlier at dawn on Monday, Turkish security forces carried out an operation against ISIS in Yalova province. Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said the operation “resulted in the killing of six ISIS members, the martyrdom of three police officers, and the injury of eight others during clashes with the organization.”

Damascus, Dec. 29 (SANA) The Central Bank of Syria’s announcement of a new currency and the removal of two zeros from its nominal value underscores that currency reform is not an isolated measure or a temporary procedure, but part of a broader, integrated economic strategy.

Central Bank Governor Abdulkader Husrieh explained that the issuance of the new currency is part of a comprehensive reform program aimed at regulating liquidity, enhancing oversight of cash circulation, and stabilizing the money supply. “This step will strengthen confidence in the financial system and will not have negative effects on citizens during the transition between the old and new currency,” he said.

The practice of removing zeros from a national currency is widely used internationally to address the effects of inflation and restore confidence in the monetary system. France introduced the “new franc” in 1960 after removing two zeros as part of an economic reform plan that restored stability and laid the foundation for sustainable growth.

Turkey, in 2005, removed six zeros from its currency after years of high inflation, launching the “New Turkish Lira” alongside a broad program of fiscal discipline, banking reforms, and measures to boost production.
Germany’s post-World War II currency reform in 1948, which introduced the Deutsche Mark, similarly ended monetary chaos and restored confidence in the economy, serving as a foundation for long-term recovery.

Conversely, experiences in countries such as Argentina, Venezuela, and Zimbabwe show that zero-removal alone fails if not accompanied by real reform and control over the money supply. This highlights the Central Bank of Syria’s emphasis that the current measure is not about printing extra money but a disciplined replacement within a clear monetary policy framework.

Experts note that the currency replacement could encourage cash held abroad or hoarded domestically to return to the banking system, providing the Central Bank with an opportunity to manage liquidity effectively, provided it is paired with strict banking oversight and an expansion of electronic payment systems — measures highlighted by Husrieh as part of the bank’s strategic plan.

For citizens, the Central Bank stressed that the exchange process will be completely free, with no fees or taxes, and without abrupt invalidation of old banknotes. Bank accounts will be converted automatically, alleviating concerns about losing savings or purchasing power. According to the bank, the value of the currency is determined by economic policy and fiscal discipline, not the physical appearance of the notes.

The significance of Syria’s experience lies in embedding zero-removal within a broader political and economic transformation. Moving away from policies of the former regime, which fueled inflation and eroded trust in the national currency, the new currency is presented as the beginning of a long-term reform path. Experts stress that its success will depend on accompanying measures in production, trade, banking, and digital payments, following the example of countries that have successfully implemented similar reforms.

R.K

Latakia, Dec. 29 (SANA) Four people were killed and 108 others were injured in attacks carried out by former regime remnants against security forces and civilians during protests in Latakia on Sunday, according to the Latakia Health Directorate.

Director of Health Khalil Agha told SANA on Monday that the injured sustained wounds caused by sharp weapons, stones, and live gunfire. He said that medical teams provided immediate treatment and that hospitals were placed on full alert.

Latakia’s Internal Security Commander, Brigadier General Abdul Aziz Al-Ahmad, said that armed and masked individuals affiliated with the former regime assaulted security personnel in Latakia and Jableh North-western Syria and damaged police vehicles.

He reported that armed and masked elements affiliated with former regime remnants, including groups known as the “Coastal Shield Brigades” and the “Al-Jawad Brigades,” were present during protests at the Al-Azhari Roundabout in Latakia and the National Hospital Roundabout in Jableh. These groups have been accused of carrying out field executions and planting explosive devices on the M1 highway. Al-Ahmad added that some armed individuals fired shots into the air while security forces contained the situation and restored calm.

Since the fall of the former regime, these groups have rejected the political transition, inciting protests intended to provoke violence, target security forces, and damage public property.

R.H

Damascus, Dec. 29 (SANA) Information Minister Hamza al-Mustafa stressed on X that attempts by some groups to exploit events to advance sectarian agendas have failed. “These efforts had no connection to Syria’s national unity and resembled the methods of the former regime, which often betrayed Syrians and justified its crimes with false pretexts,” he said.

Al-Mustafa emphasized that the freedom of expression and protest guaranteed by the new state is a moral gain and a cornerstone for building modern institutions. “However, some have misunderstood it. The unity of Syria and its people remains a national principle beyond debate,” he added.

The minister highlighted that the new state has implemented political approaches aimed at uniting Syrians and overcoming divisions entrenched by the former regime. These efforts, he noted, have helped resolve many issues while rising above the legacy of past conflicts and massacres.

He underscored that every crisis provides an opportunity to distinguish between initiatives that benefit the people and those that are harmful, urging Syrians to reject divisive projects and work together to build a homeland inclusive of all.

Since the country’s liberation, the Syrian state has pursued policies to strengthen national cohesion and overcome lingering divisions from the conflict years. Authorities have stressed repeatedly that Syria’s unity and sovereignty are non-negotiable and that foreign agendas seeking to exploit internal divisions will be opposed.

Cairo, Dec. 29 (SANA) The Council of the League of Arab States condemned Israel’s recognition of Somaliland, describing it as null, illegal, and a threat to Arab national security and regional stability. The Council reaffirmed that Somaliland is an integral part of the Federal Republic of Somalia and rejected any direct or indirect recognition of its secession.

The move, the Council said, serves illegitimate political, security, and economic agendas, including facilitating the displacement of Palestinians and using northern Somali ports for military purposes. It called on the international community to oppose the recognition and to uphold Somalia’s unity and sovereignty.

The Council urged mobilizing international support, in coordination with Somalia, the African Union, and relevant Arab and global bodies, to prevent any geopolitical or security changes in the Gulf of Aden and Red Sea region. Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit called on the UN Security Council, the UN Secretary-General, and the AU Commission Chair to take a firm stance and report to the Council’s next ministerial session.

Israel announced recognition of Somaliland on December 26, becoming the only country to do so since the region’s unilateral declaration of independence in 1991.

The step was widely rejected by the international community and Arab and Islamic states as a violation of international law and a threat to regional stability.

R.H

Lima, Dec. 29 (SANA) At least 25 people were injured in a 6.0-magnitude earthquake that struck Peru’s Ancash region north of the capital, Lima, authorities reported.

Agence France-Presse (AFP) quoted local authorities as saying that the earthquake, which occurred Sunday near the coastal city of Chimbote, caused injuries to at least 25 people and inflicted damage to the main hospital, as well as numerous homes and schools in the city, which has a population of about half a million.

Peru, with a population of around 34 million, lies within the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” a zone of high seismic activity that extends along the western coast of the Americas. The country was previously hit by a devastating earthquake in 1970 in the Ancash region, which claimed approximately 67,000 lives.

R.A

Brussels, Dec.29 (SANA) Europe experienced a series of severe natural disasters throughout 2025, including floods, drought, heatwaves and wildfires, with many countries still struggling to recover from their impact.

Experts warned, according to Euronews, that such extreme events could become the new normal unless urgent measures are taken to curb emissions that are driving their intensity and frequency. They explained that every one-degree rise in air temperature enables the atmosphere to retain about 7 percent more moisture, leading to heavier rainfall, while heatwaves worsen with each additional degree of warming.

The year began with powerful storms sweeping across parts of Europe.

Dozens of people were evacuated in Spain due to Storm Martinho, while the worst flooding in three decades disrupted operations at Romania’s historic Praid salt mine, forcing thousands of residents to flee their homes.

During the summer months, heatwaves shattered temperature records across the continent, including in the Arctic Circle.

Temperatures in southern Europe exceeded 40 degrees Celsius, triggering widespread drought, health warnings and large-scale wildfires.

A study by researchers at Imperial College London and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine found that climate change was responsible for 68 percent of an estimated 24,400 heat-related deaths across 854 European cities. Romania, Bulgaria, Greece and Cyprus recorded around 950 deaths during a single week in June, while Rome, Athens and Bucharest were the most affected capitals in terms of deaths relative to population size.

Meanwhile, an analysis by World Weather Attribution found that climate change made the conditions fueling wildfires in Portugal and Spain about 40 times more likely, resulting in casualties and the displacement of tens of thousands of people.

Economic losses caused by extreme weather were estimated at no less than €43 billion, with projections suggesting they could rise to €126 billion by 2029. Italy, France and Spain suffered the highest direct losses.

Scientists expect 2026 to be among the hottest years since records began in 1850, as the UK Met Office warned that average global temperatures could rise to 1.4 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, marking the fourth consecutive year to reach this level of warming.

Tanzania، Dec. 29 (SANA) The East African Community (EAC) has reaffirmed its firm commitment to the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Somalia, stressing that Somalia is a single sovereign state under the authority of its federal government.

The Somali News Agency (SONNA) quoted the EAC Secretariat as saying in a statement issued from its headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania, that the Community’s position is fully aligned with the African Union Charter, its Constitutive Act and relevant international resolutions affirming Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial unity.

“The Community adopts a position that is fully consistent with the African Union Charter, the Constitutive Act and relevant international resolutions that affirm Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” the statement said.

The statement added that the EAC’s recognition of the Federal Republic of Somalia is based on the Community’s founding treaty and within Somalia’s internationally recognized borders inherited since independence. It called on all parties to respect Somalia’s territorial integrity and adhere to international legal frameworks that safeguard state sovereignty.

The statement comes after the Israeli occupation authorities announced on December 26 a declaration of mutual recognition with the Somaliland region, making the Israeli occupation the only party to take such a step since Somaliland’s unilateral declaration of secession in 1991.

The East African Community is a regional intergovernmental organization comprising eight countries in the Great Lakes region. It aims to enhance political, economic and social cooperation among member states and to achieve regional integration through common markets, a unified currency and advanced.

R.A

Damascus, Dec. 29 (SANA) On the first anniversary of liberation, the Union of Charitable Associations in Damascus and its countryside, in cooperation with the Ministries of Social Affairs and Labor and Culture, organized an event titled “Civil society: a partner in hope, a partner in pain” at the Damascus Opera House on Sunday. The event honored 63 individuals, including former detainees from the ousted regime’s prisons and families of victims of the revolution working in civil society.

Minister of Awqaf Mohammad Abu Al-Kheir Shukri stressed the importance of supporting and empowering former detainees and families of victims, underscoring the role of charitable work in strengthening social solidarity and meeting the needs of the community.

Chairman of the Union’s board Sarya Sirawan said the Union seeks to serve the community through various charitable and service-oriented programs and projects needed after years of hardship.

Meanwhile, the Union’s Secretary Haitham Saltaji said the event aims to shed light on the work of charitable associations and non-governmental organizations active in Damascus and its countryside during the years of the revolution, as well as the challenges faced by their staff and volunteers.

The event included video presentations on the Union’s charitable activities, poetry and sports performances by children, and speeches by honorees sharing aspects of their experiences during the years of the revolution.

The Union of Charitable Associations, established in 1957, aims to coordinate efforts among member associations and strengthen communication with official bodies and international organizations.

R.H

Damascus, Dec. 28 (SANA) Six Syrian universities have been included in the 2025 Arab University Rankings, up from four in the previous edition, with Damascus University recording notable progress.

Damascus University ranked 54th across the Arab world, placing it among nearly 1,500 Arab universities and research centers assessed in the ranking, according to Dr. Marwan al-Raai, head of the university’s rankings office. He attributed the improvement to efforts to enhance academic programs, modernize curricula, and strengthen research output.

The other Syrian universities listed are the International University for Science and Technology in Daraa, Al-Andalus University for Medical Sciences in Qadmous in Tartous, Latakia University, Yarmouk Private University in Daraa, and Al-Sham Private University in Damascus.

The Arab University Rankings are overseen by regional academic bodies and assess universities based on criteria including teaching quality, scientific research, innovation, academic partnerships, and student resources. Officials said further progress is expected as Syrian universities continue to invest in higher education and research development.