SANA - Syrian Arab News Agency

Syrian Minister of Social Affairs and Labor Hind Kabawat announced Wednesday that Syria has entered a recovery phase after years of war, highlighting the return of more than one million refugees as a turning point toward national stability.

Speaking at the 76th session of the UNHCR Executive Committee, Kabawat expressed deep gratitude to UNHCR, donor countries, host nations, partner organizations, and civil society for their continued support during Syria’s most difficult years.

She emphasized the government’s top priority: ensuring the safe and dignified return of displaced Syrians, noting that life is gradually returning to local communities.

Kabawat called for investment in essential services like schools, hospitals, infrastructure, and livelihoods, stressing that reconstruction is a humanitarian imperative, not a political act.

She concluded by affirming Syria’s readiness to open a new chapter, urging genuine international partnership to help Syrians rebuild their lives.

In a landmark joint press conference held in Ankara, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan Al-Shaibani and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan outlined a renewed vision for bilateral cooperation, regional stability, and Syria’s post-war reconstruction.

Al-Shaibani declared the fall of the deposed regime as “the end of a dark era that lasted more than 60 years,” during which over one million Syrians lost their lives. He emphasized the country’s rapid transformation, stating, “In just a few months, we have managed to build a state of citizenship and establish a nation founded on justice and pluralism.”

The Syrian minister highlighted the purpose of his visit to Turkey as a step toward “strengthening our strategic partnership based on transparency and dialogue.” He also addressed ongoing talks with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), reaffirming Syria’s commitment to the March 10 Agreement.

“The SDF has been slow in taking the necessary steps, and to this day, we have not reached a practical step toward implementing the agreement,” al-Shaibani said.

For his part, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan echoed support for Syria’s sovereignty and stability, describing recent Israeli military actions as “a dangerous escalation.” He warned that such interventions “would contribute to increased instability” and “affect our national security.”

Fidan praised Syria’s growing international engagement, particularly following President Ahmad Al-Sharaa’s speech at the 80th United Nations General Assembly.

“Syria’s international engagement is growing day by day,” he said, adding that Turkey remains committed to ensuring no external player benefits from Syria’s instability.

Both ministers underscored their shared commitment to combating terrorism, with Fidan affirming Syria’s “strong will to fight Daesh in cooperation with the international community.”

The press conference marks a significant moment in Syrian–Turkish relations, signaling a mutual interest in regional security, reconstruction, and diplomatic normalization.

Mazen Eyon

A lecture hosted by the Social Forum in Damascus on Tuesday highlighted Syria’s seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including Old Damascus, Aleppo, Bosra, Palmyra, Krak des Chevaliers, Saladin Castle, and the Forgotten Cities of the North.

Tourism planning and sustainability expert Faisal Najati, who delivered the lecture, emphasized Syria’s rich cultural and historical assets, calling for renewed international cooperation to reintegrate the country into the global tourism map.

He also highlighted Syria’s intangible heritage, including Qudud Halabiya music, oud craftsmanship, laurel soap, Karakoz and Hacivat theater, falconry, and glassblowing, all reflecting Syria’s diverse cultural identity.

In June 2013, UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee placed Syria’s heritage sites on the List of World Heritage in Danger, citing threats linked to the deposed regime’s actions.

Today, Syria’s Directorate of Antiquities and Museums is working with UNESCO to restore and preserve those sites.

Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan Al-Shaibani met on Wednesday with his Turkish counterpart, Hakan Fidan, in the Turkish capital, Ankara.

The two sides discussed recent developments in the region and issues of mutual interest.

Health Minister Musab Al-Ali met on Wednesday with the Libyan Undersecretary-General of the Ministry of Health, Mohammed Al-Ghouj, to discuss ways to enhance health cooperation, exchange expertise, provide training, and develop health response systems.

The meeting, held on the sidelines of the 8th Conference of Health Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Amman, addressed common challenges faced by the healthcare systems in both countries and explored ways to overcome them through cooperation.

Al-Ali expressed Syria’s readiness to support Libya by offering expertise in medical rehabilitation and health crisis management.

For his part, Al-Ghouj welcomed Syria’s support in strengthening medical capabilities, noting Libya’s severe shortage of medical personnel.

The two sides agreed to maintain ongoing communication and establish technical follow-up teams between their ministries.

President Ahmad al-Sharaa chaired a meeting of the Higher Council for Development on Wednesday to discuss economic and service-related policies.

During the meeting, President al-Sharaa emphasized the importance of coordinating national efforts to achieve comprehensive development and enhance the performance of the national economy.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reaffirmed on Wednesday his country’s support for Syria and its territorial integrity.

Speaking to journalists on his way back from Azerbaijan, where he attended a summit of the Organization of Turkic States, Erdogan said that Turkey will not accept any attempts to undermine Syria’s unity.

 “The territorial integrity of Syria is essential for Turkey, and it is impossible for us to accept any attempts to undermine this unity, we will continue to stand by the Syrian people,” Erdogan was quoted by Anadolu Agency as saying.

Regarding the situation in Gaza, Erdogan stated: “Our priority is to achieve an urgent and comprehensive ceasefire in Gaza Strip, and it is necessary to deliver humanitarian aid to the Strip as soon as possible.”

Turkish President emphasized that Israel’s attacks on Gaza Strip are a violation of international law, describing them not as self-defense but as genocide and systematic terrorism.

Syria’s Minister of Emergency and Disaster Management, Raed Al-Saleh, met on Wednesday with Joseph Inganji, Head of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Syria, to discuss strengthening joint efforts for a more effective humanitarian response.

Al-Saleh emphasized the Syrian government’s commitment to prioritizing humanitarian needs and ensuring that aid delivery reflects both national interests and humanitarian principles.

He called for closer coordination between domestic and international actors to better serve affected communities.

Inganji reaffirmed OCHA’s support for Syria’s recovery efforts and highlighted the importance of involving local communities in planning and implementation to ensure a sustainable impact.

The meeting is part of broader government efforts to deepen partnerships with international humanitarian organizations and to ensure that aid is distributed fairly and transparently across all regions.

Syria is pushing ahead with efforts to restore key energy infrastructure in the eastern province of Deir Ezzor, as part of a broader national plan to rebuild critical services damaged during years of war.

Energy Minister Mohammad al-Bashir visited on Wednesday, al-Taym oil field and its associated oil and power generation stations to assess the operational needs of the facilities.

The facilities suffered significant destruction during the war and are now undergoing phased restoration aimed at boosting production and stabilizing electricity supply in the governorate.

During his visit, the minister met with technical staff and received briefings on the current state of operations, logistical challenges, and shortages in spare parts.

Al-Bashir underscored the government’s commitment to supporting local technical teams and ensuring the provision of resources to enhance output and energy sector stability in eastern Syria.

The al-Taym power station, originally commissioned in the 1990s, consists of three generating units running on gas and diesel. Two units were recently brought back online after successful local repairs.

These units now serve as backup power sources during outages, especially when electricity transmission from central Syria is disrupted.

However, the facility still faces major obstacles. The third unit remains partially destroyed, and the plant continues to suffer from a lack of critical replacement parts.

Earlier in August, the Ministry of Energy signed a new investment deal with an international consortium (UCC) to construct a 750-megawatt thermal power plant and a 400-megawatt solar facility in the province.

Officials say these projects are expected to generate employment, support the return of displaced residents, and stimulate investment across the agriculture, industry, and tourism sectors

The push to restore Deir Ezzor’s energy infrastructure comes as Syria grapples with severe nationwide electricity shortages and economic constraints. Yet, officials say the ongoing rehabilitation efforts reflect a broader governmental strategy to revive essential services and lay the groundwork for long-term development.

Education Minister Mohammad Abdul Rahman Turko discussed on Wednesday with UK Special Representative for Syria, Ann Snow, ways to enhance educational cooperation between the two countries.

The officials emphasized the importance of coordinating efforts to support the right to education, as a key tool for communication and building a sustainable future.

Minister Turko said the Syrian government views education as essential for development and is working with other ministries to update curricula, with a focus on English Language.

He also outlined the challenges facing the Ministry of Education, particularly the extensive damage to schools during the defunct regime.

He said 680 schools have been restored, with work ongoing to rehabilitate another 720 out of an estimated 8,000 damaged across the country.

Snow underscored the need to strengthen joint educational initiatives and expand activity halls to promote inclusive learning, emphasizing that every child should have access to education.

Researchers at the Russian Novosibirsk State University Artificial Intelligence Research Center (NSU AIRC) have developed “Dr. Pirogov,” a digital medical assistant designed to diagnose up to 250 diseases.

Lead researcher Vladimir Ivanisenko told “RT” the system aims to ease doctors’ workloads and shorten patient intake times without compromising the quality of care. The assistant can interact with patients and analyze medical reports, laboratory results, and genetic data.

“Dr. Pirogov” is powered by neural networks and the specialized knowledge graph platform ANDSystem, a comprehensive database mapping relationships among diseases, symptoms, and medications. The project was developed over a decade in collaboration with the Institute of Cytology and Genetics under the Russian Academy of Sciences.

The AI app generates a list of possible diagnoses, recommends tests, and suggests treatment options while checking drug compatibility.

Ivanisenko said the system is not meant to replace doctors but to assist them, improving patient triage, reducing strain on medical staff, and enhancing the efficiency of hospital assessments.

The Swiss “Waves of Freedom Association” (WOFA) has condemned the degrading and inhumane treatment inflicted by Israeli authorities on activists participating in the Global Sumud Flotilla, a civil initiative aimed at breaking the siege on Gaza.

In an official statement, the organization denounced the activists’ detention following the Israeli raid on the ships. It also declared that Israel “subjected Swiss citizens involved in the flotilla to cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment” both physically and psychologically in violation of the UN Convention Against Torture.

According to the association, detainees were deprived of sleep, water, food, and medical care, and were subjected to verbal and psychological abuse. Several activists had their hands bound for hours without justification, and some were reportedly slapped, beaten, and kept in cages.

Israeli authorities refused to provide essential medical attention and necessary medications, including insulin for diabetics, as well as medicine for asthma and high blood pressure, it said.

The incident occurred last Wednesday when Israeli military forces intercepted and boarded 44 vessels that made up the Global Sumud Flotilla while sailing in international waters toward Gaza.

During the operation, hundreds of activists were unlawfully detained, many of whom were subjected to humiliating treatment and physical mistreatment.

Among them was Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, before Israeli authorities began deportation procedures.

Qatar has reiterated its commitment to combating terrorism in cooperation with the United Nations and to foster peace and security and help create a safer and more stable global environment.

According to the Qatar News Agency (QNA), Abdulaziz Fadala Al-Sulaiti, Representative of Qatar’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations, stated in a speech before the Sixth Committee of the UN General Assembly that Qatar “condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, regardless of its motives or justifications”. He firmly rejected any attempt to associate terrorism with any religion, culture, or nation.

Al-Sulaiti stressed that addressing terrorism requires a genuine collective commitment to the principles of international law, respect for human rights, and rejection of selectivity and politicization in counterterrorism efforts.
He also emphasized the need to avoid exploiting counterterrorism as a pretext for violating rights or discriminating against people under occupation, who are guaranteed the legitimate right to self-determination under international law.

He further noted that the success of global efforts to eliminate terrorism depends on multilateral cooperation that addresses all its dimensions, including root causes, while ensuring full respect for the rule of law and human rights.

Human Rights Watch has called on the Lebanese government to uphold its commitments and ensure access to education for all children in Lebanon, regardless of their legal status.

Despite pledges made by the Lebanese government to provide education for all children, HRW criticized a recent decision that restricts refugee access.

On September 30, the government continued enforcing a policy requiring non-Lebanese students to present valid residency permits or UNHCR-issued IDs to enroll in “second shift” classes in public schools for the 2025–2026 academic year.

According to UNHCR, 41 percent of Syrian refugee children did not attend primary school in 2024, while 81 percent missed out on secondary education. UNICEF reported that at least 28,000 non-Lebanese children were barred from formal education last year due to residency requirements.

HRW urged Lebanese leaders to honor their promises, emphasizing that education is a fundamental right under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and essential for the future of all children Lebanese and non-Lebanese alike.

Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico announced an agreement with the United States to build an additional nuclear reactor in Slovakia.

The Associated Press (AP) quoted Fico as saying in a speech at an annual nuclear conference in the Slovakian capital, Bratislava, that the new reactor will be built at the existing nuclear plant in Jaslovské Bohonice in western Slovakia, and will have an output of over 1,000 megawatts and be fully owned by the state.

In May 2024, the Slovak government approved a plan to build a 1,200-megawatt nuclear reactor at the site where the dominant utility Slovenské Elektrárně (Slovak power plants) currently operates two nuclear units, at an estimated cost of approximately €15 billion.

Slovakia heavily relies on nuclear energy and currently generates over 80% of its electricity at two nuclear plants.

Nisreen / Abdull

Syria’s Central Bank (CBS) Governor Abdulkader al-Husrieh announced on Wednesday that a new series of banknotes will be issued in six denominations without images or symbols.

Al-Husrieh told SANA that the upcoming banknotes will cover small, medium, and large denominations to improve cash circulation and meet daily transaction needs.

The Central Bank will disclose detailed specifications, including values, sizes, and security features, once printing and issuance are finalized, he added.

The move, according to al-Husrieh, aims to make the currency easier to verify and align with global trends.

The CBS governor said the new notes are intended to replace worn bills and address liquidity shortages without expanding the overall money supply. He described the move as a “modernization measure rather than monetary expansion.”

He added that the rollout will be accompanied by monetary policy measures to control liquidity and maintain price stability, while strengthening confidence in the Syrian pound and improving transaction efficiency.

On the second anniversary of Israel’s war on Gaza, protests erupted across several countries as demonstrators voiced outrage over the ongoing war in Gaza, demanding an end of the war and humanitarian relief for Palestinians.

Pro-Palestinian demonstrations were held worldwide on Tuesday, coinciding with the two-year anniversary of the Israeli war on Gaza.

In Jakarta, over 1,000 protesters marched to the U.S. Embassy, condemning Israel’s blockade and the arrest of activists from the Global Sumud Flotilla.

Across Japan, hundreds gathered in Tokyo and Osaka, calling for a ceasefire and sanctions against Israel, echoing growing international criticism.

Solidarity vigils and rallies also took place in Taiwan, Chile, and the United Kingdom demanding an end to the war in Gaza.

In Turkey, Hundreds of demonstrators took part in a rally organized by various civil society groups, waving Palestinian flags and calling for an end to Israeli war on Gaza.

Gaza Strip has been experiencing a worsening humanitarian crisis. Fewer than half of the Strip’s hospitals are functioning, all of them partially, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

A growing number of children are either at risk of or are suffering from acute malnutrition due to a lack of food, according to humanitarian groups.

The war, now entering its third year, has killed more than 67,000 Palestinians, displaced most of Gaza’s population.

The price of gold has exceeded $4,000 per ounce for the first time in history, driven by investor demand amid concerns over a possible U.S. government shutdown and political unrest in France.

At the opening of Asian trading, gold reached $4,001.11 per ounce, up more than 50% since the start of the year.

The yellow metal first broke $2,000 in August 2020 during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and hovered near that level until 2024, when it climbed past $2,500 in August, $3,000 in March, and $3,500 in September.

Investors continue to turn to gold as a safe haven to preserve capital, particularly during periods of economic uncertainty.

An Israeli force advanced on Wednesday towards the village of al-Samdaniya al -Sharqiya in Quneitra countryside, southern Syria, SANA reporter said.

According to the reporter, an Israeli force consisting of three vehicles, set up a checkpoint between al- Samdaniya al- Sharqiya and the town of Al-Ajraf, searched passersby, then withdrew after about half an hour.

Israeli forces frequently launch ground incursions into Syrian territory, in violation of the 1974 Disengagement Agreement, international law and UN Security Council resolutions.

 Syria has always condemned these repeated attacks and called on the international community to take a firm stance.

The Palestinian Center for Missing and Forcibly Disappeared Persons stated that Israel is responsible for the fate of more than 8,000 missing Palestinians in Gaza since the war began on October 7, 2023.

In its statement on Tuesday, the center stressed that the ongoing “blackout of the fate of the missing constitutes a crime no less horrific than the crimes of aggression committed by Israel.”

“Thousands of Palestinian families continue searching for their sons amid the rubble and in Israeli prisons, as Israel’s policy of concealment, information blackout, and denial of reliable prisoner information persists,” the statement added.

The center estimated the number of missing Palestinians at between 8,000 and 9,000, noting that only 5,000 have been officially registered so far. Most of the cases were registered in Gaza, the center added.

The center urged the United Nations and the international community to take urgent action to uncover the fate of the missing in Gaza, pressure Israel to disclose mass graves, and allow the entry of teams and equipment to recover and identify bodies.

Since the start of the war on October 7, 2023, more than 67,173 Palestinians have been killed, and approximately 169,780 others have been injured, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza.