SANA - Syrian Arab News Agency

The Organization of Turkic States (OTS) affirmed its support for Syria’s unity, stability, territorial integrity, and reconstruction.

This came in a statement signed by the leaders of the organization’s member states—Turkey, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan—at the conclusion of the organization’s 12th summit in the city of Gabala, Azerbaijan, according to Anadolu Agency.

The statement highlighted the OTS commitment to peace, security, stability, and prosperity in the region, expressing their firm determination to enhance solidarity, cooperation, and coordination among Turkic states in all areas.

Leaders of the (OTS) also expressed their deep concern over the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza Strip, calling for an immediate and permanent ceasefire and ensuring unhindered access for humanitarian aid.

In his opening speech at the summit on Tuesday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that maintaining stability in Syria is crucial for ensuring security across the region.

The Organization of Turkic States was established on October 3, 2009, under the name “Cooperation Council of Turkic Speaking States/Turkic Council,” following the signing of the “Nakhchivan Agreement” between Turkey, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan.

Syrians across the country have expressed their solidarity with the Palestinian people as the war in Gaza enters its third year.

Hundreds of Syrians in the city of Deir Ezzor, in eastern Syria, gathered to show support for Palestinians and denounce the ongoing Israeli war on Gaza.

Participants held placards reading “Palestine and Syria are one” and chanted slogans supporting Palestinian right to an independent state.

In Hama, people assembled at Umm al-Hasan Park, where they called for an end to the war in Gaza.

Crowds filled Saadallah al-Jabri Square, central Aleppo under the slogan, “We are all one for Palestine.”

Protesters waved Palestinian and Syrian flags, chanted pro-Palestinian slogans, and called for an end to Israeli aggression.

These gatherings coincided with renewed international appeals for a ceasefire and humanitarian aid access to Gaza.

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

A magnitude 5.0 earthquake on Richter scale stuck Hualien County in eastern Taiwan Wednesday, The Taiwanese Central Weather Administration (CWA) reported.

The CWA said that the epicenter of the temblor was located in the county’s Ji’an Township, about 6.9 kilometers west of Hualien County Hall, at a depth of 6.1 km.

According to CWA data the earthquake’s intensity, which gauges the actual effects of a temblor, was highest in parts of Hualien County, where it measured 4 on Taiwan’s seven-tier intensity scale.

There were no immediate reports of damage.

Syrian Health Minister Musab Al-Ali and Jordanian Health Minister Ibrahim Mahfouz Al-Bdour met Tuesday in Amman to strengthen cooperation in primary care, medical training, and disease prevention.

The meeting, held on the sidelines of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation Health Ministers’ Conference, also addressed shared health challenges in light of regional conditions.

Both ministers agreed to draft a health cooperation agreement covering technical support, training, and capacity building.

The talks reflected the two countries’ commitment to closer regional health collaboration and improved public health services.

Amer Dhawa

Syrian Ministry of Emergency Management and Disaster Response held a consultative meeting Tuesday in Damascus with representatives of UN agencies and local and international organizations to discuss improving coordination and readiness for potential emergencies.

Participants reviewed key elements of the national emergency plan, including task distribution among government bodies and humanitarian organizations, field response priorities, and successful international disaster management experiences.

They emphasized the need for an integrated response system based on effective coordination and shared responsibilities to ensure rapid intervention, protect lives, and minimize damage.

The meeting marked a step toward building a comprehensive national disaster response framework, reflecting Syria’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with international partners and enhancing emergency preparedness.

Amer Dhawa

Residents of Deir ez-Zor held on Tuesday a solidarity rally to mark the second anniversary of Israeli campaign of extermination against civilians in the Gaza Strip.

Participants expressed support for the people of Gaza and condemned ongoing Israeli War of extermination, calling for an end to the violence and for international action to protect Palestinian civilians.

Amer Dhawa

Syrian Interior Minister Anas Khattab and his Jordanian counterpart, Mazen Al-Faraya, met Tuesday in Amman to discuss boosting security cooperation, improving border management, and facilitating the movement of people and goods between the two countries.

According to the Syrian Interior Ministry’s Telegram channel, Khattab emphasized the need for continued coordination on shared security concerns and praised Jordan’s role in maintaining regional stability.

The meeting was attended by Qutaiba Badawi, head of Syria’s General Authority for Land and Sea Border Crossings; Maj. Gen. Ubaidallah Al-Maaytah, director of Jordan’s Public Security Directorate; and other senior officials from both sides.

The talks are part of broader efforts to strengthen Syrian-Jordanian relations and promote cooperation to support the security and stability of both nations.

Amer Dhawa

The Syriac Orthodox Church has denounced the Syrian Democratic Forces for shutting down Christian schools in northeastern Syria, insisting that they will only teach the official internationally recognized and government-approved curriculum.

Bishop Mor Maurice Amsih, head of the Syriac Orthodox Diocese of Al-Jazira and the Euphrates, said about 35 Christian schools serving students from all backgrounds — Arabs, Kurds, Assyrians, and Yazidis — will continue using the curriculum issued by Syrian Ministry of Education.

In a statement to SANA, Amsih said monthlong talks with the SDF failed after the group demanded that 20 diocesan schools adopt either its own curriculum or one used by UNICEF, neither of which is recognized by Damascus. “This is completely unacceptable,” he said.

He noted that many of the diocese’s schools, some more than a century old, rely on official Syrian certificates for middle and high school education. Replacing the accredited curriculum, he warned, would jeopardize students’ futures and the schools’ legal status.

Moreover, Amsih said SDF forces expelled students after the diocese refused to comply, halting classes and leaving only administrative work in place. Education can resume, he added, only if the official national curriculum is restored with authorization from Damascus.

He concluded that the diocese remains committed to preserving Syria’s social unity and safeguarding future generations.

Meanwhile, local reports said the SDF has closed all private schools in the region that use the Syrian government’s curriculum and continues to conduct forced recruitment campaigns targeting students, most recently in the cities of Raqqa and Tabqa.

Amer Dhawa

Syrian Minister of Emergency and Disaster Management Raed al-Saleh discussed with Jessica Svärdström, the Chargé d’affaires of the Kingdom of Sweden’s Embassy to Syria areas for enhancing cooperation in disaster management, institutional capacity building, and knowledge exchange to support sustainable development.

Minister Al-Saleh highlighted the risks posed by war remnants and landmines, presenting the ministry’s efforts in launching the National Mine Action Center and stressing the importance of coordinating international efforts to mitigate these dangers and protect lives.

Both sides discussed development of partnerships and exchanging expertise to enhance national disaster procedures, supporting humanitarian initiatives and promoting social stability and solidarity.

The ministry emphasized fostering international collaborations to improve emergency response, empower women, and strengthen civil society’s role in raising awareness about disaster and emergency management.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan affirmed on Tuesday that maintaining stability in Syria is crucial for ensuring security across the region.

Erdogan stated that “Despite many challenges, the Syrian government’s progress over the past nine months gives us reason to look to the future with hope,” Anadolu Agency quoted Erdogan as saying In a speech delivered at the 12th Summit of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) in Azerbaijan.

Erdogan added “we must focus on improving the political, economic, and security environment in Syria, and maintaining its territorial integrity and unity”, calling on the organization to enhance its cooperation with the Syrian government.

The Turkish president also pointed out that Israeli attacks on Palestine, Lebanon, and Syria—as well as its recent bombardment of Qatar—demonstrate that the biggest threat to regional stability comes from Israel.

Erdogan stressed that implementing the two-state solution in accordance with international legitimacy is the only path toward a lasting and just peace, noting that Turkey continues to work in this direction.

Earlier Tuesday, the 12th summit of the leaders of the “Organization of Turkic States” kicked off in the city of Gabala, Azerbaijan, under the theme “Peace and Regional Security.”

The Criminal Investigation Branch in Damascus countryside has arrested several individuals involved in the sale and smuggling of valuable archaeological artifacts and ancient coins.

 The arrest operations followed reports from citizens, leading to the capture of multiple independent groups in possession of gold coins, metal and stone statues, including two gold pieces.

The suspects confessed to engaging in illegal excavation and smuggling of antiquities.

 All those involved have been referred to the competent judicial authorities for legal action.

The Ministry of Interior affirmed that efforts are ongoing to combat such crimes, which pose a threat to the nation’s cultural heritage.

President Ahmad al-Sharaa discussed with U.S. Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack and Commander of U.S. Central Command Admiral Brad Cooper latest developments in Syria and the mechanisms for implementing the March 10 Agreement.

In a statement posted on its Telegram channel, the Presidency said that President al-Sharaa received U.S. Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack and Commander of U.S. Central Command Admiral Brad Cooper in Damascus on Tuesday.

The statement added that the meeting was attended by Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani, Minister of Defense Murhaf Abu Qasra, and Head of the General Intelligence Directorate Hussein al-Salama.

“The meeting focused on the latest developments in Syria, ways to support the political process, and efforts to enhance security and stability,” the statement said.

It added that discussions covered mechanisms for implementing the March 10 Agreement in a manner that safeguards Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Minister of Agriculture Amjad Badr inaugurated, on Tuesday, Marai Al-Buleil Dairy and Cheese Factory in the town of al-Buleil, eastern Deir Ezzor countryside.

The project is supported by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

The initiative aims to boost local dairy production and strengthen the agricultural and livestock sectors in the region, thereby contributing to improved rural household incomes and creating new job opportunities.

The head of the UN Independent Institution on Missing Persons in Syria (IIMP), Karla Quintana, said on Tuesday that resolving the issue of missing persons in Syria is a “collective endeavour” involving every Syrian.

In an interview with UN News, Quintana said, “Every Syrian shares not only the hope of rebuilding their country, but also the hope of finding their missing loved ones.”

She explained that the IIMP’s mandate is broad, covering “everyone missing in Syria, regardless of nationality, ethnicity, religion, or when they went missing.”

“We are talking about hundreds of thousands of missing people in Syria,” the UN official said, adding, “Everyone either has someone missing or knows someone who has gone missing, which makes this a shared national concern.”

She clarified that the IIMP has opened several lines of inquiry to locate individuals who were forcibly disappeared by the former regime, including children. She added that the agency is also investigating cases of missing persons in areas previously controlled by Daesh.

The IIMP is a UN entity established by the General Assembly on 29 June 2023, in response to urgent calls from the families of Syria’s thousands of missing persons. Its purpose is to help determine their fate and whereabouts.

A delegation from the Syrian Ministry of Interior participated in the second Arab Conference on Combating Cybercrime, held at the General Secretariat of the Council of Arab Interior Ministers in Tunisia.

The Syrian delegation, led by Deputy Minister for Technical Affairs Ahmad Haffar, joined discussions with other Arab officials on developing a unified Arab strategy to combat AI-related crimes, establishing a centralized agency for cybercrime coordination, and addressing issues such as electronic financial fraud

The conference served as a platform for member states to share experiences and best practices in combating cybercrime.

During its participation, the Syrian delegation emphasized the importance of joint efforts and unified approaches to counter growing cyber threats, stressing the need to develop collaborative programs that meet evolving challenges and enhance regional security.

Defense Minister General Murhaf Abu Qasra announced on Tuesday that he has reached a comprehensive ceasefire agreement with Mazloum Abdi, the chief of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), covering northern and northeastern Syria.

The defense minister wrote on X: “I have recently met with Mr. Mazloum Abdi in the capital, Damascus, where we agreed on a comprehensive ceasefire across all fronts and military positions in northern and northeastern Syria. The implementation of this agreement will begin immediately.”

The announcement follows an attack by the SDF on Syrian security checkpoints near the Sheikh Maqsoud neighborhood on Monday night. The attack also involved shelling of nearby residential areas, which led to clashes with the Syrian Arab Army and security forces.

“One security member was martyred, and three members of the Internal Security Forces were wounded,” a security source told SANA late Monday.

Earlier on Sunday, the Defense Ministry stated that the army’s recent movements in northern and northeastern Syria were part of a planned redeployment, not the start of new military operations.

The ministry emphasized that the Syrian government remains committed to the March 10 agreement with the SDF and has no plans to launch offensive actions.

Two ships carrying 70,000 tons of wheat have arrived at Tartus Port as part of the government’s efforts to secure the needs of the Syrian people and ensure food security, port officials reported on Tuesday.

These shipments are part of the government’s plans to boost the strategic wheat stockpile due to the wheat production shortfall this year.

Mazen Alloush, Director of Relations at the General Authority of Land and Sea Ports, told SANA, “The first ship carries 45,000 tons, and the second carries 25,000 tons.”

Since the beginning of the year, Syria has imported approximately 400,000 tons of wheat, reflecting the government’s ongoing efforts to secure the wheat necessary for bakeries’ flour needs to provide daily bread for citizens.

The Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza has urgently called on international organizations to intervene and stop the “health genocide” in the Gaza Strip, following two years of deliberate “deadly and crippling strikes” on health infrastructure.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, as the war enters its third year, the ministry urged all relevant parties to fully fulfill their responsibilities by implementing emergency interventions that ensure the delivery of medical supplies and essential care.

The ministry also called on world organizations to “criminalize the ongoing destruction of Gaza’s health infrastructure by the Israeli occupation, safeguard the therapeutic rights of patients, and protect the safety of medical and emergency teams.”

The ministry released statistics outlining the overall death toll, deaths among health personnel, hospital damage, and disruptions to medical supplies caused by the ongoing war over the past 730 days.

According to the statement, the death toll from the war stands at 67,173, with 169,780 people injured, including 20,179 children, 10,427 women, 4,813 elderly people, and 31,754 men. Among the casualties are 1,701 medical staff.

“Of the 38 hospitals in Gaza, 25 have been rendered non-functional, while 13 are operating partially under difficult conditions,” the statement said. It also noted that the Israeli army has destroyed 103 out of 157 primary healthcare centers, leaving only 54 operating at limited capacity.

The ministry highlighted that Israel is blocking regular medical supplies and obstructing their safe delivery to hospitals, worsening the shortages of essential medicines and consumables in critical departments.

“Currently, 55% of essential drugs, 66% of medical consumables, and 68% of laboratory supplies are unavailable,” the statement said.

The statement also mentioned that “levels of famine in Gaza have reached alarming proportions, according to international classifications,” with 460 deaths due to starvation and malnutrition, including 154 children.

“Additionally, 51,196 children under the age of five are suffering from severe malnutrition,” the statement added.

The Ministry of Transport hosted on Tuesday the ‘MOVE’ Forum for Digital Transport Entrepreneurship, with participation from several ministers, entrepreneurs, investors, and local and international experts.

The event is organized in collaboration with the ‘YallaGo’ app at the Seven Gates Hotel in Damascus.

The World Food Programme (WFP) has called for increased food aid to Gaza Strip, which is facing deteriorating and dire humanitarian crisis.

The Palestinian News Agency (WAFA) quoted WFP as saying, “Humanitarian efforts must advance to save lives in the Strip, not retreat, and Gaza is in immediate need of expanded food aid.”

The WFP also called for allowing safe and unhindered humanitarian access to ensure the organized distribution of immediate food aid to Palestinians throughout Gaza.

More than 2 million Palestinians in Gaza are living in a suffocating humanitarian crisis, with no food, water, electricity, or medication. The ongoing siege blocks the entry of vital supplies, leading to a complete collapse of the health system and basic services.