SANA - Syrian Arab News Agency

Tripoli, Dec. 17 (SANA) Health Minister Musab al-Ali discussed with Mohammed al Ghuj, Acting Minister and Secretary General of the Libyan Ministry of Health, prospects for strengthening joint health cooperation between Syria and Libya, on the sidelines of preparations for the 63rd session of the Council of Arab Health Ministers, scheduled to be held tomorrow, December 18, in Tripoli.

The meeting addressed preparations for the Arab ministerial gathering, in addition to discussing ways to enhance cooperation in pharmaceutical manufacturing, exchange technical expertise, and build health capacities, contributing to strengthening the joint Arab health system and promoting integration among Arab countries in the health sector.

Both sides emphasized the importance of expanding areas of partnership and intensifying coordination in ways that serve shared health interests and enhance the response to current health challenges.

The meeting comes as part of the Health Minister’s visit to Libya to participate in the 63rd session of the Council of Arab Health Ministers and to hold a series of bilateral meetings with his Arab counterparts and officials, aimed at strengthening health cooperation, exchanging expertise, and supporting efforts to improve health services across the Arab region.

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Damascus, Dec. 17 (SANA) President Ahmad al- Sharaa held a session on Wednesday in Damascus with a delegation from the Ministry of Interior, the General Directorate of Civil Affairs, headed by Interior Minister Anas Khattab.

The session reviewed the key achievements accomplished during the year, examined the current state of operations and existing challenges, and discussed mechanisms to enhance performance and improve services provided to citizens.

The discussions also covered future project plans, particularly the new national ID card project, in addition to reviewing proposals from several leading and specialized companies in this field.

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Washington, Dec. 17 (SANA) The US Senate voted on Wednesday to pass the Department of Defense budget bill for fiscal year 2026, including a provision stipulating the repeal of the Caesar Act imposed on Syria since 2019. The bill won the support of 77 senators, with 20 voting against it, and was then sent to President Donald Trump to be signed into law.

Mohammed Alaa Ghanem, head of political affairs at the Syrian American Council, said in a statement to SANA that the Senate’s approval of the bill—after it had been passed by the House of Representatives last week—means that Congress has effectively repealed the Caesar Act, which was enacted in 2019.

Ghanem added: “The legislation is now heading to the US president’s desk to be signed within days, signaling a victory for Syrians and the end of this difficult era, and freeing Syria from sanctions that have shackled it for decades.”

In this context, US Representative Joe Wilson expressed his appreciation to the Senate for approving the full repeal of the law. In a post on X , Wilson said: “President Trump is expected to sign it soon… I had previously affirmed that the president would resolve this issue to make Syria great again.”

Path to repeal

Steps toward repealing the Caesar Act began when the US president announced during his visit to Saudi Arabia on May 13 that sanctions on Syria would be lifted. However, formal repeal required approval by both the Senate and the House of Representatives.

On Oct. 10, the Senate voted in favor of repeal within the budget bill, followed by the House of Representatives on Dec. 10. The bill then returned to the Senate due to amendments unrelated to Syria, before being approved in its final form on Tuesday, pending President Trump’s signature in the coming days.

Background of the law

The US Congress enacted the Caesar Act in December 2019 to sanction the deposed regime over war crimes and crimes against humanity against the Syrian people. The law entered into force in June 2020.

The act was named after Syrian photographer Fareed al-Madhhan, who leaked thousands of graphic images of detainees who died under torture in the prisons of the deposed regime. The law imposed broad sanctions targeting individuals, companies and institutions linked to that regime. While it was at times circumvented, Syrians and the national economy bore the brunt of its impact.

Repeal of the Caesar Act is expected to help open the door to the return of foreign investment and aid to support reconstruction and improve Syria’s economic situation, following the removal of what supporters describe as the largest obstacle to recovery.

Geneva, Dec. 17 (SANA) A delegation of the Syrian Arab Republic headed by Saad Baroud, director of the Department of International Organizations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, participated in the Global Refugee Forum held in Geneva, according to an official statement on Wednesday.

The statement said Baroud stressed that Syrian refugees have represented an added value to host countries and have contributed positively across various sectors. He noted that a sustainable solution to the refugee issue begins inside Syria through addressing internal displacement and ensuring the requirements for a dignified life.

According to the statement, Syria reaffirmed that the return of refugees must be safe, voluntary, dignified and sustainable, without politicization. It pointed to reform steps taken by the Syrian state following the fall of the deposed regime to help create appropriate conditions for return.

The statement also emphasized that addressing funding challenges and supporting Syria’s reconstruction and development constitute a key entry point for achieving safe and sustainable refugee returns. Syria renewed its commitment to constructive cooperation with the international community, United Nations agencies and host countries.

Syria presented its first pledge related to refugees in what it described as a historic step, affirming that it will exert all possible efforts in this field, including good offices aimed at following up on refugee issues worldwide, the statement said.

Doha , Dec.17 (SANA)  Amer Al Ali, head of Syria’s Central Authority for Control and Inspection, discussed with President of the Administrative Control and Transparency Authority (ACTA), and President of the 11th session of the Conference of the States Parties to the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC), Hamad bin Nasser Al Misnad, ways to enhance oversight cooperation between the two countries.

During a joint meeting held in Doha, the two sides discussed prospects for strengthening cooperation in combating corruption and asset recovery, through the exchange of expertise and the development of institutional capacities.

The meeting was held on the sidelines of the Conference of States Parties to the UN Convention against Corruption, hosted by Qatar, as part of efforts to advance oversight work in line with international standards and promote transparency.

The 11th session of the Conference of States Parties to the UN Convention against Corruption (COSP11) is being held in Doha from 15 to 19 December, offering participating countries an opportunity to confront this challenge, draw global attention to the most pressing corruption issues, and strengthen the international response to this threat.

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Cairo, Dec 17 (SANA) Syrian Minister of Emergency and Disaster Management, Raed al-Saleh, met on Wednesday with Ayman bin Salem Ghulam, CEO of Saudi Arabia’s National Center for Meteorology, on the sidelines of the First Arab Regional Forum on Early Warning and Disaster Preparedness.

The two officials explored avenues for cooperation in early warning systems and disaster readiness, aiming to strengthen regional response mechanisms and exchange expertise between Syria and Saudi Arabia.

Washington, Dec. 17 (SANA)— US lawmakers Joe Wilson and Jeanne Shaheen urged the Senate to vote in favor of repealing the Caesar Act during its session scheduled Wednesday, arguing that lifting the sanctions imposed under the law would represent “a glimmer of hope for a better future for Syria” and pave the way for a new course of rebuilding.

In a letter published by Foreign Policy magazine ahead of the vote on the US Department of Defense budget for fiscal year 2026—which includes a provision to repeal the law—the two lawmakers said the Syrian people achieved what once seemed impossible a year ago. After 14 years of war and five decades of dictatorship, they wrote, Syrians toppled the Bashar al-Assad regime and entered a new phase.

They said the legacy of the deposed regime was catastrophic, leaving more than half a million dead, 13 million displaced, a prison system built on torture and enforced disappearances, and a collapsed economy that has pushed more than 90 percent of the population into poverty.

‘Syrians are waiting for a historic moment’

The lawmakers said: “During our visit to Damascus last August, we witnessed the scale of destruction left by the war, but we also saw genuine hope during our meeting with President Ahmad al-Sharaa, his government, and leaders from across sects. Syrians view this moment as a historic opportunity that comes only once in a generation to rebuild their country and shape a better future for their region.”

They warned that this opportunity is now threatened by US sanctions that were originally imposed to pressure the regime to end its repression, but which today, they said, weigh heavily on a people seeking recovery. They cautioned that maintaining the sanctions could squander hard-won progress.

Wilson and Shaheen said lifting sanctions would not benefit Syrians alone, but would also serve US interests, arguing that Syria—after decades of alignment with Washington’s adversaries and its transformation into a hub of instability and terrorism—could become a constructive member of the international community.

They noted that rebuilding what the war destroyed will not be easy, warning that terrorist groups such as ISIS and “malign external actors like Iran” would seek to exploit any vacuum to reassert control.

The lawmakers recalled that US Central Command announced a week earlier the killing of three Americans by ISIS in Syria, underscoring the group’s continued threat and the need for Syrian security forces to be prepared to combat terrorism and prevent foreign interference.

Lifting sanctions to meet challenges

They said Syrians face immense challenges, including devastated infrastructure, food insecurity, shortages of medical care, risks from landmines and unexploded ordnance, and an economy isolated from the world by sanctions. Syria, they argued, needs a genuine promise of a better future—prompting them, as a Republican and a Democrat, to advocate repeal of the Caesar Act.

They wrote that lifting sanctions would enable Syrians to build capacity to confront major challenges, including eliminating chemical weapons, combating the drug trade, defeating ISIS, and ensuring equal protection for all citizens. “Without these capabilities,” they said, “we are simply asking them to do the impossible.”

The letter concluded: “Today we have a historic opportunity to repeal the Caesar Act and transform one of the world’s most sensitive and volatile regions into a more stable area aligned with our values and interests. Syria holds promising prospects, and realizing them requires all of us to work together—for the good of Syria and our own good—after all its people have endured.”

Doha, Dec. 17 (SANA) A delegation from Central Authority for Supervision and Inspection (CASI), headed by Amer al-Ali, the Authority’s president, met with a delegation from the United Arab Emirates to discuss ways of enhancing cooperation between the two countries in combating corruption.

The meeting took place on the sidelines of the United Nations Convention against Corruption conference, held in Doha, the capital of Qatar.

The discussions addressed means of enhancing joint cooperation in the fields of combating corruption, asset recovery, and exchange of expertise, in support of international efforts to consolidate principles of integrity.

Yesterday, al-Ali also met with a delegation from the Stolen Asset Recovery Initiative (StAR), as part of efforts to boost cooperation and build institutional capacity for recovering stolen funds, on the sidelines of the conference in Doha.

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Damascus, dec.17 (SANA) Internal Security Forces in Damascus province arrested on Wednesday a person linked to the terrorist organization of Daesh (ISIS) during a security operation targeting one of the group’s hideouts in the Dummar neighborhood of Damascus.

“Our security units, in cooperation with the General Intelligence Directorate, carried out a precise operation targeting a hideout belonging to the ISIS terrorist organization in Dummar neighborhood of Damascus, based on reliable intelligence information and accurate field data.” Brigadier General, Osama Mohammad Khair Atkeh, chief of Internal Security in Damascus province, stated on the Ministry of Interior’s Telegram channel.

He stressed that one ISIS-linked member was arrested at the site, adding that the security forces discovered in the hideout explosive devices, in addition to various weapons and ammunition, suicide drones, and explosive materials used in preparing those drones for terrorist purposes.

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Hama, Dec. 17 (SANA) The Anti-Narcotics Branch in Hama province, in cooperation with the Internal Security Directorate, arrested a suspect for possession, trafficking and promotion of narcotic substances, seizing about 1.25 million Captagon pills and an automatic Kalashnikov rifle, authorities said on Wednesday.

The Interior Ministry’s channel on Telegram quoted Hama Internal Security Commander Brig. Gen. Mulham al-Shantout as saying: “Based on precise intelligence information, the Anti-Narcotics Branch in Hama province, in cooperation with the Internal Security Directorate in Hama city, launched careful surveillance and tracking operations of the suspect, who is involved in possessing narcotic substances and trafficking and promoting them within the province.”

He added: “Following continuous and meticulous monitoring, the suspect’s location was accurately identified, and he was arrested during a qualitative field operation carried out in accordance with legal procedures. This enabled security personnel to seize about 1.25 million Captagon pills, in addition to an automatic Kalashnikov rifle.”

Al Shantout said the seized items were confiscated and the suspect was referred to the competent judicial authorities to complete the necessary legal procedures.

The operation is part of the firm approach adopted by the Internal Security Command in Hama province to combat the drug scourge, dry up its sources and pursue all those involved, in order to safeguard public security and protect the community, the statement said.

Doha, Dec. 17 (SANA) A Syrian delegation headed by Aleppo Deputy Governor Abdul Rahman Salameh met with the Qatar Chamber in Doha on Wednesday to discuss ways to enhance trade, economic and investment cooperation between Syria and Qatar, with particular emphasis on opportunities available in Aleppo province in northwest Syria.

The talks were held during a meeting between First Vice Chairman of the Qatar Chamber Mohammed bin Twar Al Kuwari and the Syrian delegation. According to the Qatar News Agency, the two sides discussed the possibility of organizing a joint business meeting or workshop bringing together economic officials from Aleppo province and representatives of Qatari companies to present available investment opportunities and explore prospects for Qatari participation.

Al Kuwari underscored the depth of the fraternal and historical relations between the two countries, noting the interest of Qatari businessmen in investment opportunities in Syria during the reconstruction phase. He pointed to Aleppo’s industrial and economic standing and the opportunities it offers across industrial, agricultural and commercial sectors.

For his part, Salameh invited Qatari businessmen to invest in Aleppo province, explaining that it is the country’s largest province after Damascus and its countryside and hosts Syria’s largest industrial city. He said about 1,400 new factories were established in the province within a single year.

Qatar Chamber board member Mohammed bin Ahmed Al Obaidly stressed the importance of preparing a clear investment map for Aleppo province covering various sectors, affirming Qatar’s keenness to invest in Syria in general and Aleppo in particular.

Another board member, Mohammed bin Jawhar Al Mohammed, said the fraternal relations between the two countries provide a supportive foundation for expanding economic and trade cooperation, adding that there is genuine interest among Qatari businessmen in investing in Syria.

Mahmoud al Shahadeh, director of international cooperation at Syria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, said Aleppo province has a population exceeding 7.5 million, and that reconstruction needs open the door to broad investment opportunities.

The meeting comes amid growing fraternal relations between Syria and Qatar, which have seen increasing momentum at the political and economic levels, reflected in expanded official communication channels and enhanced bilateral cooperation in trade, investment and reconstruction, alongside Qatari support for development and humanitarian projects aimed at supporting economic recovery and sustainable development in Syria.

Amman, Dec. 17 (SANA) The Syrian delegation of Social Affairs and Labor Ministry participated in the two-day meeting of Arab Ministerial Social Affairs Council, kicked off Wednesday in Amman.

The meeting was held with closed sessions dedicated to discussing the agenda and draft resolutions, in preparation for adopting them during the official ministerial meeting.

It addressed issues to follow-up and implement Social Affairs and Labor Ministry issued by the 2nd World Summit for Social Development, with emphasis on the importance of fostering coordination between Arab countries and relevant regional and international organizations.

The participants highlighted the necessity of exchanging experiments among member states, and link social development priorities to the economic and social changes taking place in the region, with concentration on the groups most in need of social protection.

This participation comes as a part of Syrian Arab Republic‘s keenness on strengthening its role in joint Arab action.

Quneitra, Dec.17 (SANA) – Israeli occupation forces once again advanced Wednesday into several villages in the countryside of Quneitra province.

SANA reporter in Quneitra said that a force consisting of four vehicles—one armored, one Humvee, and two Hilux trucks—entered the destroyed city of Quneitra, set up a temporary checkpoint at the “Alam Roundabout” for 15 minutes, then moved toward the village of Eastern Samdaniyah, reaching Tal Krum Jaba in northern Quneitra countryside.

Yesterday, Israeli occupation forces also inflitrated into several villages and towns in southern Quneitra countryside.

Israel continues its aggressive policies and violations of the 1974 disengagement agreement by advancing into the countryside of Quneitra and Daraa and assaulting civilians. Syria persistently demands the withdrawal of Israeli occupation forces.

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Damascus, Dec. 17 (SANA) Syria’s Transport Minister Yarub Badr held talks on Wednesday with a Saudi logistics official on ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation in transport and logistics, at the ministry’s building in Damascus.

Badr met with Mohammed Dhiyab Al-Okaili, a logistics official at the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce, to review the current state of Syria’s transport sector and explore cooperation in logistics services and digital platforms related to transport.

Badr said Syria has taken a series of steps in recent months to improve the sector, including road maintenance and legislative and regulatory reforms.

He added that work is under way to establish a Supreme Council for Sustainable Transport, which would be tasked with developing strategies, setting plans and coordinating among relevant authorities.

Badr also said arrangements were being made to convene a joint Syrian-Saudi technical committee to address challenges facing land transport between the two countries and to enhance bilateral cooperation.

Al-Okaili said the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and the Federation of Saudi Chambers were ready to provide support to Syria, including sharing expertise and successful experiences in transport and logistics.

He presented proposals for two digital platforms to Syria’s Transport Ministry, one for managing vehicle and cargo licensing and another for handling driving licenses, which the ministry said it would study for possible implementation in line with local conditions.

Al-Okaili also expressed interest in benefiting from Syria’s experience in traffic legislation and violations, as well as in public transport development and bus system modernization

This meeting comes within the framework of joint efforts to strengthen bilateral cooperation between Syria and Saudi Arabia and to exchange expertise in the transport sector, contributing to the improvement of logistics and transport services

Aleppo, Dec. 17 (SANA) The Aleppo Governorate is set to launch the community-driven “Aleppo Set Al-Kul” (or “Aleppo the Best of All”) campaign on Thursday. The initiative aims to restore and improve the city’s infrastructure and public services across multiple sectors.

In a statement to SANA, Talal al-Jabri, Head of the Aleppo City Council, stressed the importance of the campaign as part of ongoing efforts to rehabilitate the city’s infrastructure and ensure essential services for its residents.

He noted that since Syria’s liberation, several campaigns have been launched in the city, such as the “One Million Saplings” project, which focuses on revitalizing parks and green spaces. The “Aleppo Lights Up” campaign, which illuminates the city’s main streets, is also part of this broader effort. Looking ahead to 2026, there are plans to rehabilitate many of the city’s roads.

Al-Jabri also highlighted ongoing collaboration with the electricity, water, and sewage authorities to restore vital services. He emphasized that the “Aleppo Set Al-Kul” campaign will further strengthen these efforts, uniting various stakeholders to meet the pressing needs of Aleppo’s residents.

Focus on Eastern Aleppo’s Recovery

In the city’s eastern districts, such as the al-Shaar neighborhood, locals expressed their hope that the new campaign will bring much-needed improvements to services in their areas. Yasin Haddad, a resident, emphasized the importance of local community engagement in working alongside authorities to rebuild the infrastructure and address the challenges left by the widespread destruction caused by the former regime’s bombardments.

Saleh Haji, a community member, underscored the significance of participation from both local residents and those living abroad to support Aleppo as it continues to recover from the devastating impacts of the former regime.

Earlier this year, the Aleppo Governorate launched the “For Your Eyes, Aleppo” campaign on June 30, which received widespread support from both official and civilian groups and focused on the city’s revitalization.

Throughout 2025, similar initiatives have been launched in other parts of Syria to support reconstruction efforts and improve living conditions in areas devastated by the former regime’s airstrikes.

Damascus, Dec. 17 (SANA) Syria and France discussed the challenges facing Syria’s agricultural sector on Wednesday and explored ways for French support in revitalizing the sector.

Minister of Agriculture Amjad Badr briefed Jean-Baptiste Faivre, Chargé d’Affaires of the French Embassy in Damascus, and a delegation from the French Development Agency (AFD) on the issues affecting agriculture in Syria. These include limited resources and infrastructure, climate change, and damage to vegetation cover. Badr emphasized the need for support in implementing smart agricultural practices.

The French Chargé d’Affaires reaffirmed his country’s commitment to supporting Syria’s agricultural sector as part of its broader priorities.

In turn, the Deputy Director of AFD in Lebanon emphasized the agency’s focus on supporting the agriculture, water, and health sectors in Syria to help achieve sustainable development goals.

The French Development Agency (AFD) is a public institution that has been working in Lebanon since 1999 in the fields of development and international solidarity, with the aim of promoting stability and social and economic development.

Tartous, Dec. 17 (SANA) The Nahawand Choir held a musical concert for children on Tuesday evening at the Tartous Cultural Center to mark Children’s Day and the approach of Christmas, drawing a large audience of children and their families in a warm loving gathering.

The event, sponsored by the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East, featured performances by children of songs by the Rahbani brothers, Ziad Rahbani and Fairouz, alongside traditional children’s and Christmas songs.

Hala Nakrour, founder and conductor of the Nahawand Choir, said the performance aimed to promote values of joy, humanity and cooperation through academic-style musical training that helps build children’s personalities.

Choir manager Abdullah Saad said the concert featured 55 children and adolescents aged between 5 and 15, noting that families play a key role in supporting and developing their musical talents.

Art specialist George Daboura said the concert concluded a series of activities organized by the Patriarchate’s Child Protection Team in recent months. The programme also included a theatrical performance titled “Grandmother’s Box”and an interactive video highlighting the importance of arts education in strengthening children’s creative identity.

Educational coordinator Nour Al Aref said such activities encourage children to develop their artistic abilities through choir and theatre participation.

Nahawand Choir includes more than 140 children, adolescents and adults.

Damascus, Dec. 17 (SANA) Syrian security forces have intercepted a major weapon smuggling attempt in the Zabadani region of Damascus countryside, preventing the shipment from crossing into Lebanon.

The Ministry of Interior reported on its Telegram channel that, after intensive surveillance of the suspects, security forces successfully ambushed the smugglers in the border town of Serghaya, seizing the shipment. Authorities found a large quantity of RPG shells concealed in an organized manner, intended for illegal transport across the border.

Authorities confiscated the weapons, which have been handed over to the appropriate authorities for further investigation and legal action.

This operation underscores the Ministry of Interior’s continued efforts to combat smuggling, secure Syria’s borders, and maintain national security and stability.

Damascus, Dec.17 (SANA) The Palestinian Journalists Protection Center (PJPC) said on Wednesday that more than 60 Palestinian journalists and media workers have been killed in the Gaza Strip since the start of 2025, calling it one of the most severe assaults on press freedom in recent history.

In a statement carried by Palestinian media, the center said journalists had been systematically targeted in an effort to suppress reporting and conceal crimes against Palestinians. It said those killed included reporters working in the field, as well as others who were targeted in their homes, displacement shelters and hospitals.

The PJPC said the killings amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity under the Rome Statute, adding that they provide legal grounds for the International Criminal Court to expand its investigations to include the killing of journalists.

The center also cited other violations against media workers, including injuries, arrests, the destruction of media offices and equipment, and communications blackouts that it said were used to isolate Gaza.

Anthony Bellanger, secretary general of the International Federation of Journalists, said Gaza had become “the most dangerous place for journalists,” describing it as “the worst graveyard for journalists in modern times.”

Geneva, Dec. 17 (SANA) The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned of the rapid spread of a new influenza subtype with the early start of winter in the Northern Hemisphere, urging that vaccination remains the most effective form of protection.

At a press conference, Dr. Wenqing Zhang, Unit Head for Global Respiratory Threats at WHO’s Department of Epidemic and Pandemic Threats Management, confirmed that the new AH3N2 strain, known as J.2.4.1 or subclade K, was first identified in Australia and New Zealand last August and has since spread to over 30 countries.

Zhang explained that influenza viruses are constantly evolving, which is why the vaccine needs to be updated regularly. WHO monitors these changes through a global influenza surveillance network and, in collaboration with international experts, issues updated vaccine recommendations twice a year.

She stressed that vaccination remains the most effective defense, particularly for high-risk groups and their caregivers. Zhang also urged countries to enhance laboratory diagnostics, maintain continuous disease surveillance, and participate in the global monitoring network. The World Health Organization estimates that seasonal influenza leads to approximately one billion cases annually, including up to five million cases of acute respiratory illness. It also results in an estimated 650,000 deaths each year due to influenza-related complications