SANA - Syrian Arab News Agency

The Syrian Development Organization and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) signed a Memorandum of Understanding at the Ministry of Justice to implement the “Access to Justice” project in several provinces, in the presence of Minister of Justice Mazhar Abdul Rahman al-Wais.

The MoU, signed by Farouk Bathish, Director of the Syrian Development Organization, and Mohammedsiddig Mudawi, UNDP Resident Representative in Syria, aims to improve citizens’ access to legal services in Aleppo, Damascus countryside, Homs, Latakia, and Idleb through:

•  Rehabilitation of Sharia courts in Aleppo, Idleb, and Latakia.

•  Deployment of a mobile court to provide legal support in rural areas.

•  Development of four citizen service centers, both mobile and fixed.

•  Legal awareness sessions on personal and civil documentation.

The project comes as part of the Ministry of Justice’s efforts to modernize the sector’s infrastructure, promote digital transformation, and strengthen cooperation with international organizations to support reconstruction.

After years of disruption caused by western sanctions, Syria is participating in the Statistical Data and Metadata eXchange (SDMX) international conference in Rome, to reintegrate into the international data community.

The event provides an opportunity for Syrian officials to learn about SDMX’s standards, assess national data systems, and align with global statistical practices.

The Planning and Statistics Commission of Syria stated that its participation aims to understand the workings of the SDMX system, identify required standards, and evaluate Syria’s readiness for international cooperation.

Commission chief Anas Salim highlighted Syria’s proposal to reactivate technical cooperation with Euro-Mediterranean Statistics as part of a three-year plan. This initiative includes a planned field visit by key stakeholders to a neighboring country, further supporting Syria’s integration into the global statistical community.

Syria’s delegation to the MONDIACULT 2025 conference in Barcelona, headed by Deputy Culture Minister Saad Naasan, held meetings with representatives from Turkey, Oman, Mauritania, France, Jamaica, Pakistan and Spain.

The delegation also met with UNESCO’s director and the organization’s coordinator for cultural support and emergency response.

According to the Culture Ministry, the talks focused on strengthening cooperation in the cultural field and promoting culture as a unifying factor for development and human prosperity.

Amer Dhawa

Syrian Interior Minister Anas Khattab discussed on Tuesday with French Chargé d’Affaires Jean-Baptiste Favre ways of strengthening bilateral cooperation.

“Discussions focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation between Syria and France, particularly in security and police matters, as well as exchanging expertise” the Interior Ministry said on its Telegram channel.

“Talks aimed to promote security and stability and serve the shared interests of both countries” the Ministry added.

Deputy Minister of Interior for security affairs Abdelkader Tahan attended the meeting which was held at the ministry’s headquarters in Damascus.

Amer Dhawa

President of the Syrian Arab Republic, Ahmad al-Sharaa, received on Tuesday a delegation of Syrian businessmen residing in the People’s Republic of China.

The meeting addressed areas of investing in the national competencies and expertise abroad and integrating them to development projects, focusing on the role of Syrian businessmen in supporting the national economy.

The meeting was held at the People’s Palace in Damascus.

Mazen

In a strategic move to invigorate Syria’s economy, Minister of Economy and Industry, Nidal Al-Shaar, convened with a delegation of Syrian professionals based in China, including investors and academics.

The dialogue focused on forging stronger ties between the public and private sectors and tapping into the resource of knowledge held by Syrians abroad.

The meeting explored how academic research and industrial experience could be channeled into development initiatives across key sectors such as manufacturing, trade, and investment.

This initiative is part of a broader campaign to reconnect with expatriate talent and integrate their contributions into Syria’s economic roadmap.

Al-Shaar underscored the vital role of Syrian expatriates in revitalizing the national economy, affirming the ministry’s commitment to cultivating a business-friendly climate that encourages investment and collaboration.

Syrian businessmen showed enthusiasm for contributing to projects that generate tangible value and drive sustainable development, signaling a renewed partnership between Syria and its global expatriates.

Mazen

The MONDIACULT 2025 conference in Barcelona continues under the theme “Cultural Policy and Sustainable Development,” with the participation of a Syrian delegation headed by Deputy Minister of Culture Saad Naasan.

During the conference, Syria presented a work paper titled “Culture for Peace,” which aims to promote dialogue, peaceful coexistence, and combat discrimination.

MONDIACULT 2025 is the UNESCO World Conference on Cultural Policies and Sustainable Development.

The conference aims to strengthen cultural policies, protect artists and cultural rights, and integrate culture as a key driver for social cohesion, resilience, and the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda.

Mazen

An earthquake of magnitude 6,9 struck near the Eastern Visayas region in the Philippines on Tuesday, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) said.

According to USGS’’the epicenter of the quake was around 11 kilometers east-southeast of Calape in Bohol province. There are no reports of human injuries or material damage’’

There was no tsunami threat after the quake, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said.

The Israeli forces on Tuesday infiltrated into the vicinity of Abdin village in the western countryside of Daraa.

SANA reporter said the forces set up a checkpoint on the outskirts of the village, amid tension in the area.

Syria has repeatedly condemned the Israeli attacks on parts of Quneitra, Daraa, and Damascus countryside as blatant violation of international law and the 1974 Disengagement deal.

U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday gave the Hamas militant group three to four days to respond to his proposed peace plan for Gaza or face the consequences.

“We are waiting for Hamas to respond positively,” Trump told reporters as he departed the White House. “If they reject the offer, Israel will do what it needs to do. There is not much room for negotiation with Hamas,” he added.

The White House released Last night some details of that plan, consisting of 20 items, which mainly stipulate ending the war immediately if both parties to the conflict (Israel and Hamas) agree to it.

Hamas announced it is considering the U.S. plan but cautioned it could take “several days” to respond due to the complexities of communication between the group’s leaders.

Hamas official told AFP news agency that the group Hamas “has begun a series of consultations within its political and military leadership, both inside Palestine and abroad,” which could “take several days” due to the complexities of communication among leadership members and movements.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced at a joint press conference with Trump at the White House on Monday that he supported the 20-point plan, which meets many of Israel’s principal demands.

Trump unveiled the Plan on Monday the plan to end the nearly two-year-old war in the Gaza Strip, which includes disarming the territory, establishing a mechanism to manage and rebuild it, as well as an exchange of hostages and prisoners, both living and dead.

Many Arab States and international organizations welcomed the peace proposal submitted by Trump to end Gaza war, which has claimed the lives of 66,097 Palestinians since October 7, 2023.

The ship Young Shin from South Korea loaded with approximately 2,000 cars arrived Tuesday at Tartous Port, General Authority for Land and Seaports’ official said.

Speaking to SANA, Mazen Alloush, Director of Public Relations at the General Authority, said that unloading the shipment of cars would take only about 10 hours given to the high level of readiness provided by the port’s staff.

In September, two ships carrying 31,570 tons of wheat arrived at Tartous Port that benefit the Syrian Grain Corporation.

Tartous Port has recently witnessed increasing commercial activity due to its technical and logistical preparedness, making it a trusted destination for large ships and diverse cargo.

Health authorities in Gaza reported on Monday that the ongoing Israeli offensive on Gaza Strip has killed 42 Palestinians and injured dozen others during the past 24 hours.

In its daily report, The Ministry of Health in Gaza (MoH) said that “hospitals in Gaza Strip received 42 deaths and 190 new injuries, bringing the cumulative toll to 66,097 deaths and 168,536 injuries since October 7, 2023.

The ministry added that some of the victims are still under rubble as civil defense and health rescue teams are unable to reach.

Five martyrs and 56 injured in incidents related to food-seeking, bringing the death toll in food-seeking incidents to 2,576 deaths and more than 18,873 injuries.

Since the ceasefire agreement was broken by Israel on March 18, 2025, the death toll has surged to 13229 deaths and, 56495 injuries, the ministry said. Famine victims in Gaza raised to 453 deaths including 150 children, it added.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights (SNHR) on Tuesday called on Russia to issue an official apology for its military intervention in Syria, which caused the deaths of thousands of civilians and to provide compensation to the victims.

In a report issued to mark the tenth anniversary of the Russian military intervention in Syria, the watchdog demanded that Moscow extradite former president Bashar al-Assad, who fled to Russia after the fall of his regime in December 2024.

The report listed the most prominent violations committed by Russian forces and documented the deaths of 6,993 civilians, including 2,061 children and 984 women (adults).
According to the network’s database, Aleppo governorate recorded the highest number of civilian casualties, followed by Idleb and Deir Ezzor governorates.

SNHR also documented at least 363 massacres committed by Russian forces during the same period.
SNHR called on local and international actors to hold those responsible for Russian violations accountable, including military and political leaders, enhancing transparency and preserving evidence, supporting the rights of victims and compensating them

The Russian intervention since September 2015 in Syria marked a dangerous turning point in the conflict, as it supported the regime in its grave violations.

Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi welcomed the plan announced by U.S. President Donald Trump, regarding ending the war in the Gaza Strip.

The Secretary General considered that any international effort aimed at ending the crisis and putting a end to the humanitarian catastrophe in the Gaza Strip deserves praise, engagement, and contribution.

The Council’s website quoted al-Badawi as saying ‘’a ceasefire, the direct and rapid lifting of restrictions on aid delivery, preventing the displacement of the population from the Strip and protecting them, are priorities that should be at the core of any responsible international action’’.

Albudaiwi noted that the Cooperation Council views the proposed steps positively, as they could contribute to paving a genuine and just path that guarantees the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, foremost among them the establishment of their independent state on the June 4, 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

The Secretary General also underscored the Cooperation Council’s readiness to cooperate with regional and international partners to support every effort that leads to ending the crisis in the Gaza Strip

The third international conference of civil society organizations on the use of chemical weapons in Syria was launched in Damascus on Tuesday.

The Conference, held for the first time in Syria, is sponsored by the Ministry of Emergency and Disaster Management, in participation of civil society organizations, a group of survivors from attacks with chemical weapons, and representatives of other countries.

Syrian Minister of Emergency and Disaster Management Raed al-Saleh said at the opening ceremony that through this conference, “we assure that we won’t turn a blind eye on the crimes, we will not allow impunity and will work to ensure that this crime is not repeated in Syria.”

“We won’t allow that the violations file get folded or that chemical attacks” the former regime committed go unaccounted for, he added.

al-Saleh stressed that Syria is working in full coordination with the international Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons and concerned countries to remove safely chemical weapons dangers.

Today we want that “no one in the world lives the suffocation moments the Syrians have lived”, he concluded.

Governor of the Central Bank of Syria, Abdul Qader Husriya, announced Syria’s participation in Sibos 2025 conference taking place in Frankfurt, Germany, from September 29 to October 2.

Syria’s participation in the conference WHICH organized annually by the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (SWIFT), marks Damascus first-ever participation in the global conference, following a direct invitation from SWIFT.

Husriya stressed in a post on telegram channel that Syria’s presence at Sibos comes at a pivotal moment for the country’s financial sector, which continues to face significant challenges. He underlined the importance of engaging with central bank leaders, policymakers, and financial technology institutions worldwide to strengthen dialogue and exchange perspectives on developing payment systems and supporting monetary stability.

Husriya has said earlier in interview with the Financial Times that the return to SWIFT marks a key milestone in Syria’s economic rehabilitation.

Husariya underlined that the Central Bank of Syria’s participation in Sibos, “reflects Damascus’ commitment to modernizing its financial infrastructure, rebuilding international banking ties, and advancing toward responsible, efficient, and transparent integration into the global financial system”.

The Syrian involvement with international monetary organizations, comes as Damascus accelerates efforts to align with regional and global initiatives aimed at helping the country reshaping its economic landscape.

For the 2nd day Afghanistan faces communications blackout after Taliban government began cutting off connections in several provinces to prevent “vice”, Media reported.

Internet watchdog, Netblocks said that several communication networks in Afghanistan had been disconnected including telephone services, resulting a “total internet blackout” in the 43 million people nation.

“A nationwide telecoms blackout is now in effect,” said the watchdog adding that national connectivity is at 14% of ordinary levels.

Taliban authorities began the crackdown on internet access earlier this month, in effect shutting down high-speed internet in several regions.

The blackout has raised concerns about the return of earlier restrictions from the Taliban’s first rule, when they banned television, satellite dishes, and other forms of mass communication in what they described as a campaign against immorality.

On 16 September, the Balkh provincial spokesperson Attaullah Zaid said fibre-optic internet was completely banned in the northern province on the leader’s orders.

“This measure was taken to prevent vice, and alternative options will be put in place across the country to meet connectivity needs,” he wrote on social media.

Same restrictions were reported in the other provinces of Badakhshan and Takhar, as well as in Kandahar, Helmand, Nangarhar and Uruzgan in the south.

Since regaining power in 2021, the Taliban have instituted numerous restrictions in accordance with their interpretation of Islamic law.

Interior Minister, Anas Khattab chaired a meeting with the Internal Security Command in Daraa Governorate to review the security and administrative situation in the district.

The Interior Ministry stated on its Telegram channel that Minister Khattab urged for improving performance and enhancing cooperation between various agencies. He praised the efforts of field personnel and their role in maintaining security and stability in Daraa.

Khattab promised to provide necessary support to contribute to improving performance.

President Ahmad al-Sharaa sent a massage of thanks to the Syrian community in the United States for the warm welcome he received during his visit to the United Nations in New York.

“Dear sons and daughters of Syria in the United States, I extend to you my sincere thanks and gratitude for the warm welcome and the heartfelt emotions you expressed during my visit to New York City,” the massage read.

The president praised the “honorable national stance and impressive presence” of the community that truly expressed “deep-rooted belonging to homeland and firm belief in the duty of reviving it” the president added.

President al-Sharaa continued: “You have proven that wherever Syrians reside, they remain loyal to their roots, adhere to their values, and steadfast in their positions.”

“You have presented a bright image of the free Syrian who is proud of his dignity and Syrian identity,’ the president concluded stressing that Syria will never forget this “noble stance, which reflects the authenticity of your character and the purity of your patriotism.”

Syria and Qatar held talks to enhance cooperation on customs and modern digital technologies during an official visit to the State of Qatar.

A delegation from the Syrian General Authority of Land and Maritime Ports, headed by Chairman Qutaiba Badawi, held talks with Chairman of Qatari General Authority of Qatar Customs, Ahmed bin Abdullah Al-Jamal.

The two sides agreed to exchange expertise and training programs to enhance abilities of Syrian personnel.

The Chairman of the Authority, Qutaiba Badawi, praised the great efforts made by Qatar, represented by the General Authority of Qatar Customs, in developing its customs system and opening up to cooperation with Arab countries.

Badawi expressed his hope that this visit would contribute to opening new horizons for partnership and constructive work to serve the interests of the two brotherly countries.