SANA - Syrian Arab News Agency

A humanitarian aid convoy of 17 trucks carrying food and relief supplies left Damascus on Monday for Sweida province, raising the number of aid shipments to 35 since August.

Omar al-Malki, Head of the Media and Communication Unit at the Syrian Arab Red Crescent, which organized the convoy, told SANA the shipment included 5,225 food baskets, 24 professional kits for solar energy installation, 38 tons of cleaning supplies, 500 health baskets and other relief items.

A commercial convoy of 95 trucks entered Sweida on Sunday with food, vegetables, poultry, fodder, water tanks, wood and industrial materials.

Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein reiterated Sunday Baghdad’s support for the political process in Syria, ensuring the participation of all parties without exclusion or marginalization.

During the Minister’s meeting with the UN Special Envoy to Syria, Geir Pedersen, on the sidelines of the 80th session of the UN General Assembly in New York, the two sides discussed “developments in various Syrian regions, focusing on their impact on regional stability” and the United Nations’ efforts to support the political process in Syria, a statement by Iraqi foreign ministry said Monday.

The Minister and the UN official also discussed conditions in the camps, especially Al-Hawl, highlighting the “need for countries to repatriate their nationals” to enable the camps’ closure and mitigate the humanitarian impact.

Pedersen stressed that Syria’s stability is a crucial factor for the stability of Iraq and the entire region, especially since developments in Syria directly impact Iraqi security.

A commercial convoy of 95 trucks entered Sweida province late Sunday, loaded with food, vegetables, poultry, animal feed, water tanks, timber and industrial materials, local officials have said.

The press office at Sweida governorate said in a statement on its telegram channel that the convoy will support supplies and provide basic necessities for residents there.

The office added that distribution of aid will be under the supervision of local authorities.

President Ahmad al-Sharaa met with members of the Syrian community in the United States, stressing the importance of their role in “conveying the true image of the Syrian Arab Republic,” according to a statement from the Syrian Presidency released Sunday evening U.S. time.

The meeting was attended by senior Syrian officials, including Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani, Information Minister Dr. Hamza al-Mustafa, and Syria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ibrahim Olabi.

President Ahmad al-Sharaa has arrived in New York for a landmark trip to attend the United Nations General Assembly, the first Syrian head of state to do so since 1967.

Al-Sharaa is leading a high-level delegation that includes several ministers and senior officials.

The visit marks a major diplomatic moment for Damascus as it returns to the UN stage at the head-of-state level for the first time after nearly six decades.

President Ahmad al-Sharaa arrives in New York to attend the UN General Assembly meetings, the first visit by a Syrian head of state since 1967.

Syrian civil defense teams are working around the clock to contain a massive fire in Jabal Turkman (Mountain), north of Latakia, the Ministry of Emergency and Disaster Management said in a written statement on Sunday.

The fire broke out between the villages of al-Rihaniya and al-Sukariyya in the Rabia district, the Syrian civil defense said in a post on X.

“A major forest fire broke out between the villages of al-Rihaniya and al-Sukariyya in the Rabia area of the northeastern Lattakia countryside Sunday.” the civil defense statement reads

“Syrian Civil Defense firefighting teams and forestry brigades are facing significant difficulties in extinguishing the fire due to the rapid spread of the flames, the extremely rugged terrain, and the presence of mines and unexploded ordnance that threaten the safety of firefighters,” the statement added.

Hassan Mohammad, head of Civil Defense operations in Lattakia, told SANA that teams are working “to contain the fire and prevent it from spreading to new areas.”

He said firefighters are coordinating closely with forestry and agriculture authorities despite “the rapid spread of the flames, the extremely rugged terrain, and the presence of mines and unexploded ordnance that threaten the safety of firefighters.”

In July, a massive fire broke out in the coastal region, burning 180 square kilometers of land, an area larger than Damascus, according to NASA’s FIRMS satellite data.

The contractors’ syndicates of Syria and Jordan signed a memorandum of understanding in Amman to strengthen cooperation through training programs, exchange of expertise, joint conferences, and the development of classification systems to support contractors in both countries, an official statement by the Syrian syndicate sent to SANA on Sunday stated.

Jordanian Minister of Public Works and Housing Maher Abu Samen said the agreement reflects the “deep fraternal and historical ties” between the two nations.

He added that Syria’s return to reconstruction efforts represents a shared interest and pledged that Jordan’s ministry will be an active partner in initiatives that enhance bilateral cooperation, the media office of the Syrian Construction Contractors Syndicate reported.

Fawaz Junaid, head of the Syrian Construction Contractors Syndicate, described the memorandum as an “important step” toward opening new opportunities for contractors.

Junaid said the two syndicates will work to hold joint events and explore unifying regulations and laws to advance the sector, the Syrian Construction Contractors Syndicate report added.

Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa praised U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to lift sanctions on Syria, calling it “quick, courageous and historic” and saying it recognized that Syria “should be safe, stable and unified.” President al-Sharaa made the remarks during an interview with CBS that was previewed on Sunday.

“This is in the greatest interest for all countries of the world, not just Syria,” the president added, urging the United States to engage in talks on “a great many issues and mutual interests” and restore relations “in a good and direct way.”

Asked about the label “pragmatism,” the Syrian president said he disagreed with the term, noting that in Arabic it carries negative connotations. “The point is, let’s look at what’s happening now, regardless of what was said in the media,” the President said.

President al-Sharaa noted that Syria’s actions had “saved the people from the oppression that was being thrust on them by the criminal regime,” adding that refugees and displaced people could now return home.

“We supported the people who were bombed with chemical weapons. We also confronted ISIS. We expelled the Iranian militias and Hezbollah from the region,” President al-Sharaa affirmed.

The President criticized the international community for failing to protect civilians, free prisoners, or stop the use of chemical weapons. “All of these noble acts we took in Syria should have been the role of the international community,” he reiterated.

“I don’t believe we should be standing accused at the defense table,” he added. “We should be the one asking others, why did you stand silent as these terrible crimes were taking place in Syria?”

The President warned that opposing the lifting of sanctions would worsen the suffering of civilians. “Anybody who stands against the lifting of sanctions would be complicit in killing the Syrian people once again,” he concluded.

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) announced, Sunday, that some 1,9 million Palestinians in Gaza Strip have been forcibly displaced since Israeli offensive in 2023, indicating that the scale of suffering and destruction is unimaginable.

The agency said in a statement on X: “The scale of suffering and destruction” endured by the people of Gaza amid the ongoing Israeli offensive is beyond comprehension, adding that “approximately 1.9 million Palestinians have been forcibly displaced from their homes”.

The UN agency clarified that “tens of thousands have been killed or injured, including women and children due to relentless bombardment.  we once again call for an immediate ceasefire.”

Olga Cherevko, spokeswoman for the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Gaza, noted that waves of displacement continue from the northern part of the Strip toward the south. She emphasized the dire lack of shelter and the absence of safety guarantees amid ongoing hostilities.

UNRWA had previously described the situation in Gaza as catastrophic, citing the extensive destruction of infrastructure and vital facilities caused by the Israeli assault.

 The agency warned that civilians are facing acute shortages of food, water, medicine, and fuel, conditions that threaten to trigger an unprecedented humanitarian disaster.

Syria’s Health Minister Dr. Musab al-Ali, met Sunday, in Riyadh with Sultan Abdulrahman Al-Marshad, CEO of the Saudi Fund for Development.

The meeting focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation in the healthcare sector and exploring opportunities to support priority projects in Syria, with the aim of enhancing the quality of medical services provided to citizens.

The United Kingdom, Australia and Canada on Sunday formally recognized the independent and sovereign State of Palestine, joining more than 149 nations that have already recognized Palestine as a state, official statements from the three governments stated.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said in a televised speech that the move was aimed at “helping Palestinians and Israelis build a better future.” He condemned the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, calling the starvation and devastation “utterly intolerable.”

“The starvation and devastation are utterly intolerable,” Starmer said, noting that tens of thousands have been killed, including civilians collecting food and water. Starmer urged Israel to lift border restrictions and “stop these cruel tactics and let the aid surge in.” Israel has previously denied blocking aid.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese made the announcement outside the United Nations General Assembly in New York, saying the decision took effect immediately and reflected a coordinated international effort to revive the two-state solution. “Australia recognizes the legitimate and long-held aspirations of the people of Palestine to a state of their own,” Albanese said.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said on X that Canada “recognizes the State of Palestine and offers our partnership in building the promise of a peaceful future for both the State of Palestine and the State of Israel.”

Far-right Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir on Sunday vowed to push for the “immediate” annexation of the occupied West Bank in response to the recognition of a Palestinian state by the UK, Canada, and Australia.

“The recognition by the UK, Canada, and Australia of a ‘Palestinian’ state, as a prize for the murderous Nukhba terrorists, requires immediate countermeasures,” Ben Gvir wrote on X.

Ben Gvir called for “the immediate application of sovereignty in Judea and Samaria (the biblical name for the regions known collectively as the West Bank) and the complete dismantling of the Palestinian Authority.”

Syria’s Higher Committee for People’s Assembly Elections announced that voting for members of the People’s Assembly will take place on October 5, 2025, across all electoral districts, a written statement sent to SANA on Sunday said.

On Saturday, the committee also extended the deadline for submitting appeals against members of the electoral bodies until the close of business on Sunday, September 21.

How the Electoral Process Works

The process begins with the Supreme Electoral Committee appointing subcommittees, which in turn select the electoral bodies responsible for accepting candidate applications. From these bodies, preliminary candidate lists are prepared. Citizens can then submit objections to candidates, which are reviewed before final lists are announced.

Elections are held among the electoral body members, and ballots are cast through direct, secret voting. The subcommittees count the votes and announce preliminary results. The President appoints one-third of the 210 members of parliament from outside the electoral body.

The results are finalized with a presidential decree, and the newly elected People’s Assembly (Parliament) holds its first session.

The Electoral Appeals Committee in Homs announced Sunday the close of the four-day period for submitting objections to the electoral lists, with 140 appeals filled at the Palace of Justice.

Judge Abdul-Hay al-Tawil, head of the Appeals Committee and president of the First Criminal Court, said the appeals process began Thursday and saw “significant turnout from citizens,” describing it as a sign of high political engagement and public oversight of the electoral process.

Most appeals targeted members of the electoral bodies and cited violations of regulations and procedures. The committee has started reviewing the objections and will continue for five days, al-Tawil said, pledging “the highest standards of transparency” to ensure a fair process.

The Supreme Committee for People’s Assembly (Parliament) Elections had extended the appeals period until early Sunday to give Syrian citizens more time to exercise oversight of the selection process.

Officials said 599 electoral body members were registered across Homs Governorate.

How the electoral process works:

a- The Supreme Electoral Committee appoints subcommittees.

b- The subcommittees select the electoral bodies, which are responsible for accepting candidate applications.

c- Preliminary candidate lists are drawn from the members of these electoral bodies.

d- Objections to candidates are submitted and reviewed.

e- Final lists are published, and elections are held among the electoral body members.

f- Ballots are cast through direct, secret voting. Subcommittees count the votes and announce preliminary results.

g- The President appoints one-third of the 210 members of parliament.

h- Results are finalized by presidential decree, and the newly elected People’s Assembly convenes for its first session.

Nawal/ Fedaa

Syria is taking part in the 42nd session of the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) General Assembly next Tuesday, a move officials say is key to restoring the country’s standing in the global aviation community.

Omar Hisham al-Hussary, chief of Syria’s General Authority for Civil Aviation, said the country’s participation “represents an important step on the path to restoring its position in the international community.”

In remarks to SANA, al-Hussary said Syria’s presence at ICAO reflects the commitment to developing the civil aviation sector “in accordance with the highest international standards” and contributing to “a safer and more efficient future for air transport.”

He noted that Syria was one of the original 52 signatories of the 1944 Chicago Convention, which established the global civil aviation system, and described the current participation as “the beginning of a new phase of constructive cooperation with all member states.”

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) is a United Nations agency that helps 193 member countries coordinate air travel policies and safely manage shared global airspace.

The olive harvest in Idleb northwestern Syria faced a significant decline this year largely due to rainfall shortage adding hard burdens on farmers, agriculture officials said Sunday.

A statement shared with SANA by Director of Agriculture in Idleb ‘Mustafa Muwahhid,’’ that “olive trees experienced severe water shortage during the flowering period, which prevented them from reaching the fruit-setting stage.”

 He emphasized that the olive oil produced in Idleb is classified as extra virgin, as farmers rely on traditional methods with minimal use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides.

Muwahhid revealed that “the estimated quantity of this season’s olive crop is around 55,000 tons,” a figure that reflects the weakness of this year’s yield.

Syria faces the worst droughts in nearly 40 years driving food production to alarming lows and placing unbearable pressure on thousands of farmers across the country, Food and Agriculture Organization have said.

Olives are considered one of the most important agricultural crops in Idleb, with the governorate renowned for the quality of its oil, which serves as a primary source of income for thousands of families.

More than 4 million Syrian students returned to classrooms Sunday as the 2025–2026 school year kicked off nationwide, the Ministry of Education said in statement on Sunday.

The ministry added that 4.2 million students are enrolled across 12,000 schools in the country. Preparations included maintenance of school buildings, classroom furniture, water and sanitation facilities, and “comprehensive disinfection campaigns” to ensure a safe learning environment.

In the capital Damascus, roughly 250,000 students headed to about 700 schools, marking the first school year since the city’s full liberation. “Students were welcomed at schools, where they received their textbooks,” Damascus Education Director Ayman Yassin said.

The new school year begins as Syria continues major efforts to restore and modernize its education system. The Ministry of Education says about 40% of schools nationwide require rebuilding or rehabilitation after years of damage, with projects underway to expand access to safe and fully equipped classrooms.

At least 75 Palestinians were killed and 304 others injured in the past 24 hours as Israeli strikes continued across Gaza City, the Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza said on Sunday.

The ministry added that many victims remain trapped under rubble or in areas that rescue crews cannot access.

According to the latest MoH figures, the death toll since October 7, 2023, has risen to 65,283, with 166,575 people wounded.

Since Israel broke the ceasefire on March 18, 12,724 Palestinians have been killed and 54,534 injured.

Five more people were killed and 24 wounded while waiting for humanitarian aid in the last 24 hours, bringing the total number of what authorities call “aid martyrs” to 2,523, with more than 18,473 injured since the war began.

The ministry reported four additional deaths due to famine and malnutrition, raising the total to 440, including 147 children.

Since famine conditions were formally declared by the Red Cross, 162 deaths have been recorded, including 32 children.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reiterated Ankara’s support for a stable and prosperous Syria, expressing hope that the United Nations would also contribute to the country’s rebuilding and long-term stability, Erdogan told journalists while departing from Istanbul to NY on Sunday

“Turkey will not leave Syria alone after it has regained true freedom and identity to begin an important new phase of strength and development,” Erdogan stated.

“It has been a long time for Syria to acquire its identity which brings comfort and reassurance to the region,” he added, noting that he met President Ahmad al-Sharaa in Doha and invited him to visit Ankara.

The Turkish president expressed hope that the UN would play “a positive role” in rebuilding and stabilizing Syria, adding that he plans to meet President al-Sharaa on the sidelines of the UNGA meetings in New York.

The 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly opens this week in New York, with heads of state and representatives from member nations in attendance including the Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa.