SANA - Syrian Arab News Agency

The 11th “Syria HIGH TECH” Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Exhibition continues to draw attention, with local companies presenting innovations in AI, IT, and wireless internet services.

The event underscores Syria’s growing interest in digital transformation, with a focus on adopting modern technologies across various sectors.

Rami Al-Mujahid, public relations manager at the Syrian Association for AI and Entrepreneurship, said the group aims to integrate AI into industries through training and participation in events. “AI should be part of every project, and it’s crucial for Syria to stay competitive,” he said.

Aziz Al-Ajmi, sales manager at Atfa Tech, noted to increased competition and transparency in the market, benefiting consumers and opening foreign market opportunities. He added the exhibition provided a chance to connect with international suppliers.

Abdullah Zghoul, CEO of Twin Tech, which offers outdoor wireless internet, highlighted the company’s use of high-speed, non-shared Wi-Fi with public IP technology. He said the exhibition allowed Twin Tech to build new partnerships and create local jobs, expressing optimism about Syria’s tech future despite foreign companies’ slow entry.

The exhibition, organized by the Arab Group for Exhibitions and Conferences with the Ministry of Communications, features 225 local, regional, and international companies.

The Internal Security Forces in Homs have extended the curfew until 5:00 PM Monday across several city neighborhoods to ensure security following violence triggered by a double murder in the province.

The city’s Internal Security Forces announced the extension in a statement posted on the Homs Governorate’s official Telegram channel, specifying that the curfew will affect the following neighborhoods: Al-Abbassiya, Al-Armen, Al-Muhajireen, Al-Zahra, Al-Nuzha, Al-Ikrima, Al-Nazihin, Ashira, Zaydal, Karm Al-Zaytoun, Karm Al-Louz, Al-Weroud, and the Police Housing district.

Authorities have urged residents in these areas to comply with the curfew for their safety and to assist with ongoing investigations.

The curfew was initially imposed at 5:00 PM Sunday after the discovery of the bodies of a man and his wife, both victims of a violent murder in their home in Zaydal. Police reports suggest that sectarian messages were found at the crime scene, indicating a potential attempt to provoke sectarian tensions in the region.

Homs woke up today to a heinous crime whose perpetrators clearly sought to drag people into the swamp of sectarian strife, exploiting divisions that had already been entrenched by decades of sectarian policies and the systematic sectarianization adopted by the defunct regime as its sole strategy for survival and continuity in power.

Despite the gravity of the crime and the rush of some residents toward retaliatory reactions, both the state and society succeeded in containing the perpetrators’ attempt before it escalated. A swift calm was achieved thanks to rapid security deployment and the combined efforts of the governorate and various actors, whether governmental or community-based.

The issue of civil peace tops the priorities of the Syrian government, and there is no doubt that much must be done to entrench it as a lived reality, including the pursuit of transitional justice, accountability, and community reconciliation.

Minister of Energy Mohammad al-Bashir announced the arrival of the second and final batch of the Saudi oil grant to Syria, estimated at one million barrels of crude oil, bringing the total shipment to 1.65 million barrels.

“I extend my deepest thanks and gratitude to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, its leadership, government, and people, for this generous support, which reflects the depth of fraternal ties between our two brotherly nations,” Al-Bashir stated on Sunday in a post on (X).

The first batch, estimated at 650,000 barrels, had arrived at the Baniyas oil terminal on Syria’s coast on 17 November.

It is noteworthy that Syria signed a memorandum of understanding with Saudi Arabia to provide 1.65 million barrels of crude oil, aimed at supporting local needs and strengthening economic and developmental cooperation between the two brotherly countries.

MHD Ibrahim

Mufti of Homs, Sheikh Sahel Junaid, affirmed that the new Syria will not be driven by blind hatred, but by justice and the pursuit of truth, through the awareness of its people and the wisdom of its leadership.

He stressed that the recent events witnessed in Homs Governorate will not succeed in undermining social unity or igniting discord among its citizens.

In a speech regarding the crime that took place in the town of Zaidal, which resulted in the killing of a man and his wife, Mufti Junaid expressed his deep sorrow. He stressed that those criminals who plotted to ignite discord will not achieve their goals in the face of the awareness of the residents and their solidarity with the state and its institutions.

The Mufti clarified that victorious Syria will not be led by discord or revenge, but by justice, the rejection of oppression, and the upholding of rights. He affirmed that the state and its competent authorities will pursue the perpetrators and bring the oppressors to justice.

MHD Ibrahim

Interior Ministry spokesman Nour al-Din al-Baba announced that there is no material evidence so far to suggest that the crime committed Sunday in Zeidel town, in Homs countryside, was sectarian. He noted that initial investigations revealed that the slogans accompanying the crime were written with the intent to mislead, incite sectarian strife, and obscure the identity of the real perpetrator.

Al-Baba explained in a phone call with Syrian Al-Ikhbariya TV that the available information so far indicates the crime was criminal in nature, though attempts are being made to exploit it to stir sectarian tensions.

The spokesman noted that the Internal Security Command in Homs, in coordination with the Syrian Arab Army and military police, took immediate measures including deployment, setting up checkpoints, and patrolling neighborhoods. These steps helped contain the situation and minimize losses. He praised the role of residents and community leaders in strengthening civil peace and preventing sectarian discord.

He affirmed that cooperation between security forces and local communities in Homs has been commendable, and efforts continue to restore calm across all neighborhoods. He added that security forces arrested several troublemakers who attempted to vandalize and damage civilian property.

Al-Baba stressed that certain parties are trying to exploit the events by spreading false and fabricated narratives on social media, aiming to destabilize the situation and undermine civil peace. He urged citizens not to be misled by fake or deceptive news intended to incite discord.

The Interior Ministry spokesman concluded by affirming that the criminal investigation unit in Homs is making outstanding efforts to uncover the truth and bring the perpetrators to justice.

MHD Ibrahim

President Ahmad al-Sharaa has issued a series of presidential decrees appointing the leadership of the newly established General Authority for Borders and Customs.

Decree No. 264 for 2025 appointed Qutaiba Ahmad Badawi as President of the Authority with ministerial rank.

Decree No. 265 for 2025 named Khalid Muhammad al-Barad as Deputy President of the Authority for Customs Affairs, while Decree No. 266 for 2025 appointed Ahmad Ali Mustafa as Deputy President for Maritime Affairs.

These appointments follow the issuance of Decree No. 244 for 2025, which established the General Authority for Borders and Customs as an independent public institution with legal personality and full financial and administrative autonomy, reporting directly to the Presidency of the Republic and headquartered in Damascus.

The Authority is tasked with unifying and overseeing operations across Syria’s land and sea border crossings, ports, free zones, and customs, as well as developing logistics and trade services, enhancing internal oversight, and implementing digital systems to streamline procedures.

President Ahmad al-Sharaa issued Decree No. (244) of 2025 establishing a public authority named the “General Authority for Borders and Customs”. The authority enjoys legal personality, financial and administrative independence, and is directly linked to the Presidency of the Republic. Its headquarters will be located in Damascus.

MHD Ibrahim

The discovery of mass graves across Syria continues to reveal the magnitude of atrocities committed by the deposed regime against the Syrian people, who rose against decades of authoritarian rule. According to the Wall Street Journal, the country has become a site of mass burials containing the remains of thousands of forcibly disappeared and detainees who perished in prison.

Many graves are uncovered by chance, either during the clearing of rubble from destroyed homes or through searches in farmland. The sites range from expansive fields holding tens of thousands of victims of systematic killings to smaller graves containing just dozens of bodies.

Documented Graves and Ongoing Investigations

The International Center for Transitional Justice, together with the Syrian organization Lawyers and Doctors for Human Rights, has documented 134 mass graves so far, with evidence suggesting more remain undiscovered. Experts say these findings underscore the widespread human tragedy under the deposed regime, which systematically killed thousands and imprisoned tens of thousands under conditions of torture and extreme abuse.

Challenges in Identifying Victims

The graves and the scale of killings present unprecedented challenges for Syria as it seeks to recover from authoritarian rule. Families remain in distress, many unaware of the fate or burial sites of their loved ones. Identifying victims requires extensive forensic expertise, DNA testing equipment, and significant financial resources—estimated at around $200 million.

Each newly uncovered grave reopens old wounds, prolonging grief and leaving families without closure.

National Efforts Toward Justice

The crimes of the deposed regime have prompted calls for accountability. In May, President Ahmad al-Sharaa issued decrees establishing the National Commission for the Missing, tasked with investigating the fate of thousands of disappeared persons, and the National Commission for Transitional Justice, charged with uncovering grave human rights violations and holding perpetrators accountable.

On November 18, the National Commission for the Missing signed a memorandum of understanding with the International Commission on Missing Persons (ICMP) to enhance technical and professional cooperation. Earlier, on November 5, a joint announcement with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the Independent International Commission on Missing Persons (IIMP) reaffirmed support for national efforts to clarify the fate of missing Syrians, irrespective of circumstances or affiliations.

These initiatives aim to provide transparency, justice, and long-overdue closure for families affected by the decades-long repression.

The Directorate-General of Antiquities and Museums in Syria announced that it is closely monitoring inaccurate reports circulating on social media, alleging the discovery of a “cave containing large quantities of ancient gold” in the town of al-Hara, Daraa countryside.

In a statement on Sunday, the Directorate clarified that what was actually found, following a field inspection by its specialised team, was a Roman-era tomb uncovered during construction work for a building’s foundations. This discovery is entirely different from the rumors of a golden cave.

The Directorate noted that several pottery artifacts dating back to the same period were found. These items hold typical museum and scientific value for such sites, and there is absolutely no truth to claims of large amounts of ancient gold.

It added that security authorities secured the area, while its teams continue documentation and archaeological studies of the site and the artifacts, in line with established scientific standards.

The Directorate stressed that Syria’s cultural heritage is a national treasure that must be preserved through scientific methodology, and that any genuine discoveries will be announced transparently through official channels only.

MHD Ibrahim

Aleppo Governor Azzam al-Gharib discussed Monday with Mehmet Tahmazoğlu, mayor of Şahinbey district in Turkey’s Gaziantep Province ways to strengthen mutual cooperation.

The meeting focused on developing mechanisms for the twinning partnership between Aleppo and Şahinbey Municipality, as well as exploring opportunities for joint projects in public services, infrastructure, and urban planning.

Earlier this month, on November 4, the governor held talks with a Turkish delegation that included Sevvalay Tuncer, head of environmental policy and urban planning at Turkey’s Justice and Development Party (AKP), Fatma Şahin, mayor of Gaziantep, and several officials, to advance bilateral cooperation and activate the twinning agreement between Aleppo and Gaziantep.

Amer Dhawa

Syria will participate on Monday in the meetings of the Universal Postal Union (UPU) at its headquarters in Bern, Switzerland with a delegation from the Syrian Postal Corporation headed by Director General Imad al-Din Hamed. The delegation will attend the opening session of the Investment and Postal Operations Councils, held in Bern from November 24 to 28, marking Syria’s return to active engagement after years of absence.

Hamed told SANA that receiving an official invitation from the UPU “confirms the restoration of Syria’s effective presence within this international body, following the reactivation of Syria’s membership in the Union, which brings together 192 countries.”

He noted that the reactivation of the membership “passed through several stages, beginning with discussions in Doha last April, followed by continued coordination with the International Bureau in Switzerland. These efforts were crowned with success during the 28th UPU Congress held in Dubai last September, where the Syrian Postal Corporation participated and contributed to international deliberations.”

Hamed emphasized that the Corporation is working to secure a stronger role both domestically and internationally by upgrading services offered to citizens and shaping the future of cross-border postal operations in partnership with the global postal community. This includes advancing international express shipping, e-commerce services, and external financial transfers, noting that “these steps will be facilitated and strengthened under the umbrella of the UPU.”

Established in 1874 and headquartered in Bern, the Universal Postal Union is one of the oldest specialized agencies of the United Nations.

The Daraa Directorate of Antiquities announced the discovery of several archaeological artifacts in the town of al-Harra in the northwestern countryside, within a burial chamber believed—based on initial assessments—to date back to the Roman period.

In a statement issued today, the Directorate explained that a local resident was excavating a basement for a new home using a heavy machine, when a collapse occurred at the site. Rumors quickly spread across social media claiming the presence of a “cave filled with gold treasures,” prompting large crowds of residents to gather around the location. Internal security forces were deployed to secure the area.

According to the statement, a specialized team from the Daraa Antiquities Department arrived at the site late at night, conducting an immediate field inspection. Their examination revealed a burial chamber consistent with Roman-era design and structure.

The Directorate noted that, despite the difficult circumstances and the large crowds present, its team was able to recover several archaeological items from inside the chamber, including a bronze bracelet, pieces of clay lamp and jars.

Earlier, Wael al-Zamel, director of the al-Sanamayn district, stated that the directorate had followed up on social-media claims about a cave filled with gold discovered during the excavation of a basement in al-Harra. He clarified that what appeared was only a small opening formed during digging, and no evidence or sightings of gold were recorded.

Syria’s Civil Defense also announced the completion of excavation work at the site, in the presence of a team from the Antiquities Directorate, confirming that the pit contained remnants of old, empty graves, with no findings resembling treasure.

Israeli fighter jets launched an airstrike on the southern suburbs of Beirut, hitting the fourth and fifth floors of a 10-story building on Al-Arid Street in Haret Hreik neighborhood, Lebanese media reported. Initial reports indicate that the strike resulted in one fatality and left three others injured.

Meanwhile, the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that the Israeli military carried out an attack in central Beirut, targeting Hezbollah “chief of staff”.

Israeli officials informed U.S. authorities about the planned operation against the southern Beirut suburbs prior to its execution, according to the Israeli Broadcasting Authority.

The Israeli military later identified the target as “Abu Ali al-Tabtabai,” the head of Hezbollah’s military wing and second-in-command within the group. However, it remains unclear whether he was killed in the strike.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani met on Sunday with Omani Minister of Economy Said Mohammed Al-Saqri to discuss enhancing economic cooperation.

The talks focused on prospects for strengthening economic and investment ties between the two countries, particularly in trade, energy, and productive sectors, Syria’s foreign ministry said in a statement.

The officials also exchanged views on the latest regional developments and coordinated efforts to serve the interests of both nations.

Gaza’s health ministry said Sunday that 23 Palestinians were killed and 83 injured over the past 24 hours amid ongoing Israeli attacks across the enclave.

In its daily report, the ministry said Gaza’s hospitals received 23 bodies — 21 newly killed and two recovered from under debris — along with 83 wounded. It added that a number of victims remain trapped under the rubble or on roadways, with ambulance and civil-defense teams still unable to reach them.

Since the ceasefire took effect on October 11, 2025, the ministry has recorded 339 deaths, 871 injuries, and 574 bodies recovered.

It added that the overall toll from the Israeli war on Gaza, which began on October 7, 2023, has risen to 69,756 deaths and 170,946 injuries.

The Syrian Ministry of the Interior has dispatched additional security forces to the town of Zaydal, south of Homs, following the brutal murder of a man and his wife earlier today. The move aims to prevent the incident from escalating into sectarian tensions.

In a statement, the Ministry confirmed that internal security forces have raised their readiness and increased their presence in Zaydal and surrounding areas south of Homs. The deployment follows the discovery of the bodies of a man and his wife in their home, with signs that the wife had been burned. Sectarian slogans were also found at the crime scene, raising concerns that the murders were intended to provoke sectarian conflict.

“This attack appears to have the goal of fueling sectarian divisions and undermining stability in the region,” said Major General Murhaf al-Nassan, head of internal security in Homs, in a press statement. “We are taking immediate measures to prevent further escalation.”

Authorities have secured the crime scene and initiated a full investigation to gather evidence and identify the perpetrators. The Ministry of the Interior assured the public that all legal procedures are being followed to bring those responsible to justice. In addition to the investigation, security forces have taken steps to ensure the safety of civilians and maintain stability in the area.

The Ministry condemned the violence, describing it as a “deliberate attempt to incite sectarian strife and divide the community.” It urged citizens to remain calm and allow the investigation to unfold without interference.