SANA - Syrian Arab News Agency

Havana, SANA- The Head of the North Africa and Middle East Directorate (Danmo) of the Cuban Foreign Ministry Armando Vergara Bueno, met with Syrian Ambassador to Cuba Ghassan Obeid at the ministry’s headquarters in Havana to discuss ways to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries.

During the meeting, Ambassador Obeid delivered a letter from Syrian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Assad al-Shaibani, to his Cuban counterpart Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla. The letter addressed existing areas of cooperation and explored avenues for further support and development. Ambassador Obeid also conveyed Syria’s appreciation for Cuba’s continued provision of scholarships and facilities for Syrian students.

Ambassador Vergara Bonilla reaffirmed the depth and strength of Syrian-Cuban relations, expressing Cuba’s interest in expanding joint cooperation across various sectors in a manner that serves the mutual interests of both friendly nations.

Tuhama /Manar

Doha, SANA- Qatari Ministry of Interior has confirmed the identity of one of the victims of the Israeli airstrike that targeted a residential compound in Doha on Tuesday, where several members of Hamas’s political bureau were residing.

In an official statement issued today, the ministry announced that, following ongoing investigations and forensic efforts by security and specialized teams, the victim has been identified as Jihad Riyah Hassan Labad, who was killed in the attack.

The statement added that field teams recovered human remains from various locations at the strike site. The Qatari Disaster Victim Identification Team is currently working to complete the identification process of all victims. The ministry affirmed that any updates will be announced through official channels once verified.

 Nawal/ Manar

Doha,SANA- Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs has strongly condemned statements made by Prime Minister of  Israeli occupation government ,Benjamin Netanyahu regarding Doha’s hosting of Hamas’s political office, describing them as an attempt to justify aggression against Qatari territory and a direct threat to national sovereignty.

The ministry clarified that negotiations concerning the Palestinian issue were conducted transparently and with international participation, including American and Israeli delegations. It emphasized that the office was hosted as part of mediation efforts requested by both Washington and Tel Aviv, contributing to successful prisoner exchanges and ceasefires recognized by the global community.

Qatar rejected Netanyahu’s comparison between Israeli strikes on Doha and U.S. operations against al-Qaeda, calling it misleading and politically motivated. The ministry described his rhetoric as part of an extremist narrative aimed at electoral gain, coming from a figure facing international legal proceedings.

Reaffirming its role as a credible and impartial mediator, Qatar stressed its commitment to international law and the UN Charter, and called on the global community to confront incitement, hate speech, and political misinformation that undermine peace efforts.

 Iman/ Manar

Damascus, SANA- Sweida Governor Mustafa al-Bakkour affirmed that reopening the “Sweida–Damascus” road is a pivotal step in enhancing stability and alleviating the suffering of residents.

He noted that the road serves as a vital artery for facilitating the movement of goods and services and revitalizing local markets, especially amid the difficult living conditions the governorate is experiencing.

In an interview with the Syrian News Channel, al-Bakkour said that the governorate is experiencing a state of stability despite ongoing challenges, foremost among them illegal interventions that hinder institutional operations.

He emphasized the need for serious cooperation among government entities to ensure service delivery and to drive the wheel of development forward.

The governor stressed the importance of strict price monitoring to prevent monopolies and protect consumers. He also noted that the electricity and water sectors continue to suffer significant infrastructure damage, and that ongoing efforts are underway to repair power lines and improve essential services.

Al-Bakkour blamed internal and external media incitement for escalating tensions in Sweida. He affirmed his commitment to engaging with religious and tribal leaders, including representatives of the Christian community, to strengthen national unity and resolve disputes through dialogue. He praised the role of internal security forces in gradually restoring stability.

The governor concluded by calling on the people of the governorate to unify efforts and restore national cohesion. He emphasized that stability is the foundation for building a better future for Sweida, and that the return of displaced persons to their homes requires a shared will and continuous efforts from all parties.

MHD Ibrahim

Damascus, SANA-Minister of Emergency and Disaster Management, Raed al-Saleh, discussed with Akihiro Tsugi, Chargé d’Affaires of the Japanese Embassy in Damascus, and the accompanying delegation, ways to enhance cooperation between the two countries in emergency and disaster management, as well as mine clearance.

The meeting focused on several key areas, most notably the need to develop early warning systems, training programs, capacity building, and the exchange of expertise.

Minister al-Saleh reviewed the efforts made by the ministry to combat landmines left behind by the former regime, as well as the initiatives underway to develop early warning systems, which are considered a top priority in addressing natural disasters.

Both sides discussed the importance of cooperating with friendly countries such as Japan to benefit from its extensive experience in seismic monitoring and safety standards, thereby strengthening Syria’s preparedness for natural hazards.

This meeting aims to elevate the level of cooperation and coordination between Syria and Japan to ensure a swift and effective response in emergency situations.

MHD Ibrahim

Aleppo, SANA-QSD forces targeted several areas and civilian homes in eastern Aleppo countryside with rocket launchers and mortar shells, resulting in the death of one civilian and the injury of several others.

SANA’s correspondent reported that QSD forces targeted civilian homes in the village of Al-Kayyariyah, east of Aleppo, with rocket launchers and mortar shells, causing the death of one civilian and injuring others, including a child.

The correspondent also pointed out that QSD targeted the outskirts of Khafsah town in eastern Aleppo countryside with mortar shells, and civilian homes in the village of Rasm al-Ahmar, east of Aleppo, with rocket launchers.

MHD Ibrahim

Hama, SANA-More than 2,800 families have returned to Kafr Zita, north of Hama, where daily life and economic activity are beginning to resume after years of war. The city is seeing a resurgence of traditional crafts, one of the pillars of its local economy.

According to Musa al-Sattouf, head of the community services committee, the carpentry, blacksmithing, and aluminum workshops have resumed their activities. This has generated employment and opportunities for young people.

Bashar Al-Mustafa, an aluminum craftsman, said that demand for his products is growing in the area, with prices ranging between $40 and $55 per square meter.

Muhammad Hassan al-Abdullah, a carpenter, explained that the lack of machinery limits production, although he is confident in the future of the trade inherited from his ancestors.

Abdulrahman al-Khalaf, a blacksmith, noted that demand for iron is high after the looting of previous years, with prices between $80 and $85 per square meter.

Dozens of small workshops are scattered throughout the city’s neighborhoods, providing employment and economic activity. Artisans face challenges: a shortage of modern machinery, high raw material prices, a need for training, and an opening to international markets.

Kafr Zita, historically renowned for its crafts, demonstrates that the resilience and hard work of its inhabitants are key to rebuilding the city and reviving its economy after years of war.

MHD Ibrahim

Damascus, SANA-Minister of Agriculture Amjad Badr met on Wednesday in Riyadh with officials from the Saudi aquaculture company “Naqua” to discuss avenues of mutual cooperation and investment opportunities in the fisheries sector, as part of his official visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

During the meeting, establishing joint projects was proposed, aiming to benefit from Saudi Arabia’s advanced expertise in aquaculture to develop this vital sector in Syria and strengthen food security.

Minister Badr conducted a field tour of the company’s complex, as he observed the stages of aquaculture and harvesting, as well as production and packaging lines. He also listened to a detailed briefing from the company’s board of directors about ongoing projects and operational procedures.

The meeting represents a promising step toward building strategic partnerships in the fisheries sector between Syria and Saudi Arabia. Leveraging Saudi expertise could open new horizons for boosting local production and achieving food security, with mutual willpower remaining the cornerstone for turning these initiatives into tangible development projects.

MHD Ibrahim

Damascus-SANA

President of the Syrian Arab Republic, Ahmad Al-Sharaa, received Wednesday in Damascus Emirati businessman Khalaf Al-Habtoor, Chairman of the Al Habtoor Group, and his accompanying delegation.

During the meeting, they discussed investment opportunities and future projects in Syria.

Fedaa

Damascus-SANA

President Ahmad Al-Sharaa will participate in the 80th Session of the UN General Assembly and the “High-Level Week,” scheduled from September 22 to 30 in New York City.

President al-Sharaa will be accompanied by Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Asaad Hassan Al-Shibani and a high-level diplomatic delegation.

This will be Syria’s first presidential participation since 1967, and its first ever participation in the High-Level Week.

President al-Sharaa and Foreign Minister will take part in numerous meetings and events, in addition to holding bilateral meetings with leaders of states and heads of delegations participating in the UN General Assembly.

Mazen Eyon

Damascus , SANA- Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani held Wednesday a press conference with his Croatian counterpart, Gordan Radman, at Tishreen Palace in Damascus, where he stressed that the Croatian Foreign Minister’s visit to Syria marks the beginning of a new chapter in relations between the two countries, based on mutual respect.

Al-Shaibani added that Syria and the Syrians will never forget Croatia’s stance and its support for them since 2011, condemning and rejecting the practices of the former regime.

The Minister indicated that with the lifting of restrictions on Syria, efforts are focused on building tangible partnerships with our international partners.

He noted that the discussions with his Croatian counterpart were constructive and focused on strengthening cooperation in various fields, in addition to the reconstruction process in Syria.

During the conference al-Shaibani said:

*  We reviewed Croatia’s experience in post-war recovery, where it was able to rebuild itself using its own capabilities, and we in Syria can benefit from this experience”.

*  Stability in the region cannot be achieved in light of the ongoing Israeli attacks.

* The Israeli attacks on Syria and Qatar represent a flagrant violation of international law, and we call on the international community to hold Israel accountable for these violations.

* The relationship between Syria and Croatia will be multifaceted and highly advanced, as Croatia is a member of the European Union and contributed to the lifting of sanctions on Syria.

* The return of refugees is linked to prosperity and stability in Syria, and that the government is making every effort, within its available capabilities, to ensure the necessary conditions for this return.

The foreign Minister noted that a strategic vision has been developed for the return of Syrian refugees abroad, and that regional and international support is needed to ensure this permanent return

He emphasized that the relationship between Syria and Croatia will be multifaceted and highly advanced, as Croatia is a member of the European Union and contributed to the lifting of sanctions on Syria.

For his part, the Croatian Foreign Minister said, “I am very pleased to be in Damascus at this important moment in Syria’s history, and we express our full solidarity and sympathy with the Syrian people for what they have been through during the years of war and the difficulties they have faced, and we are fully aware of the magnitude of the challenges”.

The Croatian minister’s most notable statement was:

* Croatia supports a comprehensive process to achieve stability in Syria and welcomes the lifting of US and European sanctions, which is essential for the reconstruction process in Syria.

* We hope that Syria will succeed in recovering after years of war, just as Croatia has.

* We are proud that Croatia has continued to provide assistance to Syrian refugees in Jordan and this is a commitment to supporting Syrians wherever they are.

* Peace and security in the Middle East are essential and must be achieved through dialogue and diplomacy.

*  Today marks a pivotal moment in relations between our two countries, and there are many possibilities for cooperation between them in all areas, especially economics and energy.

Croatian Minister Radman also said, “We agreed to form business delegations to explore cooperation between our two countries and identify areas where cooperation can be strengthened.”

Radman expressed his country’s readiness to open its embassy in Damascus, and that this matter would be worked on with the Syrian side.

Fedaa

Damascus, SANA – The Ministry of Administrative Development organized a training course on cybersecurity in cooperation with the International Association for the Care of Victims of Wars and Disasters (al-Ameen) and the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSRelief), which implemented it, with the aim of achieving a safe and advanced digital environment in government institutions.

In a statement to SANA, Asim bin Abdulrahman al-Hussaini, a trainer at the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center, noted that the aim of this course is to enable leaders in their institutions to understand their vital roles in confronting cyber threats and to enhance their capabilities in protecting sensitive data and information, which will positively reflect on the continuity of work in a secure and advanced digital environment.

For her part, Head of the Information Technology Department at the State Property and Forestry Authority at the Ministry of Agriculture and Agrarian Reform, Ghada Baqdalia, pointed out the importance of the course in spreading the culture of cybersecurity, especially with regard to preventing the use of unsafe storage media such as flash drives.

More than 30 employees, including managers, heads of departments, and administrations specializing in data entry and archiving, networks, and communications, participated in the two-day course.

Nisreen / Fedaa

Damascus, SANA – Emirati businessman Khalaf al-Habtoor affirmed that Syria possesses promising economic potential, making it a fertile ground for investment and an attractive destination for Arab and Gulf capital.

In an exclusive interview with SANA, Al Habtoor called on Arab and Gulf businessmen to head to Syria, given the diversity of investment opportunities available, stressing the importance of investment serving both citizens and investors, and contributing directly to reconstruction.

He said that investing in Syria is a well-considered step based on belief in the Syrian people’s ability to thrive and the country’s need for genuine development projects.

Additionally, he highlighted the importance of investment serving both citizens and investors, contributing directly to reconstruction, and providing real job opportunities, especially for young people who want to see their country revived.

Al-Habtoor concluded by emphasizing that success does not require complexity, but rather a clear decision, and that the officials and youth leading the work in Syria today are proceeding with a practical vision on the right path.

Adnan/Fedaa

Damascus, SANA – Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani received Wednesday Croatian Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Gordan Grlić Radman and his accompanying delegation in Damascus.

Fedaa

Damascus, SANA – Health Minister Musab al-Ali discussed Wednesday with Japanese Chargé d’Affaires in Damascus, Akihiro Tsuji, prospects for joint cooperation in the health sector and ways to develop it during a meeting at the ministry’s building.

Minister al-Ali expressed the Ministry’s readiness to cooperate with Japan in the field of medical education, by allocating training missions to learn about the Japanese experience and transfer it to Syria, in addition to organizing training programs to support human cadres.

Tsuji said that his country is committed to continuing to provide support to the Syrian people, noting that the health sector is a special priority and that steps are underway to rehabilitate the Homs Grand Hospital.

He expressed his country’s support for the Syrian government’s efforts, noting that Japan has provided extensive humanitarian assistance through international organizations in the areas of food, education, health, and sanitation.

Nisreen / Fedaa

Damascus, SANA- Designer Saif al-Din Hamoud brought together the symbols of the Syrian provinces and peace between the countries of the world in artistic pieces crafted with love and great skill using beads, alongside traditional costumes from various regions. The pieces were displayed at the Abu Rummaneh Cultural Center in Damascus.

Head of the Plastic Artists Union, Dr. Muhammad Subhi al-Sayyid Yahya, considered the exhibition, titled “Peace in Syrian Colors,” a unique artistic achievement, demonstrated by the designer’s patience in working beads with extreme precision to create beautiful paintings that embody Syria and its components, expressing cohesion and love among the various segments of society. He emphasized the importance of holding such exhibitions, which reflect the role of art in spreading love and confronting hate speech.

Designer Saif al-Din Hamoud articulated that his works, crafted with beads and loom weaving, carry the symbolism of the revolution’s victory and the overthrow of the defunct regime, through the representation of Syrian and Arab political figures who supported the Syrian revolution.

The exhibition attracted attention with the Peace Robe, which includes 186 flags from a number of countries around the world, with an area of 35 square meters. It is hand-crafted and consists of a main part representing the Syrian flag, and an upper part depicting the Damascene sword, while the rest of the paintings are cloth dresses, each bearing the image of a landmark from the Syrian provinces.

Nisreen / Fedaa

Damascus, SANA- The establishment of activity halls in primary schools represents a qualitative and strategic step toward making the educational environment more stimulating for students, in order to consolidate a culture of diverse and sustainable learning, and enhancing students’ ability to face challenges with confidence and flexibility.

Deputy Minister of Education, Youssef Anan, told SANA reporter Wednesday that these halls are integrated educational platforms aimed at building students’ character and developing their skills in various fields, whether social, physical, or cognitive, thus supporting the promotion of active learning and breaking down the barriers of academic routine.

Anan noted that the extracurricular activities that will be held in these halls are educational activities that complement the curricula and are carried out outside the classroom under the supervision of teachers. They help students engage according to their interests and are an essential element in creating an interactive educational environment that helps students integrate according to their interests and stimulates innovation and creativity.

On August 15, the Syrian Ministry of Education issued a decision to allocate a multi-purpose activity room called the “activities hall” in every primary school, with the aim of enhancing scientific, linguistic, athletic, social, and value-based skills, and developing life skills and a culture of law among students.

Nisreen / Fedaa

Sweida , SANA – Governor of Sweida province, Mustafa al-Bakkour, affirmed that the government is closely monitoring the situation of residents displaced from their villages and is working to provide urgent humanitarian aid in cooperation with humanitarian organizations and the Red Crescent.

This is part of a broader plan to ensure their safe and dignified return to their areas.

Al-Bakkour announced the commencement of salary and wage payments for employees of the Education Directorate, following the completion of verification procedures.

He emphasized the state’s commitment to safeguarding the rights of educational staff and recognizing their efforts.

Al-Bakkour also noted the initiation of payments for  retirees registered with the Insurance and Pensions Authority, in accordance with approved regulations, ensuring continued care and fulfillment of obligations.

The governorate had previously clarified that delays in salary disbursement in some government departments were due to administrative shortcomings, unofficial interference, and unlawful changes in administrative structures, which hindered the regular implementation of financial procedures.

Adnan/Manar

Capitals, SANA- The European Union, Germany, Italy, and Japan condemned the Israeli airstrike on the Qatari capital, Doha, stressing that it constitutes a violation of international law and Qatar’s sovereignty, and warning of the risk of escalation in the region.

The European Union stressed its solidarity with Qatar, while German and Italian officials deemed the attack unacceptable and undermined truce efforts. Japan described it as an obstacle to diplomatic efforts.

In this context, the UN Security Council is holding an emergency session Wednesday at the request of Algeria and Pakistan to discuss the repercussions of the raid that targeted a meeting of Hamas leaders in Doha, amid warnings of an escalating crisis in the Middle East.

Nisreen / Manar

Amman, SANA-The European Union has reiterated its ongoing commitment to supporting the Syrian people both inside Syria and in neighboring host countries, particularly Jordan, according to Marie Hoferz, Head of Governance and Human Development at the EU Delegation to Jordan.

Speaking to Jordan’s Al-Mamlaka TV, Hoferz stated that the EU has provided over €2.38 billion in aid through the regional “Madad” Trust Fund since 2011, benefiting Syrian refugees and host communities in Jordan and surrounding countries. The fund is supported by 21 EU member states, as well as Turkey and the United Kingdom.

She noted that this funding is part of a broader EU response to the Syrian crisis, with total contributions from the EU and member states in the region reaching €35 billion, including €15.61 billion from the European Commission. Priority areas include education, healthcare, social services, and protection programs.

On May 27, the EU announced an increase in humanitarian aid for Syrians to over €202 million for 2024. Days earlier, on May 20, the EU lifted all economic sanctions previously imposed on Syria.

Tuhama / Manar