SANA - Syrian Arab News Agency

Tunis – SANA – The International Committee to Break the Siege on Gaza announced today that one of the vessels of the Global Freedom Flotilla, sailing toward the besieged enclave via the Mediterranean, was attacked by a drone in Tunisian territorial waters.

In a statement on its Facebook page, the committee said the Portuguese-flagged vessel The Family, carrying the flotilla’s steering committee, was struck by a drone, causing material damage including a fire on the main deck and in its storage area. No casualties were reported. An investigation is underway, and findings will be released once available.

The statement stressed that “aggressive acts aimed at intimidating the Freedom Flotilla and obstructing our mission will not deter us. Our peaceful mission to break the siege of Gaza and stand in solidarity with its people continues with determination.”

A video posted by the flotilla on X captured the moment the boat was hit from above, showing a glowing object striking the vessel followed by smoke rising shortly afterward.

Meanwhile, Reuters quoted Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territories, as saying: “We do not know who carried out the attack, but we would not be surprised if it was Israel. If confirmed, this would constitute an attack on Tunisian sovereignty.”

Tuhama /Manar

Ankara, SANA-Syrian Arab Army Air Force Commander Brig. Gen. Assem Hawari met in Ankara with Turkish Chief of General Staff Lt. Gen. Selçuk Bayraktaroğlu and Turkish Air Force Commander Lt. Gen. Ziya Cemal Kadıoğlu, following an official invitation.

According to the Syrian Ministry of Defense channel on Telegram, the talks covered a number of shared files and issues of mutual interest.

It is worth noting that Lt. Gen.  Selcuk Bayraktaroğlu was appointed last month as Turkey’s Chief of General Staff, succeeding Gen. Metin Gürak, who retired after the legal service age.

Tuhama /Manar

New York , SANA- The United Nations has called on the international community to provide immediate assistance to victims of the devastating earthquake that struck Afghanistan late last month, noting that initial assessments show more than 5,000 homes destroyed across several provinces.

Shannon O’Hara, Head of Coordination at the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Afghanistan, told reporters that “the international community must respond to the urgent needs of earthquake victims—not only to help them survive today, but also to give them the strength to rebuild their lives tomorrow.”

She explained that damaged roads have severely hampered access to the affected areas, making it difficult to assess the impact across 441 villages. UN teams have so far surveyed 49 villages, finding 5,230 homes completely destroyed and 672 others damaged.

Nisreen / Manar

Damascus, SANA- UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Syria, Dr. Adam Abdelmoula, said that nearly 16.5 million people in Syria are in need of humanitarian aid, alongside 2.5 million returnees—both internally displaced persons and refugees returning from abroad—many of whom have lost their homes.

Speaking at a press conference ahead of the conclusion of his mission, Abdelmoula noted that displacement remains one of Syria’s gravest challenges, with over 6 million people still internally displaced and more than 6 million living as refugees worldwide.

He added that about 24 percent of housing in Syria has been damaged or destroyed in recent years, while UN funding for humanitarian needs remains “extremely scarce.” To date, the 2025 Humanitarian Response Plan has received only 14 percent of the $3.2 billion required.

Abdelmoula expressed his gratitude to the Syrian government for its close and growing cooperation with UN operations in the country, stressing that the UN’s role is to support national priorities and that consultations are ongoing to enhance future plans for humanitarian response, recovery, and development.

Reflecting on his first assignment as Resident Coordinator in Syria in 2012, Abdelmoula said it was a particularly difficult period, during which he decided to suspend all development activities to ensure they would not benefit the former regime or be politically exploited.

Nisreen / Manar

Latakia, SANA-The fish market in Latakia’s southern al-Raml neighborhood serves as a vital hub for fishermen, where daily auctions provide a main outlet for their catch and a livelihood for hundreds of families.

Fishermen highlighted the challenges they face, including the spread of the harmful pufferfish, rising costs of fishing supplies, seasonal downturns, and mounting debts from borrowing to cover expenses. They also pointed to the need for stronger support and alternative sources of income during low seasons, while warning against the risks of overfishing.

Traders, meanwhile, called for better market services, such as roof repairs, reliable electricity, cold storage facilities to help market fish outside the province, and improved sanitation standards.

Despite these difficulties, fishermen continue to uphold their seafaring heritage and sustain this essential trade, hoping for greater support to ease their burdens and secure the market’s role as a cornerstone of the local economy.

Nisreen / Manar

Malabo – SANA

Tunisia secured qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico after defeating Equatorial Guinea 1–0 in the African qualifiers.

Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane scored the decisive goal in the 94th minute, sending Tunisia through to join Morocco, the first African team to secure a spot in the finals.

Under the qualification system, group winners from nine groups advance directly to the World Cup, while the four best runners-up enter playoffs to determine Africa’s representative in the intercontinental playoff.

 Tuhama /Manar

Mexico City, SANA-At least 10 people were killed and 61 others injured on Monday when a freight train collided with a bus northwest of Mexico City.

According to Reuters, the state prosecutor’s office in Mexico reported that the victims included seven women and three men.

The accident occurred in an industrial area along the highway connecting Atlacomulco, about 115 kilometers northwest of the capital, and Maravatío in Michoacán state, western Mexico.

Tuhama /manar

The Syrian Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research announced that the Saudi capital, Riyadh, will host the first-ever forum for Syrian universities on September 21–22.

In a statement received by SANA, the ministry explained that the forum, held under its patronage, aims to introduce Syrian and Arab students residing in Saudi Arabia to academic programs offered by Syrian universities, including opportunities for undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral studies. The event will also present available scholarships, facilitate direct communication between universities and students, and strengthen academic and cultural cooperation between Syria and Saudi Arabia.

The forum will feature participation from Syrian public universities as well as several private universities.

According to the ministry, the initiative comes within the framework of expanding scientific, educational, and research cooperation between Syria and Saudi Arabia, and encouraging academic and cultural exchange in line with both countries’ vision of education as a bridge for communication, knowledge, and development.

Reem / Manar Salameh

Berlin, SANA-Germany’s chargé d’affaires in Damascus, Clemens Hach, reiterated his country’s commitment to supporting a safe educational environment across Syria.

In a post on X marking International Literacy Day, Hach noted that over the past years, 40 % of Syria’s more than 19,000 schools have been damaged, leaving more than 2.4 million children out of school.

He highlighted those efforts by UNICEF, in cooperation with the UN program in Syria and Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, have enabled the rehabilitation of 139 schools, teacher training, and direct support to more than 50,000 students since 2016.

Germany remains one of the donor countries working to alleviate the suffering of the Syrian people by providing humanitarian and financial support, contributing to reconstruction, and strengthening community resilience amid ongoing challenges.

Tuhama al-Saidi / Manar Salameh

Aleppo, SANA- The former Aleppo power station hosted a screening of “Picture of Michel” by Syrian-American director Christine Gideon, a documentary recounting the story of Dr. Michel Saadi, who was forcibly disappeared in Damascus in 1978 and later executed in Tadmor Prison.

Organized by the art collective “Kursi Collective,” the event was part of a series of film activities designed to open dialogue on sensitive social issues, including detention and enforced disappearance.

The 44-minute film draws on Saadi’s personal belongings—papers, glasses, photos, and family tapes—through which the director reconstructs the memory of her uncle and explores the mystery surrounding his fate.

The evening also featured an open discussion with the filmmaker, visiting Aleppo for the first time since 2006, who emphasized that Michel’s case is not an exception but part of a wider tragedy of enforced disappearance in Syria.

Nisreen / Manar

Washington – SANA

U.S. Republican Congressman Joe Wilson affirmed that it is time to give Syria a chance by lifting the sanctions imposed under the Caesar Act, expressing hope that the House Rules Committee will approve the amendment he has introduced to repeal the measure.

In a post on X, Wilson wrote: “I am pleased to testify before the House Rules Committee in support of my amendment to repeal the Caesar Act in the National Defense Authorization Act. It’s time to give Syria a chance, and I hope the committee will approve my amendment.”

Wilson reiterated last month, in a similar post that repealing the Caesar Act remains a priority for the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump.

In late June, President Trump issued an executive order ending the sanctions program imposed on Syria, while maintaining restrictions on Bashar al-Assad, several of his aides, and individuals accused of human rights abuses.

Following the order, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that Washington is considering a potential full suspension of the Caesar Act as part of a broader review of U.S. policy toward Syria.

Reem / Manar Salameh

Damascus ,SANA-Interior Minister Anas Khattab inaugurated the new Immigration and Passports Center at Yalbugha Complex in Damascus, as part of the ministry’s efforts to modernize administrative infrastructure and expand government services for citizens.

Nisreen / Manar

Damascus, SANA- Syrian Arab Republic strongly condemned the Israeli air raids targeting several sites in Homs and Lattakia provinces, describing them as a flagrant violation of international law and the principles of the UN Charter.

In a statement on Tuesday, the Foreign and Expatriates Ministry said the attacks constituted a blatant breach of Syria’s sovereignty and a direct threat to its security and regional stability, adding that they are part of Israel’s ongoing campaign of aggression against Syrian territory.

The ministry reaffirmed Syria’s categorical rejection of any attempts to undermine its sovereignty or compromise its national security. It also called on the international community, particularly the UN Security Council, to shoulder its legal and moral responsibilities by taking a clear and firm stance to end these repeated violations and ensure respect for Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Reem / Manar Salameh

Damascus-SANA

A preliminary meeting was held Monday between committees from the Ministry of Justice and security ones, based on the outcomes of a previous meeting between a delegation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates in Syria and the Lebanese government.

The meeting addressed the conditions of detainees and relevant bilateral agreements.

Mazen

Damascus, SANA-Tourism Minister, Mazen al-Salhani, discussed on Monday with an Emirati delegation, headed by businessman Khalaf al-Habtoor, investment prospects between the two countries, in addition to investment opportunities and projects in Syria.

During a meeting held today at the ministry’s building in Damascus, the two sides discussed mechanisms for activating investment tourism in Syria and a study on the status of restaurants and tourism licenses.

The ministry proposed a number of tourism projects for investment, such as the Kiwan Land in Damascus, Joul Jamal coast in Lattakia, and the Citadel Hotel project in Aleppo.

Mazen Eyon

Doha, SANA-Energy Minister, Mohammad Al-Bashir, discussed possible areas of cooperation in the Qatari capital of Doha with officials from the Qatar Fund for Development.

The two sides discussed prospects of joint cooperation on infrastructure projects and the oil, gas, water, and electricity sectors, in addition to the possibility of supporting development and reconstruction programs, which would contribute to improving the level of basic services and promoting economic growth in Syria.

The meeting also addressed the grant provided by the Qatar Fund for Development to Syria, as Minister Al-Bashir affirmed the Syrian government’s appreciation for this initiative, which reflects the Qatari side’s commitment to supporting humanitarian and development efforts in Syria.

Talks also dealt with the importance of building strategic partnerships that contribute to leveraging available expertise and resources to achieve common goals and open channels for future cooperation to serve the interests of the two countries and brotherly peoples.

Mazen Eyon

Damascus – SANA- The Chargé d’Affaires of the Qatari Embassy in Damascus, Khalifa bin Abdullah Al Mahmoud, reaffirmed Qatar’s commitment to supporting the Syrian people through humanitarian and relief aid, as well as by developing future projects aimed at reconstruction and sustainable development.

In a phone interview with Qatar TV, Al Mahmoud highlighted that recent assistance forms part of an ongoing air and land aid bridge. He noted that a Qatari plane arrived in Damascus yesterday carrying around 12 tons of relief supplies, while 22 aid trucks provided by the Qatar Red Crescent and its partners are en route through Saudi Arabia and Jordan, delivering approximately 90 tons of medical equipment, supplies, and food valued at over 45 million Qatari riyals.

The shipment includes more than 1,250 advanced medical devices, such as respiratory support units, dialysis machines, laboratory analysis tools, and medical imaging equipment. According to Al Mahmoud, these devices will be distributed among 50 hospitals and health centers across Syrian governorates, with a special allocation for Sweida, Tartous, and Latakia, significantly improving the quality of healthcare services.

He stressed that Qatar’s humanitarian and development institutions remain committed to working with Syria and international partners to design future development and humanitarian projects that will bolster Syria’s reconstruction efforts. Details of these projects, he said, will be announced in due course.

As part of these efforts, a Qatari Emiri Air Force plane delivered a shipment of precision medical equipment provided by Sidra Medicine and other Qatari entities under the “Be Optimistic, Syria” initiative, dedicated to strengthening Syria’s health sector. Earlier this month, the Syrian Ministry of Health also received a similar shipment from the Qatar Red Crescent, underscoring Qatar’s continued role in meeting urgent medical and humanitarian needs.

Occupied Jerusalem, SANA- The death toll in the Gaza Strip has risen to 64,522 Palestinians since the start of the Israeli aggression in October 2023, the majority of whom are women and children, according to the Palestinian news agency WAFA.

WAFA reported that the number of injured has reached 163,096, while many victims remain trapped under the rubble amid ongoing difficulties faced by civil defense teams and ambulances in reaching affected areas.

In the past 24 hours alone, 67 Palestinians were killed and 320 others injured, while deaths caused by starvation and malnutrition climbed to 393, including 140 children.

Meanwhile, Israeli occupation forces intensified their assaults across the occupied territories, closing the entrances to Jerusalem and surrounding towns, and arresting ten citizens in the West Bank. The arrests took place in Bethlehem, Qalqilya, Beitunia, Tulkarm, and Hebron, while military checkpoints were set up at the entrances to cities, villages, and refugee camps, accompanied by the closure of main and secondary roads with iron gates, cement blocks, and earth mounds.

Following a shooting attack that killed five Israelis and wounded 16 others, occupation forces imposed a tight siege on Jerusalem, shutting down the Qalandia and al-Jib checkpoints in the north, the Tunnel and 300 checkpoints in Bethlehem, and the Beit Iksa checkpoint west of the city.

In parallel, groups of Israeli settlers, under the protection of occupation forces, stormed Al-Aqsa Mosque and carried out provocative tours in its courtyards — a move described as part of Israel’s ongoing policy of escalation and Judaization against Islamic holy sites.

Iman / BA

Doha – SANA

Syrian Minister of Oil and Mineral Resources Mohammad Al-Bashir held talks today in Doha with Qatari Minister of State for Energy Affairs Saad bin Sherida Al Kaabi on strengthening bilateral cooperation in the energy sector, particularly in the fields of oil and gas.

The discussions focused on the exchange of technical and engineering expertise, drawing on Qatar’s advanced experience in energy infrastructure development, notably through QatarEnergy. Both sides also examined prospects for joint investments in future projects to support the growth of Syria’s energy sector in ways that serve the interests of both countries and peoples.

The two ministers emphasized the importance of sustained consultation and coordination to seize opportunities for practical cooperation and keep pace with global developments in the energy industry.

This meeting comes within the framework of growing Syrian-Qatari relations, which have recently expanded beyond humanitarian and relief domains to include support for reconstruction and development efforts in several sectors.

Qatar, home to one of the world’s most experienced energy industries, offers extensive international expertise through Qatar Energy, making potential cooperation a valuable opportunity for Syria’s efforts to modernize its energy infrastructure.

Damascus, SANA-American journalist and academic Wendy Pearlman, professor of political science at Northwestern University in Chicago, expressed deep admiration for the courage of the Syrian people in resisting oppression, noting that the Syrian revolution has been the focus of her academic research for 14 years.

In remarks on the Syria 24 platform, Pearlman explained that she conducted extensive interviews with refugees, migrants, and Syrians abroad, collecting moving personal testimonies that she later compiled into two books documenting experiences of revolution, displacement, and exile.

Pearlman, who had long feared visiting Syria under the repressive practices of the former regime, described her joy upon seeing the Syrian revolutionary flag flying at the Lebanese-Syrian border—calling it a turning point in her connection to the Syrian cause.

She highlighted the beauty of Syria’s people, rich culture, and hospitality, which she experienced firsthand in visits to Damascus, Homs, Nabk, Latakia, and Tartous. She is currently in Aleppo, continuing to document her impressions and field observations.

Her statements reflect growing academic interest in documenting the Syrian revolution from a human-centered perspective, underscoring the sacrifices made by Syrians for freedom and dignity and amplifying narratives often marginalized in international media.

Noura / Manar