SANA - Syrian Arab News Agency

President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen has urged European countries to play an active role in supporting Syria’s recovery and in the reconstruction of Gaza.

In a speech delivered on Tuesday during a session of the European Parliament, which she later shared on the X platform, von der Leyen emphasized that Europe must play a role in encouraging the rebirth of Syria and in the rebuilding of Gaza, as well as in revitalizing the two-state solution for Israeli – Palestinian conflict.

Additionally, von der Leyen underscored the importance of Europe’s efforts to secure a lasting and just peace in Ukraine.

Germany is seeking to strengthen economic ties with Syria and support the country’s reconstruction efforts, Clemens Hach, Chargé d’Affaires at the German Embassy in Damascus said during a visit to the Cement and Concrete Industry Conference and Exhibition in Rural Damascus, where he highlighted growing German interest in contributing to Syria’s rebuilding projects.

Hach told SANA that the participation of several German companies, either directly or through local partners, reflects mutual trust and the strong reputation of German technology and products in the Syrian market. He noted that bilateral trade between Syria and Germany reached approximately 1.8 billion euros in 2010, a level Germany hopes to reach again in the coming years.

He added that a large German business delegation recently visited Damascus, holding meetings with Syrian government officials and Syrian and Austrian business partners, giving German companies a deeper understanding of Syria’s market needs and future plans in industry, construction, and energy sectors.

Hach emphasized that relations between Syria and Germany are built on a long history of friendship and partnership, noting that more than one million Syrians currently reside in Germany, forming an integral part of German society and serving as a bridge to enhance social and economic cooperation between the two countries.

He concluded by stating that Syria is a promising country with human resources and a strategic location, and that German companies see substantial opportunities to participate in reconstruction through technology transfer, expertise, and joint investment, contributing to sustainable economic development.

The Cement and Concrete Industry Conference and Exhibition, held at the Exhibition City in Rural Damascus, continues until tomorrow, with participation from approximately 40 local, regional, and international companies.

Amer Dhawa

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani received a phone call Tuesday from his Omani counterpart, Badr bin Hamad bin Hamoud Al Busaidi, during which they discussed bilateral relations between the two brotherly countries and ways to further develop and enhance cooperation across various fields in a manner that serves the interests of their peoples.

The two ministers affirmed the depth of the fraternal ties between Syria and the Sultanate of Oman and stressed their commitment to continuing coordination and consultation on issues of mutual concern.

The discussion also covered the latest regional and international developments, with both sides emphasizing the importance of strengthening dialogue and joint cooperation to support regional stability and the interests of both countries.

Amer Dhawa

The Minister of Defense of the Syrian Arab Republic, Maj. Gen. Marhaf Abu Qasra, met Tuesday with Col. Andrey Bedrudinov, the Defense Attaché at the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Damascus, accompanied by members of his delegation.

During the meeting, the two sides reviewed a number of issues of mutual interest and discussed ways to enhance coordination and strengthen military cooperation between the Syrian Arab Republic and the Russian Federation.

Both parties emphasized the importance of continuing consultation and joint efforts to further develop the long-standing relations.

The meeting was attended by several senior officers from the Syrian Ministry of Defense and members of the Russian delegation.

Amer Dhawa

Syrian Foreign Minister, Asaad Hassan Al-Shaibani, received on Tuesday a delegation from the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), headed by Shafik Sachedina, Head of the Diplomatic Department and President of Institutions and Councils within the Network.

During the meeting, both sides discussed means to enhance joint cooperation in the fields of sustainable development, social services, and cultural initiatives, in a way that supports Syria’s recovery and reconstruction efforts.

Mazen

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani met on Tuesday with as Dutch’s Secretary for Foreign Trade and Development Aukje de Vries and her accompanying delegation in Damascus to discuss ways to enhance bilateral relations and strengthen economic and development cooperation between Syria and the Netherlands.

During the meeting, both sides exchanged views on issues of mutual interest and emphasized the importance of expanding cooperation in a way that serves the interests of both countries and their peoples.

Amer Dhawa

Damascus-SANA

Syrian Minister of Justice, Mazhar Al-Weis, discussed Tuesday with Angela Me, Head of the Research and Trend Analysis Branch at the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), and an accompanying delegation way to enhance bilateral cooperation in combating crime and drugs trafficking.

During the meeting held in Damascus, both sides explored avenues for strengthening the exchange of information and expertise between the Ministry and international organizations.

They emphasized the importance of fostering relations in this field and reaffirmed their commitment to continued joint efforts to combat all forms of crime and drug trafficking.

Minister Al-Weis underlined the Syrian government’s interest in combating drugs and stressed the need for international cooperation to achieve this goal.

He also underscored the importance of protecting Syrian territory and monitoring borders as key factors in drug control efforts.

He pointed out that a specialized committee is working on drafting legislation related to drug control, noting that Syrian law includes strict penalties for drug-related crimes and that the government is actively enforcing these laws through enhanced monitoring mechanisms.

Angela Me praised the Ministry’s efforts in combating drugs and organized crime.

In a similar meeting, Minister of Justice discussed with Nada Al-Nashif, Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights at the United Nations, and her delegation, ways to promote transitional justice and build a state based on the rule of law and human rights.

Mazen

Syria’s post- war reconstruction costs are estimated at $216 billion as the 13-year war damaged nearly one third of the country’s pre-conflict gross capital stock, according to a new World Bank report. The Syria Physical Damage and Reconstruction Assessment 2011-2024 presents the results of a rapid nationwide assessment across infrastructure and building assets, covering the period from 2011 to 2024. All estimates are in U.S. dollars.

The conflict has damaged nearly one-third of Syria’s pre-conflict gross capital stock, with direct physical damages to infrastructure, residential buildings, and non-residential buildings estimated at $108 billion. Among the categories assessed, infrastructure was the hardest hit, accounting for 48 percent of total damage ($52 billion), followed by residential buildings ($33 billion) and non-residential buildings ($23 billion). The governorates of Aleppo, Rif Dimashq, and Homs were the most severely affected in terms of total damage.  

Reconstruction costs of damaged physical assets are projected to range between $140 billion and $345 billion, with a conservative best estimate of $216 billion. This includes $75 billion for residential buildings, $59 billion for non-residential structures, and $82 billion for infrastructure. The governorates of Aleppo and Rif Dimashq are expected to require the most significant reconstruction investments. 

“The challenges ahead are immense, but the World Bank stands ready to work alongside the Syrian people and the international community to support recovery and reconstruction,” said Jean-Christophe Carret, World Bank Middle East Division Director. “Collective commitment, coordinated action, and a comprehensive, structured support program are critical to helping Syria on its path to recovery and long-term development.”

The estimated physical reconstruction costs are nearly ten times Syria’s projected 2024 GDP, underscoring the scale of the challenge and the immense need for international support. The conflict has devastated Syria’s economy, with real GDP declining by nearly 53 percent between 2010 and 2022. In nominal terms, GDP (current US$) contracted from $67.5 billion in 2011 to an estimated $21.4 billion in 2024, as per Syria Macro-Fiscal Assessment published earlier this year. 

“This report provides a critical baseline of the massive scale of the destruction and of the reconstruction costs ahead”, said H.E. Yisr Barnieh, Syria’s Minister of Finance. “Now, more than ever, it is imperative for the international community to mobilize support and partnership to help Syria restore essential infrastructure, revitalize communities, and lay the foundation for a more resilient future for its people.”

Given the protracted conflict and related methodological constraints, the report findings are subject to significant uncertainty. The report does not provide detailed disaggregation by sectors or more detailed asset types. It is intended to provide an estimate of the overall scale of damage and reconstruction costs, and to inform discussions on recovery planning.

The assessment was prepared with financial and technical support from the World Bank’s Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR).

Syrian Civil Defense firefighting teams extinguished a fire broke out in a lumber warehouse in al-Midan neighborhood in Damascus, causing material damage but no injuries were reported, Civil Defense said.

Head of Civil Defense in Damascus, Hassan al-Hassan, stated to SANA that their teams managed to contain and extinguish the fire that broke out last night after more than eight hours of ongoing work.
Al-Hassan pointed out that ten firefighting vehicles and more than thirty personnel took part in the extinguishing operations. The fire was successfully contained, preventing it from spreading to nearby buildings

He noted that the firefighting teams faced significant challenges due to the difficulty of accessing the depths of the site, caused by the density of materials and the absence of safety systems inside the warehouses.

The Syrian Civil Defense is making significant efforts to enhance public safety and promote a culture of community-based prevention, ensuring the protection of citizens and property under all circumstances.

Fawaz al-Ahmad, head of the General Federation of Trade Unions (GFTU) in Syria, held a meeting with representatives from the Turkish Federation of Public Sector Employees’ Unions (Memur-Sen) to explore opportunities for regional cooperation and exchange of trade union expertise.

The discussions focused on ways to enhance Syrian labor legislation, drawing on Turkey’s experience in regulating professional relations and improving the work environment. Both sides also explored the development of vocational training programs tailored to the needs of the local labor market and aligned with economic development goals.

Syrian Minister of Information, Hamza al-Mustafa discussed with the CEO of Media City Qatar, Jassim Mohamed Al-Khoori, ways to enhance cooperation between the two sides in the fields of media and advanced technologies.

Accompanied by the deputy minister for Digital Media and Development Affairs, Mohammad Tafran, and the Director-General of Al-Wahda Press and Printing Corporation, Khaled Khalaf, the minister visited Qatar’s Media City.

The discussions focused on the importance of joint work in digital media and emerging technologies, with an emphasis on launching collaborative media projects aimed at raising awareness and disseminating knowledge.

This visit is part of broader efforts by Syria to strengthen collaboration with Arab countries in digital media and specialized content development.

Syria’s Interior Minister, Anas Khattab, convened a meeting on Tuesday with heads of internal security forces in the Damascus countryside to discuss ongoing security challenges and strategies to improve law enforcement readiness.

During the meeting, Minister Khattab stressed the importance of coordinated efforts between different security entities, emphasizing the need for swift response capabilities to handle any emerging situations effectively. He underlined the necessity of taking firm action against any incidents that could disrupt public safety or destabilize the region.

Khattab also highlighted the need for high-quality security services to be consistently delivered to citizens, with simplified procedures to enhance accessibility. He reiterated that maintaining security is a shared responsibility, requiring close collaboration between security forces and local communities.

The meeting is part of the Interior Minister’s regular series of sessions with security leaders across Syria’s governorates, aimed at evaluating the performance of security agencies and improving their effectiveness in fulfilling national duties.

The Minister of Emergency and Disaster Management, Raed al-Saleh discussed with Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, the Patriarch of Antioch and All the East and the Supreme Head of the Universal Syriac Orthodox Church, ways to enhance collaboration in community service and to develop training mechanisms to consolidate the values of belonging and citizenship among youth.

At the meeting in St. George Syriac Orthodox Cathedral in Damascus, both parties emphasized the importance of supporting scouting programs and volunteer work to empower young people to serve their country and fulfill their humanitarian and national responsibilities.

They emphasized the pivotal role of religious institutions in promoting a culture of peace and enhancing social cohesion, as well as the need to strengthen the partnership between the state and society in preparing a conscious and proactive generation.

The Syrian Planning and Statistics Authority participated in the 2025 World Statistics Day activities, organized by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA). During the event, the Authority announced its preparations for an upcoming population census, following years of war.

In an online address, Anas Salim, Chairman of the Authority, emphasized the significance of World Statistics Day as a celebration of the power of numbers and data, which form the cornerstone of progress and development. He highlighted that data is essential for understanding citizens’ living conditions and shaping future policies.

Salim revealed that the Planning and Statistics Authority has already started revitalizing Syria’s statistical system, a challenging task. Efforts are focused on restarting key surveys, such as the Food Security Survey, Multi-Indicator Cluster Survey, and Labor Force Survey, all of which will provide crucial data to assess the socio-economic situation of the population.

Additionally, the Authority is preparing for a rapid population census to update demographic data. Plans are also underway to launch the general population and housing census in the near future, he added.

A national electronic data platform is being developed to serve as a unified portal for disseminating data in accordance with international statistical standards, making it easily accessible for researchers, planners, and the public.

Salim also mentioned that Syria is working to upgrade its national accounts system to meet international standards, providing a more accurate picture of Syria’s economic performance.

After years of war, Syria faces a significant data gap due to the destruction of infrastructure and the suspension of many routine statistical operations. This gap is hindering the country’s ability to assess its reality accurately and plan effectively for the future. Salim affirmed that rebuilding the country’s statistical system is essential, not optional, and that international cooperation is crucial to achieving this goal.

He emphasized Syria’s ongoing collaboration with the United Nations statistical system, as well as Arab, regional, and international bodies.

The Palestinian Ministry of Education reported that 20,058 students have been killed and 31,139 injured in the Gaza Strip and West Bank since the Israeli war on Gaza began on October 7, 2023.

In a statement released on Tuesday, the Ministry confirmed that 19,910 students were killed in the Gaza Strip, with 30,097 injured. In the West Bank, 148 students were killed, 1,042 others were injured, and 846 were detained.

The Ministry also reported that 179 government schools and 63 university buildings were completely destroyed in the Gaza Strip. A total of 118 government schools and over 100 UNRWA schools were bombed and vandalized. Furthermore, Israeli strikes led to the removal of 30 schools and their students and teachers from the educational registry.

Meanwhile, in the West Bank, Israel destroyed the Ameera Elementary School in Yatta, south of Hebron, and the Aqaba Elementary School in Tubas. Additionally, eight universities and colleges were repeatedly raided and vandalized.

The President of the Arab Parliament, Mohamed Ahmed Al Yammahi, called on the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) to form a working group to support efforts aimed at strengthening the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the proposed Arab plans for its reconstruction.

In a speech before the 151st General Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union in Geneva, under the theme “Commitment to Humanitarian Standards and Action in Times of Crisis,” Al Yammahi urged the IPU to play a pivotal role in addressing the political and humanitarian crisis in Gaza and to speak out against the ongoing situation.

He stressed that this initiative would restore the “Union’s natural role as an international platform that expresses the conscience of peoples and stands with justice and humanity everywhere.”

Al Yammahi condemned the “genocidal war” waged by Israel on the Gaza Strip since October 7, 2023, calling it a blatant example of the severe deterioration in respect for international humanitarian law. He also called for immediate international intervention to deliver humanitarian aid to the more than two million people in Gaza facing dire conditions.

The Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza has reported a continued rise in casualties, despite the ceasefire agreement intended to end the two-year Israeli military offensive in Gaza.

In its latest daily update, the Ministry confirmed that 13 Palestinians were killed in the past 24 hours, including 7 from direct Israeli airstrikes and 6 recovered from beneath the rubble. Eight others were reported injured. However, many victims remain trapped under debris, and emergency teams have been unable to reach certain areas due to ongoing bombardment.

Since war erupted on October 7, 2023, Gaza’s death toll has reached 68,229, with more than 170,000 individuals injured. Following the ceasefire on October 11, 2025, an additional 87 Palestinians have been kulled, and 311 more have been injured. The Ministry also reported the recovery of 432 bodies from the rubble.

Additionally, 15 unidentified bodies, previously held by Israeli forces, have been returned to Gaza, bringing the total number of bodies transferred to 165.

Israeli forces arrested 12 Palestinians on Tuesday during raids in various areas of the West Bank and three fishermen off the coast of Gaza.

According the Palestinian authorities the raids took place in al-Bireh city, the Old City of Nablus, al-Shuyukh town northeast of Hebron, and Burqin town in Jenin, resulting in the detention of 12 Palestinians.

Israeli naval forces also arrested three fishermen off Gaza City after firing upon them.

Meanwhile, Israeli authorities on Tuesday forced a resident of al-Tur town east of Jerusalem to demolish his own home, displacing him and his family, as part of the Israeli forces’ systematic policy targeting Palestinian presence in Jerusalem.

Additionally, Dozens of Israeli settlers stormed the courtyards of al-Aqsa Mosque under the protection of Israeli forces, while others attacked olive pickers in Turmus Ayya town north of Ramallah.

China’s CR450, the world’s fastest train, has begun a series of pre-service trials on one of the country’s high-speed railway lines, reaching a top speed of 453 kilometers per hour.

According to a report published by China’s Science and Technology Daily, the CR450 train can accelerate from a standstill to 350 km/h in just 4 minutes and 40 seconds.

Two trains from the series also set a record by passing each other at a combined relative speed of 896 km/h.

The CR450 series is currently undergoing qualification tests on the high-speed railway line connecting Shanghai in eastern China to Chengdu in the southwest.

Currently, CR400 Fuxing trains operate at a service speed of 350 km/h. The CR450 is expected to complete 600,000 kilometers of fault-free operation before receiving approval for passenger service.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) affirmed that economic growth in the Middle East and North Africa has accelerated this year, despite global uncertainty and rising regional tensions and conflicts.

According to Agence France-Presse, the IMF said in a report on Tuesday that the region’s GDP is expected to grow by 3.3 % in 2025 and 3.7 % next year, exceeding projections in a report published in May.

IMF Director for the Middle East and Central Asia, Jihad Azour, said, “Despite the shocks we have faced from trade policies to geopolitical tensions, conflicts, and oil price volatility, growth is stronger than last year at the regional level,” noting that the economy grew by 2.1 % in 2024.

He noted that Gulf countries benefited from higher oil production while other nations saw recoveries in tourism, industry, and agriculture, highlighting the region’s resilience amid major geopolitical shocks over the past two years, including Jordan and Egypt near conflict zones, referring to the war on the Gaza Strip.

He stressed that priorities include assessing damage in Gaza, addressing urgent needs, and planning reconstruction with the UN and World Bank, while noting that financing needs remain “immense” in other conflict-affected countries, including Yemen and Sudan, amid declining international aid.