SANA - Syrian Arab News Agency

Syrian national chess team player Mazen Fandi clinched the Arab Rapid Chess Championship title, held in Kuwait.

Fandi secured the crown with an impressive 8.5 points out of 9 rounds, delivering a dominant performance throughout the tournament.

He stormed through the opening five rounds, establishing himself as the clear frontrunner. As the competition intensified, he defeated Morocco’s Mohamed Taisir in round six, followed by a victory over Yasser Al-Haj Al-Khalti in round seven.

 He then beat Palestine’s Mohamed Seder in round eight, before sealing his triumph with a final-round win against Yemen’s Basheer Al-Qadimi.

Mazen Fandi was awarded third place in the Under-12 division at the World Chess Championship, held in Almaty, Kazakhstan at the end of last September.

Dozens of citizens in Deir Ezzor gathered Friday at the Madlaji roundabout in the city center under the slogan “Friday of Syrian Tribes and Clans.”

The protestors denounced violations of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and called for the preservation of Syria’s territorial integrity.

SANA reporter said that the Participants emphasized their commitment to national unity and rejected separatist projects, accusing the SDF of pursuing policies that undermine Syria’s unity.

Residents of Deir Ezzor take to streets every Friday demanding the right of return to their homes and rejecting the SDF’s presence.

Similar rallies were held in other Syrian provinces late last month under the slogan “One Voice for al-Jazira,” condemning SDF adsaults against civilians.

Israeli forces carried out a new ground incursion on Friday into the countryside of Quneitra province in southern Syria, entering a road linking the town of Jabata al-Khashab with the villages of Ain al-Bayda and Ufania.

SANA reporter in Quneitra said that two Israeli military vehicles crossed into the area, halted briefly, and searched civilians passing through the road.

The incident followed overnight advances by Israeli troops west of Saida al-Hanout and into al-Samdaniyah al-Gharbiyah. Forces also moved from al-Burj checkpoint in the destroyed city of Quneitra toward al-Samdaniyah al-Sharqiyah before continuing toward Tell Krum Jaba.

The latest movements came a day after Israel’s prime minister, accompanied by senior officials, illegally entered areas in southern Syria in a serious violation of its sovereignty and UN Security Council resolutions.

Syria’s Anti-Narcotics Branch in Homs has dismantled a drug-trafficking network after a tightly coordinated security operation, the Interior Ministry announced on Friday.

The raid resulted in the arrest of the alleged ringleader and two associates. Officers seized 11 bricks of hashish weighing roughly 13 kilograms, along with ammunition and several grenades, according to a statement published on the ministry’s Telegram channel. The suspects have been referred to the relevant judicial authorities for further investigation.

The ministry said the operation followed more than a month of surveillance and intelligence gathering into the group’s distribution methods and trafficking routes.

The announcement comes days after another major anti-narcotics raid in the Syrian Desert on 18 November, during which authorities confiscated 246,000 Captagon pills and 105 kilograms of hashish.

Syria’s National Authority for the Missing Persons warned on Friday of a surge in unofficial documents circulating online that falsely claim to reveal the fate of missing Syrians.

In a statement on its Telegram channel, the Authority said it has monitored a wave of such reports in recent weeks. Some documents were found to be fabricated, while others contained real information published without family consent. The Authority condemned the practice as exploitation and blackmail targeting families already living with uncertainty.

The statement stressed that these actions violate families’ privacy and intrude on a highly sensitive national issue. It pledged to pursue legal action against the pages responsible, in coordination with the Ministries of Interior and Justice. It also reiterated that information regarding missing persons is valid only if issued by the Authority or other legally authorized bodies.

The Authority urged families to treat claims from unofficial pages with caution and to avoid sharing personal data or documents with unauthorized actors. It also encouraged them to contact the Authority directly for information and to report any attempts at blackmail or unauthorized publication of documents.

The Jordan-Syria Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Forum kicked off in Damascus.

The event, attended by Syrian Minister of Communications and Information Technology Abdul Salam Haykal and Jordanian Minister of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship Sami Smirat, brings together officials and experts to discuss regional collaboration and advances in digital technologies.

Lebanese Army Commander General Rudolph Haykal said ongoing Israeli attacks on Lebanese territory are preventing the army from fully deploying and asserting state authority. He also highlighted coordination with Syrian authorities to combat smuggling and secure the borders.

Speaking on Lebanon’s 82nd Independence Day, Haykal said the army has made “tremendous efforts” to implement its deployment plan in southern Lebanon and extend state control in line with government directives and United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701. He emphasized close cooperation with the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and the Supervisory Committee overseeing the ceasefire.

Haykal described Lebanon as facing a “critical phase,” amid continued Israeli attacks that have caused casualties, injuries, and damage to infrastructure. “These attacks hinder the army’s deployment and the extension of state sovereignty,” he said.

The commander also stressed the army’s ongoing efforts to combat terrorism, fight drug trafficking, prevent smuggling, and secure northern and eastern borders as well as Lebanese territorial waters.

Israeli forces carried out a series of airstrikes on Wednesday evening targeting the southern towns of Ainata, Tayr Falassiyeh, Deir Kifa, and Shhour.

Italian and Syrian musicians came together Thursday evening for a special concert at the Damascus Opera House, marking the finale of Italian Cultural Week. The event celebrated the growing cultural ties between the two countries and drew a diverse audience of locals, Italians, and diplomatic representatives.

The concert opened with remarks from the Italian Ambassador to Damascus, Stefano Ravagnan , who described the cultural week as “a modest contribution to Damascus’s vibrant cultural scene.” The week featured culinary showcases, a music workshop at the Higher Institute of Music, and plans for a future conference in Rome highlighting Italian heritage in Syria.

Italian-Syrian Duo

The first half of the concert featured a duet by Italian saxophonist Francesco Bearzatti and Syrian organist Aghid Mansour. The duo performed eight pieces, beginning with Bearzatti’s original composition “Okima” and including Claudio Monteverdi’s “Beautiful Sunset”. Other highlights included “Prayer” by Italian pianist Comiso, Harrison’s “Good for the Soul”, and Ennio Morricone’s iconic “Cinema Paradiso”.

Bearzatti, told the audience he was “thrilled to be in Damascus, sharing the joy of music with Syrian audiences,” while the performances drew enthusiastic applause throughout the hall.

Gardenia Choir Bridges Syrian and Italian Traditions

The second half showcased the Gardenia Choir, led by composer Safana Baqleh. The choir opened with Baqleh’s own composition “Distant Skies”, followed by the Syrian classic “Ya Ein La Tadmaai” by Abdel Fattah Sukkar, and a choral-enhanced rendition of Morricone’s “Deborah – Once Upon a Time in America”.

Baqleh explained that “Distant Skies” was inspired by an ancient Ugaritic tablet discovered 1,700 years ago and translated into English. She described the program as a unique fusion of Syrian and Italian music, offering performers both a challenging and rewarding experience.

She also praised the Syrian audience for their openness to cultural exchange and enthusiasm for music, noting that the strong turnout underscored the importance of events like these.

The concert reflects a broader trend of growing cultural exchange between Syria and Italy in recent years, including Syrian Heritage Week in Italy and Italian National Day concerts performed by the Syrian Symphony Orchestra in Damascus.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has vaccinated more than 10,000 children in Gaza to protect them from preventable diseases amid a worsening humanitarian crisis.

“Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus wrote on X, that WHO has vaccinated over 10,000 children under the age of three in the first eight days of a vaccination campaign launched on 9 November, which has been extended through this Saturday.

The campaign aims to reach more than 40,000 children, protecting them against measles, mumps, rubella; diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis; hepatitis B; tuberculosis; polio; rotavirus; and pneumonia.

Phases two and three of the campaign are scheduled for next month and January 2026.

Rep. Brian Mast (R-Fla.), chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, announced that he will support a full repeal of sanctions imposed on Syria under the Caesar Act.

Mast told The Hill on Thursday that his position does not oppose the U.S. President Donald Trump administration, which also supports full repeal. He added that the repeal should include mechanisms to reinstate sanctions if certain conditions are not met.

Until recently, Mast had objected to the full repeal of the Caesar Act due to the crimes of the former regime, amid diplomatic and political efforts to push for its abolition.

Last week, Senator Jim Risch, chairman of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Senator Jeanne Shaheen, a senior committee member, renewed their support for lifting sanctions on Syria.
U.S. Representative Joe Wilson has repeatedly emphasized that continuing to implement the Caesar Act hinders reconstruction efforts in Syria.

The Central Bank of Syria has resumed international financial communications via the SWIFT network after a 14-year suspension caused by sanctions imposed during the former regime.

Abdul Qader Husariya, Governor of the Central Bank, sent the first messages to correspondent banks worldwide, including the U.S. Federal Reserve in New York, marking Syria’s re-entry into the global banking system. Receipt of the messages has been confirmed, Husariya said.

Husariya added that the messages mark the start of a new phase in Syria’s financial and economic policy. He noted that the bank had long been sanctioned and barred from accessing the system, and that returning to SWIFT allows the bank to rebuild correspondent relationships.

He described the move as a key step in reintegrating Syria’s financial system with the international banking network. He added that the return to SWIFT will enable direct communication with foreign banks, allow investors to transfer capital, facilitate remittances, and help recover frozen funds abroad.

The governor also noted that technical staff underwent intensive training to ensure efficient operation of the system, and that the step advances Syria’s anti-money laundering initiatives.

SWIFT (Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunications) is a global network connecting more than 11,000 financial institutions in over 200 countries, enabling secure international bank messaging and facilitating global trade.

Israeli forces launched a new ground incursion into the village of Saida al-Hanout in Quneitra on Thursday night, marking the latest in Israel’s continued breaches of Syrian sovereignty.

SANA reporter in Quneitra said three Israeli vehicles crossed into the area and established a roadblock between Saida al-Hanout and the nearby al-Maghatera farms.

Earlier the same day, Israeli forces entered al-Samadaniyah al-Gharbiyah village and advanced from al-Burj in the city of Quneitra. Four vehicles then drove toward al-Samadaniyah al-Sharqiyah before continuing on to Tel Krum Jaba.

Israel’s incursions into Syrian territory violate the 1974 Disengagement Agreement, international law, and United Nations resolutions. Syria has consistently condemned the attacks and called on the international community to take firm action to stop them.

Lebanon’s Information Minister Paul Morcos said relations between Beirut and Damascus are entering a “new and promising phase,” with both sides pursuing efforts to handle unresolved issues through official channels and joint committees.

Speaking to the National News Agency, Morcos said the government is “turning a new page” with Syria and working to address pending issues. He added that he has formally requested the inclusion of the case of Lebanese photographer Samir Kassab—kidnapped in Syria in 2013—on the agenda of the Lebanese-Syrian joint committee.

Kassab, a photojournalist with Sky News Arabia, was abducted by ISIS along with his Mauritanian colleague Ishaq Mokhtar near the town of Andan in northern Aleppo province on Oct. 13, 2013.

Relations between Lebanon and Syria have seen renewed diplomatic engagement in recent months, marked by a series of high-level visits aimed at strengthening cooperation and rebuilding bilateral ties.

Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), condemned the escalatory actions taken by Israeli officials, describing them as a grave infringement of Syria’s sovereignty.

Albudaiwi said ‘’the provocative entry of the Israeli Prime Minister and several government officials into the border region in southern Syria “constitutes an unacceptable violation.” He emphasized that “infringing the sovereignty of states or threatening their borders represents a breach of international legitimacy.”

He called on the international community to take immediate and responsible action to halt repeated Israeli violations and prevent the region from sliding into further tension that threatens both regional and international peace.

Albudaiwi reaffirmed the GCC’s consistent position on supporting Syria’s unity, sovereignty, and security in accordance with international law and the principles of the UN Charter.

France has called on Israel to respect Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and to withdraw from the occupied territories, following the Israeli Prime Minister’s entry into southern Syria with several government officials.

A spokesperson for the French Foreign Ministry told Reuters on Thursday, “We are following developments in the Syrian Golan Heights with great concern, and we call for the withdrawal of Israeli forces and respect for Syria’s sovereignty and unity.”

Netanyahu’s move was condemned by Syria’s Foreign Ministry, which urged the international community to act to ensure Israel’s full withdrawal and a return to the 1974 disengagement agreement.

Jordan, Qatar, and Kuwait also criticized the move, describing it as a blatant violation of Syria’s sovereignty and a breach of international law and UN Security Council resolutions.

The scientific activities of the “ACADEMIA Conference – Syria 2025” opened In Damascus on Thursday focusing on the latest developments and cutting-edge technologies in cataract, cornea, keratoconus, refractive surgery, and glaucoma.

The conference is organized by Sinjab Academy in cooperation with Al-Mowasat University Hospital and the Surgical Eye Hospital and Eye Bank in Damascus, with the participation of doctors from inside and outside Syria.

The two-day event brings together Syrian and international specialists to discuss advances in eye surgery and treatment, as well as skill transfer and surgical training conducted at Al-Mowasat University Hospital and the Eye Surgical and Eye Bank Hospital. The program includes interactive sessions and keynote lectures delivered by globally recognized leaders in ophthalmology.

Officials said the conference is part of Syria’s broader effort to modernize medical education and healthcare by introducing digital technologies and artificial intelligence into diagnostics and treatment, while strengthening international partnerships.

Speakers emphasized the importance of the gathering in raising professional standards, training young doctors, and reinforcing Syria’s role within the global medical community. The program features workshops, lectures by regional and international experts, and an exhibition of medical equipment and scientific publications.

Organizers described the conference as a milestone in Syria’s post-war reconstruction, aimed at improving patient care and expanding access to the latest medical technologies.

Syria’s international furniture, home design, decoration, and home textiles fair opened Thursday evening at the Damascus Fairgrounds. The event is organized by the Arabian Group for Exhibitions and Conferences (AGE) and the Creators for Exhibitions and Conferences Company, in cooperation with Syria’s Ministry of Economy and Industry.

The event coincides with the launch of the 11th Syria HIGH TECH ICT exhibition. Featuring around 45 booths and representatives from Chinese, Turkish, and Jordanian companies, the expo offers visitors a look at the latest models, designs, and interior solutions.

Organizers say the exhibition provides opportunities for business partnerships, market expansion, and knowledge exchange, while showcasing modern trends in furniture and interior design.

The exhibition runs until November 24 and is open daily from 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM, with free transportation provided from central Damascus

The Ministry of Culture and the Damascus Governorate celebrated World Children’s Day by organizing a Cultural Children’s Festival at the Governorate Club in Kafr Souseh under the slogan, “Building Awareness… Shaping the Future… To Grow, Flourish, and Create.”

The festival features broad participation from children, families, and community members, offering a variety of cultural, artistic, and sports activities.
Its program includes educational workshops, sports competitions, theater performances, art exhibitions, and interactive heritage exhibits, along with health awareness campaigns and activities designed for children with disabilities. Plays promoting the Arabic language and national identity, storytelling sessions, and musical performances are also part of the agenda.

Organizers said the festival reflects Syria’s commitment to providing a nurturing environment for creativity and talent, supporting the development of a generation capable of contributing to the nation’s reconstruction and future progress.