SANA - Syrian Arab News Agency

Justice Minister, Mazhar al-Weis, confirmed on Tuesday that there is no place in the current phase for revenge or abuses, but rather for rights, accountability, and rejecting impunity.

“We are writing a new chapter in the record of justice for Syria’s future,” al-Weis said in a post on the X platform, emphasizing the entrenchment of judicial independence, the rule of law, and a phase built on transparency and fairness.

Earlier in the day, the first public trial session was held at the Aleppo Justice Palace for 14 defendants accused of violations during the coastal events that took place last March.

The first part of the proceedings involved seven detainees from remnants of the regime’s irregular elements, charged with inciting sectarian strife, theft, and assaulting Internal Security Forces and the Syrian Arab Army. Their hearings were adjourned until December 18.

Amer Dhawa

An introductory session for the “Aleppo, Mother of All” campaign was held in Istanbul on Tuesday with the attendance of an official delegation headed by Aleppo Governor Azzam al-Gharib.

The session aimed to introduce members of the Syrian community in Turkey to the campaign’s goals, plans, and operational pathways. It also outlined initiatives related to humanitarian and development support connected to reconstruction efforts, as well as ways to strengthen community participation in efforts to revive the city.

Amer Dhawa

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan emphasized the necessity of establishing stability in Syria to preserve its unity and territorial integrity, noting that this is a priority in Turkey’s foreign policy.

Fidan made these remarks Tuesday while discussing the 2026 budget of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in parliament. He stated that the 11 months since the Syrian people gained their freedom have given them the opportunity to determine their own future. He added that Turkey sees this new phase as an opportunity to revive and deepen its relations with Syria, having stood by the Syrian people and opened its doors to millions of Syrians. According to Anadolu Agency,

Fidan highlighted Turkey’s role in developing Syria’s relations with the United States and European countries, in lifting sanctions, and in reintegrating Syria into the international community. He also noted Turkey’s contribution to restoring Syria’s membership in the Organization of Islamic Cooperation after 13 years of suspension.

He explained that more than 550,000 Syrians have returned from Turkey to their homeland since December 8, 2024, emphasizing that achieving economic development through reconstruction, with international support and ensuring sustainable refugee returns, is among the top priorities for Syria’s next phase.

Regarding repeated Israeli attacks on Syrian territory, Fidan pointed out that Israel’s activities in Quneitra, Daraa, and Sweida have created new tensions in southern Syria. He added that the attacks on Syria, Lebanon, and recently Qatar pose a significant threat to the region.

Syria’s Narcotics Directorate executed a precise security operation in the Badia region, resulting in the confiscation of large and varied amounts of illicit drugs, according to a statement posted by the Interior Ministry on Telegram Tuesday.

The ministry said the seizures included 246,000 Captagon pills, 105 kilograms of pot, and 500 pharmaceutical narcotic tablets of pregabalin, all of which were processed according to legal procedures.

According to the statement, the Narcotics Directorate continues to monitor, track and pursue smuggling and distribution networks in order to safeguard public safety and security across Syrian communities.

Authorities across Syria have intensified counter-narcotics operations in recent months, confiscating and destroying significant quantities of illicit substances as part of ongoing national efforts to combat trafficking and protect society.

An Israeli occupation force, consisting of three military vehicles, infiltrated the Yarmouk Basin area in western Daraa countryside, entering a limited distance into Syrian territory before retreating.

According to SANA’s reporter in Daraa, the patrol entered agricultural areas without any direct contact with civilians, and the situation returned to normal after their withdrawal.

“Israel” continues its assaults on Syrian territory in violation of the 1974 disengagement agreement, international law and United Nations resolutions.

Syria always condemns those attacks and calls on the international community to take a firm stance to stop them.

Mazen

Syria examined expanded cooperation with Switzerland and Jordan in multiple energy sectors during two separate meetings held in Damascus Tuesday, according to the Ministry of Energy.

In the first meeting, Minister of Energy Mohammad al-Bashir discussed with Monika Schmutz, Director of the Middle East and North Africa Department at the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, opportunities for joint work in conventional and renewable energy. Talks covered options for improving electric-power projects, raising grid efficiency, and supporting clean-energy initiatives through technical and engineering exchanges between the two countries.

Both sides underscored the importance of continued coordination to advance work programs that support the sector’s priorities and align with the global shift toward renewable energy.

In a separate meeting, al-Bashir and Jordan’s Ambassador to Damascus Sufian Salman al-Qudah reviewed mechanisms to enhance bilateral cooperation in electric-power and gas supply, and to open new avenues of coordination that serve shared interests and strengthen the resilience of energy systems in both countries.

The minister and the ambassador also discussed ways to benefit from mutual expertise and expand joint projects in the coming period to support regional energy security and infrastructure.

Jordan’s Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources stated last September that the National Electric Power Company was prepared to supply part of Syria’s electricity needs outside peak-load hours in the country.

Syrian Energy Minister Mohammad Al-Bashir held talks on Tuesday with a World Bank delegation on potential cooperation in key infrastructure projects, particularly in the water, electricity, and sewage sectors.

Talks during the meeting focused on investment priorities outlined by the Syrian government, including efforts to rehabilitate and modernize the country’s power infrastructure and strengthen water-resource management programs to improve service delivery and enhance operational sustainability.

The World Bank delegation expressed interest in the proposed projects and reiterated its readiness to assess possible areas of support in line with agreed priorities, aiming to add value to essential public-service sectors.

The talks come as part of broader government efforts to restore critical public services, improve water-resource efficiency, and upgrade electricity networks in support of economic recovery and better service provision for citizens.

Firefighting teams extinguished a fire Tuesday in an electronics shop in al- Bahsa area of Damascus, damage was limited to material losses

Speaking to SANA, Hassan al-Hassan, director of the Civil Defense in Damascus, explained that the fire erupted near a hotel, and ten people were evacuated from the building due to plumes of smoke that rose from site and spread into it and around the surrounding

Al-Hassan added that first aid was provided to whom were evacuated through specialized paramedics, before transferring them for further treatment.

“Fire had been extinguished and is now in the cooling stage to ensure that the flames do not reignite, al-Hassan confirmed, noting that the swift response helped limit the damage and protect civilian lives.

Civil Defense firefighting teams responded to more than 9,600 fires across various provinces from the beginning of 2025 until the end of last September, including forests, agricultural lands, buildings, and commercial shops.

Syria’s Minister of Information Hamza al-Mustafa discussed Tuesday with Saudi ambassador to Damascus, Faisal bin Saud al-Mujfel, boosting media cooperation and leveraging the expertise and partnerships with the Saudi Arabia.

The Information Ministry said on its telegram channel that Minister al-Mustafa briefed the Saudi ambassador on the Ministry’s efforts to restructure the media sector in Syria, highlighting the Saudi media model as one of the leading examples to be drawn on.

He stated the ministry’s efforts to combat hate speech and misinformation, rebuild Syria’s public image, expand Syrian drama production, localize media content, and host thousands of foreign media delegations, within the framework of increasing media openness.

In turn, Ambassador al-Mujfel underlined Saudi Arabia support for Syria as the Saudi leadership issued directives to open the doors to the Syrian brothers.

Al-Mujfel expressed his country’s readiness to support the Syrian Ministry of Information and provide technical and organizational assistance, amid growing attention to the Syrian file and a positive Saudi vision toward investment and development opportunities in the coming stage

The Syrian Petroleum Company signed on Tuesday a memorandum of understanding with leading global energy companies, ConocoPhillips and Novaterra Energy, to develop several gas fields and launch exploration programs for new fields, the Ministry of Energy announced on its Telegram channel.

The ministry stated that the agreement aims to broaden cooperation in the natural gas sector and boost national production. It noted that the development and exploration programs will be conducted according to the latest technical and technological standards to support the country’s energy security

The signing of the memorandum comes as part of the Ministry of Energy’s efforts to expand partnerships with international companies and improve the production infrastructure of the oil and gas sectors. The Ministry says this step will contribute to achieving additional economic returns and supporting recovery and development plans in Syria.

The Syrian government has been working to revive the oil and gas sector, which suffered extensive damage and a sharp decline in production during the years of war, with many key fields going offline and their associated infrastructure damaged.

The Directorate of Tourism in Damascus reported that 748 food establishments—including fast-food outlets, tea lounges and cafés—and 327 licensed lodging facilities are currently operating across the capital.

In a statement to SANA’s correspondent on Tuesday, Director of Damascus Tourism, Majed Ezzedine, said the lodging sector comprises 183 hotels of various classifications along with 44 heritage hotels, most of which are located in Old Damascus.
He explained that these facilities are distributed across major districts including Old Damascus, Mezzeh, Abu Rummaneh, Malki, Rabwa, Midan, Kafr Souseh and Marjeh.

He added that promising areas for future tourism investment include Old Damascus, Mount Qassioun, and several sites offered by the Ministry of Tourism such as Kiwan Land, the Abu Khalil al-Qabbani House, the Tourism Directorate building, southern Kafr Souseh and the northern entrance to Damascus.

According to the Directorate, Damascus continues to attract visitors from across Syria and abroad due to its historic sites, cultural landmarks and traditional markets. Officials noted that the city’s appeal has encouraged investors to pursue projects that expand tourism offerings and create new job opportunities.

The Ministry of Tourism is implementing programs aimed at revitalizing the sector, supporting investment and expanding tourism projects in major Syrian cities, with Damascus positioned as a central cultural and economic hub.

Syria’s national football team cruised to a 5–0 victory over Pakistan on Tuesday in Islamabad, maintaining their perfect record in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers.

Mohammad al-Hallaq and Yassin Samia each scored twice, while Alaa al-Dali added a fifth as Syria dominated from start to finish and extended their winning streak to five matches.

Syria had already secured qualification for the 2027 Asian Cup after topping their group with a perfect record in the earlier rounds, and Tuesday’s result further strengthened their position at the summit of the standings.

Syrian Internal Security forces in Damascus have arrested Asaad Sharif Abbas, known as “Abu Kamel,” who is accused of committing serious abuses against civilians during the rule of the former regime, the Interior Ministry said on Tuesday.

Brig. Gen. Osama Mohammad Khair Atkeh, head of Internal Security in the Damascus Governorate, said the arrest followed “precise monitoring and continuous surveillance,” according to a statement on the ministry’s Telegram ch1annel.

Preliminary investigations indicate that Abbas was among those involved in Tadamon district massacre in Damascus and allegedly carried out arrests, killings and looting of civilian homes in the area, Atkeh said.

The suspect has been transferred to the competent authorities for further investigation and will be referred to the judiciary once legal procedures are completed.

The Speaker of the Turkish Grand National Assembly, Numan Kurtulmus, said the conflict between Israel and Palestine will only end through the establishment of a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital based on June 4, 1967, borders.

Speaking at the 23rd session of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Parliamentary Assembly in Istanbul, Kurtulmus warned of the consequences of ignoring what he described as genocide committed by Israeli forces in Gaza, cautioning that such acts could be repeated elsewhere, Anadolu News Agency reported.

“Despite a theoretical permanent ceasefire agreement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his government continue acts of genocide backed by influential actors in the international system,” Kurtulmus said.

He urged the international community not to be lenient, stressing that reaching a ceasefire does not guarantee improvement and calling for measures against Netanyahu to ensure compliance with the agreement. He said the two-state solution remains essential and advocated for Palestine’s inclusion in the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly.

Turkey is a founding member of the OSCE, which Kurtulmus said provides a comprehensive platform to address security challenges in the Euro-Atlantic and Eurasian regions.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) announced it planed an “intensive cooperation program” with Syria aimed at supporting economic reform and capacity building. The announcement follows a visit by an IMF team to Damascus from November 10 to 13 to assess the country’s economic situation and discuss priorities with Syrian authorities.

The IMF said the Syrian economy is showing early signs of recovery. Despite significant constraints, authorities have maintained fiscal and monetary policies to stabilize the financial system. Technical assistance will focus on improving statistical systems and preparing for the resumption of Article IV consultations.

Ron van Rooden, head of the visiting IMF team, highlighted improving economic prospects, citing rising consumer and investor confidence amid Syria’s gradual reintegration into regional and global markets, the partial lifting of sanctions, and the return of over one million refugees.

Discussions in Damascus focused on the 2026 government budget, aimed at expanding fiscal space to meet essential needs, particularly for vulnerable social sectors. IMF staff will provide technical support to enhance public financial management, finalize tax legislation, restructure debt, and strengthen institutions.

Van Roden emphasized that the new tax system should be simple, competitive, and easy to implement, while the program also seeks to modernize the banking system, upgrade payment systems, and reinforce the central bank’s capacity to manage monetary policy and supervise financial institutions.

The IMF reiterated its commitment to supporting Syria’s economic stabilization and reform, praising “constructive and candid” discussions with Finance Minister Mohamed Yasir Barnieh, Central Bank Governor Abdul Qader Husariya, and other senior officials.

Earlier this month, President Ahmad al-Sharaa met the IMF Managing Director in Washington, D.C., to explore potential collaboration on economic development.

Under the sponsorship of the Syrian Ministry of Culture, the Orthodox Theater in Homs hosted the opening of the art exhibition “Detained and Disappeared, Art Documents, and the Archives Speak”, organized by the Creative Memory Platform for the Syrian Revolution. The exhibition features contributions from artists, families of victims, and cultural stakeholders.

The display includes around 200 works, ranging from paintings and photographs to drawings, cartoons, graffiti, and banners, arranged chronologically from 2011 to 2020, with the aim of documenting cases of detention and enforced disappearance in Syria.

Speaking to SANA, Creative Memory Platform Director Sana Yazji said the platform, operating in Arabic, English, and French, was established to collect, document, and archive artistic expressions related to the Syrian Revolution. She added that the issue of detention and disappearance has been a primary focus for five years due to its connection with justice and uncovering the fate of the missing.

Yazji noted that Homs was chosen as the third stop in the exhibition tour because of the city’s suffering and cultural losses, emphasizing the symbolic connection between restoring historical structures and preserving human memory. The exhibition includes works by artists who were killed, disappeared, or detained in recent years.

Lama Abboud, director of the Our Heritage Foundation, said the exhibition reflects the story of Syria and the reality of Homs, a city that has lost part of its heritage and endured numerous cases of detention and disappearance.

During the opening, the Mosaic music group performed songs reflecting the exhibition’s themes, including “Its Name is Homs”, “They Remain Alone”, and “Autumn Reminds You of Her”. The exhibition will run daily, except Fridays, until Nov. 27 and will continue its tour to other Syrian cities as part of the platform’s ongoing project to archive Syrian artistic production related to the revolution

More than 22 million people, including millions of children, could die by 2030 if the United States and European countries continue to reduce foreign aid, according to a new international study.

The study, conducted by researchers from Spain, Brazil, and Mozambique and reported by AFP, warns that U.S. President Donald Trump’s cuts to foreign aid—including the elimination of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)—could alone cause 14 million deaths. Additional reductions from the UK, France, and Germany would increase the toll further.

The research draws on historical data showing that aid programs have significantly lowered mortality rates, particularly through efforts to combat HIV, malaria, and tuberculosis.

Worst-Case Scenario

Under a scenario of deep budget cuts, the study projects an additional 22.6 million deaths by 2030, including 5.4 million children under five, compared with a scenario where aid levels remain unchanged. Even moderate reductions could result in 9.4 million more deaths.

Gonzalo Fanjul of the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal) said, “This is the first time in 30 years that France, Germany, the UK, and the United States have all reduced aid simultaneously.” He added that while European countries cannot match the U.S. individually, together they have dealt an unprecedented blow to the global aid system.

The study also warns that these cuts could undermine decades of international cooperation and jeopardize critical health programs. Fanjul emphasized the importance of reducing countries’ reliance on foreign aid, especially for HIV prevention programs.

David Rasella, lead author of the study, said, “Development aid may not be massive globally, but policymakers adjust budgets without fully grasping the human cost.”

Political Motives Behind the Cuts

Soon after taking office, President Trump slashed U.S. foreign aid by more than 80% and dissolved USAID, which distributed roughly $35 billion in the previous fiscal year. Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended the move, saying aid “does not serve the United States’ core interests,” noting that some recipient countries had voted against the U.S. at the UN.