SANA - Syrian Arab News Agency

The Syrian Ministry of Tourism signed on Thursday an executive program with the Arab Tourism Organization, aimed at advancing tourism development and attracting investment in Syria. The agreement was formalized at a high-profile event in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, attended by government officials and regional investors.

The program, signed by Syria’s Tourism Minister Mazen Al-Salhani and Bandar bin Fahd Al-Fuhaid, head of the Arab Tourism Organization, outlines a comprehensive strategy to develop Syria’s tourism sector.

It includes activating investment guarantee policies, training and qualifying local tourism professionals, establishing a dedicated tourism academy, and upgrading facilities to meet ISO certification standards. It also aims to promote Syrian investment opportunities at regional and international forums.

Minister Al-Salhani highlighted that the recently signed tourism investments in Syria total approximately $1.5 billion, covering upgrades to existing facilities, construction of new hotels and entertainment complexes, and projects to revitalize historic sites. He emphasized that traditional crafts will play a key role in preserving Syria’s cultural identity.

Al-Fuhaid reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to supporting Syrian tourism and providing the expertise needed to achieve the program’s goals.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani took part late Thursday in the launch of the new Syrian-British Business Council in London.

The event came as part of the minister’s first official visit to the United Kingdom for talks with British officials.

Earlier on Thursday, al-Shaibani met with UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper. The two discussed prospects for improving Syrian-British relations and explored ways to expand cooperation across various fields in ways that serve their mutual interests.

Israeli occupation forces Thursday infiltrated the villages of Eastern Samdaniyah and Hamidiyah in Quneitra countryside.

According to SANA reporter, a force consisting of three military vehicles advanced toward Eastern Samdaniyah, while another force made up of five military vehicles moved toward the vicinity of the Hamidiyah village clinic.

The occupation continues its assaults on Syrian territory, in violation of the 1974 Disengagement Agreement, international law and relevant United Nations resolutions.

Syria condemns these aggressions and calls on the international community to take urgent action to stop them.

Mazen

Syrian Foreign Minister, Asaad Hassan Al-Shaibani, met Thursday with British Foreign Secretary, Ms. Yvette Cooper, in London in the framework of his official visit to the United Kingdom.

The two sides discussed prospects for developing Syrian–British relations and ways to enhance cooperation across various fields in a manner that serves mutual interests.

They also exchanged views on regional and international developments.

Mazen

Syrian Foreign Minister, Asaad Hassan Al-Shaibani, said on Thursday that the Syrian Embassy which was reopened in London, will serve the interests of Syrians and will no longer be a hub for intelligence operations.

“There are very important files with Britain, and we seek to seize this historic opportunity to strengthen relations. Syria is no longer a marginal state, but one that matters to all nations,” al-Shaibani said during a panel discussion at Chatham House in London.

As for relations with the U.S., al-Shaibani said the visit to Washington was very successful. It focused on all key files, and “we believe that the full lifting of the Caesar Act is only a matter of time.”

“Relations with the United States are progressing very well and will be positively reflected on the entire region,” he said.

Al-Shaibani went on to say that Syria is exhausted and going through a transitional phase. It needs time to express itself, and we aspire for it to become a country its people believe in — one that is not distant from them.

“We are working to provide a healthy political environment and laying the foundation for inclusive participation. Syria is a republic that relies on elections, and there will be presidential and parliamentary elections with the participation of all Syrians,” the Syrian official said.  

He added “We believe that the success of the Syrian model depends on coexistence, building trust, and rejecting the sectarianism that was sown by the deposed regime.”

“We are working to strengthen pluralism within the government, ministries, and society. We have preserved the culture of institutions and are working carefully to restore the constitution and laws in a thoughtful manner,” the Syrian Minister added.

Regarding Sweida, al-Shaibani said the events in Sweida and the coastal region have different contexts and posed major challenges for the government. The incidents in the coastal area were fabricated by remnants of the deposed regime, and we do not condone the violations that were committed.

“The events in Sweida stemmed from accumulated social tensions that escalated into clashes, sparked by Israeli interference. The government sought to maintain security in the province… We are working calmly to contain the Sweida crisis, but there are parties in the province that do not wish for reconciliation. We are trying to assist Sweida on all levels, and we have delivered 70 aid convoys there,” al-Shaibani said.

He added that Israel is currently playing a negative role in Syria and is dissatisfied with the changes that have taken place. It has continued its violations on Syrian territory, but we have not been drawn into provocations and have tried to respond through diplomacy.

“We do not want to be a party to any proxy war. We seek calm and aim to avoid escalation with Israel, dispelling its claims of being under threat. Our focus is on rebuilding Syria, and we view any potential agreement with Israel within that framework,” Syria’s Foreign Minister said.

“Many international parties support our diplomatic stance regarding Israel’s violations… the deposed regime left us with problems with everyone, but we have succeeded in redefining Syria’s image to the world,” al-Shaibani said.

“We believe that all sanctions will be lifted by the end of the year, which will open the door to broad and diverse investment opportunities across all sectors,” he added

As for Russia, al-Shaibani said “We are building pragmatic relations with Russia. We do not want it to dominate Syria as it did in the past, nor do we seek to antagonize it.”

Al-Shaibani: Transitional justice is an approach supported by the Syrian government, and we are working to ensure that all victims who suffered during the era of the ousted regime feel a sense of satisfaction.

Al-Shaibani: We hope that the ceasefire in Gaza will hold, leading to reconstruction, the delivery of humanitarian aid and the return of displaced people to the Strip.

Al-Hussein/ Mazen

Syrian Foreign Minister, Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani, met Thursday in the British capital with UK Minister of State for Middle East Affairs Hamish Falconer, during an official visit to the United Kingdom.

According to Foreign Ministry statement , the talks covered ways to enhance bilateral relations and reviewed regional and international developments of common concern.

Both sides reaffirmed the importance of continued dialogue and cooperation on issues affecting stability and security in the Middle East.

The meeting came within the framework of Minister al-Shaibani’s official program in the United Kingdom, which includes discussions with government and parliamentary officials.

The Syrian Interior and Defense Ministries convened a joint meeting Thursday chaired by Interior Minister Anas Khattab and Defense Minister Maj. Gen. Murhaf Abu Qasra to review mechanisms for strengthening integrated security and defense coordination amid evolving challenges, according to the Interior Ministry.

The meeting, held in Damascus and attended by top officers and directors from both ministries, centered on developing operational mechanisms that ensure an effective joint response to security and defense issues nationwide.

According to the Interior Ministry’s statement on Telegram, discussions emphasized the importance of seamless coordination between institutions tasked with protecting public safety and national defense.
The two ministers underscored the need to activate practical measures enabling faster and more efficient crisis response, affirming that sustained inter-ministerial cooperation remains a cornerstone of national security.

The session concluded with a set of key recommendations to be implemented in the coming period to enhance readiness levels and address emerging threats more effectively.

Syrian Health Minister Musab al-Ali met with representatives of the UK-based organization Global Health to discuss cooperation on medical education and workforce development.

Al-Ali outlined the challenges facing Syria’s health sector, including shortages of medical equipment and limited infrastructure, and stressed the importance of strengthening administrative and technical skills among healthcare staff. He said the ministry’s two-year strategic plan includes projects to improve medical specialization programs and expand training opportunities.

The minister also emphasized building partnerships with British institutions in nursing and capacity-building, noting that health sector managers should undergo certified training to enhance efficiency.

Louise McGrath, Deputy Executive Director of Global Health, highlighted the potential for collaboration between Syrian and British institutions, including partnerships with UK royal colleges in fields such as emergency medicine and obstetrics. She said such initiatives could help strengthen Syria’s medical boards and improve healthcare training.

Al-Jalaa Sports City will be holding “Your Awareness Is Life – Let’s Run Together” event on Friday, organized by the coordination between the Ministry of Youth and Sports and Health Ministry, in cooperation with the United Nations Population Fund, as part of the national campaign for early detection of breast cancer.

Mazen Zyoud, secretary of the Syrian Athletics Federation, told SANA that the event aims to enhance community awareness of the importance of early detection and to promote a culture of preventive health through sports.
“The run includes diverse participant groups—youth, adults and people with disabilities,” Zyoud stated to SANA on Thursday. “Winners in both men’s and women’s categories, below and above 30 years of age, will be honored at the finish line.”

Zyoud added that organizing the run in partnership with international bodies underscores the growing attention to community-based activities that link sports with public health awareness, reaffirming the continued cooperation between the health and sports sectors in serving social causes.

Syrian Minister of Social Affairs and Labor, Hind Kabawat, emphasized the importance of strengthening Syrian-Lebanese relations based on mutual respect, aiming to achieve the highest levels of cooperation and partnership between the two countries.

Speaking at the 12th edition of the “Women on the Front Lines” conference held in Beirut, Kabawat stated that the authoritarian regime had driven Syria below zero, and that post-liberation efforts are focused on rebuilding everything—not just infrastructure, economy, and laws, but also the human spirit and social peace.

She highlighted the need to promote development and vocational training, and to move beyond the painful past through serious dialogue and forward-thinking about the future of youth in both Syria and Lebanon. This, she noted, is essential to curbing youth migration and fostering genuine integration and partnership between the two nations.

Kabawat paid tribute to Syrian women for their pivotal role during and after the revolution in maintaining societal cohesion. She also revealed that 1.8 million refugees have returned to Syria following liberation, describing them as a vital human and economic asset that must be nurtured.

The “Women on the Front Lines” conference, organized by the May Chidiac Foundation – MCF Media Institute in cooperation with UN Women and under the patronage and presence of Lebanon’s Prime Minister, aimed to revive the role of women in Lebanon and the Arab world.

Syrian Health Minister Musab al-Ali met on Thursday with Muhammad Mughees Afzal, Head of Mission at the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan in Damascus, to explore ways of enhancing bilateral cooperation in the health sector.

Minister al-Ali emphasized Syria’s interest in building a genuine partnership with Pakistan, drawing on the country’s advanced expertise in medical equipment and training.

He highlighted Syria’s ongoing efforts to develop medical education and the pharmaceutical industry, including plans to send Syrian doctors to Pakistan for several months of training and the potential for Pakistani companies to establish branches in Syria as regional hubs.

The Pakistani diplomat stressed his country’s commitment to strengthening collaboration in healthcare, particularly in addressing major challenges such as cancer and other diseases. He also highlighted plans to establish specialized medical centers in Syria and build pharmaceutical factories equipped with modern technologies.

Aleppo International Airport saw a surge in activity last month, with more than 33,000 travelers passing through on 370 flights.

According to the General Authority of Civil Aviation and Air Transport, 17,710 passengers departed from the airport, while 16,208 arrived. The authority noted that seven airlines currently operate at Aleppo International, and 608 visas were issued upon arrival.

Meanwhile, Damascus International Airport handled 103 tons of outbound cargo and 23 tons of inbound cargo. Passenger traffic at Damascus exceeded 160,000 travelers in October, including both arrivals and departures.

Austrian prosecutors have filed war crimes charges against two former Syrian officials accused of overseeing abuses against detained civilians during Syria’s war, in the latest European effort to hold members of the former regime accountable.

According to a statement cited by Agence France-Presse (AFP), the men are accused of committing “crimes against civilians in the city of Raqqa between 2011 and 2013,” during the government’s violent crackdown on anti-Assad protests.

The suspects, identified as a former intelligence brigadier and the former head of the local criminal investigation office, who held the rank of lieutenant colonel, allegedly took part in widespread detention and torture operations. Prosecutors said that 21 victims have been identified so far.

Both men reportedly sought asylum in Austria in 2015 and have lived in the country since. If convicted, they face up to 10 years in prison.

The indictments come amid a series of international legal actions targeting senior officials of Syria’s former regime. In September, French authorities issued seven international arrest warrants, including for President Bashar al-Assad and his brother Maher al-Assad, over the 2012 shelling of a media center in Homs’ Baba Amr district, which killed U.S. journalist Marie Colvin and French photographer Rémi Ochlik.

Syrian table tennis star Hind Zaza reached the final of the Islamic Solidarity Games in Riyadh after a hard-fought 4–3 victory over Turkey’s Sibel Altinkaya in the semifinals.

Zaza, 15, will compete for the gold medal against the winner of the semifinal match between Iran’s Neda Shahsavari and Egypt’s Yousra Abdel Razek.

The young athlete, who gained international attention after competing at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics as one of the youngest Olympians in history, continues to impress with her strong performances at regional and international tournaments.

The Gaza Strip is facing a severe environmental crisis following months of Israeli war, with local authorities reporting that around 90% of the enclave’s vegetation has been destroyed and large amounts of waste left uncollected.

Palestinian media quoted Khan Younis Mayor Alaa al-Din al-Batta as saying that the war has “destroyed everything in the Strip as part of a systematic plan that even targeted the natural environment.”

He described the situation as “a real environmental and health catastrophe” that threatens residents’ lives and could lead to the spread of diseases amid the collapse of basic services and ongoing restrictions on humanitarian and debris-removal efforts.

The UN Development Programme (UNDP) said last week that nearly two million tons of untreated waste are scattered across the Gaza Strip, warning of “immense risks” to the environment, groundwater, and public health.

The Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza said on Thursday that two bodies and five injured Palestinians were brought to hospitals over the past 24 hours.

In its daily press statement, the ministry said one person was newly killed, while another body was recovered from under the rubble. Five others were wounded.

It added that a number of victims remain trapped under the rubble and in the streets, as ambulance and civil defense teams have been unable to reach them.

Since the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip on October 11, 2025, the total death toll has risen to 260, with 632 people injured and 533 recovered from under the rubble, according to the ministry.

Syria’s Ministry of Energy, Unigaz discuss investment opportunities

Minister of Energy Mohammad al-Bashir held talks in Damascus with a delegation from Unigaz Group to explore prospects for cooperation and investment in Syria’s energy sector, as the country advances plans to rehabilitate its war-damaged oil and gas infrastructure.
The meeting also addressed the Ministry’s plans to strengthen technical and economic partnerships in the coming period, according to a statement released by the ministry on its Telegram channel.

During the discussions, both sides reviewed the potential for joint projects in energy production and the development of related infrastructure, with a focus on expanding initiatives that meet national needs.
Unigaz is a leading group specialized in Gas Industry in the Middle East and Africa.
The meeting comes as the Ministry advances a broader program that includes recent agreements with an international consortium led by UCC Holding to build new power plants and solar projects. These initiatives aim to support the rehabilitation of the national grid and strengthen Syria’s energy security.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani on Thursday raised the national flag above the Syrian Embassy in London, marking the reopening of the mission after years of closure.

Posting on X, al-Shaibani said: “After years of isolation imposed by Assad’s chemical regime, today we reopen the Syrian Embassy in London. Syria returns to the world under its free identity.”

Britain lifted sanctions on President Ahmad al-Sharaa last week, following a similar decision by the United Nations Security Council.

Israeli forces on Thursday advanced west of the village of Saida al-Hanout in the Quneitra countryside and bulldozed agricultural land.

SANA reporter in Quneitra said that a force of eight heavy vehicles moved into the village’s farmland and continued bulldozing operations for the third consecutive day.

On Wednesday evening, Israeli forces targeted the eastern Tel al-Ahmar area in southern Quneitra with several artillery shells, causing material damage to some properties and farmland. No injuries were reported among civilians.

Israel continues its violations of Syrian territory, breaching the 1974 Disengagement Agreement, international law, and relevant UN resolutions. Syria condemns these aggressions and calls on the international community to take urgent action to stop them.