SANA - Syrian Arab News Agency

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.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani met in London on Thursday members of the Syrian community in the United Kingdom.
On Wednesday, the Minister commenced his first visit to the UK on Wednesday for talks with British officials.

The minister wrote on X: “Under the guidance of President Ahmad al-Sharaa, we are traveling to the United Kingdom on our first official visit.”
“We carry with us the hopes and aspirations of the Syrian people to build a nation that safeguards the future of our children and generations to come,” the minister added.

Syrian security forces have arrested Mahmoud Ali Ahmad, a former guard at Sednaya Prison, in Aleppo, the Interior Ministry said. The arrest was carried out by the Anti-Terrorism Branch in cooperation with the Internal Security Directorate, following an arrest warrant issued by the Public Prosecutor.

According to the Ministry, preliminary investigations revealed that Ahmad initially served in the prison’s special security detachment before being assigned to the notorious “Red Section” of Sednaya. During his tenure, he was reportedly involved in field executions, the transportation and burial of detainees who died under torture in mass graves, and the torture of several prisoners.

Ahmad has been referred to the Public Prosecutor to complete investigations ahead of his trial in the competent court, the ministry said.

The ministry added that it remains committed to pursuing all individuals implicated in human rights abuses and ensuring that they are held accountable under the law.

U.S. Special Envoy to Syria Thomas Barrack hailed Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa’s historic visit to Washington this week as a “turning point in the strategic partnership” between the two countries, emphasizing that the repeal of the Caesar Act would be a key step toward Syria’s prosperity.

In a post on his X account, Barrack said: “This week marks a decisive turning point in the modern history of the Middle East—and in the remarkable transformation of Syria from isolation to partnership. I had the profound honor of accompanying Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa to the White House, where he became the first Syrian head of state ever to visit the United States since Syria gained its independence in 1946.”

He added: “President Trump on May 13th indicated he would remove all U.S. sanctions in order to give Syria a chance. In a warm and substantive meeting this week, President Donald J. Trump and President al-Sharaa reaffirmed a shared conviction: that the time has come to replace estrangement with engagement and to give Syria—and its people—a genuine chance at renewal.”

Barrack noted that the Oval Office meeting witnessed President al-Sharaa’s commitment to join the D-ISIS coalition. “This represents a historic shift for Syria, from a source of terrorism to a partner in counterterrorism, with a clear commitment to reconstruction and contributing to the stability of the entire region,” he said.

“Damascus will now actively assist in confronting and dismantling the remnants of ISIS, the IRGC, Hamas, Hezbollah, and other terrorist networks, standing as a committed partner in the global effort to secure peace,” Barrack added.

The U.S. envoy also highlighted a follow-on trilateral session involving Secretary Rubio, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, and Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani. “During this session, we mapped the next phase of the U.S.–Turkish–Syrian framework: integrating the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) into Syria’s new economic, defense, and civic structure, redefining Turkish-Syrian-Israeli relations, and advancing the alignment that underpins the Israel-Hamas ceasefire, as well as addressing various Lebanese border issues,” he explained.

Barrack emphasized that President Trump’s leadership is laying the foundation for a “security first, prosperity next” approach—a future defined not by the shadows and horrors of the past but by the promise and hope of a new future.

“The next step in truly giving Syria a chance is the full repeal of the Caesar Act,” he said.

He called upon Congress to “take this historic step,” stressing the progress that has already been made while urging a “strong final push to empower the new Syrian government to restart its economic engine and allow the Syrian people and their regional neighbors to not only survive but to thrive,” he concluded.

Jordan’s King Abdullah II emphasized his country’s support for Syria’s efforts in preserving its stability and sovereignty.

The King discussed a number of regional issues and developments with Vietnamese President Luong Cuong in the capital Hanoi on Wednesday, stressing the importance of supporting Syria and Lebanon in maintaining their security, stability, and sovereignty, according to the Jordanian News Agency “Petra.”

On the Palestinian issue, King Abdullah II highlighted the need for a political horizon to achieve a comprehensive and fair peace based on the two-state solution, ensuring the implementation of the agreement to end the war in Gaza, and intensifying international efforts to respond to the humanitarian disaster.

He also warned of the dangers of ongoing escalation in the West Bank and Jerusalem, reaffirming Jordan’s opposition to Israeli settlement expansion in the West Bank, annexation of territories, and displacement of Palestinians.

On the sidelines of the visit, the Jordanian and Vietnamese governments signed a memorandum of understanding between their foreign ministries, and another between the Jordanian Diplomatic Institute and the Vietnamese Diplomatic Academy

Syrian table tennis player Hind Zaza continued her impressive run at the Islamic Solidarity Games in Riyadh, securing a spot in the competition’s semifinals.

Zaza earned her place in the last four after a tightly contested match against Iranian opponent Shima Safaei, winning 4-3 in sets.

She is set to face Turkey’s Sibel Altinkaya in the semifinals tomorrow at 12:30 p.m., in what is expected to be a highly competitive showdown.

Zaza’s performance has been widely praised, marking a significant achievement for Syria in the regional sporting event.

The Damascus Chamber of Industry held talks with representatives from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to discuss financing for small-scale projects, vocational training programs for workers, and assessments of local market needs.

In a statement released on its Telegram channel, the Chamber said the talks also focused on rehabilitating infrastructure in industrial zones, supporting small workshops, and promoting innovation among industrialists as part of broader recovery and development efforts.

The talks also covered preparations for the upcoming “Private Sector Dialogue Conference,” which is expected to be held in Syria in the near future. The event aims to engage industrialists and business leaders directly in the country’s economic recovery process.

On Wednesday, the Chamber of Industry held talks with the Finn Church Aid (FCA) representative in Syria and Jordan to explore cooperation in training and skills development to help local factories meet their demand for qualified workers.

Syria’s Ministry of Emergency and Disaster Management launched on Thursday a national consultation workshop aimed at developing a comprehensive roadmap to reduce disaster risks across the country.

The workshop, held at the ministry’s headquarters in Damascus, brought together representatives from government institutions, United Nations agencies, international organizations, and civil society groups, underscoring a broad, multi-sectoral approach to improving the country’s resilience to natural disasters.

The event is part of Syria’s ongoing efforts to align its disaster management framework with international standards and enhance coordination between national and international partners.

The initiative comes as Syria continues to face the compounded effects of years of conflict, climate-related challenges, and infrastructure damage, which have increased the population’s vulnerability to earthquakes, floods, and other emergencies.

The United Nations General Assembly reaffirmed on Thursday Syrians’ permanent sovereignty over the occupied Syrian Golan and Palestinians’ rights to their natural resources, in a vote widely seen as a renewal of international support for Syria’s territorial integrity.

The United Nations General Assembly, acting through its Second Committee on economic and financial matters, renewed on Thursday its affirmation of the permanent sovereignty of Syrians in the occupied Syrian Golan and of the Palestinian people in the occupied Palestinian territories, including Jerusalem, over their natural resources.

According to the Palestinian news agency WAFA, the draft resolution titled “Permanent sovereignty of the Palestinian people in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem, and of the Arab population in the occupied Syrian Golan over their natural resources” was introduced by the Group of 77 and China. It passed with 152 votes in favor, opposed by Israel and seven other countries, while 12 abstained.

The resolution reaffirmed the inalienable rights of Syrians in the occupied Golan and Palestinians to their land, water, and energy resources, and called on Israel, the occupying power, to cease exploiting or endangering those resources.

Palestine’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Riyad Mansour, said in a written statement that “the overwhelming vote in favor once again demonstrates the international community’s firm support for the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, including their sovereign right over their natural resources.” He thanked the member states that supported the measure.

The General Assembly has adopted similar resolutions annually since 1973, reflecting broad opposition to the occupation of Arab lands seized by Israel in 1967.

The European Union and Canada reaffirmed on Wednesday their commitment to supporting early recovery and reconstruction efforts in Gaza, and enhancing efforts aimed at achieving a just and peaceful solution to the Palestinian cause.

According to the Palestinian news agency WAFA, the joint statement was issued at the close of the fourth EU–Canada ministerial meeting, held in the Canadian city of Niagara, with the participation of EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas and Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand.

Both parties expressed appreciation for the diplomatic efforts and mediation undertaken by regional states to achieve a cease-fire in the Gaza Strip, stressing the importance of all sides adhering to every phase of the agreement and refraining from actions that could jeopardize its success.

The statement emphasized that a just and lasting peace must be founded on the two-state solution, in line with relevant UN Security Council resolutions and the outcomes of the High-Level Conference on Resolving the Palestinian Cause, hosted in New York last September under the auspices of Saudi Arabia and France.

The “Two-State Solution Conference,” held in New York from July 28 to 30, was chaired by the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia and France, with broad international participation and Palestinian representation, to advance the process of international recognition of the State of Palestine. On Sept. 12, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution endorsing the New York Declaration, which calls for recognizing the Palestinian state and promoting the two-state solution as the path toward a peaceful settlement

The Ministry of Interior announced on Thursday that Internal Security Forces in Tartous Governorate had arrested members of an outlaw group hiding in mountainous areas and seized quantities of weapons and ammunition in their possession.

In a statement released on its Telegram channel, the ministry said that the Tartous Security Command carried out a well-planned operation following close surveillance and investigation. The operation targeted a hideout used by the outlaws in the mountain region and resulted in the seizure of various types of weapons and ammunition and the arrest of the group’s members.

The ministry added that the detainees are being interrogated by the competent authorities to uncover the circumstances of the case and determine the sources of the confiscated arms.