SANA - Syrian Arab News Agency

United Nations officials and agencies warned  Wednesday of a deepening humanitarian catastrophe in Sudan, amid escalating battles between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), the collapse of relief operations, and rising violations against civilians.

Following his meeting with Sudan’s Sovereign Council Chairman Abdel Fattah al-Burhan in Port Sudan, UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Tom Fletcher said that the humanitarian situation in Sudan remains at a critical level under the current conditions, noting the UN’s readiness to operate in all parts of the country.

For his part, Carl Skau, Deputy Executive Director of the World Food Programme (WFP), reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to expanding assistance to reach the most hard-to-access areas in Sudan. He added that the WFP will support local farmers and help revive markets in Khartoum and other regions.

The UN Office for Human Rights in Sudan warned that about 25 million Sudanese are facing acute food insecurity, stressing that the conflict has created a severe human rights crisis and one of the largest humanitarian emergencies in the world.

The office reported that thousands have been killed, hundreds of cases of sexual violence have been documented, and countless violations of international humanitarian and human rights laws have been committed. It said that around 12 million people have been displaced since April 2023, making Sudan the site of the world’s largest displacement crisis today.

In related remarks, the UN Women office revealed harrowing testimonies from displaced women in El-Fasher, who described systematic killings, rapes, and child abductions, confirming that rape is being used as a weapon of war.

“Women have endured horrors beyond what anyone can bear,” said Anna Mutavati, UN Women’s Regional Director for East and Southern Africa, speaking to journalists in Geneva via video link. She stressed that violence is widespread and that there is clear evidence of rape being used deliberately and systematically as a weapon of war.

Last week, the UN Security Council condemned the RSF attack on the Sudanese city of El-Fasher, warning of its devastating impact on civilians and calling for accountability for all those responsible for violations.

The National Authority for Transitional Justice in Syria discussed on Tuesday with a visiting Norwegian delegation led by Dag Nagoda, technical and institutional support for the Authority’s work in transitional justice.

During the meeting in Damascus, the two sides reviewed the Authority’s recent activities and explored potential areas for cooperation and expertise exchange. Discussions focused on aligning technical assistance with operational needs to advance the objectives of transitional justice and strengthen the principles of truth and accountability

Abdul Basit Abdul Latif, head of the National Authority for Transitional Justice, stressed the importance of international cooperation to support effective institutional development that serves national interests and contributes to Syria’s post-conflict recovery.

The meeting followed recent talks between the Syrian Authority and the authorities of Rwanda aimed at developing a national model based on international best practices, as part of Syria’s ongoing efforts to advance transitional justice, reconciliation, and civil peace.

The Syrian Ministry of Health, in cooperation with Al-Ameen for Relief and Development, announced Tuesday the launch of a free campaign to perform surgical operations for children at Al-Mujtahid Hospital in Damascus.

In a post on its Telegram channel, the ministry said the campaign targets children from all Syrian provinces and includes general and urological surgeries.

It added that registration is available by filling out the online form or by visiting the pediatric department at Al-Mujtahid Hospital between November 11 and 27, noting that operations will begin on November 23.

According to the ministry, this campaign comes within the framework of supporting free medical services and promoting humanitarian solidarity, under the supervision of a team of specialized doctors and with the participation of national medical staff from the Ministry of Health

Israeli forces carried out early Wednesday new incursions into villages in southern Quneitra countryside.

According to SANA’s reporter in Quneitra, an Israeli force advanced on the road connecting the village of Abu Ghara and the town of Suwaisa, setting up a checkpoint and preventing passersby from crossing.

Yesterday, Israeli forces advanced into the villages of al-Samdaniyah and Al-Mushayrifa in Quneitra countryside.

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.

Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani is visiting the United Kingdom on Wednesday for talks with senior British officials on bilateral and regional issues, according to the Ministry’s Information Department.

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

The visit comes just two days after President al-Sharaa’s trip to the White House, where he met with U.S. President Donald Trump. In mid-October, he also held talks with the Russian president at the Kremlin.

The Syrian government is intensifying efforts to re-engage with the international community after more than a decade of diplomatic isolation.

Syrian Minister of Energy Mohammad al-Bashir discussed on Tuesday with directors of provincial water institutions the implementation of water investment plans, the sustainability of water resources, and the challenges facing the sector across Syria, with the aim of developing a roadmap for a swift response to citizens’ needs.

The meeting, held at the General Water Administration building in Harasta, was attended by Deputy Minister for Water Resources Affairs Osama Abu Zaid and Director General of the General Authority for Water Resources Ahmad Kawan.

In his remarks, Minister al-Bashir highlighted the achievements made since the liberation, which he said reflect a genuine national will to overcome obstacles and continue constructive work despite the severe impacts of the years of war and destruction. He reaffirmed the Ministry of Energy’s commitment to achieving sustainable water development that meets citizens’ needs and responds to current climatic and economic challenges.
Al-Bashir noted that Syria is facing harsh climatic conditions and increasing drought, in addition to the widespread phenomenon of unregulated well drilling, stressing the need to confront these practices to preserve both surface and groundwater resources. He underlined that ensuring the sustainability of water resources is central to national development and water security.

In a statement to journalists following the meeting, the Ministry’s Director of Government Communication Ahmad Suleiman said that the minister had conducted a series of field visits and consultations with directors of electricity and water resource institutions in several provinces. These meetings, he said, aimed to evaluate progress achieved since the liberation and to address obstacles hindering the improvement of services provided to citizens.

Suleiman added that these efforts fall within the minister’s directives to raise performance efficiency and overcome difficulties, in order to gradually enhance infrastructure—particularly in the water and electricity sectors—and ensure the continuity of drinking water supply alongside the sustainability of national water resources.

For his part, Ahmad Kawan, Director General of the General Authority for Water Resources, said that the meeting reviewed the 2026 investment plan and discussed the progress of ongoing and planned projects, especially rainwater harvesting initiatives in light of climate change and declining rainfall rates.

The discussions also addressed the new draft water law, emphasizing the importance of issuing updated legislation to regulate unlicensed drilling operations that contribute to groundwater depletion. Kawan noted that a technical and legal committee has been formed to prepare and update the water legislation in preparation for its submission to the Ministry of Energy’s central committee for approval, ensuring optimal and sustainable management of Syria’s water resources.

The Turkish Ministry of Defense announced Wednesday that 20 soldiers were killed when a military cargo plane crashed near the Azerbaijani-Georgian border on Tuesday.

According to a statement issued by the ministry and reported by Anadolu Agency, Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler expressed his condolences to the families of the fallen soldiers and to the entire Turkish nation.

The ministry said the aircraft, a C-130 military transport plane, was carrying 20 military personnel, including the flight crew, when it crashed while returning from Azerbaijan to Turkey, approximately five kilometers from the Georgian-Azerbaijani border.

The Ministry of Defense noted that the cause of the crash will be determined after a thorough technical examination of the wreckage by a Turkish team of experts dispatched to the site.

Syrian Minister of Communications and Information Technology Abdul Salam Haykal  and Director General of the Syrian Investment Agency Talal al-Hilali held talks Tuesday with a delegation from the Saudi Telecom Company (STC) to discuss expanding investment opportunities in Syria’s telecommunications sector.

The meeting, held at the Investment Authority headquarters in Damascus, focused on the agreement signed between the Ministry of Communications and STC, which aims to strengthen cooperation in digital infrastructure and attract new investment in the communications and technology fields.

During the discussions, al-Hilali gave a presentation on Syria’s investment law, outlining the main incentives and facilities available to Arab and foreign investors, particularly in the technology and telecommunications sectors. He said the legal framework provides guarantees and exemptions designed to encourage long-term partnerships and promote knowledge transfer and innovation.

Earlier in the day, al-Hilali also met with a Saudi investment delegation representing “Bloom Invest”, a real estate development company, to explore prospects for joint investment projects in Syria and expand cooperation between Syrian and Saudi business sectors.

Israeli occupation forces carried out a new incursion into Eastern al-Samdaniyah in the countryside of Quneitra on Tuesday.

According to SANA’s correspondent in Quneitra, an Israeli military patrol consisting of three vehicles moved from the Al-Hamidiyah checkpoint toward Eastern al-Samdaniyah, then continued along the al-Doha Road, where it set up a roadblock between the villages of Umm Batna and Jibba and proceeded to search civilians passing through the area.

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

Syria condemned these repeated violations and calls on the international community to take immediate action to put an end to them.

Amer Dhawa

A Syrian Ministry of Defense delegation, headed by Brig. Gen. Binyan al-Hariri, commander of the 40th Division, met with Maj. Gen. Anita Asmah, Head of Mission and Force Commander of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF), and her accompanying delegation.

According to a statement released by the Ministry of Defense on its Telegram channel, the meeting focused on ways to enhance cooperation and develop field coordination mechanisms between the two sides to support peacekeeping efforts and help strengthen security and stability along the disengagement lines.

Amer Dhawa

The Syrian Development Fund held talks with representatives from the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) to coordinate efforts in shared development sectors and explore cooperation with microfinance institutions to streamline mechanisms for granting interest-free loans.

According to a statement posted on the Fund’s Facebook page, the meeting—held in Damascus and attended by Kazumi Kawamoto, UNDP’s Senior Development Affairs Officer—was part of ongoing efforts to strengthen sustainable local development in Syria.

Both sides agreed to hold a follow-up meeting soon to discuss the implementation of joint projects, reflecting their mutual commitment to expanding partnership and turning development plans into tangible improvements in the lives of Syrians.

The discussions also focused on supporting vocational and technical schools to empower targeted groups and enhance their skills.

Amer Dhawa

The Director General of the Syrian Investment Agency, Eng. Talal al-Hilali, discussed with a Saudi investment delegation representing Bloom Invest, a real estate development company, prospects of joint investment cooperation.

During the meeting, held Tuesday at the agency’s headquarters, the officials reviewed the amended Investment Law issued under Decree No. 114 of 2025, which offers a range of facilitations and guarantees to domestic, Arab, and foreign investors. The law aims to foster a flexible and attractive investment environment to support the launch of projects across multiple sectors.

Al-Hilali said the agency serves as the main link between investors and government bodies, working to simplify procedures and resolve obstacles that may arise during project implementation.

Members of the Saudi delegation expressed strong interest in investing in Syria, noting plans to explore opportunities in real estate development and infrastructure. They also called for the appointment of direct liaison officers from the agency to coordinate technical and procedural details ahead of potential investment launches.

Founded in 2008, Bloom Invest began operations on May 30, 2009, and offers a wide range of investment services, including asset and wealth management, corporate advisory, and financing solutions.

Amer Dhawa

Narcotics Department carried out a special operation in the eastern countryside of Daraa Province on Tuesday, resulting in the arrest of a drug smuggler and the seizure of 27 kilograms of pot, locally known as “hashish” that were prepared for trafficking abroad, an authorized security source told SANA.

The source explained that the confiscated materials were wrapped in bags dated 2024, indicating that they were remnants of the old illicit network and had been carefully packaged in preparation to be smuggled across the border.

“The operation comes within the ongoing efforts of the Southern Narcotics Branch to pursue drug traffickers and dealers and to break up cross-border smuggling networks,” the source said, noting that investigations are underway with the arrested smuggler to identify all those involved and take the necessary legal procedures against them.

The branch called on citizens to cooperate with the competent authorities and report any suspicious activity related to drug smuggling or distribution to help protect society and safeguard the safety of the youth.

The province of Daraa has witnessed several joint security operations since the beginning of this year targeting drug traffickers, particularly in areas near the Jordanian border, where smugglers often rely on farms and remote locations to store and pack narcotics before attempting to move them through unmonitored desert routes.

The Syrian Higher Committee for Elections of the People’s Assembly participated on Tuesday in the International Conference of Parliamentary Speakers held in Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan, under the theme “Peace, Security, and Development,” upon invitation from the Pakistani Senate.

Mohammad Taha Al-Ahmad, head of the committee, told SANA that the committee’s participation in the two-day conference represents an opportunity to enhance joint parliamentary dialogue and exchange expertise on legislative paths that support stability and development.

He emphasized that the multilateral meetings within the conference highlight the growing role of legislative institutions in addressing international issues related to security and development.

On the sidelines of the gathering, Al-Ahmad presented the mechanisms of the People’s Assembly elections in Syria and how the electoral process contributed to representing various spectrum of society, thereby reinforcing security and development and affirming Syria’s commitment to transparency and inclusive representation of all components of the Syrian people.

Al-Ahmad pointed out that the conference serves as an international platform for dialogue and the exchange of legislative and administrative expertise among parliaments and electoral bodies, contributing to the promotion of shared values among nations.

The International Conference of Parliamentary Speakers, held on November 11–12, is a global platform for parliamentary dialogue and the exchange of expertise among more than 40 parliaments from various continents.

It aims to develop cooperation in the fields of peace, security, and sustainable development, and to enhance the role of legislative institutions in finding joint solutions to international challenges related to security, food, water, energy and climate.

Mazen

Minister of Communications and Technology Abdul-Salam Heikal met on Tuesday with Akihiro Tsuji, Acting Chargé d’Affaires at the Japanese Embassy in Damascus and Japan’s Special Coordinator for Syria, to discuss prospects for cooperation in telecommunications and information technology, as well as ways to enhance infrastructure and foster an innovative digital business environment in Syria.

Heikal reviewed the main national projects to modernize communication networks and improve the quality of internet services, stressing that the sector serves as a key driver of economic development. He underlined the government’s implementation of a package of digital transformation initiatives that reinforce Syria’s regional standing in e-services and digital governance.
Tsuji expressed Japan’s readiness to contribute through its specialized technology companies, noting that 2025 marks a new phase in bilateral relations toward developmental partnership and support for stability.

The two sides also discussed opportunities in digital banking services, relevant legislative frameworks, and the level of cybersecurity required to protect electronic financial transactions. They emphasized the importance of exchanging expertise in innovation, entrepreneurship, and start-up empowerment.

The meeting concluded with both sides reaffirming their commitment to continued coordination to establish joint programs supporting digital transformation and to provide a safe, investment-friendly legislative environment in Syria’s communications and technology sector.

Syrian Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Marwan Al-Halabi, met Tuesday with Muhammad Mughees Afzal, Head of Mission at the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan in Damascus, to discuss cooperation in higher education and medical training.

During the meeting held in Damascus, Minister Al-Halabi praised the longstanding and cordial relationship between the two countries and the deep, ongoing cooperation with the Pakistani Embassy through joint activities and signed scientific memoranda of understanding, especially regarding scholarships.

He affirmed the Ministry’s readiness to provide necessary support to the Pakistani school in Damascus and its students, in coordination with the Ministry of Education.

Al-Halabi expressed the Ministry’s interest in collaborating with the Pakistani side in nursing, supporting health sciences and continuing the partnership in the Information Technology Center, which leads the Ministry’s digital transformation efforts. He also emphasized the importance of activating the joint communication committee to identify and follow up on needs with the embassy.

For his part, Mr. Mughees Afzal expressed happiness over coming to Syria and appreciated the Ministry’s interest in bilateral scientific and academic relations. He confirmed Pakistan’s readiness to provide full support in training medical personnel and doctors, as well as in nursing and education.

The Pakistani Head of Mission also noted the possibility of cooperating with the Ministry to support the Pakistani school in Damascus and allocate study seats under the name of Pakistani universities for students to study in Syrian universities.

The meeting was attended by Mr. Umer Hayat Khan, Deputy Head of Mission, assistants to the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, and directors of cultural relations and legal affairs at the Ministry.

Syrian-Pakistani relations are witnessing significant development in academic cooperation between universities, scholarships offered by Pakistani universities, exchange visits for expertise sharing, and the advancement of technological education in Syria.

Mazen Eyon

Damascus Fairgrounds host a new event under the theme “Petroleum of the Future… Investment and Development,” the 7th Syria International Petroleum, Energy and Mineral Resources Exhibition (SyrPetro 7) on Tuesday.
The event is organized by Mashhadani International Group for Exhibitions and Conferences in cooperation with the Syrian Ministry of Energy, the Syrian Petroleum Company, and with support from Qatar-based UCC Holding.

Director General Khalaf Mashhadani told SANA that “SyrPetro 7 is a strategic platform that brings together major national and international companies operating in the petroleum, energy, and mineral sectors from Syria, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Iraq, Algeria, Turkey, the Netherlands and Bulgaria.”
He said the exhibition will present the latest technologies and forward-looking solutions in exploration, production, renewable energy and advanced industrial services.

Mashhadani described the fair as a unique professional networking hub, opening broad prospects for investors, engineers, experts, and decision-makers to form partnerships, exchange expertise, and discuss emerging trends in the oil and energy industry.
He added that such interaction contributes to economic development and strengthens energy security across the region.

The exhibition runs through Nov. 14, welcoming visitors daily with free transportation service.

United Arab Emirates businessman Khalaf Al Habtoor said Syria holds “promising and attractive investment opportunities” in a range of economic sectors, emphasizing that “Syrians today are fully capable of rebuilding their country and economy through their great abilities, willpower and resolve.”

In an exclusive interview Tuesday with SANA during his visit to Damascus, Al Habtoor explained that the aim of his trip is to support the Syrian people by launching projects with long-term impact that create job opportunities for the younger generation.
He stressed, “I am determined to invest in Syria not only for profit, but to establish sustainable ventures that benefit Syrians.”

Al-Habtoor also expressed his wish to do maintenance work on Souk Alhamidiyah’s roof after his visit to the old city, and to extend various forms of developmental and service-related support “in ways that directly benefit the Syrian people.”

Al Habtoor said that if Syria follows an approach similar to Dubai’s—particularly in the fields of security, rule of law, efficient decision-making and citizen services—it will achieve major progress on the economic aspect.

“Dubai has become a global destination due to its administrative and organizational system,” he said.
He also addressed the younger generation, urging them to believe in hard work and discipline, to begin with entry-level positions before moving into business ventures, and to learn from Syrians who started small in the UAE and became successful entrepreneurs.

Al-Habtoor signed an agreement earlier with the Ministry of Education to provide 100,000 school desks to help strengthen the education sector.

Khalaf Ahmed Al Habtoor is one of the UAE’s most prominent businessmen. He chairs Al Habtoor Group, founded in 1970, which grew from a small contracting firm into a diversified conglomerate spanning hospitality, real estate, automotive, education and publishing, providing thousands of jobs inside and outside the UAE.
Throughout his career, Al Habtoor has held several public and private posts, including membership of the UAE Federal National Council, the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the chairmanship of the Commercial Bank of Dubai.He currently heads the Dubai National Insurance and Reinsurance Company.

President Ahmad al-Sharaa underlined during an interview with The Washington Post after the White House meeting, that lifting sanctions is necessary to give Syria the opportunity to recover from decades of war.

“It is clear through the policies of president Trump that he is in favor of the stability of Syria and the territorial unity, and the lifting, the complete lifting of sanctions of Syria,” al-Sharaa said“ So he is pushing in that direction”.

President al-Sharaa added that “the majority” of the members of Congress he met with Monday also support the lifting of sanctions. “The American administration is in agreement that Syria deserves to have an opportunity to be stable and to build its economy and to maintain its territorial integrity,” he said.

Speaking to The Post, al-Sharaa described negotiations with Israel as “difficult” but ongoing with the support of the U.S. and other international parties. He added that the terms of any future deal would require Israel to withdraw to the positions its forces held before the fall of the Assad regime on Dec. 8.

“I believe that in the world, the United States is the only country that can put Israeli conduct under check,” al-Sharaa said.

President Ahmad Al-Sharaa arrived at the White House Monday on an official visit to the United States of America, where he was received by U.S. President Donald Trump.

The two presidents held a session of talks that addressed bilateral relations between the Syrian Arab Republic and the United States, and means of enhancing and developing them, in addition to a number of regional and international issues of mutual interest.

Minister of Energy Mohammad al-Bashir issued a resolution on Tuesday setting new reduced prices for petroleum derivatives, including gasoline, diesel, and domestic and industrial-use gas cylinders, in accordance with Presidential Resolution No. 9 of 2025 and Decree No. 150 of the same year.
According to the resolution, the new retail prices will be: $0.85 per liter for 90-octane gasoline, instead of $1.1, $0.75 per liter for diesel, instead of $0.95, $10.5 for (12 kg) domestic-use gas cylinder instead of $11.8, and $16.8 for (16 kg) industrial-use gas cylinder, instead of $18.88.

The new prices take effect Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025, and cancel all previous resolutions inconsistent with its provisions.
A government source told SANA that the measure is part of a comprehensive plan to reform the energy sector, particularly regarding fuel and petroleum product pricing, to ensure sustainability and fairness in distribution.