SANA - Syrian Arab News Agency

Damascus, Dec. 26 (SANA) The Syrian export-focused clothing exhibition Motex Khan al-Harir has attracted significant attention from Arab business delegations, showcasing the country’s textile industry and its growing potential in regional markets.

The event is organized by the Chambers of Industry and Commerce in Damascus and Aleppo, in cooperation with the Ministry of Economy and Industry, and is held at Damascus Exhibition City. It drew around 650 visitors from Arab countries, up from 450 at the previous edition, reflecting growing confidence in Syrian products, Emad Taha al-Qassem, head of the Aleppo Chamber of Industry, told SANA.

Mohammad Zizan, board member of the Aleppo Chamber and head of the exhibition committee, said the fair featured a wide variety of offerings, including children’s, women’s, and men’s clothing, as well as production supplies. “Visitors had multiple options to explore, meeting the needs of different market segments,” he said.

Zizan also noted positive feedback from participants, with many business leaders requesting broader export opportunities for Syrian products to expand their presence in regional markets and support shared economic growth.

Among the visitors, Iraqi trader Issam al-Halfi praised the quality of Syrian fabrics, tailoring, and designs, saying they attracted strong interest from Iraqi merchants.

Saudi businessman Abdul Mohsen Rakan described the exhibition as a promising start for Syria’s textile sector, commending the products’ quality and competitiveness and calling for the development of sustainable Arab trade and investment partnerships with Syria, particularly in commerce, industry, and reconstruction.

The Motex Khan al-Harir Spring-Summer 2026 edition, which began on December 22 and runs through December 26, features more than 250 Syrian companies in clothing, textiles, logistics, and supporting services for small and micro enterprises.

Damascus, Dec. 26 (SANA) The Circassian Charitable Association in Damascus on Thursday opened an exhibition of books and historical documents highlighting Circassian history, cultural heritage, and their role within Syrian society.

The exhibition features historical and geographical works in several languages, including Arabic, Circassian, Russian, English, and Turkish. Some of the materials on display date back more than a century, including publications from the 1920s and 1930s.

Barzaj Labseroq, a member of the association’s cultural committee, told SANA that the exhibition is being held to mark Liberation Day and includes a wide collection of rare books and archival documents.

He said the event aims to revive interest in printed books and promote the teaching of the Circassian language among young people, as part of efforts to preserve cultural identity and encourage new generations to remain connected to their heritage and roots.

Hanaa Rajab, also a member of the cultural committee, said the exhibition includes rare historical documents tracing the Circassian journey from the Caucasus to Syria, as well as records related to property ownership and Circassian social history.

She said the association seeks to highlight Circassian civilization as an integral part of Syrian society and to strengthen cultural and historical ties between Circassians and other Syrians.

The exhibition is part of a broader program of activities by the Circassian Charitable Association aimed at raising awareness of Circassian history and contributions to Syrian society.

Founded in 1948 and headquartered in Damascus, the association was originally known as the Circassian Charitable Maqasid. It provides social and charitable support to Circassian families and operates under the supervision of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor.

Damascus, Dec. 26(SANA) Syria’s Minister of Information, Hamza al-Mustafa, on Thursday urged state media to adopt a more inclusive discourse, calling for a unified national narrative that prioritizes the country’s interests .

Speaking at a meeting with department heads and directors of media organizations under the ministry, al-Mustafa said state media must adapt its messaging to support stability and development in the sensitive phase for the country.

Al-Mustafa also reviewed recent developments in Syria, instructing officials to craft a national media narrative that reinforces social cohesion and underpins reconstruction efforts.

“The national interest must come before all else,” he said, urging the adoption of a rational and inclusive discourse that reflects current realities, and positions state media as a constructive force in rebuilding society.

He emphasized the need to improve administrative performance within media institutions, calling for professionally prepared monthly performance reports that clearly document achievements and production efficiency across the ministry.

The meeting is part of a broader set of initiatives by the Ministry of Information aimed at modernizing institutional performance and recalibrating state media messaging in line with current conditions. The effort is intended to strengthen stability, support development, and rebuild public trust in official institutions.

Damascus, Dec. 25 (SANA) The Syrian Ministry of Health signed a memorandum of understanding with the international humanitarian organization Action for Humanity on Thursday to supply a number of public hospitals with 30 modern neonatal incubators, in a humanitarian step aimed at enhancing newborn care services and improving the quality of healthcare provided across all provinces.

Director of Planning and International Cooperation at the Ministry of Health Dr. Zuhair al-Qarrat said the donation is based on a comprehensive needs assessment conducted by the ministry over recent months, which identified gaps in pediatric and neonatal unit equipment, particularly with the onset of winter and the increased demand for incubators.

Al-Qarrat said the incubators meet advanced technical specifications that fulfill requirements for safe medical care for newborns. He added that a carefully designed distribution plan was developed in coordination with the donor organization to ensure delivery to the hospitals most in need across all Syrian provinces.

The Ministry of Health continues to strengthen cooperation with humanitarian and international organizations to support the health system and improve services provided to citizens, especially the most vulnerable groups.

Action for Humanity is an international non-governmental organization operating in humanitarian relief, providing assistance and emergency support in crisis settings across several countries.

Damascus, Dec. 25 (SANA) First Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Syria Mokhles Nazer said on Thursday that removing zeros from the new currency does not constitute a change in the Syrian pound’s purchasing power, but rather an attempt to restore it to its natural place in people’s lives and organize daily transactions so prices are clearer, calculations easier and confidence closer.

In a post on (X) Nazer said: “Today, in my capacity as First Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Syria and a member of the team for the project to launch the new Syrian currency, I fully realize that this decision is not measured by calculations alone, but by what it means to every citizen who holds the currency in their hands and pins their hopes on it.”

Nazer said the new Syrian currency is neither a quick promise nor a magic solution, but a step on a long road toward rebuilding confidence, stressing that confidence is the foundation of any economy and any future.

He noted that a currency does not gain strength through design alone or administrative decisions only, but through stability, discipline and honesty with the public. He said work on the project is proceeding calmly, responsibly and in phases to ensure a smooth transition and to safeguard citizens’ rights, wages, savings and obligations without any infringement.

“We know the scale of the challenges, and we also know that Syrians deserve a currency that respects their hard work, patience and sacrifices. This is our responsibility at the Central Bank of Syria, and we will live up to it.” Nazer added.

Earlier today, Central Bank Governor Abdul Qader Husariya set Jan. 1, 2026, as the date for launching the new Syrian currency and starting the exchange of old notes, saying the process will be smooth and organized and that its mechanism will be explained with full clarity and transparency.

Damascus, Dec. 25(SANA) The Central Organization of Financial Control maintained an accelerated pace of work throughout 2025, prioritizing the recovery of state and citizens’ rights, uncovering corruption cases and protecting public funds from waste, within a previously announced institutional framework focused on enhancing governance, financial accountability, documenting public spending paths and assessing their impact on institutional performance and service quality.

246 corruption cases investigated

Head of the Central Organization of Financial Control Mohamed Omar Kdied said that since the beginning of the current year, 246 proven corruption cases have been investigated in a number of public bodies dating back to the era of the deposed regime, as a result of audit and review work covering multiple service, administrative and financial sectors.

Asset recovery measures

Regarding corruption cases and violations in the execution of public expenditures during 2024, Kdied said audit and inspection work conducted by the organization’s inspectors uncovered multiple violations that were duly documented, with many referred to competent bodies for investigation and the necessary legal measures taken against those involved, in accordance with applicable regulations.

According to statistics on the organization’s work since the liberation of Syria to date, obtained by SANA, the total volume of financial corruption uncovered amounted to about 527 billion Syrian pounds, in addition to $3 billion, $385 million and $764,000, and €14774,000 million.

By contrast, funds actually recovered to date reached 75 billion Syrian pounds, $308,353, and €68,480, within the framework of precautionary and enforcement measures taken.

On legal and administrative measures against those implicated, Kdied said 54 travel-ban orders were issued and 62 precautionary seizures imposed on movable and immovable assets, ensuring the protection of state rights, preventing the transfer or disposal of funds, and reflecting the authority’s seriousness in pursuing cases through to their final stages.

Development pillars

Kdied said the authority adopted an integrated reform program over the past year, restructuring the oversight institution and raising its professional and technical readiness to strengthen its role in protecting public funds and combating corruption during the economic recovery phase. The reforms covered four core pillars, led by comprehensive institutional restructuring.

Comprehensive structural reform

According to the organization, the structure was developed to end previous overlaps and grant oversight units greater independence and capacity by separating audit directorates from budget, studies and IT departments and linking them directly to the head of the organization.

New specialized directorates were established, including risk management and quality assurance, and a specialized institute for oversight training, in addition to other directorates to be announced soon.

Branches of the organization were strengthened through the creation of technical and administrative sections to enhance oversight capacity in the provinces, alongside the reintegration and redistribution of directorates within technical departments to ensure role integration and execution quality. The audit accreditation directorate was separated from investigation to ensure neutrality in the flow of oversight evidence, and follow-up directorates were established within each technical department to enhance central oversight of branch performance, alongside task redistribution and the injection of new leadership and field cadres.

International standards and digital transformation

In a second pillar, the organization adopted international standards of the International Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions (INTOSAI) across all stages of the oversight process, implementing risk-based auditing to direct oversight resources toward areas of highest impact, while improving the quality of audit reports so that their results translate into tangible corrective actions rather than administrative observations.

Digital oversight transformation formed the third pillar of reform. The organization outlined a comprehensive vision for gradual transition toward smart electronic auditing, including updating its website, developing an integrated electronic system to manage the audit mission cycle, establishing electronic correspondence systems, complaints and distance-learning platforms, expanding computer use, reducing reliance on paper documents, and accelerating information flow between headquarters and branches through network connectivity.

Transparency and disclosure

Under the fourth pillar, the organization worked to entrench transparency and enhance audit disclosure by launching an electronic complaints platform to receive reports from citizens and employees with speed and reliability, and by periodically publishing partial audit reports to inform public opinion of oversight results and measures taken, strengthening societal accountability and restoring confidence in public oversight.

Capacity building and partnerships

Kdied said the authority implemented a comprehensive package of training and qualification programs this year to raise professional readiness. Internationally, staff participated in training events in Qatar, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia on digital transformation, smart governance and detecting fraud in tenders, and obtained the Certified Arab Auditor Fellowship.

Institutionally, staff underwent around 38 specialized training courses, culminating in the organization winning three awards at the 14th Scientific Research Competition of the Arab Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions (ARABOSAI).

On institutional partnerships, Kdied said oversight work in the state is based on cooperation between the Central Organization of Financial Control and the Central Agency for Supervision and Inspection. Despite multiple channels for uncovering corruption cases, the goal remains the protection of public funds and the consolidation of integrity, with overlapping cases handled through ongoing coordination and memoranda of understanding to unify efforts and avoid procedural duplication.

Future roadmap

Kdied said the approved plan to enhance oversight efficiency in coming years centers on comprehensive digital transformation through the development of electronic oversight systems and centralized databases, unifying audit methodologies in line with INTOSAI standards and risk-based auditing, focusing on human-capacity development, and expanding digital platforms.

Regarding the general budget, Kdied said the 2026 draft state budget law has not yet been submitted to the organization for discussion, noting that its mandate focuses on overseeing budget implementation after adoption and reviewing the final accounts of the state.

He added that the final accounts bill for the 2024 state budget has not yet been completed due to incomplete financial data from all concerned entities.

The developments underscore a shift toward a technically driven oversight model aligned with international standards, alongside continued investigations, spending documentation, human-capacity building, digital systems enhancement and expanded public engagement as key priorities to improve service quality and reduce waste.

Lattakia, Dec. 25 (SANA) A central ceremony marking the 74th National Tree Day was held on Thursday at the Bayt Halibiya forest site in the Lattakia countryside, as part of a reforestation campaign implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture to compensate for damage to the vegetation cover caused by wildfires in the province.

The event was held under the slogan “Our forests are an epic written by the sacrifices of our free people,” with the participation of agriculture directorates, emergency and disaster management bodies, volunteer teams and community groups.

Agriculture Minister Amjad Badr said the choice of Bayt Halibiya was due to the extensive damage the area sustained in recent years, particularly in 2023. He explained that some sections required time for natural regeneration, while other plant species remained present at limited levels compared with the overall area. He noted that the site is included in the current season’s reforestation plan.

Minister Badr told SANA that the campaign marks the start of expanding similar reforestation projects under the ministry’s plan to rehabilitate damaged forests and restore vegetation cover.

Lattakia Governor Mohammad Othman said the National Tree Day celebration this year coincides with a broader effort to replant areas affected by fires, noting that the province lost more than 20,000 hectares of green spaces during last summer’s wildfires, requiring sustained work to revive forests and improve mountain landscapes.

For his part, Abdel-Kafi Kiyal, director of the Emergency and Disaster Management Directorate in Lattakia, said the directorate’s participation comes as part of efforts to address the impacts of fires and compensate for losses to forested areas, stressing the importance of coordinated action among all stakeholders to ensure the success of such initiatives.

The activity is part of a series of tree-planting campaigns being carried out in Lattakia province to enhance vegetation cover, rehabilitate damaged sites and contribute to environmental protection and sustainability.

Damascus, Dec.25 (SANA) After more than half a century of authoritarian rule that burdened Syria with severe internal and external challenges, the country entered the year 2025 announcing the beginning of a new chapter in its history—a chapter in which it freed itself from the deposed regime, to rebuild its identity and its place in the region and the world.

This year was not just a number on the calendar, but a pivotal milestone and the start of a strategic launch toward stability, development and openness. The national vision was transformed into tangible steps, from strengthening international relations to launching economic and developmental projects that establish Syria as an active and reliable State.

Active Diplomacy

The year 2025 witnessed unprecedented diplomatic activity, as President Ahmad Al‑Sharaa paid 21 foreign visits to important capitals, in addition to participating in regional and international events. These visits were not merely ceremonial, but carried clear political messages about the new Syria’s desire to rebuild its relations and establish balanced strategic partnerships with various parties.

Enhancing Partnerships

The achievements of the year were not limited to diplomacy, but extended to strategic projects on the ground. Around fifty agreements and memoranda of understanding were signed with Arab and international countries and companies, representing a strategic shift in Syria’s approach toward international openness and rebuilding the interior through multi‑level partnerships. This placed the country on a path of recovery and restored its presence and status as a civilized center and an active developmental partner.

Return to the International Community

On the international level, Syria’s participation in the United Nations General Assembly meetings in New York—at the level of the presidency—after an absence since 1967 was a historic event. President Al‑Sharaa presented the “Syrian story” to the world, affirming Syria’s rejection of partition projects and its determination to cement its position as an active partner in regional and international issues.

The year also witnessed a remarkable development in relations with the United States. President Donald Trump announced from Riyadh on May 13 the lifting of sanctions on Syria, and met the next day with President Al‑Sharaa, then again in New York and later in Washington. He became the first Syrian president to visit the White House since the country’s independence in 1946. These efforts resulted in the lifting of all U.S. sanctions, including the “Caesar Act,” which Trump officially repealed on December 18 after its approval by the Congress.

Year of Construction and Development

By the end of 2025, Syria appears to be on the threshold of a new stage full of opportunities, relying on its diplomatic and economic achievements, determined to turn plans into tangible projects that serve citizens and restore the country to its natural role in the region.

The year 2026 represents an opportunity to consolidate Syria’s position not only on the political and economic map, but also as a stable and active state in regional security, capable of contributing to building a better future for its people and the entire region.

2025 was the birth of the new Syria, a country that ended half a century of authoritarianism, moving toward stability, development and international openness.

MZN

Damascus, Dec. 25 (SANA) Units of the Internal Security Forces in Damascus countryside, in cooperation with the General Intelligence Directorate and in joint coordination with the International Coalition Forces, carried out a precise and high-level security operation in Hutaytet al-Turkman in Al-Malihah area, as part of ongoing efforts to pursue terrorist cells and cut off their sources of support.

The Ministry of Interior said in a statement that the operation resulted in the arrest of the leader of a terrorist cell affiliated with ISIS, following careful monitoring and tracking. Large quantities of various weapons and ammunition were seized, along with documents and papers proving his direct involvement in terrorist activities aimed at destabilizing security and stability in the region.

On Thursday, specialized units of the Ministry of Interior, in cooperation with the General Intelligence Directorate and the International Coalition Forces, carried out two security operations. The first targeted one of ISIS’s hideouts in Maadamiya, southwestern Damascus, resulting in the arrest of the group’s local leader in Damascus (Wali of Damascus) and several of his aides. The second operation in the town of Al-Buweida, near Qatana southwest of Damascus resulted in the neutralization of Mohammed Shahadeh, also known as Abu Omar Shaddad, one of ISIS figure known as the “Wali of Hauran.”

Damascus, Dec. 25 (SANA) Syria is set to introduce a new national currency starting January 1, 2026, the Governor of the Central Bank of Syria, Abdulkader Husarieh, announced on Thursday.

Husarieh described the move, outlined in Decree No. 293 of 2025, as a “pivotal national milestone” and the beginning of a new economic and monetary phase for the country.

Under the decree, the Central Bank has been granted authority to set the timelines and locations for the currency exchange, Husarieh said, pledging that the process will be smooth and well-organized. He added that the procedures will be explained clearly and transparently during a dedicated press conference, aimed at enhancing public confidence and reinforcing the partnership between the bank and citizens.

Speaking on the significance of the new currency, Husarieh said it symbolizes Syria’s financial sovereignty following liberation and represents a step toward economic stability and development.
He added that the initiative is a national achievement that builds on the country’s post-liberation accomplishments and is being implemented through the coordinated efforts of the Central Bank and other relevant sectors.

Quneitra, Dec. 25 (SANA) Israeli occupation forces opened fire on Thursday on a group of civilians near the village of al-Asheh in the southern Quneitra countryside.

SANA’s reporter in Quneitra said the forces targeted civilians while they were gathering mushrooms in the area.

On Wednesday, an Israeli unit assaulted women and children who were collecting mushrooms in the area between the villages of al-Adnaniyah and Ruwaihiniyah in the northern Quneitra countryside, launching smoke bombs at them.

Meanwhile, the occupation forces moved to expand the positions they occupy in Tal al-Ahmar al-Gharbi in the southern Quneitra countryside, where they have been stationed since the fall of the former regime. They erected earthen berms and carried out fortification and reinforcement of existing positions.

Syria has repeatedly called for the withdrawal of Israeli forces from its territory, affirming that all measures taken by Israel in southern Syria are null and void and have no legal effect under international law.

Damascus, Dec. 25 (SANA) Officials from the General Secretariat of the Presidency conducted an inspection tour at the General Organization for Social Insurance on Thursday to review its administrative, financial, and investment operations.

The officials stressed that the institution’s investments should be safe and highly profitable, with minimal risk. They recommended establishing two separate units: one to study projects and another to implement them.

The officials also reviewed data management, digital transformation, human resources, administrative inefficiencies, and the absence of a modern insurance system.

They discussed the institution’s main challenges, including its financial situation, legislative obstacles, and the lack of effective working mechanisms. They emphasized the need to strengthen the Board of Directors’ role and implement comprehensive reforms to improve performance and services.

The General Organization for Social Insurance is a government body that provides social protection to public and private sector employees by managing pension systems and work injury insurance. It collects contributions and pays pensions and compensation in cases of retirement, disability, or death, while also providing comprehensive insurance coverage for various segments of society.

R.H

Damascus, Dec. 25 (SANA) Syrian security forces have conducted a second operation against ISIS members in the Damascus area, killing a senior ISIS figure known as the “Wali of Hauran.”

The Interior Ministry said that specialized units in Damascus countryside, working with the General Intelligence Directorate and in coordination with international coalition forces, carried out a precise operation in the town of Al-Buweida, near Qatana southwest of Damascus. The operation was based on verified intelligence and careful field surveillance.

The ministry said the raid resulted in the neutralization of Mohammed Shahadeh, also known as Abu Omar Shaddad, one of ISIS’s senior commanders in Syria, who posed a direct threat to local security and the safety of residents.

The ministry emphasized that the operation reflects effective coordination between national security agencies and international partners, and forms part of ongoing efforts to preemptively strike terrorist groups, strengthen stability, and protect civilians.

On Wednesday, internal security forces also carried out an operation targeting an ISIS hideout in Maadamiya, southwestern Damascus resulting in the arrest of the group’s local leader in Damascus (Wali of Damascus) and several of his aides.

Ankara, Dec.25 (SANA) The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office announced on Thursday that Turkish authorities have detained 115 suspects linked to the ISIS terrorist organization following intelligence indicating plans to carry out attacks during Christmas and New Year celebrations in the country.

According to a statement cited by Turkey’s Anadolu Agency, investigations conducted by the Counterterrorism Directorate of the Istanbul Security Department revealed information suggesting that ISIS was preparing assaults targeting non-Muslims during the holiday period.

The statement said that simultaneous raids were carried out at 124 locations across Istanbul, during which firearms, ammunition and a number of organizational documents were seized. The operations resulted in the arrest of 115 suspects, while efforts are continuing to apprehend others who remain at large.

Two days earlier, Turkish intelligence announced the capture of a senior ISIS leader in an operation conducted in the border region between Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Earlier this month, on December 5, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said that 233 individuals suspected of either belonging to or financing ISIS were arrested during coordinated security operations carried out across several Turkish provinces.

Daraa, Dec.25 (SANA) A school vaccination campaign targeting first- and sixth-grade students of basic education was launched on Wednesday in schools across Daraa city and its surrounding areas in southern Syria, benefiting around 10,000 male and female pupils.

Ali al-Hariri, head of the School Health Department at the Daraa Directorate of Education, said the campaign was launched at the governorate level, starting from Daraa city, and will continue until all targeted pupils receive the required vaccines.
He added that all medical supplies, transportation and logistical requirements needed to ensure the success of the campaign have been secured.

Al-Hariri said the general health situation in all Daraa schools is good, with no infectious diseases or epidemics recorded, based on regular reports submitted by doctors and health assistants who carry out periodic school visits.

Health assistant Fatima Muslimani said the campaign will later expand to include all schools across Daraa governorate, targeting around 60,000 pupils in total, in line with the approved plan.

A number of students highlighted the importance of the vaccination campaign in protecting their health, expressing appreciation for the efforts of the School Health Department in providing essential vaccines and monitoring public health conditions in schools.

The school vaccination campaign comes as part of the Ministry of Education’s strategy, implemented in cooperation with the Ministry of Health, to limit the spread of diseases affecting children through continued supplementary vaccination programs.

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Damascus, Dec.25 (SANA) The Damascus countryside branch of the Syrian Union of Visual Artists opened on Wednesday an art exhibition titled “Syria through the Eyes of Visual Artists,” featuring around 45 artworks by 34 artists at the Louay Kayyali Hall in the Arab Cultural Center in Damascus.

The exhibited works represent a range of artistic schools, including realism, expressionism, abstraction and cubism, alongside documentary-style pieces that reflect the suffering of Syrians during the years of the Syrian revolution and capture details of their daily lives.

Mahmoud Salem, head of exhibitions and activities at the Damascus countryside branch of the union, said in a statement to SANA that the exhibition comes as a national artistic celebration accompanying Syrians’ joy over victory and liberation.

He noted that artists expressed this stage through brush, color and creative work, in the same way the Syrian street conveys its feelings and experiences.

Salem said realism and expressionism are among the artistic approaches closest to expressing the current situation in Syria, given their ability to convey pain and hope together with direct visual honesty. He stressed, however, the artist’s freedom to choose style and tools, while respecting all schools of visual art.

Salem emphasized that art today plays a central role in reinforcing national awareness, describing the artist as an integral part of society whose artwork serves as a visual document reflecting the life, emotions and experience of the Syrian people at a pivotal stage.

The exhibition opening was attended by the head of the Syrian Union of Visual Artists, Mohammad Sobhi al-Sayyid Yahya, along with a large gathering of artists and intellectuals.

The Damascus countryside branch of the union has organized a series of exhibitions in several areas of the governorate to mark Liberation Day, the most recent of which was an exhibition by artist Abdul Latif Hashem at the Cultural Center in Zabadani.

DOHA, Dec.25 (SANA) Syrian national team weightlifter Mohammad Al-Kateb won a total of 14 medals at the Arab Weightlifting Championships, the West Asia Weightlifting Championships and the Qatar Cup, which are currently being held in Doha, the capital of Qatar, in the Gulf region.

At the Arab Championships, Al-Kateb secured three medals — gold, silver and bronze — in the youth category, in addition to two silver medals in the men’s category.

In the West Asia Championships, he won three gold medals in the youth category and three silver medals in the men’s category.

Al-Kateb added further podium finishes at the Qatar Cup, earning one silver medal and two bronze medals.

Other Syrian lifters also recorded notable results. Khaled Amiesh won three bronze medals in the West Asia youth category, while young athlete Lujain Zarqa claimed three gold medals in the West Asia girls’ category and three silver medals in the Arab Championships girls’ category.

The competitions are part of the official regional calendar of Olympic weightlifting and feature youth and senior lifters from Arab and West Asian countries.