SANA - Syrian Arab News Agency

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Sunday congratulated Tufan Erhurman on his victory in the presidential elections in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC).

In a post on the Turkish social media platform NSosyal, Erdogan said: “This election has once again demonstrated the democratic maturity of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus,” adding that the Turkish Cypriot people’s “will has been clearly reflected at the ballot box.” He expressed hope that the outcome would benefit both countries and the broader region.

The head of the Supreme Electoral Council in TRNC, Bertan Özerdağ, announced on Sunday that Erhurman won 62.76% of the vote, defeating independent candidate and incumbent President Ersin Tatar, who received 35.81%. Voter turnout stood at 64.87%.

Erhurman has held several political and governmental positions in Northern Cyprus. In 2013, he became a member of parliament for the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) and served as the party’s Secretary-General in 2015. He was elected as the party’s president in 2016 and also served as the Prime Minister of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus in a coalition government formed in 2018.

The joint Syrian-Italian archaeological mission has resumed its excavation, research, and documentation work at the Tel al-Samhaneh site in the village of Al-Bassa, Lattakia governorate, after a hiatus of more than a year.

Dr. Lorenzo Alfonso, head of the Italian team, told SANA that Tel al-Samhaneh was a small settlement dating back to the Late Bronze Age-a period before the classical era, when the region was known for the kingdom of Ugarit. Ugarit has long been a focal point for Syrian and French archaeologists.

The Italian archaeologist noted that Tel al-Samhaneh had not been the focus of previous excavations. However, it is now the core project of the Syrian-Italian mission. “This year, for the first time, we have an archaeobotanist and a zooarchaeologist on site,” he said. “This will allow us to fully excavate plant and animal remains, enabling precise scientific analysis.”

Dr. Alfonso also expressed satisfaction with the smooth approval process to resume work at the site, which proceeded without complications. He praised the warm welcome he received upon returning to Syria and noted that the situation is far better than what many outside the country might imagine.

On the Syrian side, archaeologist Mohammad Radwan from the Lattakia Department of Antiquities emphasized the significance of the Italian mission’s return.

He highlighted its role in revitalizing international cooperation in archaeological research, promoting cultural and scientific exchange, and paving the way for future missions-such as the French team, which is expected to return soon to the Ugarit site.
The coming excavations will focus on “studying non-elite communities that once inhabited the Syrian coast near Ugarit”, Radwan said in order to better understand economic relations and trade exchanges among these settlements.

Tel al-Samhaneh is located approximately 800 meters from the mouth of the Northern Great River and close to the seashore. The Syrian-Italian mission began excavations there in 2014, uncovering a series of archaeological layers, some dating to the Byzantine period and others to the Middle and Late Bronze Ages.

Syria’s Higher Committee for People’s Assembly Elections announced on Monday that polling stations will open on Thursday, October 23, in the cities of Ras al-Ain, Tel Abyad, and at the People’s Assembly headquarters in Damascus to elect three members representing parts of Raqqa and Hasakah provinces

Committee spokesperson Nawar Najmeh shared the announcement in a post on the X platform, noting that voting will begin at 9 a.m

Najmeh also added that the remaining seats in Raqqa, Hasakah, and Sweida provinces will remain vacant until security and political conditions allow for additional supplementary elections to be held.

 He emphasized that these vacant seats will not affect the convening of parliamentary sessions or the legitimacy of the assembly’s decisions

Syrian parliamentary elections were held on October 5 in most governorates, but elections in Sweida, and parts of Hasakah and Raqqa were postponed to later dates.

Minister of Local Administration and Environment, Mohammed Anjarani, held talks with QD-SBG, the construction arm of Qatari Diar Real Estate Investment Company.

At the meeting, the minister discussed with the Qatari leading company ways to enhance cooperation in the field of urban investment and explored Qatar’s experience in developing modern cities.

During the meeting, the company’s most prominent projects were reviewed, with a focus on the possibility of transferring expertise and technologies to Syria, which would contribute to supporting reconstruction and urban development efforts.

The visit concluded with a field tour on key urban projects that included the Lusail Plaza project, the Al-Qatifan project, and Barwa City. The minister viewed the latest urban designs and integrated facilities that reflect the development of infrastructure in Qatar.

Chinese researcher Su Junlong has applied artificial intelligence to help people with disabilities communicate more easily through projects focused on social inclusion, emotional support, and smart healthcare.

According to Interesting Engineering, a U.S.-based technology and science website, Su and his team developed an AI-powered platform through a startup that can translate text to and from sign language, bridging communication between people with hearing impairments and the wider community.

The system runs on a lightweight AI model that can operate on smartphones or be integrated into smart glasses that display real-time sign language translation.

The team is also developing new technologies such as lip-to-text translation systems and brain–computer interfaces, which could one day enhance the independence of people with disabilities and help control autonomous vehicles.

Syrian Minister of Public Works and Housing, Mustafa Abdel Razzaq, met with the Chargé d’Affaires of the Japanese Embassy in Damascus and officials from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to explore potential areas of collaboration for Syria’s post-war reconstruction.

The meeting, focused on Japan’s extensive experience in reconstruction, with Minister Abdel Razzaq underscoring the importance of Japan’s expertise in structural safety, disaster management, and urban planning. He stressed that these areas are essential to facilitating the safe return of displaced Syrians and addressing the ministry’s significant challenges in rebuilding the country’s infrastructure.

The head of the JICA delegation expressed the agency’s readiness to offering technical and engineering expertise, as well as supporting capacity-building efforts aiming at assisting the Syrian government in strengthening its reconstruction efforts and improving key infrastructure sectors.

Both sides agreed to initiate a series of specialized technical meetings with relevant stakeholders to lay the foundation for a comprehensive cooperation framework that will define future priorities and action plans.

JICA is one of the leading international organizations supporting development and capacity-building projects in developing nations, with a particular focus on disaster recovery and management.

Since the ceasefire agreement was enacted on October 10, Israeli forces have violated the truce 80 times, resulting in the deaths of 97 Palestinians and leaving 230 others injured, according to the Gaza Government Media Office. These breaches of the ceasefire have further exacerbated the already dire humanitarian crisis in the region.

The office announced late Sunday that at least 44 Palestinians had been killed in 24 hours of Israeli airstrikes targeting schools and homes across Gaza. These attacks represent a clear violation of the ceasefire agreement reached during Sharm El Sheikh summit earlier this month, Palestinian health authorities said.

The office stated in a statement that Israeli forces bombarded multiple locations, including the al-Mawasi area in Khan Younis (southern Gaza), the vicinity of Kamal Adwan Hospital in the north, the town of Al-Zawayda in the central region, and the Al-Tuffah neighborhood in northeastern Gaza City. The airstrikes also left dozens wounded, the majority of whom were women and children.

In addition to the violence, Israeli authorities have closed Gaza’s crossings, preventing the entry of crucial humanitarian aid. UNRWA’s media advisor warned in a statement that the closure would have devastating consequences, particularly for the already overwhelmed medical sector. He also cautioned that Gaza could face the return of widespread famine, following Israel’s decision to block all aid shipments.

The Syrian national judo team won six gold medals and three silver medals on the third day of the Arab Championship for national teams and clubs, currently being held in Iraq.

The six gold medals were won by Majd Haj Qaddour in the 81 kg category, Yamam Issa in the 90 kg, Bashir Haritani in the 100 kg, Laith al-Aar in the over 100 kg, Sandra Obeid in the 63 kg, and Rand Saeed in the 78 kg.

The three silver medals were won by Qusai Batman in the 55 kg category, Raed al-Rahwan in the 60 kg, and Ghufran al-Turki in the over 78 kg.

MHD Ibrahim

President Ahmad al-Sharaa held a meeting, Sunday, with Minister of Culture Mohammed Yassin Saleh , along with several writers and poets.

The meeting dealt with a range of cultural issues, as well as deliberations on the arrangements concerning the national anthem of the Syrian Arab Republic.

MHD Ibrahim

Minister of Emergency and Disaster Management Raed al-Saleh met ,Sunday, Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights Nada al-Nashif to explore ways to boost cooperation in supporting persons with disabilities and enhancing national disaster and emergency response mechanisms.

During the meeting, both sides reviewed the ministry’s efforts to support the most vulnerable groups, particularly persons with disabilities, through the development of digital applications that facilitate access to services during emergencies. They also discussed the role of national centers in strengthening community preparedness.

They stressed the importance of integrating disaster response concepts into educational curricula to foster a culture of prevention and preparedness among future generations. They also underscored the vital role of women in serving society and their active participation in all phases of national efforts.

Minister al-Saleh affirmed that the Syrian government’s vision is based on serving all citizens without discrimination. He highlighted the importance of cooperation with international bodies to enhance the national response system in a way that ensures the protection of vulnerable groups during emergencies.

MHD Ibrahim

Syrian Ministry of Education participated in a regional workshop organized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in Beirut, bringing together representatives from 14 Arab countries to discuss education’s role in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals across the region.

The workshop focused on challenges facing education amid climate change and emphasized the need to update curricula and improve school environments to align with sustainable development priorities.

During his remarks, Mohamed Saed Kaddour, Director of Education at the ministry, presented a national plan to develop eco-friendly schools in both public and private sectors. The plan centers on strategies and technologies that promote positive environmental behavior among students and leverage administrative expertise to strengthen environmental awareness and character development.

Syria’s participation in the workshop underscores its ongoing commitment to advancing the education system and empowering younger generations with sustainability values — a step that contributes to achieving comprehensive and sustainable development across the Arab region.

Amer Dhawa

Lebanese Foreign Minister Yousef Raji announced that Lebanon and Syria have entered a new phase in their bilateral relations, one grounded in mutual respect for sovereignty and a commitment to noninterference in each other’s internal affairs.

Raji during a meeting with a delegation from the “Journalists for Freedom association”, reaffirmed Lebanon’s commitment to fostering positive relations with all nations and noted that “the pending issues with Syria are progressing in the right direction, albeit at a measured pace.”

Earlier this month, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan Al-Shaibani led a high-level delegation to Beirut, where he met with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and Foreign Minister Raji.

During the visit, Al-Shaibani underscored the deep-rooted ties between Syria and Lebanon and affirmed the two countries’ determination to open a new chapter based on mutual respect, cooperation and the resolution of outstanding issues in a manner that serves the interests of both peoples.

Amer Dhawa

Syrian Justice Minister Mazhar Al-Weis met on Thursday with Saudi Ambassador Faisal bin Saud Al-Mujfel in Damascus to explore ways to strengthen judicial and legal ties between the two countries.

The talks focused on enhancing collaboration frameworks, exchanging expertise, and modernizing legal systems to better serve citizens and uphold the rule of law.

Both sides emphasized the importance of continued dialogue and coordination to deepen the historic ties between Syria and Saudi Arabia.

Syrian Energy Minister Mohammad Al-Bashir met on Thursday with Khalifa Abdullah Al Mahmoud, chargé d’affaires at the Qatari embassy in Damascus, to explore ways of strengthening bilateral cooperation in the energy sector.

The meeting highlighted existing partnerships, opportunities for development, and Qatar’s supportive role in advancing Syria’s energy infrastructure.

Mohammed Al-Ahmad, Director of Arab Affairs at the Syrian Foreign Ministry, also attended the meeting.

Syrian Minister of Social Affairs and Labor, Hind Kabawat, discussed on Thursday with Turkish Minister of Labor, Vedat Işıkhan, aspects of enhancing bilateral cooperation in labor-related fields and the return of Syrian refugees.

The meeting comes on the sidelines of the 6th Islamic Conference of Labor Ministers. Both sides agreed to continue coordination through future meetings, paving the way for studying the signing of memorandums of understanding to boost cooperation between the two countries.

Syria, along with delegations from member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, participated in the two-day conference held in Doha, Qatar, under the theme: “Local Experiences, Global Achievements, Success Stories in the Islamic World.

Mazen

Amnesty International has called for the urgent release of Hamza Al-Amareen, a Syrian Civil Defense volunteer who was kidnapped in mid-July while carrying out a humanitarian mission in Sweida province. The organization holds armed groups operating outlaw accountable for his disappearance.

“Hamza Al-Ammarin was sent on July 16 by the Syrian Civil Defense Center to the city of Sweida in response to a call from the United Nations, following the outbreak of clashes in the province,” the organization said in a statement on Thursday, adding that evening, he contacted his family to reassure them he was safe. The next morning, an unknown individual answered his phone, briefly confirmed Hamza was fine, then hung up. No further contact has been made since.

According to family testimonies, Hamza was driving a marked Civil Defense vehicle and escorting evacuated civilians when an armed group intercepted them near Al-Omran roundabout. The civilians were released, but Hamza and the vehicle were taken. His whereabouts remain unknown since July 17.

Hamza had previously taken part in numerous humanitarian operations across Syria, including rescue efforts after the 2023 earthquake and firefighting missions. His last assignment before the abduction was helping extinguish wildfires in Lattakia.

Minister of Social Affairs and Labor, Hind Kabawat, participated in the opening session of the sixth Islamic Conference of Labor Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), held in the Qatari capital, Doha under the title “Local Experiences, Global Achievements: Success Stories in the Islamic World.”

Running from 15–16 October, the conference brings together government officials, representatives from regional and international organizations, academics, and civil society actors to exchange knowledge, expertise, and best practices.
The gathering serves as a key platform for dialogue on strategies to develop labor markets, strengthen social protection systems, and enhance human capital across member states.
Participants will also review initiatives aimed at tackling unemployment, boosting skills, and supporting sustainable economic and social development.

A delegation from Syria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates held on Thursday a dialogue session in Berlin with members of the Syrian community to discuss improving consular services and strengthening ties between the ministry and Syrians abroad.

Mohammad Abdul Salam, Director of the Expatriates Department, stated that the visit aimed to assess the embassy’s operations, explore service enhancements, and develop a comprehensive reform plan to better serve Syrians in Germany. The delegation emphasized transparency and direct engagement with the community, presenting an overview of Syria’s current challenges and future vision.

The meetings are seen as a first step toward establishing a formal organizational framework for Syrians in Germany and Europe, reinforcing national bonds and encouraging diaspora contributions to Syria’s reconstruction.

The delegation included representatives from four ministry departments: Consular Affairs, Expatriates, Administrative Development, and Shared Services.

The Syrian Ministry of Transport recently engaged in high-level talks with Chinese firms to discuss strategic cooperation on the rehabilitation of the country’s road and railway infrastructure. The initiative aims to boost internal connectivity and strengthen Syria’s links with the broader region and international markets.

Held via video conference with representatives from the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) and China Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC), the discussions focused on Syria’s upcoming transport projects and plans for infrastructure reconstruction, according to a ministry statement.

Minister of Transport Yarub Badr outlined Syria’s vision for partnering with international players like China, showcasing strategic projects intended to reinforce Syria’s geopolitical role as a vital trade corridor connecting East and West, as well as North and South.

The Chinese companies presented technical proposals drawn from their global experience, including projects such as the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed rail in Indonesia and the East-West highway in Algeria.

Both sides explored opportunities to enhance railway transport speeds up to 250 km/h, while emphasizing that implementation will depend on thorough economic assessments and securing adequate funding.

Among the key projects under consideration are the North-South Expressway-a major highway stretching from the Turkish border to the Jordanian border. Another flagship initiative is the regional railway link designed to connect Syria’s rail network with neighboring countries via a North-South corridor linking Europe to the Gulf and the Gulf of Aqaba.

Additional discussions covered Damascus Metro project, alongside digital innovations such as an electronic freight transport platform, digital vehicle registration, ticketing and payment systems, and the integration of electronic weighing scales at ports and border crossings.
This meeting underscores Syria’s commitment to developing its transport infrastructure through strategic projects and reflects its openness to international investment during the critical reconstruction phase.