Saudi, Syrian figures visit Knesset to talk up chances for normalization

A Syrian activist who paid a rare visit to the Knesset Wednesday said new Syrian president Ahmed al-Sharaa had called the movement toward forging peace with Israel a once-in-a-century opportunity, but worried the chance could slip away....

UN-Backed Return of Syrian Refugees from Lebanon Begins Amid Incentives and Lingering Fears

Watan-Lebanon is preparing to repatriate thousands of Syrian refugees this week under a UN-supported plan that offers financial incentives and logistical aid for returnees. This marks the first mass return program since the ouster of President...

Moses Montefiore and the Damascus Affair

Probably the most famous Anglo-Jew of the 19th century, the much-beloved Moses Montefiore (1784-1885) was scrupulously observant of his faith and used his personal standing to further the cause of oppressed Jews everywhere. Between 1827 and 1875,...

Turkey plans to start gas supplies to Syria soon — Energy Minister

VIENNA, July 9. /TASS/. Turkey has connected its gas grid to the Syrian one and plans to start gas supplies to Syria soon, Turkish Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar said at the 9th OPEC International Seminar. "Regarding...

Turkey to supply natural gas to Syria after grid connection

Turkey has connected its gas grid to Syria and plans to supply power-generation gas, Turkish Minister Alparslan Bayraktar announced at the 2025 OPEC Seminar. Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar announced on Wednesday that Turkey has...

Regional aid strengthens Syria’s push to contain Latakia wildfires

2025-07-09T14:35:00+00:00 font Enable Reading Mode A- A A+ Shafaq News – Damascus Syrian firefighting teams are battling for the seventh consecutive day to contain massive wildfires in the Latakia countryside, where nearly 14,000 hectares have...

Syria battles forest fires for third day as Turkey sends help

QASTAL MA'AF: Syrian emergency workers were battling forest fires raging in the coastal province of Latakia on Saturday for a third day in tough conditions as neighbouring Turkey sent assistance. An AFP correspondent saw strong winds fanning the...

Israel to raise defense spending as it steps up regional offensive

Israel will raise defense spending by 42 billion shekels ($12.5 billion) in 2025 and 2026, the country's finance and defense ministries said on Thursday, just a day after its strikes on Damascus, which were part of a series of conflicts Tel Aviv...

SDF, AANES meet Syrian President in Damascus under US-French auspices

2025-07-09T11:15:42+00:00 font Enable Reading Mode A- A A+ Shafaq News – Damascus A delegation from the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) arrived in Damascus on Wednesday for a...

US Rollback of Syria Sanctions Opens Path for Energy Revival

New Mercer On Mission program introduces engineering to Syrian refugee children

A Mercer University team traveled to Jordan this summer to teach robotics, programming and engineering to children in a Syrian refugee camp as part of Mercer On Mission. The Za’atari camp hosts 70,000 to 80,000 refugees, and more than half are...

Syria Rejects Foreign Debt, Eyes Economic Revival

(MENAFN) Abdul Qader Husariya, the head of the Central Bank of Syria, announced on Friday that the nation has no plans to seek financial assistance from outside sources. “Syria, by order of President Ahmad al-Sharaa, will not resort to external...

EU activates Copernicus Satellite System to aid Syria’s firefighting operations

Brussels, SANA–The European Union announced Wednesday the activation of the Copernicus system to support ongoing efforts to combat wildfires in Syria’s Latakia countryside. The EU’s Copernicus program utilizes a wide array of satellites to process...

Syria Rejects External Debt After Economic Breakthrough

(MENAFN) Syria's Central Bank Governor Abdul Qader Husariya delivered a decisive blow to traditional borrowing models Friday, announcing the nation will completely reject external financing under new leadership. "Syria, by order of President Ahmad...

Syria isn't going to borrow from the International Monetary Fund or World Bank

(MENAFN) The head of Syria’s central bank, Abdul Qader Husariya, has announced that the country has no plans to take on debt from external sources. “Syria, by order of President Ahmad al-Sharaa, will not resort to external debt, nor will there be...

Syria Is Gaining Status As The New "land Of Opportunity" In The Middle East

The conditions for the beginning of the process of economic reconstruction have arisen. "I love you too much. Yes, too much - that's why we give so much," is how Donald Trump showered praise on Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during a visit...

Bahrain expresses solidarity with Syria over Latakia wildfires

Manama, SANA -The Kingdom of Bahrain has expressed its solidarity with the Syrian Arab Republic in response to the devastating wildfires that have swept through Latakia Governorate, causing significant damage. In a statement carried by the Bahrain...

Syrian authorities evacuate hundreds in Latakia province amid major forest fires

Syrian rescuers evacuated residential areas in Latakia province because of major forest fires, authorities said on Friday. Fires have spreading across large parts of Syria, particularly on the coast, for several days, with firefighters struggling...

Shotgun wedding? Israel and Syria go to the altar

For half a century, the border between Israel and Syria on the Golan Heights was a model of hostile stability. The guns were silent, but deep-seated antagonism prevailed, punctuated by repeated, failed attempts at diplomacy. Now, following the...

Syrian authorities evacuate citizens amid major forest fires

Syrian rescuers were evacuating residential areas in the coastal Latakia province because of major forest fires, authorities said on Friday. Fires have been spreading across large parts of Syria, particularly the coast, for several days, with...