July 2025

President Ahmad al-Sharaa addresses nation after securing the Suwayda (Sweida) ceasefire. (ENAB BALADI)

President announces ceasefire, pledging to protect all minorities and the rule of law

19 July 2025. The Syrian president called Suwayda’s violence “a dangerous turning point,” stating the clashes “nearly spiralled out of control,” and crediting the state’s intervention for calming tensions. He blamed Israel for escalating the crisis and praised the US, along with Turkey, Jordan and neighbouring countries, for brokering the ceasefire. Affirming that Suwayda “remains an integral part of the Syrian state,” he added, “the Druze community forms a fundamental pillar of Syria’s national fabric.”Read more at: ENAB BALADI

US and Jordan join with Syria to ensure Sweida (Suwayda) ceasefire holds

Syria and allies agree on steps to implement the ceasefire

19 July 2025. Immediately following the ceasefire announcement, tri-partite talks were held in Amman, Jordon to consolidate the agreement. The foreign ministers of Syria and Jordan, along with the US special envoy, agreed on operational steps to prevent more bloodshed. The US and Jordan pledged solidarity with Syria and their full support for its unity, stability, and sovereignty. Their joint aim is to guarantee the security of the country and its citizens, and to ensure the rule of law.Read more at: SANA

The Power of Understanding

The word ‘understand’ carries several meanings, but one of the most significant ones is the ability to show a sympathetic or tolerant attitude toward others. Achieving this kind of understanding is a result of our collective evolution—an expression of the wisdom born from the union of heart and mind.

Syria signs agreement with World Food Programme (WFP, video still, 24 July)

The World Food Programme commits to enhancing Syria’s food security

17 July 2025. A strategic partnership agreement was signed by Syria’s Ministry of Economy and Industry and the World Food Programme to develop Syria’s infrastructure for food production and distribution. Calling the partnership ‘an important pillar’ of support, the Syrian official said the agreement would shift the relationship with WFP from relief work to developing an integrated path for improving the efficiency and quality of food production.Read more at SANA

High-level trade talks in Amman on new partnership

Syria and Jordan accelerate cooperation post-Assad

14 July 2025. Syria and Jordan have launched a new phase of economic cooperation, forming a Higher Coordination Council to expand trade, transport, and energy ties. The economic ministers pledged to overcome obstacles and affirmed their commitment to boosting economic cooperation. A robust trade revival is already underway, with over 100,000 trucks crossing the Syrian Jordanian border in seven months. Read more at: SANA

French president Macron and President of AKDN, Rahim Aga Khan, meet in Paris to sign Syrian aid agreement. (Aga Khan Development Network facebook, 12 July)

A consortium of private international agencies pledges support for Syria with French cooperation

11 July 2025. Meeting in Paris, President Emmanuel Macron and Rahim Aga Khan of the AKDN, signed an agreement to cooperate for a “successful and peaceful transition in Syria, to protect human dignity, to enhance resilience, and to resettle displaced people.” Areas of cooperation include responding to urgent humanitarian needs and investing in the foundations for sustainable and long-term development in key sectors of the country.Read more at: SANA

Syrian children return to overcrowded war-damaged schools after years of civil war. (Al Jazeerah English video still, March 2025)

Turkey to aid in rebuilding and expanding Syria’s damaged educational system

11 July 2025. Syria and Turkey signed a protocol to rehabilitate war-damaged schools, expand educational opportunities, and strengthen cultural ties. Turkey will aid in school reconstruction and technical support. The agreement includes licensing Turkish schools in Syria, mutual support for staff permits, teacher training, curriculum reform, and vocational education. A joint working group will oversee implementation, with plans for a broader education pact and bilingual programs underway.Read more at: ENAB BALADI

Al-Sharaa and Mazloum Abdi sign deal to integrate SDF into Syrian state – March 10, 2025. (Presidency of the Syrian Arab Republic)

Damascus reasserts: “One Syria, One Army, One Government”

10 July 2025. Responding to the delayed implementation of the March agreement with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, the Damascus government reaffirmed its “One Syria” stance. It rejected partition of any kind, while welcoming any path that would enhance the unity and territorial integrity of Syria. The statement emphasized the importance of a unifying national identity and engagement of all peoples in the Syrian national project, stating “The Kurdish component has always been and remains an integral part of Syria’s diverse fabric.” Read more at: ENAB BALADI

Information Minister says, without a free and responsible media Syria has no future. (SANA)

National media to counter extremism and hate speech

10 July 2025. Syrian Information Minister, Hamza al-Mustafa, met in Berlin with officials of the German Foreign Ministry and discussed Syria’s commitment to creating a free and pluralistic national media. Stating that establishing journalistic ethics is a priority, he noted that the ministry has already begun to tackle hate speech and disinformation. The German minister conveyed high respect for Syria’s development of a free media while undergoing a difficult transition and pledged her nation’s help.Read more at: SANA

A view from the Roman amphitheatre overlooking the ancient city of Palmyra. (Asharq Al-Awsat, ENAB BALADI)

A $5M initiative to begin restoring Syria’s cultural heritage

9 July 2025. The International Alliance for the Protection of Heritage in Conflict Areas (ALIPH) launched a $5 million, two-year program to safeguard Syria’s cultural heritage. The initiative will restore archaeological sites, historical neighbourhoods, religious structures, museums, and monuments, and will train heritage experts. In partnership with Syria’s Directorate-General of Antiquities and Museums (DGAM), ALIPH plans to rehabilitate Palmyra, whose destruction was a key factor in founding ALIPH.Read more at: ENAB BALADI

The Legacy of Ancient Syria

To understand any nation, especially one whose origins date back many thousands of years, we need to know something about the forces that shaped it. A positive outcome of the long history of trade, turmoil, and constant population shifts is that ancient Aram/Syria became a true melting pot, laying the foundations for a pluralistic civilization. Syria is one of the most multicultural nations in the Middle East, if not the world.

Drone show illuminates Syria’s new emblem during celebrations at Ummayad Square, Damascus, 5 July. (SANA English Official on X)

A people-powered symbol of Syria’s rebirth

6 July 2025. Minister of Information, Hamzah al-Mustafa declared: “With the launch of the state’s new visual identity, we have announced the beginning of a new Syria… by the people and for the people.” He emphasized that the emblem was crafted “through a participatory process that involved citizens from all backgrounds, both inside and outside the country,” thanking the team for their “dedication and tireless efforts.”Read more at: SANA

British Foreign Secretary David Lammy (left) in Damascus with President al-Sharaa. (SANA:AFP July 5th on The Guardian)

UK reestablishes relations with Syria after 14 years

5 July 2025. UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy visited Damascus, meeting with President Ahmad al-Sharaa and Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani to restore diplomatic ties. He said: “…it is in our interests to support the new government to deliver their commitment to build a stable, more secure and prosperous future for all Syrians.” The two nations also agreed to reopen Syria’s London embassy and form a joint Economic Council. In addition, Lammy pledged £96.5 million in aid.Read more at: THE GUARDIAN

Transitional president Ahmad al-Sharaa speaks at unveiling of Syria’s new national emblem. (SANA on ENAB BALADI)

Golden Eagle symbolizes Syria’s new collective identity

3 July 2025. Syria unveiled its new national visual identity at the People’s Palace, introducing the Golden Eagle emblem, signifying sovereignty rooted in historical and revolutionary symbolism. President Ahmad al-Sharaa declared, “The identity we launch today represents an indivisible, united Syria,” describing his vision of the new government as “emerging from the people and serving them.” The emblem reflects unity, empowerment, and a redefined state-citizen relationship. Read more at: ENAB BALADI

A Syrian family crosses back into their homeland via the Kasab border connecting Syria and Turkey. (ENAB BALADI)

Hundreds of thousands of citizens stream home to rebuild Syria

2 July 2025. More than 485,000 Syrians from neighboring countries returned home in the first half of 2025, with 275,000 returning from Turkey alone. Many thousands more from non-neighboring countries returned permanently, aided by streamlined border procedures and fee waivers. The border authority continues staff training and modernization efforts, establishing growing confidence in Syria’s return infrastructure and the nationwide movement supporting stabilization and reintegration.Read more at: ENAB BALADI

Terrorists or Heroes?

Can a person who committed acts of terrorism become a national leader and a warrior for peace and unity? To most people this would seem like an unresolvable paradox, a virtual impossibility. Yet world history provides numerous examples of individuals who have used violence in struggles for just causes and who later became admired political figures, leading nations and fighting for the welfare of their people.

Signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the UAE and Syria to build Damascus Gateway media city. (L24:Social Media, July 2nd)

Race to overcome years of destruction with international cooperation

1 July 2025. In a period of 48 hours, Syria signed three major agreements with international firms to accelerate its recovery. The most ambitious is the “Damascus Gateway” city, intended to become a regional and global hub for media, the arts and tourism, with initial investment from the UAE. Agreements were also signed with a US company to build two solar power stations, significantly increasing the power supply, and with a French company to restore 37 bridges that will ease movement between regions. Read more at SANA

New Face of Syria