September 2025

UN Secretary-General António Guterres met Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa at UN headquarters in New York during the 80th General Assembly. (UN)

Syria Returns to global stage with UN address and diplomatic breakthroughs

28 September 2025. In a historic speech to the UN General Assembly, the first by a Syrian head of state since 1967, Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa declared: “Here is Syria today, returning to its worthy position among the nations of the world.” He acknowledged Arab, Islamic, US, and EU allies for their support in Syria’s rebuilding, and later held meetings with high officials of several nations including Ukraine, with which diplomatic ties were restored.Read more at: LEVANT24

Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa makes surprise appearance in Idlib following his return from the UN General Assembly in New York. (SANA)

Al-Sharaa said to fellow Syrians in post-UN talk: “You astonished the world.”

27 September 2025. President Ahmad al-Sharaa chose Idlib, where the movement that brought an end to tyranny was born, for his first speech after returning from his UN engagements. Declaring that Syria had “reclaimed its historical place among nations,” he praised Syrians’ wartime sacrifices for regaining the nation’s dignity and pride. Noting the universal support received for Syria’s territorial integrity, stability and unity, he stated: “Our strength lies in our unity, and unity is mercy while division is torment.”Read more at: LEVANT24

Hind Kabawat, Minister of Social Affairs and Labor, speaks at 30th anniversary of the World Programme of Action for Youth. (SANA)

Syrian youth are “turning struggle into strength” for the country’s future

26 September 2025. Minister Kabawat represented Syria at the UN General Assembly’s high-level meeting on youth, describing her role as a messenger for “the voices and aspirations of Syrian youth” from all provinces and all ethnic, religious and cultural backgrounds. Despite their diversity, she noted, they share the same aspirations for “dignity, justice, and the opportunity to build a meaningful future.” Even through hardship, she reflected, “the resilience of our youth led the way forward.”Read more at: SANA

Ahmad al-Sharaa UN speech 24 Sept

President Ahmad al-Sharaa introduces the new Syria to the world

26 September 2025. The videos below report on the significance of the Syrian president’s appearance at the UN 80th General Assembly.

Syrian transitional president Ahmad al-Sharaa at the Concordia Summit in New York, an annual global forum for government leaders, business executives, and nonprofit organizations. (Concordia-X)

Al-Sharaa calls for Israeli withdrawal as Syria seeks unity, stability, economic renewal, and peace

23 September 2025. Israel’s aggression toward Syria was underscored in the president’s remarks at the Concordia Summit, an annual global dialogue held alongside the General Assembly. Al-Sharaa stated that security concerns with Israel could best be addressed through negotiations, not violence, while speaking to many other topics including the lifting of sanctions and talks with SDF. In a twist of fate, his interviewer—the general who commanded US forces in Iraq when the US imprisoned al-Sharaa—lavished praise on his leadership.Read more at: ENAB BALADI

Minister Hind Kabawat addresses High-Level UN meeting on women during 80th UN General Assembly (SANA)

Hind Kabawat issues strong call for women’s dignity and empowerment

23 September 2025. At a major UN conference on women, Minister Hind Kabawat declared that peace and stability are impossible without women’s empowerment and participation. She said she was proud to carry the “voices of Syrian women, along with the voices of women in Gaza, Sudan, and Yemen,” stating what they fear even more than displacement is the absence of schools and health clinics. Kabawat called funding of the UN’s humanitarian response plan for Syria a test of the international community’s credibility.Read more at: SANA

Syria’s Ministry of Education makes major progress in rebuilding schools. (SANA)

Syria announces sweeping effort to rehabilitate schools and modernize education system

23 September 2025. As over 4 million students return to school, Syria’s Ministry of Education renews hope for families with the swift restoration of schools. The ministry announced the completed rehabilitation of 531 schools, with 676 more under restoration across eleven provinces. Forty per cent of schools suffered damage or total destruction during the civil war. The ministry also announced the expansion of efforts to create safe and modern classrooms.Read more at: SANA

Syria’s Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani raises Syrian flag in Washington, September 19, 2025. (L24 Social Media)

Al-Shaibani raises flag over Washington embassy, declaring “Syria is returning”

20 September 2025. Expatriates cheered as Syria’s Foreign Minister raised the nation’s banner over its embassy for the first time in 25 years. His Washington visit marked a diplomatic milestone, as he met with US officials and lawmakers to discuss Syrian-American relations, Syrian-Israel relations, and regional security and stability. Both sides expressed a “renewed openness” to dialogue, with Syria calling the visit “historic” and a step toward rebuilding ties based on mutual respect.Read more at: LEVANT24

Syrian transitional president Ahmad al-Sharaa. (Presidency of the Republic-Facebook)

President al-Sharaa calls security deal with Israel a necessity

18 September 2025. Syrian President al-Sharaa announced progress in security talks with Israel, emphasizing the need for an agreement that respects Syria’s airspace and territorial integrity and is executed with UN oversight. He called Israel’s continuing air strikes and ground incursions since December 8th “extremely dangerous,” and noted that while America is serving as mediator in the talks, the unrelenting bombardment contradicts America’s stated policy of a stable and unified Syria.Read more at: ENAB BALADI

“For an Inclusive and Sustainable Future”—Syria’s first national conference on disability. (L24)

Landmark disability conference in Damascus highlights inclusion and empowerment

18 September 2025. The conference, focusing on the major challenges facing disabled people, was jointly sponsored by two ministries—Social Affairs and Labor and Emergency and Disaster Management—with the involvement of additional ministries and state agencies all working to promote the needs and rights of disabled people and integrate them into society. Minister Hind Kabawat called the issue of disability a developmental and social priority for the new government.Read more at: LEVANT24

Jordan’s FM Ayman Safadi, Syria’s FM Assad al-Shaibani and U.S. envoy Tom Barrack seal pivotal agreement in Damascus, September 16, 2023. (AFP)

Plans for Suwayda’s security announced in trilateral diplomacy

16 September 2025. Syria, Jordan, and the United States announced plans to consolidate the July ceasefire in Suwayda and resolve the conflict that claimed over 250 lives. A list of resolutions comprising the joint initiative includes: continuing humanitarian aid and medical support, working to return 160,000 displaced people, holding accountable all who attacked civilians, and launching a reconciliation process. Foreign Minister Al-Shaibani affirmed the state’s responsibility to restore trust among all groups in Suwayda.Read more at: ALJAZEERA

Academic Summit held at Damascus University, September 15th. (SANA)

Higher education reform a national imperative for rebuilding Syria

15 September 2025. Over 300 academics, students, policymakers and researchers came together at “SAFIR 2025”—Syrian Academic Summit for Innovation, Education, Research and Reform—in the goal of creating a roadmap for higher educational reform that will serve the nation’s development. Minister of Higher Education, Dr. Marwan al-Halabi, outlined a comprehensive set of goals including curriculum modernization, university autonomy, and research excellence.Read more at: SANA

Workshop on professional code of conduct for journalists in Damascus – September 14, 2025. (Enab Baladi-Omar Alaa Eldin)

Syrian journalists and media institutions convene around professional and moral code of ethics

14 September 2025. Media professionals gathered in Damascus to find ways to balance press freedoms with the need to curb social media hate speech destructive of Syria’s transition. “Freedom of expression must not come at the expense of social cohesion,” stated the Syrian Journalists’ Association. 500 journalists and stakeholders are participating in drafting the code. The Syrian government, which has facilitated the process, pledged that state-run media institutions would comply with the code.Read more at: ENAB BALADI

Damascus in Islamic Prophecy

In these turbulent times, as the world appears to slip further into chaos, people are turning to end-times prophecies for guidance or for comfort. Such prophecies exist in several major world religions—Judaism, Christianity, Islam, the three Abrahamic religions—and some lesser-known ones such as Zoroastrianism. All of these ancient revelations predict the appearance of a messianic figure who will raise humanity from the depths of darkness and inaugurate a new era of light.

President al-Sharaa interviewed by host of Syrian tv news channel, September 13th. (video still, Qusay Noor, SANA)

Syrian president pledges new era of political freedom

13 September 2025. In a televised interview, the Syrian leader pledged to expand media freedoms. He stated, “Criticism is not a threat—it is a chance for us to clarify our policies when misunderstood.” Acknowledging the impact of the rise of social media he added, “The world has moved beyond any notion of confining the media in a narrow mold.” He emphasized that freedom within the law is essential for a healthy society, while urging that criticism be constructive and truthful even when harsh.Read more at: SANA

Host of Syrian news channel al-Ikhbariya interviews President al-Sharaa. (video still, Qusay Noor, SANA)

President affirms territorial sovereignty and independence as Syria rebuilds its economy

13 September 2025. In a wide-ranging interview, president al-Sharaa stressed the need for calm relations with all nations as Syria recovers. Emphasizing the primacy of the people’s safety and well-being, he explained that a stable economy involves more than trade and investment. It requires reforming the judicial and educational systems, developing human resources, and providing energy, services, roads, communications, and open relations with neighboring countries, all of which are underway.Read more at: SANA

UN General Assembly briefing in January this year. (UN photo)

Syria rejoins community of nations with president’s address to the UN

12 September 2025. President al-Sharaa will address the world body in a major step toward Syria’s diplomatic reemergence. He will be joined by Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani and Syria’s new UN representative, Ibrahim al-Olabi. This event occurs nine months after the insurgency led by him caused the fall of Assad and opened the path toward democracy. He will meet with other world leaders while in New York.Read more at: LEVANT24

90 tons of medical aid arrive in Damascus from Qatar. (Syrian Foreign Ministry)

Qatar breathes hope into Syria’s ravaged health sector in act of solidarity

9 September 2025. Qatar sent 90 tons of vital aid to Damascus by land and air, including advanced equipment for hospitals devastated by war. Qatar dubbed the initiative “Syria Abshri,” or “Syria, Be Happy”—an expression of Qatar’s responsiveness to Syria’s need. This humanitarian act brings critical support to millions of Syrians across all regions, as the country struggles to rebuild its healthcare system. Over half of all facilities were partially or totally destroyed during years of civil war.Read more at: LEVANT24

Abdulbasit Abdulatif, head of the National Transitional Justice Commission. (SANA)

Government reaches out to civil society to help achieve justice and reconciliation

9 September 2025. Syria’s Transitional Justice Commission was given the mandate of “uncovering the truth about the gross violations committed by the former regime, holding those responsible accountable, redressing the harm suffered by the victims, and consolidating the principles of non-repetition and national reconciliation.” Seeking civil society cooperation, the Chairman met with the Syrian Network for Human Rights, which praised the commission’s openness and offered access to a database of abuses kept since 2011.Read more at: LEVANT24

Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani hosts Syrian-Russian talks at Tishreen Palace in Damascus. (Syrian Foreign Ministry)

Syria holds talks with Russia to reset relations

9 September 2025. Ministers and officials from Russia and Syria met in Damascus to discuss areas of defense, economy, and regional stability. Al-Shaibani described relations between the countries as deep, having gone through stages, but needing balance. Referring to Russian air and naval bases in Syria, he stated that foreign presences in Syria “must serve the Syrian people in building their future.” He welcomed Russia’s cooperation in reconstruction, energy, agriculture, and health on a “fair and transparent” basis.Read more at: ENABBALADI

Based on 14 years of research, Wendy Pearlman stands witness to Syrians’ fight for freedom. (SANA)

American scholar of Syria’s revolution honours the people’s courage to resist oppression

8 September 2025. Wendy Pearlman, a Harvard-trained scholar and professor at Chicago’s Northwestern University, spent 14 years studying the Syrian revolution through testimonies of refugees, migrants, and members of the global Syrian community. She published two books documenting the experiences of revolution, exile, and displacement. Visiting Syria to amplify her research following Assad’s removal, she highlights the beauty of the people, their rich culture and hospitality.Read more at: SANA

Damascus ceremony launches increased Saudi humanitarian aid. (SANA)

Saudi Arabia initiates new humanitarian projects to support Syria’s recovery

8 September 2025. At a ceremony in Damascus on September 7th, Saudi Arabia’s official humanitarian arm, the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center, unveiled a new wave of initiatives across vital sectors, reinforcing the Kingdom’s continuing commitment to Syria’s recovery and resilience. The projects initiated span the fields of health, food security, environmental sanitation, water, community support, rehabilitation, education, and agriculture.Read more at: LEVANT24

President Al-Sharaa launches Syrian Development Fund to help heal and rebuild the nation. (SANA)

“We stand at the threshold of a new phase in Syria’s new history,” President declares

5 September 2025. Inaugurating the Syrian Development Fund, President Ahmad al-Sharaa declared, “We are writing the new history of Syria with our hands, our money, and our efforts.” Underscoring the fact that the ousted regime “destroyed our economy, plundered our money, destroyed our homes, and displaced our people,” he called on Syrians to give financially. “Syria is testing your love and granting you the honor of contributing to healing its wounds and the honor of being part of the history of its reconstruction,” he said.Read more at: SANA

600,000 barrels of crude oil depart from Tartous port. (L24)

Milestone for Syria’s recovering economy marked by first oil export

3 September 2025. Syria re-entered the global oil market with its first export after a 14-year hiatus. With the shipment of 600,000 barrels of heavy oil from Tartous port, the readiness of the oil transport system was confirmed. Despite remaining obstacles, the move represents a significant boost in revitalizing the oil sector and securing needed capital. With new international partnerships, including an $800 million agreement with DP World, the groundwork is being laid for enhancing export capacities.Read more at: LEVANT24

Health Minister Musab al-Ali announces efforts to restore vital medical infrastructure. (Al-Ikhbariya)

Syria’s healthcare system recovering from devastation of war

2 September 2025. Syria’s Health Minister, Musab al-Ali, reported on progress in rebuilding the nation’s medical infrastructure, with cooperation from state agencies, supportive countries and organizations, and local partnerships. Foundation stones have been laid for major hospitals in many provinces, damaged hospitals have been renovated, new clinics have opened, and new equipment delivered. “We are laying the foundations for a health sector that can meet the needs of all Syrians,” al-Ali said.Read more at: LEVANT 24

New Face of Syria