Archives

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

Syria’s search for missing persons is one of its most urgent humanitarian concerns. (IIMP Syria on UN News)

UN praises Syria’s moves to reveal the fate of missing persons and tackle human rights violations of previous regime

27 June 2025. Syria’s interim authorities have formed two national bodies to trace over 100,000 individuals who went missing under Assad and to address systemic abuse. UN Commission Chair Paulo Sérgio Pinheiro observed that recent attacks, since March 2025, were “in part a response to five decades of systematic crimes…” He praised President al-Sharaa’s commitment to hold accountable all those responsible and to restore confidence in state institutions. Read more at: UN NEWS

Syria’s government applauds Dutch and Canadian efforts at ICJ to hold accountable perpetrators of torture under the former regime. (SANA)

Torture and related crimes under Assad are pursued at the International Court of Justice

27 June 2025. On the UN Day for the Convention Against Torture, Syria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed vigorous legal proceedings by the Netherlands and Canada, at the ICJ, targeting systematic torture and other crimes committed by the Assad regime. The Syrian government is committed to a victim-centered approach to uncovering the crimes. Its newly formed Transitional Justice Commission has guaranteed the non-recurrence of such transgressions against its citizens. Read more at: SANA

Reviving the electricity sector is crucial to improving Syrian life. (SANA)

World Bank injects millions to jumpstart Syria’s power grid and economic recovery

25 June 2025. The World Bank approved a $146 million grant to help establish reliable and affordable electricity and promote the nation’s economic recovery. The Syria Emergency Electricity Project will repair key transmission lines and substations, and support electricity sector development. The Bank’s Middle East director, Jean-Christophe Carret, called this the “first step in a planned increase in World Bank support to Syria on its path to recovery and development.”Read more at: SANA

Representatives from Syrian civil society meet in a “Damascus Spring” session on 25 April 2025. (Enab Baladi:Anas al-Khouli)

The new Syrian government welcomes the resurgence of civil society

24 June 2025. Since the fall of Assad, civil society in Syria has flourished. Renewed energy is empowering progress in fields of justice, education, health, and women’s rights. The new government embraces NGOs as essential partners in national renewal, registering over 600 hundred organizations since January. Advocates of the new relationship between society and state report growing trust, open dialogue, transparency, inclusivity and a shared commitment to building a unified Syria.Read more at: ENAB BALADI

Members of the board of the US-Syria Business Council, Issam Ghreiwati and Abdul Hamid al-Akel. (US-Syria Business Council)

US-Syria Business Council seeks to build economic bridges and foster shared prosperity

24 June 2025. The newly established US-Syria Business Council aims to boost economic ties following the lifting of U.S. sanctions. It will serve as a gateway for US companies and banks to invest in Syria, and for Syrians living outside the country to contribute their business and technological expertise to key sectors such as agriculture, energy, tech, and infrastructure. A main goal is to increase the value of trade between Syria and the US. Read more at: ENAB BALADI

Syria’s Youth rise with hope and purpose in Deir Ezzor’s first Empowerment Conference. (Photo: SANA)

Youth Lead the Way: Conference sparks hope for Syria’s future

21 June 2025. Over 100 young Syrians gathered in the eastern province of Deir Ezzor for the inaugural youth conference, “Youth: Rise and Construction.” Governor Ghassan Sayyed Ahmad emphasized the vital role of youth in Syria’s post-war recovery, calling them a cornerstone of national rebuilding. Workshops addressed social, political, and economic issues; participants presented ideas to restore Syria after decades of conflict, repression, and widespread destruction.Read more at: SANA

Governor of Syria’s Central Bank welcomes the lifting of Swiss sanctions. (Photo: SANA)

Syria’s relations with Switzerland enter a new chapter

21 June 2025. Syria’s Central Bank Governor, Abdul Qader al-Hasriya, welcomed Switzerland’s decision to lift sanctions on Syria, calling it a key step in rebuilding bilateral financial and trade ties. Mentioning Syria’s historic cooperation with Swiss banks, he expressed hope for constructive collaboration that would bolster Syria’s national economy and advance shared interests. Read more at: SANA

UN’s Najat Rochdi hails Syria’s move to hold parliamentary elections in briefing to Security Council. (UN TV video still on SANA website)

UN welcomes Syria’s plans for People’s Assembly elections

18 June 2025. Syria’s formation of a Supreme Electoral Committee—announced by President Ahmad Al-Sharaa—was welcomed by UN Deputy Special Envoy Najat Rochdi who called it “the next vital step in the political transition.” She and other UN officials called for international support of the new government, coping with vast humanitarian and other challenges in this fragile but pivotal phase of recovery. Read more at: SANA

France’s UN ambassador calls for cooperative global efforts to safeguard Syria’s progress. (Photo: SANA)

France urges immediate, coordinated global action to support Syria’s transition

18 June 2025. Jérôme Bonnafont, France’s Permanent Representative to the UN, called for urgent global action to safeguard Syria’s fragile transition and to “offer the country a chance to become a hub of regional stability.” In a June 12th statement to the UN’s General Assembly, he wrote: “France stands alongside the Syrian people to ensure that the immense hopes raised since December 2024 are not disappointed.” Read more at: SANA

Jordan’s Foreign Minister, in Berlin, urges joint international efforts to aid Syria. (Photo: SANA)

Jordan calls for cooperative efforts of all countries to help rebuild Syria

18 June 2025. Jordan’s Foreign Minister, Ayman Safadi, speaking in Berlin alongside his German counterpart, Johann Wadephul, emphasized the need for global cooperation to support Syria’s reconstruction and safeguard its sovereignty and citizens’ rights. He praised Syria’s efforts toward rebuilding a free, independent nation and welcomed the Syrian-German agreement to form an economic cooperation council, calling it a vital step in improving the lives of Syrians after years of conflict.Read more at: SANA

Italy and Syria discuss areas of cooperation in internet communications technology. (Photo: SANA)

“Silk Link” project aims to transform Syria into a regional and international internet hub

18 June 2025. Syria’s Minister of Communications, Abdul Salam Haykal, and Italy’s ambassador to Syria, Stefano Ravagnan, discussed an alliance to develop Syria’s digital infrastructure. Minister Haykal unveiled the nation’s bold plans to create an internet hub and its goal of connecting 85% of the country, via fiber optics, within two years. Italy’s ambassador welcomed renewed relations with Syria and expressed the interest of Italian firms in supporting Syria’s ICT sector.Read more at: SANA

For Hassan Ali al-Mikdad, his damaged home in Syria holds more meaning than life in an asylum country, it carries memories of revolution and triumph (Photo: SANA)

A homecoming of hope: Syrian families return to Busra al-Sham, Daraa, after years in exile

13 June 2025. After 12 years in Jordan’s Zaatari camp, Syrian refugees have returned to their hometown of Busra al-Sham in Daraa. The extent of the devastation they encountered was far greater than what they expected to find, yet some have managed to rebuild parts of their homes. One man said the joy of being in his home outweighs the hardships, as it stirs memories of the revolution and the victory. Since the fall of Assad, over a half million Syrians are estimated to have returned as of mid-May.Read more at: SANA

Hind Kabawat (centre), Minister of Social Affairs and Labor, joins the Syrian delegation at the Global Coalition for Social Justice Forum (Photo: SANA)

Syria reaffirms commitment to social justice at global forum in Geneva

12 June 2025. A Syrian delegation led by Hind Kabawat, Minister of Social Affairs and Labor, participates in the Global Coalition for Social Justice Forum, held alongside the 113th International Labor Conference in Geneva. The Ministry affirms that Syria’s presence highlights its ongoing commitment to social justice, international cooperation, and sustainable development. The delegation focuses on protecting vulnerable groups and promoting labor rights and workplace fairness.Read more at: SANA

Rabbi Abraham Cooper, Associate Dean of the Simon Wiesenthal Center, in his Los Angeles office on December 10, 2015 (REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni/File Photo)

Faith meets diplomacy: interfaith visit to Syria sparks dialogue on peace prospects

11 June 2025. Reverend Johnnie Moore and Rabbi Abraham Cooper, long-time advocates of interfaith dialogue in Arab nations, visited Syria to promote peace efforts and held talks with Syria’s president, Ahmad al-Sharra, who is Muslim. Speaking to Reuters after the trip, Moore expresses optimism about future peace, stating it is “very possible, if not probable,” adding that Syria must prioritize internal stability before broader regional progress can take place.Read more at: REUTERS Subscription needed to read whole article.

US Special Envoy to Syria, Thomas Barrack, describes President Ahmad al-Sharaa as ‘a pivotal figure in the rebuilding of Syria’ (Photo: SANA)

US diplomat underscores power of hope in the face of harsh reality

11 June 2025. Ambassador Barrack praises Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa for his leadership of Syria’s reconstruction, saying the government is handling the situation “in the best way possible.” He stated that by lifting sanctions, the US hopes to remove obstacles to Syria’s economic recovery and that it seeks transparency, not control. “A drop of hope may be more powerful than a tank full of a bad reality,” the ambassador said.Read more at: SANA

A guard examines a 1,500-year-old Byzantine engraved stone unearthed during post-war reconstruction in Maarat al-Numan, Syria, May 30. (© Omar Albam, AP)

Ancient Byzantine tomb found beneath war-ravaged Syrian home

10 June 2025. As residents return to rebuild after years of conflict, a 1,500-year-old Byzantine tomb, marked by Christian symbols and artifacts, was uncovered beneath a war-damaged home in Maarat al-Numan, northern Syria. The archaeological discovery highlights the rich and complex heritage of Idlib province. With over 800 sites, including an ancient city, it holds a third of Syria’s monuments.Read more at: FRANCE 24

IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi speaks in Vienna on June 18, 2025, describing recent joint efforts with Syria as “a new beginning” in bilateral cooperation. (Photo: SANA)

Syria and the International Atomic Energy Agency forge a new chapter in nuclear and humanitarian cooperation

9 June 2025. Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi announces that recent developments between Syria and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) mark a “new beginning” in their cooperation. Speaking at the Agency’s Governors’ Council in Vienna, he calls Syria’s decision to grant full and unrestricted access to nuclear sites “an important step towards enhancing transparency and building mutual trust.” He also confirms the signing of agreements under the “Atoms for Food” and “Hope Radiation” initiatives, which aim to enhance humanitarian and technical support in areas such as agriculture, nutrition, and cancer care.Read more at: SANA

« Previous
1
…
12
13
14
15
Next »

New Face of Syria