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Syrian and Emirati officials meet in Damascus to discuss major investment opportunities. (SANA)
Syrian and Emirati officials meet in Damascus to discuss major investment opportunities. (SANA)

Syrian and UAE officials discuss massive development projects amid growing Gulf interest in Syria

    8 May 2026.  Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa met an Emirati delegation to discuss development plans for projects in Damascus and Latakia, together valued at over $50 billion, including housing, hotels, and roads. Construction would create over 100,000 jobs supporting economic recovery and reconstruction.Read more at:  LEVANT 24

    Judge Fakhruddin al-Arian, center, in his Damascus courtroom. (Reuters:L24)
    Judge Fakhruddin al-Arian, center, in his Damascus courtroom. (Reuters:L24)

    Judge who defected from Assad regime now leads prosecution of regime figures

      28 April 2026.  Sentenced to death for publicly repudiating judicial abuse under Assad, Judge Fakhruddin al-Arian now heads a criminal court that will prosecute former regime figures. The proceedings will aim to deliver justice for years of criminal abuse. A victim of Assad called the judge’s reinstatement “a correction of history’s course.”Read more at:  LEVANT 24

      Visitors gather at the gateway of the National Museum of Damascus on World Heritage Day, April 18, 2026. (SANA)
      Visitors gather at the gateway of the National Museum of Damascus on World Heritage Day, April 18, 2026. (SANA)

      Cultural ‘marathon’ held in Old City of Damascus on World Heritage Day

        18 April 2026.  Students at Damascus University staged a ‘heritage marathon,’ serving as guides to many ancient sites in the Old City, which has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The event was designed to highlight Syria’s cultural richness and strengthen its appeal as a center of tourism.Read more at:  SANA

        People gather at opening of exhibition featuring young artists, Damascus, April 15, 2026. (SANA)
        People gather at opening of exhibition featuring young artists, Damascus, April 15, 2026. (SANA)

        New exhibit spotlights artwork of emerging artists drawing from personal experience

          16 April 2026.  The “Athar” (“Trace”) exhibition in Damascus brings together 47 works of 16 young artists, presenting realistic paintings that explore personal experiences, local characters, Damascus neighborhoods, Arab identity, plus symbolic expressions of human experience and inner strength.Read more at:  SANA

          Officials and investors attend the launch of The Beaumont Damascus project, initiated by Syria’s Ministry of Tourism and Izdihar Holdings, April 7, 2026. (ENAB BALADI)
          Officials and investors attend the launch of The Beaumont Damascus project, initiated by Syria’s Ministry of Tourism and Izdihar Holdings, April 7, 2026. (ENAB BALADI)

          Syria signs agreement for landmark investment in tourism and development

            8 April 2026.  Syria’s Ministry of Tourism and Izdihar Holdings agreed to develop The Beaumont Damascus, a major hotel and apartment project intended to boost tourism and investment in Syria. It is expected to create thousands of jobs and support economic and social recovery in the coming years.Read more at:  ENAB BALADI

            Shoppers move through a busy marketplace as Dr. Amer Kharboutli, Director of the Damascus Chamber of Commerce, discusses Syria’s economic realities and investment opportunities. (L24)
            Shoppers move through a busy marketplace as Dr. Amer Kharboutli, Director of the Damascus Chamber of Commerce, discusses Syria’s economic realities and investment opportunities. (L24)

            Syria’s market activity returns, says Chamber of Commerce head, with corruption down by 80%

              2 March 2026.  In an interview, Dr. Amer Kharboutli describes Syria’s rapid economic progress, emerging investment opportunities, plus ongoing challenges, noting signs of reduced corruption and renewed market activity driven by people’s resilience and institutional reforms.Read more at:  LEVANT24

              Visitors swarm the Damascus International Book Fair, reflecting Syria’s cultural resurgence. (L24)
              Visitors swarm the Damascus International Book Fair, reflecting Syria’s cultural resurgence. (L24)

              Damascus International Book fair revives intellectual life and world of culture

                5 February 2026.  In his opening address to government ministers, prominent Syrian writers and intellectuals, and Arab political and intellectual figures, President al-Sharaa observed that humanity has long strived for truth, knowledge and the secrets of the world. The international cultural event offered knowledge on innumerable topics, including once-secret knowledge about Syria.Read more at: SANA

                Syrian President Ahmad Sharaa meets with US Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack at the People’s Palace in Damascus on January 18, 2026. (L24)
                Syrian President Ahmad Sharaa meets with US Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack at the People’s Palace in Damascus on January 18, 2026. (L24)

                International community backs Syria’s ceasefire agreement with SDF

                  21 January 2026.  The US, the EU, Turkey and several Arab countries express broad support for Syria’s territorial unity, seeing the deal as a turning point in political and security spheres. US states its support of Syria’s capacity to combat ISIS and withdraws its support from SDF.Read more at: LEVANT 24

                  People out celebrating in the days leading up to the first anniversary of the fall of Assad. (SANA)
                  People out celebrating in the days leading up to the first anniversary of the fall of Assad. (SANA)

                  Liberation celebrations ignite in Umayyad Square starting days before the anniversary

                    7 December 2025.  Several days before the anniversary of Assad’s overthrow, people began to celebrate their freedom in Damascus. “Everything is better, and every month we’re seeing new things. There is hope,” said one woman. Another said: “We were oppressed, but now our sadness has been released.”Read more at:  ALJAZEERA

                    Published on the anniversary, an account of the stunning victory exposes how it happened. (L24)
                    Published on the anniversary, an account of the stunning victory exposes how it happened. (L24)

                    New account reveals years of preparation for revolution’s victory on December 8, 2024

                      26 November 2025.  This inside story unveils the years of planning, strategizing, rigorous training and discipline, coordination of military factions, plus participation of local ministries and citizenry, which led to the capture of Damascus. The leader of the revolutionary coalition said: “Our goal was clear, our preparations were complete, and we relied on God.”Read more at: LEVANT24

                      Syria’s Information Minister, Hamza al Mustafa. assumes chairmanship of 55th session of the Arab Media Council as Arab information ministers convene in Cairo. (SANA)
                      Syria’s Information Minister, Hamza al Mustafa. assumes chairmanship of 55th session of the Arab Media Council as Arab information ministers convene in Cairo. (SANA)

                      Damascus’ reintegration into regional affairs continues with chairmanship of Arab Media Council

                        26 November 2025.  Hamza al-Mustafa presented Syria’s vision of developing a media sector committed to rebuilding public trust and supporting social reconciliation. As council chair, he seeks to move Arab countries from consumers of digital content to active producers who can shape the region’s media.Read more at:  SANA

                        The Turkish foundation for Human Rights and Freedoms and Humanitarian Relief (IHH) opens Damascus office. (SANA)
                        The Turkish foundation for Human Rights and Freedoms and Humanitarian Relief (IHH) opens Damascus office. (SANA)

                        Turkish humanitarian agency expands mission in Syria

                          2 October 2025.  With the opening of its Damascus office, Turkey’s IHH Foundation extends its humanitarian reach across Syria, while aiming to improve efficiency and coordination with local communities. Turkey’s Charge d’Affaires described the new office as a step toward greater support of Syria’s reconstruction and recovery from crippling damages. The governors of Damascus and the Damascus region praised Turkey and the IHH for their essential ongoing support and rapid response to Syria’s need.Read more at:  SANA

                          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.

                            A Memoir of Syria

                              The Home that Was Our Country is a deeply insightful and engaging memoir that interweaves the textures of Syrian history, during the time of the author’s great-grandfather, with her personal experience of Syria in the years following the Arab Spring. Born in the US, she decided to move to Damascus in 2011 when hopes of freedom filled the air, to reclaim the apartment of her grandmother that was lost to the family during the first Assad regime.

                              Umayyad Mosque in Damascus. (SANA)
                              Umayyad Mosque in Damascus. (SANA)

                              Damascus to become capital of Islamic Culture in 2027 

                                21 August 2025.  Syria’s Ministry of Culture and the Islamic World Culture Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization are preparing to launch Damascus as the Capital of Islamic Culture in 2027. The collaboration stresses the importance of safeguarding Syria’s cultural heritage as part of global human history. Plans focus on restoring archaeological sites, training experts, and boosting global cooperation.Read more at:  SANA

                                Former US Ambassador Barbara Leaf offers insights about Syria’s transition. (Alarabiya English video still, 21 August)
                                Former US Ambassador Barbara Leaf offers insights about Syria’s transition. (Alarabiya English video still, 21 August)

                                Assessing Syria’s emergence after decades of Assad control

                                  21 August 2025.  In a video interview, Barbara Leaf, a high-level US diplomat who met with Ahmad al-Sharaa following the fall of Assad, reflects on the historic Syrian transition, calling it a “once in a generation” opportunity for change. Acknowledging the challenges of reconstruction and reconciliation, given the distrust and sectarian conflict fuelled by the Assad regime, she praises the new government’s avoidance of widespread violence.Read more at:  ALARABIYA