EU chief von der Leyen to visit Syria this week
BRUSSELS(RAHNUMA): EU chief Ursula von der Leyen will visit Syria later this week on a first trip to the country since the fall of Bashar Assad, a spokeswoman said Monday. Von der Leyen will head to Syria as part of a tour of the Middle East that will also see her visit Jordan and Lebanon, […]
Jordan confirms participation in US airstrikes on IS targets in Syria
Amman, Dec 20 (IANS) The Jordanian Armed Forces (JAF) on Saturday confirmed that they had taken part in US airstrikes targetting IS targets in Syria on Friday. In a statement, the JAF said the operation was carried out in cooperation with the United States, which aimed to “prevent extremist groups from using these areas as […]
Syria welcomes lifting of US sanctions
DAMASCUS(RAHNUMA): Syria’s foreign ministry on Friday welcomed the permanent ending by the United States of the so-called Caesar sanctions, paving the way for the return of investment to the war-ravaged nation. The US Congress on Wednesday permanently ended the sanctions imposed on Syria under Bashar Assad, who was ousted in December last year. The Caesar […]
Syria seizes large weapons shipment destined for Lebanon
LONDON(RAHNUMA): Syrian authorities foiled a smuggling attempt of a large quantity of weapons bound for Lebanon in the countryside of the capital, Damascus, on Wednesday. Security forces intercepted the shipment in Zabadani region, a fertile valley area near the Lebanese border. The Ministry of Interior said that security forces ambushed the smugglers in the border […]
Turkish FM says SDF not honoring Syria deal, calls for Gaza administration before Hamas disarmament
DOHA(RAHNUMA): Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan told Reuters on Saturday that a credible Palestinian civil administration and a vetted, trained police force should be in place to allow Hamas to disarm, saying the group is prepared to hand over governance of the enclave. In an interview on the sidelines of the Doha Forum, Fidan said […]
Syria nears anniversary of Assad’s fall amid renewed ‘deeply troubling’ abuses, UN warns
NEW YORK(RAHNUMA): Syria is days away from marking the first anniversary of the fall of President Bashar Assad’s regime, but the country’s interim authorities face mounting criticism over continuing abuses and a fragile security environment, the UN human rights chief said. In a statement on Friday, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk said […]
Trump warns Israel not to ‘interfere’ in Syria
WASHINGTON(RAHNUMA): US President Donald Trump warned Israel on Monday against destabilizing Syria and its new leadership, days after a deadly operation by Israeli forces in the south of the country. “It is very important that Israel maintain a strong and true dialogue with Syria, and that nothing takes place that will interfere with Syria’s evolution […]
Syria will build new 150,000 bpd oil refinery, minister tells Ekhbariya TV
DAMASCUS(RAHNUMA): Syria will build a new oil refinery with a capacity of 150,000 barrels per day, the Syrian energy minister told government-owned Ekhbariya television on Thursday. The channel reported on Sunday that Syria’s Baniyas refinery was operating at a reduced capacity of 95,000 bpd due to degradation in some of its facilities, and estimated the […]
Syria hands over 17 Lebanese Nationals who entered territorial waters illegally
LONDON(RAHNUMA): Syrian authorities handed over several Lebanese citizens who had illegally entered the country’s territorial waters by boat in the Mediterranean governorate of Tartus. The Internal Security in Tartus announced on Monday the detention of 17 Lebanese citizens after Coast Guard patrols identified their three fishing boats entering Syrian waters, according to the Syrian Arab […]
Russian says military base in Syria sheltering 8,000 displaced
MOSCOW(RAHNUMA): Russia is sheltering at its Hmeimim military air base in western Syria more than 8,000 Syrians who fled a wave of sectarian mass killings, Russia’s foreign ministry spokeswoman said Thursday. “The Russian air base at Hmeimim has opened its doors to local residents fleeing from the pogroms… Our military have given refuge to more […]
