
Jordanians Exempt as Syria Implements New Entry Fee Policy - Jordan News
The Syrian government says these adjustments reflect a balanced visa policy based on economic, geopolitical, and diplomatic considerations, while also targeting new revenue streams as Syria seeks to reengage with the region and the world.
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Seven killed in clashes between Druze, Bedouin tribes in Syria's Sweida: Reports
Clashes between Druze residents and Bedouin tribes in the southern Syrian city of Sweida have left at least seven people dead, including a child, and wounded around 20 others, local media reported on Sunday. The violence broke out in the Maqus neighborhood, east of Sweida city, amid reports of armed confrontations and mutual shelling, according to the local outlet Sweida 24, which cited medical sources for the initial casualty toll. Some local news outlets have reported that the clashes were sparked by a temporary kidnapping of a merchant on the Damascus–Sweida highway on Saturday, during which he was robbed. The incident reportedly escalated into a series of retaliatory kidnappings involving the merchant's relatives and members of Bedouin tribes inside Sweida province, with failed efforts to contain the growing tension. The Governor of Sweida called on all parties to exercise restraint and respond to national appeals for reform. He warned that the state 'will not tolerate any threat to citizens or violations of their rights,' and cautioned against efforts to ignite sectarian strife in the province.


Jordan News
3 hours ago
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Faraya Announces New Measures to Regulate Online Booking and Ease Congestion at King Hussein Bridge - Jordan News
Faraya Announces New Measures to Regulate Online Booking and Ease Congestion at King Hussein Bridge Interior Minister Mazen Al-Faraya chaired a meeting Sunday morning at the King Hussein Bridge with bridge officials and the CEO of JETT Bus Company to address complaints surrounding the electronic booking system for travelers crossing the bridge. Issues included the inability to book for several days, long wait times, and exploitation of travelers, leading to congestion and service delays. اضافة اعلان Minister Faraya stressed the importance of addressing all complaints and observations in a way that upholds the bridge's role as a humanitarian crossing that facilitates the movement of citizens and Palestinians based on humanitarian priorities. After listening to briefings from bridge officials and the CEO of JETT, the minister confirmed that one major issue stems from travelers arriving significantly earlier than their scheduled departure times, creating overcrowding. He also noted attempts by parties affected by the new platform to undermine its credibility. Another key problem identified was the ability of individuals to purchase multiple tickets through the online system without restrictions, allowing them to resell tickets at inflated prices. Many travelers were found to be buying tickets through third parties instead of directly through the official platform, exposing them to exploitation. The meeting also highlighted the issue of individuals frequently using the bridge for commercial or personal gain rather than for essential travel, thereby adding to congestion and affecting the efficiency of procedures. This is particularly critical given the limited daily capacity agreed upon with the other side of the border. To address these challenges, Minister Faraya directed the implementation of several measures, including: Restricting individuals to a limited number of electronic tickets. Requiring tickets to be issued in the traveler's own name with secure, tamper-proof features. Matching the name on the ticket with the name in the passport. Prohibiting entry to the bridge area for individuals without valid travel tickets. He also instructed JETT to digitize the VIP travel service, making it available through the online platform rather than in person, and to upgrade its facilities to improve the travel experience. Minister Faraya urged travelers to arrive no earlier than 30 minutes before their departure time to avoid long wait times and reduce congestion. Additionally, he directed relevant authorities to work with the Ministry of Interior's IT Directorate to monitor and restrict frequent users who may be misusing the bridge for non-essential travel. He also ordered the Governor of Balqa and the West Balqa Police Chief to conduct ongoing security campaigns in the surrounding areas to deter unlawful activity and prevent exploitation of travelers. Coordination with the Shouneh Municipality was also requested to rehabilitate the area around the bridge and establish a dedicated parking lot to replace the current practice of roadside parking. The minister toured the bridge facilities, listened directly to travelers' concerns, and emphasized the need to respond promptly to complaints to ensure high-quality service. JETT had previously announced the launch of an online-only booking service for King Hussein Bridge travelers starting in June, developed in coordination with the Ministry of Interior. The digital platform has contributed to procedural improvements across the board.


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Hebrew Media: Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa Held Direct Meeting with Israeli Officials in Baku - Jordan News
Hebrew Media: Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa Held Direct Meeting with Israeli Officials in Baku Israeli news outlet i24NEWS reported, citing a well-informed Syrian source, that Syria's transitional president Ahmed Al-Sharaa participated in at least one direct meeting with Israeli officials on Saturday in Baku, Azerbaijan. The report contradicts official Syrian media claims that Al-Sharaa had no contact with the Israeli side. اضافة اعلان The source, described as close to President Al-Sharaa, stated that the meeting was part of two or three rounds of talks, attended by Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shibani and government security coordination official Ahmed Al-Dallati. The Israeli delegation reportedly included a special envoy of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, alongside high-ranking military and security officials. According to the source, the talks explored a potential security agreement addressing: Iranian military presence in Syria and Lebanon Hezbollah's armament Palestinian factions Refugee camps in Lebanon The future of Palestinian refugees from Gaza The possibility of establishing an Israeli coordination office in Damascus—non-diplomatic in nature The choice of Azerbaijan as the meeting location was seen as a political signal to Iran, amid increasing tensions between Tehran and Damascus in recent weeks. Official Syrian Denial Despite the media reports, Syrian state newspaper Al-Watan cited official sources denying any meetings between Al-Sharaa and Israeli representatives. The sources insisted the discussions in Baku fall within a "de-escalation strategy", not normalization, and said "talks of a peace agreement are premature." Meanwhile, Israeli broadcaster KAN confirmed a direct meeting occurred Saturday in Baku, with Syrian demands focused on an Israeli military withdrawal from southern Syria and other coordination matters. KAN also noted a potential upcoming meeting between Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shibani and Israeli counterpart Gideon Sa'ar in Brussels, hosted by the European Union, although no confirmation has been made regarding a separate bilateral session. Background and Strategic Goals A diplomatic source in Damascus indicated the talks primarily focus on Israel's expanded military presence in southern Syria, a result of developments following the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime over seven months ago. President Al-Sharaa had previously acknowledged in May that his government was holding indirect talks with Israel through intermediaries to prevent further escalation and loss of control. These statements were echoed by Israeli outlets such as Channel 12 and Haaretz, which referenced direct meetings held in Baku, some involving Turkish officials. Azerbaijan has increasingly emerged as a neutral diplomatic platform due to its close ties with Israel and political coordination with Turkey, making it a central player in undisclosed regional negotiations on Syria. In recent months, President Al-Sharaa met with former U.S. President Donald Trump in Riyadh, leading to the lifting of U.S. sanctions on Damascus. He also expressed openness to regional stabilization initiatives during a joint conference with French President Emmanuel Macron. — (Agencies)