Latest news with #SyrianCivilWar
Washington Post
2 days ago
- Politics
- Washington Post
Contractor in Syria uncovers a surprise beneath the rubble: an ancient tomb complex
MARAAT AL-NUMAN, Syria — A contractor digging into the earth where the rubble of a destroyed house had been cleared away in northern Syria stumbled across a surprise: the remains of an underground Byzantine tomb complex believed to be more than 1,500 years old. The discovery emerged last month in the town of Maarat al-Numan in Idlib province , which is strategically located on the route between the cities of Aleppo and Damascus. The community became a touchpoint in the nearly 14-year Syrian civil war that ended with the fall of former President Bashar Assad in a lightning rebel offensive in December.
Shafaq News
3 days ago
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Last families depart Syria's major displacement camp
Shafaq News/ The Rukban displacement camp near the Jordanian-Syrian border officially closed after the final group of residents departed for eastern rural Homs. Syria's Emergency and Disaster Management Minister Raed al-Saleh described the closure in a post on X as 'the end of one of the most severe humanitarian crises faced by displaced people.' اغلاق مخيم الركبان يمثل نهاية لواحدة من أقسى المآسي الإنسانية التي واجهها أهلنا النازحون، نأمل أن تشكل هذه الخطوة بداية لمسار ينهي معاناة بقية المخيمات، يعيد أهلها إلى ديارهم بكرامة وأمان. #الجمهورية_العربية_السورية #وزارة_الطوارئ_والكوارث #مخيم_الركبان #سوريا — Raed Al Saleh ( رائد الصالح ) (@RaedAlSaleh3) June 7, 2025 The closure comes as part of a broader trend of repatriation following the political transition in Syria. The UNHCR Representative of Syria Gonzalo Vargas Llosa noted in a post on X that approximately 500,000 Syrian refugees have returned home since the fall of the previous regime on December 8, 2024. 500,000 Syrian refugees have now returned home. I referred to this landmark moment in an interview with the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA). Since the fall of the Assad regime, we have a historic opportunity to fulfill the hope of millions of refugees and internally displaced… — Gonzalo Vargas Llosa (@llosa_gonzalo) May 16, 2025 Established in 2014 amid widespread displacement from Homs and Hama, the Rukban in southeastern Syria, in Rif Dimashq province, became one of the largest camps for displaced civilians during the Syrian Civil War. It had faced years of severe humanitarian hardship and, at its peak between 2018 and 2019, hosted nearly 50,000 internally displaced persons, most of them women and children.
Asharq Al-Awsat
3 days ago
- Politics
- Asharq Al-Awsat
In Syria's Devastated Jobar, Cemetery Comes Alive for Eid
Only the cemetery in Damascus's devastated suburb of Jobar showed signs of life on Friday as residents returned to visit and pray for Eid al-Adha, the first since Bashar al-Assad's fall. Jawdat al-Qais fought back tears as he knelt at the tomb of his father, who died less than a month ago, AFP said. "His wish was to be buried in Jobar -- and Jobar was liberated and he was buried here," said Qais, 57. "We carried out his wish, thank God," he said, adding that "many people haven't been able to be buried in their hometowns." Once home to around 350,000 people, Jobar was turned into a wasteland due to heavy fighting from the start of Syria's civil war, which erupted in 2011 with Assad's brutal repression of anti-government protests. In 2018, an accord between Assad's government and opposition factions allowed fighters and their families to evacuate. After being forced out, Jobar's residents have returned for Eid al-Adha, the biggest holiday in Islam, during which it is customary to pay respects to the dead. Among the utter ruin of the district, the call to prayer rose from damaged mosque's minaret as dozens of faithful gathered both inside and out. Population 'zero' In the deathly silence, devastated buildings line barely passable roads in Jobar, which is also home to a historic synagogue. At the cemetery, which was also damaged, residents -- including former fighters in wheelchairs or using crutches -- came together after years of separation, some drinking coffee or eating dates. "The irony of Jobar is that the cemetery is the only thing bringing us life, bringing us together," Qais said. Some visitors struggled to find their loved ones' tombs among the overturned headstones. A few etched names or drew rudimentary signs to help identify them on the next visit. "I found my mother's tomb intact and I wept," said Jihad Abulmajd, 53. He said he has visited her grave regularly since Assad's December 8 ouster. "We find peace here, with our ancestors and relatives," he told AFP. The day after Assad was toppled, Hamza Idris, 64, and his family returned to Jobar from Idlib in the country's northwest, where they fled in 2018. He said a definitive return to the ghost town, whose infrastructure has been destroyed, was impossible. "Jobar's population... is zero," he said after praying in front of the mosque. "Even the cemetery wasn't spared the bombs," said Idris, who lost three children during the war and was unable to visit their graves until Assad's ouster. "The town is no longer habitable. It needs to be entirely rebuilt," he said.
The National
25-05-2025
- Politics
- The National
Eight million Syrians were wanted by Assad regime for 'political reasons', new authorities say
About a third of Syria's population was wanted by the country's intelligence and security apparatus for 'political reasons' under former president Bashar Al Assad, an interior ministry spokesman for the new government has said. Noureddine Al Baba was speaking at a press conference in Damascus on Saturday at which he announced a restructuring of the interior ministry that includes renewed efforts to fight cross-border drug and people smuggling. Mr Al Baba said 'the number of people wanted by the former regime for political reasons exceeds eight million'. After Syria's civil war broke out in 2011, millions of Syrians found themselves caught in the dragnet of the security services, facing prosecution, abuse or rights violations. Many were accused of taking part in or promoting demonstrations, 'undermining the prestige of the state', communicating with foreign parties or financing and supporting 'terrorism'. Hundreds of thousands were thrown into prison, where many faced torture and tens of thousands are still missing. A coalition of rebels toppled Mr Al Assad in December after five decades of his family's rule. Mr Al Baba on Saturday said the restructuring of the interior ministry included a number of new departments aimed at creating 'a modern civil security institution that adopts transparency and respects international human rights standards'. They include a complaints department and a border security body in charge of Syria's land and sea frontiers that will be tasked with 'combating illegal activities, particularly drug and human smuggling networks'. The reforms will 'strengthen the role of the anti-drug department and further develop its importance within Syria and abroad', Mr Al Baba said. Syria has been a major exporter of the illicit stimulant Captagon, with millions of pills produced under the Assad regime and shipped to neighbouring countries. With foreign missions reopening in Syria following Mr Al Assad's ouster, another department in the reformed ministry will handle security for government facilities and embassies, Mr Al Baba added. A tourism police department will be tasked with securing tourist sites and visitors. Syria is home to important archaeological and Unesco World Heritage sites including the ancient city of Palmyra. Since taking power, the new government under President Ahmad Al Shara has been seeking to revitalise crumbling public administration. The latest move comes as Damascus aims to improve ties with western powers that have or are considering lifting sanctions, including the US. Washington formalised a decision to remove sanctions on Friday after it was announced by US President Donald Trump on a Gulf tour this month during which he briefly met Mr Al Shara. The Syrian Foreign Ministry on Saturday welcomed Washington's move, calling it 'a positive step in the right direction to reduce humanitarian and economic struggles in the country'.
Arabian Post
15-05-2025
- Business
- Arabian Post
Trump's Middle East Tour Sparks Diplomatic and Economic Shifts
U.S. President Donald Trump has announced plans to lift longstanding U.S. sanctions on Syria, in place since 1979 and intensified during the Syrian Civil War. During his Middle East tour, Trump revealed the decision at the U.S.-Saudi Investment Forum, describing the sanctions as historically significant yet now detrimental. The sanctions had frozen Syrian assets, banned petroleum imports, and isolated the country from the global economy. Critics highlight that repealing the sanctions, especially those under the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act of 2019, will require Congressional approval. The initiative is seen as a diplomatic boost for Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, a former al-Qaeda affiliate leader who rose to power after leading a coalition against Bashar al-Assad in late 2024. Trump's move has drawn regional and international attention, with suggestions it could undermine Iran's influence in Syria and potentially shift Russian oil dynamics. Trump urged al-Sharaa to normalize ties with Israel by signing the Abraham Accords and ensure Syria's cooperation in combating ISIS and foreign terrorism. While experts stress the complexity and gradual nature of the sanctions' removal, the decision marks a potential turning point for Syria's reintegration into the global economy and geopolitics. During his visit to the Gulf, U.S. President Donald Trump announced a major policy shift by lifting long-standing sanctions on Syria, a country devastated by over a decade of civil war. The decision, made at the request of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, marks a significant change in U.S. foreign policy. Trump also secured a historic $600 billion investment commitment from Saudi Arabia, including an arms deal worth $142 billion, dubbed the largest U.S. defense agreement ever. The deal spans multiple sectors such as defense, energy, and infrastructure, and may eventually reach $1 trillion. Trump's visit emphasized economic cooperation with Gulf nations, including stops in Qatar and the UAE, and was attended by major U.S. business leaders. While he did not visit Israel, Trump urged Saudi Arabia to normalize ties with the Jewish state. He also expressed willingness to negotiate a new deal with Iran but warned of heightened pressure if Tehran does not change its stance. Notably, Trump avoided addressing the Khashoggi murder controversy, praising bin Salman instead. The trip reflects Trump's goal of reinforcing regional alliances against Iran and fostering economic partnerships. During a high-profile diplomatic mission to Riyadh, President Trump endeavored to address four major global crises simultaneously. With $1 trillion in foreign investment as a key motivator, Trump employed a fast-paced and personalized approach to diplomacy, positioning himself as a bold alternative to traditional U.S. foreign policy strategies. In his keynote speech at the U.S.-Saudi Investment Forum, he articulated a vision for conflict resolution and partnership-building. Key developments included lifting U.S. sanctions on Syria post-Assad regime, marking an attempt to offer the new Syrian government an opportunity for revival. In a surprise breakthrough, Trump's envoy secured the release of Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander from Hamas captivity. Trump also advocated for direct Russia-Ukraine talks and expressed readiness to join leaders in Turkey. Additionally, after nuclear negotiations in Oman, he issued an ultimatum to Iran to accept a new nuclear deal or face renewed pressure. Despite these ambitious efforts, tangible results have yet to materialize, highlighting the gap between Trump's high confidence in his dealmaking skills and real-world outcomes. His approach reflects a rejection of both interventionist and internationalist doctrines in favor of transactional, 'America First' diplomacy. On Thursday, the foreign ministers of Turkey, the U.S., and Syria will convene in Antalya, Turkey, to discuss the implementation details of U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to lift sanctions on Syria. This decision, announced at the behest of Saudi Arabia's crown prince and Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, marks a significant shift in U.S. policy. The move supports efforts by new allied leadership in Syria, including Islamist President Ahmed al-Sharaa, following the ousting of Bashar al-Assad and the end of a 14-year civil war. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan emphasized the historic significance of this policy change, stating it would foster financial investment and infrastructure development in war-torn Syria. The meeting will include U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani, focusing on finalizing the framework established by their leaders. The lifting of sanctions is expected to reconnect Syria with the global financial system, enhance humanitarian efforts, and stimulate foreign investment and trade. However, Fidan noted that formal congressional and administrative processes in the U.S. still need to be addressed to effectuate the full removal of sanctions. On May 14, 2025, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., U.S. Health Secretary, defended significant staff cuts and budget reductions to the Department of Health and Human Services, including an $18 billion reduction to NIH and $3.6 billion from the CDC, as part of the Trump administration's budget plan. These moves were met with protests, particularly from AIDS activists, and legal challenges from major labor unions. Kennedy reversed some layoffs at NIOSH but faced criticism for gutting programs related to HIV prevention and health research. Meanwhile, the House of Representatives advanced Trump's sweeping budget package that includes Medicaid cuts, stricter SNAP work requirements, and a large tax cut favoring higher earners. The bill has drawn heavy criticism for excluding low-income families from child tax credits and for attempts to block AI regulation at the state level. Internationally, Trump's Middle East visit stirred controversy due to his intention to accept a $400 million luxury jet from Qatar and a surprise decision to lift U.S. sanctions on Syria after meeting its president. Harvard pledged $250 million to support research after federal funding freezes. Further concern arose over civil rights staff resignations at the DOJ and GOP plans to restrict nonprofit tax-exempt status based on political alignment. During a significant visit to Saudi Arabia, U.S. President Donald Trump announced a $142 billion arms deal with the nation and delivered a major speech at a U.S.-Saudi investment summit. In his remarks, Trump criticized Western intervention in the Middle East and praised Saudi Arabia for its progress, calling it 'a modern miracle the Arabian way.' He also revealed plans to lift broad sanctions on Syria, indicating a potential shift in U.S. foreign policy toward offering the country a pathway to recovery. Additionally, in a move set to impact global economic dynamics profoundly, the United States and China reached a resolution in their prolonged trade war, which had previously disrupted markets and supply chains worldwide. As a unique gesture of hospitality, Saudi Arabia provided a mobile McDonald's truck for Trump during the state visit. The developments suggest a strategic and economic realignment in U.S. international relations. Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman held a phone call with new US President Donald Trump. Prince Mohammed, de facto leader of the world's biggest oil exporter, made the pledge in a phone call following Trump's inauguration on Monday, Saudi state media said. Trump forged close relations with Riyadh in his first term and is now expected to push Saudi Arabia, home of Islam's holiest sites, towards normalising ties with Israel as a major foreign policy objective. 'The crown prince affirmed the kingdom's intention to broaden its investments and trade with the United States over the next four years, in the amount of $600 billion, and potentially beyond that,' the Saudi Press Agency reported. It did not give details of the source of the funds, which represent more than half of Saudi GDP, or how they are expected to be used. Prince Mohammed, 39, also passed on congratulations from his father, King Salman, during the call. The White House said it was Trump's first phone call with a foreign leader since his return to office. 'The two leaders discussed efforts to bring stability to the Middle East, bolster regional security, and combat terrorism,' a statement said. 'Additionally, they discussed the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's international economic ambitions over the next four years as well as trade and other opportunities to increase the mutual prosperity.' Trump's first visit as president in 2017 was to Saudi Arabia, and this week he joked that a major financial commitment could persuade him to do the same again. 'I did it with Saudi Arabia last time because they agreed to buy $450 billion worth of our product,' he said. Trump quipped he would repeat the visit 'if Saudi Arabia wanted to buy another 450 or 500 — we'll up it for all the inflation'. During Trump's first term, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Morocco broke with longstanding Arab policy to recognise Israel under the 2020 Abraham Accords. The new Trump administration is expected to try to repeat the process with Saudi Arabia, following similar efforts under president Joe Biden. Saudi Arabia broke off talks with US officials about ties with Israel early in the Gaza war, and has repeatedly insisted it will not recognise Israel without the existence of a Palestinian state.
