Latest news with #Yazigi
The Sun
7 hours ago
- Politics
- The Sun
Syrian Christian leader criticises president over church bombing
DAMASCUS: Syria's top Christian leader said on Tuesday at the funeral for victims of a deadly church bombing that President Ahmed al-Sharaa's government bore responsibility for not protecting minorities and his condolences were insufficient. At least 25 worshippers died on Sunday when a suicide bomber blew himself up at the Mar Elias Church in Damascus, the first such attack since Sharaa's Islamist-led government seized power in December after the Assad family dynasty's toppling. The attack, which the government blamed on the Islamic State militant group, reinforced doubts among minorities about whether they can rely on government assurances of protection. 'With love and with all due respect, Mr. President, you spoke yesterday by phone... to express your condolences. That is not enough for us,' the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch, John (X) Yazigi, said at the funeral, drawing applause. 'We are grateful for the phone call. But the crime that took place is a little bigger than that.' The U.S. State Department condemned what its spokesperson Tammy Bruce described as 'a brutal and cowardly attack' and called on the Syrian government to hold all perpetrators of violence accountable and ensure the security of all Syrians, including members of religious and ethnic minorities. She said Washington continued to support the Syrian government 'as it fights against forces seeking to create instability and fear in their country and in the broader region.' Christians made up around 10% of Syria's pre-war population of 22 million, but their numbers shrunk significantly during the 14-year conflict, mainly through emigration. Only a few hundred thousand are now estimated to be living in Syria. Yazigi said the government must prioritize protection for all. 'What is important to me - and I will say it - is that the government bears responsibility in full,' Yazigi said of the church attack. Hundreds were at the service in the nearby Church of the Holy Cross to bury nine of the victims, whose bodies were placed in simple white coffins adorned with white flowers. Social affairs minister Hind Kabawat - the only Christian and only woman in Syria's new government - attended. On Monday, Sharaa said the attack was a crime hurting all Syrians but did not use the word 'Christians' or 'church'. The government said security forces raided hideouts used by Islamic State, killing two of its members including one who facilitated the suicide bomber's entry into Mar Elias Church. IS did not issue a statement of responsibility.
The Star
13 hours ago
- Politics
- The Star
Syrian Christian leader chides president over deadly church bombing
People attend the funeral of victims of a suicide bombing at the Mar Elias Church on Sunday, in Damascus, Syria, June 24, 2025. REUTERS/Khalil Ashawi DAMASCUS (Reuters) -Syria's top Christian leader said on Tuesday at the funeral for victims of a deadly church bombing that President Ahmed al-Sharaa's government bore responsibility for not protecting minorities and his condolences were insufficient. At least 25 worshippers died on Sunday when a suicide bomber blew himself up at the Mar Elias Church in Damascus, the first such attack since Sharaa's Islamist-led government seized power in December after the Assad family dynasty's toppling. The attack, which the government blamed on the Islamic State militant group, reinforced doubts among minorities about whether they can rely on government assurances of protection. "With love and with all due respect, Mr. President, you spoke yesterday by phone... to express your condolences. That is not enough for us," the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch, John (X) Yazigi, said at the funeral, drawing applause. "We are grateful for the phone call. But the crime that took place is a little bigger than that." The U.S. State Department condemned what its spokesperson Tammy Bruce described as "a brutal and cowardly attack" and called on the Syrian government to hold all perpetrators of violence accountable and ensure the security of all Syrians, including members of religious and ethnic minorities. She said Washington continued to support the Syrian government "as it fights against forces seeking to create instability and fear in their country and in the broader region." Christians made up around 10% of Syria's pre-war population of 22 million, but their numbers shrunk significantly during the 14-year conflict, mainly through emigration. Only a few hundred thousand are now estimated to be living in Syria. Yazigi said the government must prioritize protection for all. "What is important to me - and I will say it - is that the government bears responsibility in full," Yazigi said of the church attack. Hundreds were at the service in the nearby Church of the Holy Cross to bury nine of the victims, whose bodies were placed in simple white coffins adorned with white flowers. Social affairs minister Hind Kabawat - the only Christian and only woman in Syria's new government - attended. On Monday, Sharaa said the attack was a crime hurting all Syrians but did not use the word "Christians" or "church". The government said security forces raided hideouts used by Islamic State, killing two of its members including one who facilitated the suicide bomber's entry into Mar Elias Church. IS did not issue a statement of responsibility. (Reporting by Firas Makdesil and Kinda Makieh; additional reporting by Daphne Psaledakis and David Brunnstrom in Washington; writing by Maya Gebeily; editing by Andrew Cawthorne)
Yahoo
15 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Syrian Christian leader chides president over deadly church bombing
DAMASCUS (Reuters) -Syria's top Christian leader said on Tuesday at the funeral for victims of a deadly church bombing that President Ahmed al-Sharaa's government bore responsibility for not protecting minorities and his condolences were insufficient. At least 25 worshippers died on Sunday when a suicide bomber blew himself up at the Mar Elias Church in Damascus, the first such attack since Sharaa's Islamist-led government seized power in December after the Assad family dynasty's toppling. The attack, which the government blamed on the Islamic State militant group, reinforced doubts among minorities about whether they can rely on government assurances of protection. "With love and with all due respect Mr. President, you spoke yesterday by phone... to express your condolences. That is not enough for us," the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch, John (X) Yazigi, said at the funeral, drawing applause. "We are grateful for the phone call. But the crime that took place is a little bigger than that." Christians made up around 10% of Syria's pre-war population of 22 million, but their numbers shrunk significantly during the 14-year conflict, mainly through emigration. Only a few hundred thousand are now estimated to be living in Syria. Yazigi said the government must prioritize protection for all. "What is important to me - and I will say it - is that the government bears responsibility in full," Yazigi said of the church attack. Hundreds were at the service in the nearby Church of the Holy Cross to bury nine of the victims, whose bodies were placed in simple white coffins adorned with white flowers. Social affairs minister Hind Kabawat - the only Christian and only woman in Syria's new government - attended. On Monday, Sharaa said the attack was a crime hurting all Syrians but did not use the word "Christians" or "church". The government said security forces raided hideouts used by Islamic State, killing two of its members including one who facilitated the suicide bomber's entry into Mar Elias Church. IS did not issue a statement of responsibility.
Kuwait Times
15-05-2025
- Business
- Kuwait Times
US sanctions relief offers Syria hope, but hurdles remain
BEIRUT: Donald Trump's decision to lift US sanctions on Syria signals a major shift in the war-battered country's efforts to rebuild, offering hope of recovery but leaving significant obstacles in place. In Riyadh during a Middle East tour, the US president said he "will be ordering the cessation of sanctions against Syria in order to give them a chance at greatness". Syria's foreign ministry hailed the move as a "pivotal turning point", while Finance Minister Mohammed Barnieh said it would help bring in investment and restore key services. Barnieh said the decision would "help Syria in building its institutions, providing essential services to the people and create great opportunities to attract investment and restore confidence". Jihad Yazigi, editor of economic publication The Syria Report, said US sanctions were "by far the most impactful" of all those imposed during former president Bashar Al-Assad's rule. Since ousting Al-Assad in December, Syria's new leadership has pushed for the lifting of Western sanctions. US measures cut Syria off from the global financial system for more than a decade, hampering trade and aid transfers. "The most immediate impact will be a facilitation of the transfer of funds from Gulf states and development aid in general to Syria," Yazigi said. Financial transfers A United Nations report in February said 90 percent of Syrians live in poverty and a quarter are jobless. Sanctions relief for the banking sector could open access to the US financial system and spur trade, investment and jobs, Yazigi said. The move would lead to "a facilitation of transfers in and out of Syria, and it's going to improve trade activity, it is going to improve investment, and it's going to generate a lot of business opportunities and employment", he added. As for the Syrian pound, which lost around 90 percent of its value during the war, the influx of US dollars could help strengthen the currency, according to the expert. Since the start of the civil war in 2011, the pound has plunged from 50 to about 10,000-12,000 against the greenback. But Yazigi warned the currency would remain unstable if the government prints money to raise salaries. Challenges ahead Syria still faces numerous challenges threatening its recovery. "The procedure for lifting sanctions is quite long, even with the presence of political willingness," said Syrian economic expert Karam Shaar. "It would still take months for these sanctions to be lifted because you're talking also about sanctions legislation, some of them are under acts as opposed to executive orders," he added. While executive orders can be reversed easily, acts require congressional action. Sanctions relief is also but one step in the lengthy reconstruction path for Syria, which the UN estimates could cost more than $400 billion. The United Nations estimates rebuilding Syria could cost more than $400 billion. Around 1.87 million Syrians have returned to their home regions since Assad's fall, according to International Organization for Migration, but the UN body says lack of jobs and services is holding back wider returns. Sanctions relief allows Syria to plan broader reconstruction, Yazigi said, but alone it is "not sufficient". "There simply aren't enough funds," he said, noting few countries were willing to pour in the tens of billions of dollars needed by Syria. In February, about 20 Arab and Western countries pledged support for Syria's transition at a Paris conference. Some Western countries have relaxed certain sanctions, but demand progress on rights, minority protections and the fight against terrorism before going further. — AFP
Observer
14-05-2025
- Business
- Observer
US sanctions relief offers Syria hope, but hurdles remain
Donald Trump's decision to lift US sanctions on Syria signals a major shift in the war-battered country's efforts to rebuild, offering hope of recovery but leaving significant obstacles in place. In Riyadh during a Middle East tour, the US president said he "will be ordering the cessation of sanctions against Syria in order to give them a chance at greatness". Syria's foreign ministry hailed the move as a "pivotal turning point", while Finance Minister Mohammed Barnieh said it would help bring in investment and restore key services. Barnieh said the decision would "help Syria in building its institutions, providing essential services to the people and create great opportunities to attract investment and restore confidence". Jihad Yazigi, editor of economic publication The Syria Report, said "US sanctions were by far the most impactful" of all those imposed during former president Bashar al Assad's rule. Since ousting Assad in December, Syria's new leadership has pushed for the lifting of Western sanctions. US measures cut Syria off from the global financial system for more than a decade, hampering trade and aid transfers. "The most immediate impact will be a facilitation of the transfer of funds from Gulf states and development aid in general to Syria," Yazigi said. A United Nations report in February said 90 per cent of Syrians live in poverty and a quarter are jobless. Sanctions relief for the banking sector could open access to the US financial system and spur trade, investment and jobs, Yazigi said. The move would lead to "a facilitation of transfers in and out of Syria; and it's going to improve trade activity, it is going to improve investment and it's going to generate a lot of business opportunities and employment", he added. As for the Syrian pound, which lost around 90 per cent of its value during the war, the influx of US dollars could help strengthen the currency, according to the expert. Since the start of the civil war in 2011, the pound has plunged from 50 to about 10,000-12,000 against the greenback. But Yazigi warned the currency would remain unstable if the government prints money to raise salaries. Syria still faces numerous challenges threatening its recovery. "The procedure for lifting sanctions is quite long, even with the presence of political willingness," said Syrian economic expert Karam Shaar. "It would still take months for these sanctions to be lifted because you're talking also about sanctions legislation, some of them are under acts as opposed to executive orders," he added. While executive orders can be reversed easily, acts require congressional action. Sanctions relief is also but one step in the lengthy reconstruction path for Syria, which the UN estimates could cost more than $400 billion. The United Nations estimates rebuilding Syria could cost more than $400 billion. Around 1.87 million Syrians have returned to their home regions since Assad's fall, according to International Organisation for Migration, but the UN body says lack of jobs and services is holding back wider returns. Sanctions relief allows Syria to plan broader reconstruction, Yazigi said, but alone it is "not sufficient". "There simply aren't enough funds," he said, noting few countries were willing to pour in the tens of billions of dollars needed by Syria. In February, about 20 Arab and Western countries pledged support for Syria's transition at a Paris conference. Some Western countries have relaxed certain sanctions, but demand progress on rights, minority protections and the fight against terrorism before going further. Nader Durgham The writer is a Lebanese journalist based in Beirut Laure Al Khoury The writer is AFP news agency correspondent for Syria and Lebanon
