Europe News Syrians hopeful for the future after sanctions relief US President Donald Trump granted Syria sweeping exemptions from sanctions in a major first step toward fulfilling his pledge to lift a half-century of penalties on a country shattered by 14 years of civil war. 24/05/2025
Turkey Syria's leader Ahmed al-Sharaa makes surprise visit to Istanbul Syria's interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa's surprise visit to Istanbul followed his meeting with US President Donald Trump in Saudi Arabia. 24/05/2025
Europe News EU lifts all economic sanctions on Syria to speed up recovery Donald Trump's sudden decision to lift sanctions on Syria accelerated the timeline in Brussels, which had been working on a step-by-step roadmap. 20/05/2025
Syria Damascus suffers severe water crisis after lowest rainfall in decades Residents in the Syrian capital are feeling the effects of the lack of rain with authorities urging them to reduce their water consumption. 20/05/2025
Israel Israel recovers archive belonging to spy hanged in Syria in 1965 Eli Cohen, who was born in Egypt, is one of Israeli most famous ever operatives. He is widely credited with helping Israel to prepare for the Six-Day War. 19/05/2025
World News Trump meets 'young, attractive' al-Sharaa and lifts sanctions on Syria The meeting on the sidelines of a Gulf Cooperation Council summit represents a significant turn for Syria as it attempts to chart a new course after 50 years of al-Assad dynasty's rule. 14/05/2025
Saudi Arabia Trump says he will lift sanctions to give Syria 'a chance at peace' Gulf leaders have rallied behind the new government in Damascus and want Trump to follow, believing it is a bulwark against Iran's return to influence in Syria, where it had helped prop up the al-Assad regime during a decade-long civil war. 13/05/2025
Europe News Syria will take back its citizens trying to reach Cyprus by boat Human traffickers are cutting deals with local employers to bring in Syrians, according to Cyprus' deputy migration minister. 12/05/2025
Syria Bodies of 30 people found in Syria during Qatar and FBI joint search IS controlled large parts of Syria and Iraq until 2017, abducting and killing numerous foreign journalists and aid workers. 12/05/2025
Europe News Syria's Interim leader al-Sharaa visits Paris in first European trip The visit comes amid renewed bloodshed, coming a week after clashes between forces loyal to al-Sharaa and fighters from the minority Druze community that left nearly 100 people dead. 07/05/2025
Syria Israel conducts airstrike near Syrian presidential palace The strike came amid escalating clashes between pro-government forces and Druze fighters near Damascus, which have left dozens dead. 02/05/2025
No Comment Druze protesters block roads in Galilee over deadly Syria clashes Druze demonstrators blocked roads in northern Israel on Wednesday in response to violent clashes between Druze groups and armed factions in Jaramana, a city near Damascus in Syria. 30/04/2025
Economy Saudi Arabia and Qatar to repay Syria’s debts to the World Bank The payment of Syria's outstanding loans could help the country regain World Bank support and financing, which has been stalled for more than 14 years now. 28/04/2025
USA Syria's foreign minister to appear at UNSC in first visit to US The Trump administration has yet to officially recognise the current Syrian government, led by Ahmad al-Sharaa, an Islamist former insurgent who led the offensive that toppled Assad. 25/04/2025
Europe News UK lifts sanctions on some Syrian agencies, media outlets The new authorities in Damascus have made a push for harsh sanctions imposed by western countries on Assad's government to be lifted, with limited success. 24/04/2025
Israel Katz: Israeli army to stay 'indefinitely' in Gaza, Lebanon and Syria The Israeli military has taken control over more than half of the Strip since it renewed its military campaign following the collapse of a ceasefire with Hamas last month. 16/04/2025
Europe News Cyprus sentences Syrian man for bringing migrants on overloaded boat According to the ruling, the Syrian man, himself a migrant, received training on how to operate the boat and was in radio contact with another trafficker who instructed him on the route. 14/04/2025
Europe News Erdoğan positions Turkey as point of stability for European security Erdoğan said European security is ‘unthinkable without Turkey’ after White House warned that the continent must look after its own security. 12/04/2025
Syria South Korea establishes diplomatic ties with Syria’s new government The announcement comes months after a rebel coalition ousted longtime Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, who had maintained close ties with North Korea. 11/04/2025
Syria Syria swears in new transitional government on the eve of Eid-al-Fitr Nearly four months after the ousting of 24-year President Bashar al-Assad, Syria has announced a new government, kickstarting a five-year transitional period that aims to restore stability and peace to a country that has endured more than a decade of war. 30/03/2025