The Latest Breaking News from Damascus

Syrian Industrialist Calls For Recovering Funds Frozen in Lebanese Banks

An established Syrian industrialist called Sunday on the government in Damascus to act for recovering the Syrian funds stuck in Lebanese banks. Fares Shebahi, the chairman of Syria's Federation of Chambers of Industry and head of Aleppo's Chamber of Industrialists, said that “it is no longer a secret to anyone…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Aug 29, 2022

Report: Syria Asked Iran Not to Attack Israel from its Territories

Syrian officials have asked Iran and its proxies not to carry out attacks against Israel from its territory, The New York Times reported on Friday citing a source in Damascus. It said this request led the Iran-led axis to retaliate against Israeli strikes by hitting US bases instead. The source…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Aug 29, 2022

Turkey lays the ground for a smoothing of relations with Syria

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, a strong opponent of the Syrian regime, says his country could be ready for dialogue with Damascus. It's a prospect that's causing alarm in the ranks of the Syrian opposition that relies heavily on Turkish support.

Radio France Internationale · Aug 28, 2022

Ankara, Damascus Demand Opening Communication Channels

Ankara and Damascus have exchanged demands for reopening contact channels and normalizing ties, according to Turkish sources. Turkey's pro-government newspaper “Turkiye” has alleged that Assad has five demands from Ankara, and that the Turkish government requires the Syrian regime to “completely clear” the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) from its…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Aug 19, 2022

Syrian Actress Antoinette Najeeb Passes Away

Renowned Syrian Actress Antoinette Najeeb passed away on Wednesday, at the age of 92, after a long career and a rich contribution to dozens of series, plays and films. The Artists Syndicate of Damascus announced her death, while actors and social media influencers shared the news with expressions of condolences.…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Aug 18, 2022

Syria denies holding US journalist Austin Tice captive

Syria has denied kidnapping or keeping captive US journalist Austin Tice, who disappeared a 10 years ago near Damascus.

Al Jazeera · Aug 17, 2022

Spiralling fuel costs hit Damascus drivers

Damascus minibus driver Khaled al-Hassi remembers a time when he could fill his tank with cheap fuel to drive passengers across the Syrian capital and take home enough money for food, drink and a comfortable life.

Reuters · Aug 17, 2022

Syria denies kidnapping or holding U.S. journalist missing for 10 years

Syria's government on Wednesday denied kidnapping or holding a U.S. journalist who disappeared a decade ago, a week after President Joe Biden demanded that Damascus let him go home.

Reuters · Aug 17, 2022

Syria Denies It Is Holding American Journalist Austin Tice

Syria denied on Wednesday it is holding US journalist Austin Tice or other Americans after President Joe Biden accused the Syrian government of detaining him. The Syrian Foreign Ministry said in a statement that Damascus “denies it had kidnapped or is holding any American citizen on its territories.” Biden’s comments…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Aug 17, 2022

Damascus Announces Establishing Syrian-Iraqi Business Council

The Syrian Ministry of Economy and Foreign Trade issued a decision on Tuesday to establish the Syrian-Iraqi Business Council. The Ministry designated Mohamed Nasser al-Sawwah as the President of the Council and Ziad Aubrey as a vice-chairman from the Syrian side. According to a Ministry statement, the Council aims to…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Aug 17, 2022