Latakia celebrates local heritage at spring market festival Some 1,700 Syrian families return to Afrin from Qamishli after years of displacement Syrian Petroleum Company CEO highlights investment opportunities at Global Energy Forum First Pegasus Airlines flight from Istanbul lands at Aleppo International Airport U.S. Chamber official says Syria on right track, firms eye investment Damascus through the artist’s eye :Exhibition celebrates the city’s timeless heritage Homs rural market provides support for productive families Scenes from Slenfeh in Latakia, a famous tourist destination in…

Damascus, June 13 (SANA)-The National Earthquake Center at theMinistry of Emergency and Disaster Managementaffirmed that theearthquakerecorded at dawn Saturday northwest of Aleppo, with a magnitude of 4.4 on the Richter scale, falls within the region’s normal seismic activity and does not cause concern. In a statement posted on its Facebook page, the center explained that the recurrence of tremors innorthern and northwestern Syriais due to the tectonic nature of the area, which is historically considered an active seismic zone. As a result, weak to moderate tremors are recorded continuously …

Daraa, June 13(SANA)Syrian security forces, in coordination with the Counter-Terrorism Directorate, have arrested Raafat Anwar Al-Amoudi, a wanted suspect accused of working for the deposed regime’s Popular Committees militia inDaraaProvince. TheMinistry of Interiorsaid Saturday preliminary investigations indicate that al-Amoudi was involved in the arrest and enforced disappearance of a number of Daraa residents through direct coordination with deposed security agencies. Investigators also found that Amoudi worked for former Military Security Branch chief Brigadier General Wafiq Nasser and o…

New York, June 13 (SANA)– UN Secretary-General,António Guterres,called for celebrating peacebuilders and taking them as a source of inspiration, contributing to a more just and equal world. In a message marking the start of the 100-day countdown to the InternationalDay of Peace, Guterres explained that peacebuilders exist everywhere in daily life, volunteers, activists, and civil society leaders, illuminating the path of action toward reshaping societies for the better. Guterres believed that a more just world can be built, one that is filled with compassion and based on equality and dignity…

Damascus, June 13 (SANA)Public Works and Housing Minister Mustafa Abdul Razzaq met with a delegation from the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to discuss housing projects and measures aimed at supporting the return of displaced Syrians and refugees. According to the ministry, the talks focused on developing alternative housing solutions and improving conditions needed to facilitate sustainable returns and long-term stability. Abdul Razzaq said the government is prioritizing work under the “Zero Camps” campaign, which seeks to reduce reliance on displacement camps through expanded …

Damascus, June 13 (SANA)Minister ofPublic Works and HousingMustafa Abdul Razzaq met Saturday with a delegation from the International Organization for Migration (IOM), led by Mohammed Abdel Azim, to discuss cooperation in housing, early recovery and therehabilitationof damaged areas. According to the ministry, the talks focused on supporting the return of displaced people and refugees throughinfrastructureupgrades, improved basic services and technical assistance for urban development projects. The meeting also highlighted the importance of training national professionals and strengthening lo…

Abu Dhabi, June 13 (SANA)TheUnited Arab Emirateshas categorically denied reports circulated in international media alleging that funds were transferred from the country toIran, including claims involving an alleged $3 billion transaction. In a statement issued on Saturday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the allegations were false and unsupported by credible facts or verified information. The ministry stressed that no frozen Iranian assets had been released, transferred or moved through the UAE. It also urged media outlets to rely on official sources and exercise caution when reporting …

Berlin , June 13 (SANA)Health experts are warning that daily mistakes during severe summerheatwavescan lead to serious health complications, including circulatory collapse and heatstroke. According to a report by German media outlets DW and Stern, extreme heat causes significant fluid loss, which can trigger dizziness, fatigue, and irregular heartbeats, making daily preventive measures essential. To mitigate these risks, doctors recommend consuming at least 1.5 to 2 liters of water daily, significantly increasing intake during extreme heat, particularly for the elderly. Experts advise avoid…

Washington, June 13 (SANA)The US military’s Central Command (CENTCOM) announced on Saturday that its forces have downed multiple Iranian drones launched in an attempt to strike commercial ships transitingthe Strait of Hormuz. “Iran launched multiple one-way attack drones in an attempt to strike commercial ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz,U.S.forces have downed all of them in recent hours as traffic flow through the strait continues unimpeded,” it said in a post on US social media platform X. Iran launched multiple one-way attack drones in an attempt to strike commercial ships transiting…

New York, June 13 ( SANA)Syria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations,Ibrahim Olabi, announced on Saturday that Syria has joined the “Group of Friends for combating Technology- facilitated  Trafficking in Persons.” The move came during a meeting convened by the delegation of the Republic of Korea and theUnited Nations Office on Drugs and Crime(UNODC). Olabi emphasized that the Syrian government decided to accept the invitation to join the group, given the suffering endured by the Syrian people in recent decades, including human trafficking and the exploitation of their plight. “Du…

Damascus, June 13 (SANA)A 4.4-magnitudeearthquakestruck northwest ofAlepposhortly after midnight on Saturday, sending tremors across several areas in northernSyria. The National Earthquake Center at the Ministry of Emergency and Disaster Management said its monitoring stations recorded the quake at 12:10 a.m. on June 13. The epicenter was located 86 kilometers northwest of Aleppo at a depth of 7.5 kilometers. The center described the earthquake as a moderate seismic event associated with the East Anatolian Fault system, a major fault line extending across southern Türkiye and the surrounding…

Washington, June 13 ( SANA)In the first2026 FIFA World Cupmatch to be held on U.S. soil in more than three decades, the U.S. men’s national soccer team delivered a commanding 4-1 win in their opener against Paraguay. Four goals — two from striker Folarin Balogun plus an own goal by Paraguayan defender Damian Bobadilla and a late strike by American Gio Reyna — electrified the packed and partisan crowd at Los Angeles Stadium. The final tally was a record for the U.S. men, who had never scored more than three goals in a single World Cup game. A confident and unrelenting attack from the U.S. had…

Damascus, June 13 (SANA)Finance MinisterMohammed Yisr Barniehmet on Friday with a mission from the Fiscal Affairs Department of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to discuss ways of strengthening technical cooperation in the reform and modernization of tax and customs administration. According to a statement issued by the Finance Ministry, discussions with the IMF mission focused on prospects for cooperation in modernizing and developing Syria’s tax and customs systems, enhancing compliance and revenue collection procedures, simplifying administrative processes, benefiting from internation…

Mexico City, June 12 (SANA)The2026 FIFA World Cupofficially got underway inMexicoCity late Thursday with a spectacular opening ceremony at the iconicAzteca Stadium, where Mexican culture andfootballtook center stage in a celebration watched by fans around the world. The ceremony featured vibrant Latin-inspired performances and appearances by international music stars Shakira and J Balvin, highlighting Mexico’s cultural heritage as the tournament begins. Azteca Stadium also made history by becoming the first venue to host three FIFA World Cup opening matches, having previously staged the tour…

Damascus, June 10 (SANA)Syrian officials and representatives of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) met in Damascus on Wednesday to review the country’s commitments under the Montreal Protocol and discuss ongoing projects aimed at reducing ozone-depleting substances. The consultative meeting, organized by theMinistry of Local Administration and Environment, brought together government officials and stakeholders involved in implementing environmental policies and international commitments. Participants reviewed progress related to the phase-out of ozone-depleting substances, inclu…

Baghdad, June 10 (SANA)Iraq remains committed to ending the military mission of the U.S.-ledinternational coalitionby the end of September, a government spokesman said, describing the move as part of broader efforts to strengthen state authority and national sovereignty. Sabah al-Numan, spokesperson for the commander-in-chief of theIraqi Armed Forces, said the planned conclusion of the coalition’s mission is “not subject to postponement” and will be followed by a transition to bilateral security partnerships that respect Iraq’s sovereignty. Speaking to the Iraqi News Agency (INA), al-Numan s…

Damascus, June 10 (SANA)Syrian and Turkish officials discussed the situation of Syrian refugees in Turkey, reconstruction efforts and ways to expand bilateral cooperation during talks in Damascus, theMinistry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriatessaid. Qutaiba Qadeesh, Director of the International Cooperation Department at the ministry, met with Turkish Ambassador to Damascus Nuh Yilmaz to review a range of issues of mutual interest. According to the ministry, the discussions focused on the situation of Syrian refugees in Turkey and ongoing efforts related to reconstruction and recovery inSyria…

Abu Dhabi, June 10 (SANA)The United Arab Emirates and Egypt discussed regional developments and ways to deepen bilateral cooperation during a phone call between their foreign ministers on Wednesday, according to the Emirates News Agency (WAM). UAE Foreign MinisterSheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan andEgyptian Foreign MinisterBadr Abdelatty reviewed ongoing regional challenges and efforts aimed at promoting security, stability and peace across the Middle East. The ministers also discussed the situation in theGaza Strip, stressing the importance of supporting initiatives that contribute to re…

Johannesburg, June 10 (SANA)At least 12 people were killed and nine others wounded after gunmen opened fire at an informal settlement east ofJohannesburg, police said on Wednesday, in the latest deadly shooting to hit South Africa. According to Reuters, the attack took place on Tuesday evening in the Cleveland area, where unidentified assailants opened fire on residents. Police said 12 people were killed at the scene, while nine others sustained injuries. Authorities have launched an investigation and are working to determine the circumstances surrounding theshooting. No arrests have been a…

Hama, June 10 (SANA)The ancient Syrian city ofApameahas regained international attention following its inclusion on the heritage lists of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO), a move highlighting the significance of one of the region’s most important archaeological sites. The designation is seen as a boost to ongoing efforts to preserve and promote Syria’scultural heritage, while drawing renewed attention to a city whose history spans more than two millennia. Located on the eastern bank of the Orontes River about 55 kilometers northwest ofHama, Apamea …