The US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, met in Rome with European counterparts on ways to stabilize Syria and avert conflict as Turkey threatens Kurdish forces in the war-torn country. Watch in for more details!

Italian FM says western powers seeking stable & united Syria

Blinken holds talks in Rome on Syria; Italian FM says Western powers seeking stable & united Syria

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has stated that former President Donald Trump's proposal to purchase Greenland was not a viable or wise idea, emphasizing the importance of diplomatic relations and strategic partnerships in the region.

Donald Trump's Greenland push not a good idea: US State Secretary Blinken

On Tuesday, an unusual scene greeted the Syrians. There were tears of joy ...singing, dancing, clapping...and moments of celebration, much like one would do at a party. For the first time since the fall of the ousted president Bashar al-Assad last month, international flights resumed operations at the Damascus airport. Watch this video to find out more.

Syrians celebrate as first International flight since fall of Assad lands at Damascus Airport

A party atmosphere surrounded the Damascus airport on Tuesday (Jan 7) as International flights resumed at Syria&rsquo;s main airport for the first time in 13 years after the ouster of Bashar al-Assad by Islamist rebel forces.
The first direct flight from Qatar&rsquo;s Doha arrived at the airport under the new Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) government.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
The first <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Syrian?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Syrian</a> plane landed a short while ago at <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Damascus?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Damascus</a> International Airport, coming from <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Qatar?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Qatar</a> Airways، These are some shots of the celebration from inside the plane before landing. <a href="https://t.co/bA6IraAOby">pic.twitter.com/bA6IraAOby</a>
&mdash; Qusay Noor (@QUSAY_NOOR_) <a href="https://twitter.com/QUSAY_NOOR_/status/1876571348954444226?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 7, 2025</a></blockquote>

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Passengers can be seen cheering, celebrating and reciting prayers at the terminal, with some draping the three-star flag. Families of the arriving passengers welcomed them with colourful balloons and flowers after being separated for over 13 years.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Today, the first flight from <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Qatar?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Qatar</a> arrived at <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Damascus?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Damascus</a> International Airport via <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/QatarAirways?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#QatarAirways</a>. Here are moments of Syrians&rsquo; joy everywhere after the fall of Assad ✈️ <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Syria?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Syria</a> <a href="https://t.co/a6pjCMhEuV">pic.twitter.com/a6pjCMhEuV</a>
&mdash; Samer Daboul (@samerdaboul6) <a href="https://twitter.com/samerdaboul6/status/1876672775760580776?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 7, 2025</a></blockquote>

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Although Syria still remains under international sanctions imposed during the Assad regime, its new leaders are making attempts to restore normalcy in the country.
&ldquo;I&rsquo;m waiting for my brother, who I haven&rsquo;t seen in 17 years. He couldn&rsquo;t return... because of the regime,&rdquo; Reem Taghleb, 37, told AFP at the Damascus airport<a href="https://twitter.com/QUSAY_NOOR_/status/1876571348954444226?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw"></a>.

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&ldquo;He took the first opportunity to return to Syria on the first Qatari plane,&rdquo; she added, with emotion in her voice. &ldquo;We're so happy for his return, and for our country's freedom.&rdquo;
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/syria-to-resume-international-flights-to-and-from-damascus-8591975" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">Syria to resume international flights to and from Damascus</a>
<h2>&lsquo;New beginning&rsquo;</h2>
The first international commercial flight from Syria is bound for Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates. A flight to Arbil in Iraq is also scheduled later in the day, according to the General Authority of Civil Aviation and Air Transport.
&ldquo;Today marks a new beginning,&rdquo; Damascus airport director Anis Fallouh told AFP.&nbsp;&nbsp;
While flights for international aid and foreign diplomatic delegations have already been landing in Syria, domestic flights have resumed in Syria.
SyrianAir and Cham Wings staff, both of which still remain under US Treasury sanctions for transporting weapons and mercenaries under the Assad regime, are optimistic about new flight routes that could open in future.
(With inputs from agencies)

World | Trending | After years of separation, arriving passengers were met with colourful balloons and flowers, marking a touching reunion filled with emotion and joy.

A party atmosphere surrounded the Damascus airport on Tuesday (Jan 7) as International flights resumed at Syria’s main airport for the first time in 13 years after the ouster of Bashar al-Assad by Islamist rebel forces. The first direct flight from Qatar’s Doha arrived at the airport under the new Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) government. The first #Syrian plane landed a short while ago at #Damascus International Airport, coming from #Qatar Airways، These are some shots of the celebration from inside the plane before landing. pic.twitter.com/bA6IraAOby — Qusay Noor (@QUSAY_NOOR_) January 7, 2025 Passengers can be seen cheering, celebrating and reciting prayers at the terminal, with some draping the three-star flag. Families of the arriving passengers welcomed them with colourful balloons and flowers after being separated for over 13 years. Today, the first flight from #Qatar arrived at #Damascus International Airport via #QatarAirways. Here are moments of Syrians’ joy everywhere after the fall of Assad ✈️ #Syria pic.twitter.com/a6pjCMhEuV — Samer Daboul (@samerdaboul6) January 7, 2025 Also read | Hamas official threatens to take legal action against US diplomat Blinken for 'partnership' in Israeli crimes Although Syria still remains under international sanctions imposed during the Assad regime, its new leaders are making attempts to restore normalcy in the country. “I’m waiting for my brother, who I haven’t seen in 17 years. He couldn’t return... because of the regime,” Reem Taghleb, 37, told AFP at the Damascus airport. “He took the first opportunity to return to Syria on the first Qatari plane,” she added, with emotion in her voice. “We're so happy for his return, and for our country's freedom.” Also read | Syria to resume international flights to and from Damascus ‘New beginning’ The first international commercial flight from Syria is bound for Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates. A flight to Arbil in Iraq is also scheduled later in the day, according to the General Authority of Civil Aviation and Air Transport. “Today marks a new beginning,” Damascus airport director Anis Fallouh told AFP. While flights for international aid and foreign diplomatic delegations have already been landing in Syria, domestic flights have resumed in Syria. SyrianAir and Cham Wings staff, both of which still remain under US Treasury sanctions for transporting weapons and mercenaries under the Assad regime, are optimistic about new flight routes that could open in future. (With inputs from agencies)

Video: Celebrations erupt at Damascus airport as international flights resume after 13 years

Turkey has now issued a warning to Kurdish forces in Syria. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said that Ankara will do whatever is required if the People's Protection Unit (YPG) fails to meet its demands. When asked what that may entail, he stated military operations. Watch in for more details!

Turkiye threatens military operation against Kurdish fighters

Syrian leader Ahmed Al-Sharaa declined to shake hands with Germany's female foreign minister, sparking concern about the imposition of strict Islamic norms. Watch this report for more details!

Al-Sharaa turns down German FM Baerbock's handshake

Al-Sharaa pulls back from shaking German FM Baerbock's hand

Syria urges the United States to remove sanctions imposed on Damascus, amid calls for diplomatic engagement and relief.

Syria calls on US to lift sanctions on Damascus

Syria said on Saturday the country's main airport in Damascus would resume international flights starting next week after such commercial trips were halted following last month's ousting of President Bashar al-Assad.
"We announce we will start receiving international flights to and from Damascus International Airport from" Tuesday, state news agency SANA said, quoting Ashhad al-Salibi, who heads the General Authority of Civil Aviation and Air Transport.
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/want-to-forge-a-new-relationship-with-syria-german-and-french-foreign-ministers-8588919" rel="dofollow">Also read: Want to forge a new relationship with Damascus: German, French foreign ministers meet Syria's de facto leader</a>
"We reassure Arab and international airlines that we have begun the phase of rehabilitating the Aleppo and Damascus airports with our partners' help, so that they can welcome flights from all over the world," he said.
International aid planes and foreign diplomatic delegations have already been landing in Syria. Domestic flights have also resumed.
Syrian Airlines will resume flights from Damascus to Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates, starting on Tuesday, an employee told AFP requesting anonymity because they were not authorised to speak to the media.
On Thursday, Qatar Airways announced it would resume flights to the Syrian capital after nearly 13 years, starting with three weekly flights from Tuesday.
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/operation-many-ways-israel-declassifies-details-of-strike-on-iran-backed-syrian-missile-facility-8587848" rel="dofollow">Also read: 'Operation Many Ways': Israel declassifies details of strike on Iran-backed Syrian missile facility</a>
A Qatari official told AFP last month that Doha had offered the new Syrian authorities help in resuming operations at Damascus airport.
On December 18, the first flight since Islamist-led rebels ousted Assad on December 8 took off from Damascus airport to Aleppo in the country's north, AFP journalists saw.
Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

World: "We announce we will start receiving international flights to and from Damascus International Airport from" Tuesday, state news agency SANA said, quoting Ashhad al-Salibi. 

Syria said on Saturday the country's main airport in Damascus would resume international flights starting next week after such commercial trips were halted following last month's ousting of President Bashar al-Assad. "We announce we will start receiving international flights to and from Damascus International Airport from" Tuesday, state news agency SANA said, quoting Ashhad al-Salibi, who heads the General Authority of Civil Aviation and Air Transport. Also read: Want to forge a new relationship with Damascus: German, French foreign ministers meet Syria's de facto leader "We reassure Arab and international airlines that we have begun the phase of rehabilitating the Aleppo and Damascus airports with our partners' help, so that they can welcome flights from all over the world," he said. International aid planes and foreign diplomatic delegations have already been landing in Syria. Domestic flights have also resumed. Syrian Airlines will resume flights from Damascus to Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates, starting on Tuesday, an employee told AFP requesting anonymity because they were not authorised to speak to the media. On Thursday, Qatar Airways announced it would resume flights to the Syrian capital after nearly 13 years, starting with three weekly flights from Tuesday. Also read: 'Operation Many Ways': Israel declassifies details of strike on Iran-backed Syrian missile facility A Qatari official told AFP last month that Doha had offered the new Syrian authorities help in resuming operations at Damascus airport. On December 18, the first flight since Islamist-led rebels ousted Assad on December 8 took off from Damascus airport to Aleppo in the country's north, AFP journalists saw. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Syria to resume international flights to and from Damascus

The foreign ministers of Germany and France met Syria's de-facto leader Ahmed al-Sharaa in Damascus on Friday (January 3) on behalf of the European Union (EU).
German Foreign Minister&nbsp;Annalena Baerbock and her French counterpart Jean-Noel Barrot said that they wanted to forge a new relationship with Syria and urged a peaceful transition of power.&nbsp;
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The meeting took place at the Damascus People's Palace.
<h2>Baerbock, Barrot first EU ministers to visit Syria post-Assad's ouster</h2>
Baerbock and Barrot became the first ministers from the EU to visit Syria post the rebel offensive led by Ahmed al-Sharaa's Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group which led to the ouster of Bashar al-Assad last month.&nbsp;
Footage published by news agencies showed Baerbock and Barrot sitting&nbsp;with Sharaa for talks at the presidential palace.
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Last month, France and Germany had both sent lower-level delegations to Syria. This came as a series of foreign envoys travelled to the country post-Assad's ouster.&nbsp;
<h2>Germany, France FMs express hopes of a safe, peaceful Syria</h2>
Barrot expressed hope for a "sovereign, stable, and peaceful" Syria. It was also a "hope that the aspirations of all Syrians can be realised", he added, "but it is a fragile hope."
Meanwhile, Baerbock said in a statement that Germany wanted to help Syria become a "safe home" for all its people, and a "functioning state, with full control over its territory."
She said the visit was a "clear signal" to Damascus of the possibility of a new relationship between&nbsp;Syria and Germany, and Europe more broadly.
Despite HTS being designated a terrorist organisation by several international governments, the German foreign minister said, "We must not miss the opportunity to support the Syrian people at this important crossroads."
Berlin was ready to support "an inclusive and peaceful transfer of power", as well as social "reconciliation", Baerbock said.
She also urged Syria's new leaders to avoid "acts of vengeance against groups within the population."
(With inputs from agencies)

Last month, France and Germany had both sent lower-level delegations to Syria. Footage published by news agencies showed Baerbock and Barrot seat with Sharaa for talks at the presidential palace.

The foreign ministers of Germany and France met Syria's de-facto leader Ahmed al-Sharaa in Damascus on Friday (January 3) on behalf of the European Union (EU). German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and her French counterpart Jean-Noel Barrot said that they wanted to forge a new relationship with Syria and urged a peaceful transition of power. Also read | Syria's education minister defends changes in school curriculum amid criticism. Cites THIS reason The meeting took place at the Damascus People's Palace. Baerbock, Barrot first EU ministers to visit Syria post-Assad's ouster Baerbock and Barrot became the first ministers from the EU to visit Syria post the rebel offensive led by Ahmed al-Sharaa's Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group which led to the ouster of Bashar al-Assad last month. Footage published by news agencies showed Baerbock and Barrot sitting with Sharaa for talks at the presidential palace. Also read | Syria’s new leader holds meeting with Ukraine's foreign minister Last month, France and Germany had both sent lower-level delegations to Syria. This came as a series of foreign envoys travelled to the country post-Assad's ouster. Germany, France FMs express hopes of a safe, peaceful Syria Barrot expressed hope for a "sovereign, stable, and peaceful" Syria. It was also a "hope that the aspirations of all Syrians can be realised", he added, "but it is a fragile hope." Meanwhile, Baerbock said in a statement that Germany wanted to help Syria become a "safe home" for all its people, and a "functioning state, with full control over its territory." She said the visit was a "clear signal" to Damascus of the possibility of a new relationship between Syria and Germany, and Europe more broadly. Despite HTS being designated a terrorist organisation by several international governments, the German foreign minister said, "We must not miss the opportunity to support the Syrian people at this important crossroads." Berlin was ready to support "an inclusive and peaceful transfer of power", as well as social "reconciliation", Baerbock said. She also urged Syria's new leaders to avoid "acts of vengeance against groups within the population." (With inputs from agencies)

Want to forge a new relationship with Damascus: German, French foreign ministers meet Syria's de facto leader

Israel has now bombed Syrian Army positions south of Aleppo. Residents reported hearing huge explosions in the area, while the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that the strikes targeted defense and research facilities. The Observatory added that at least seven massive explosions were heard, resulting from an Israeli airstrike on defense factories south of Aleppo. The IDF has also confirmed that dozens of its troops were flown into Syria in September to destroy an underground missile Factory funded by Iran. Watch in for more details!

Watch: Israel Destroys Iran-backed Underground Missile Facility In Syria

The Israeli Air Force (IAF) has declassified details of "Operation Many Ways," where 120 commandos dismantled a Syrian underground missile production facility reportedly financed by Iran. The mission was carried out on September 8, 2024. The facility, called "Deep Layer," was located near Masyaf in western Syria, a region known for its strong air defence.
<h2 class="p1">Targeted Facility</h2>
The Deep Layer facility was reportedly constructed after a 2017 Israeli airstrike on an aboveground missile production site.
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The facility was built 70-130 meters into a mountain and was operational by 2021. It was producing up to 300 missiles annually with a range of 300 kilometres. The missiles were allegedly intended for Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Assad regime.&nbsp;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet publive-iframes-block publive-Twitter-block" contenteditable="false" width="600" height="400" id="PL_blockquote_block-m5gia617-1xqvibot-0hkyz8v7">
DECLASSIFIED: In September 2024, before the fall of the Assad Regime, our soldiers conducted an undercover operation to dismantle an Iranian-funded underground precision missile production site in Syria. Watch exclusive footage from this historic moment. <a href="https://t.co/s0bTDNwx77">pic.twitter.com/s0bTDNwx77</a>
&mdash; Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) <a href="https://twitter.com/IDF/status/1874849694012309593?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 2, 2025</a></blockquote>
<h2 class="p1">Operational Details</h2>
Israeli military planned the operation for several years. It gained urgency amid escalating regional tensions. Commandos were flown into Syrian airspace on CH-53 helicopters, escorted by fighter jets and drones. To evade radar and Syrian air defences, the aircraft flew over the Mediterranean and at low altitudes.
Upon reaching the site, diversionary strikes were launched to misdirect Syrian forces. Commandos breached the facility&rsquo;s fortified entrances using forklifts to access critical areas. Explosives were planted along the production line to target machinery used for missile manufacturing. The explosives were remotely detonated by the Israeli commandos.
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<h2 class="p1">Outcome</h2>
The IAF reported 30 Syrian casualties, while Syrian media claimed 14 deaths and 43 injuries. The operation lasted for almost three hours with all commandos returning safely.
(With inputs from agencies)

World: Israel declassified details of "Operation Many Ways," a September 2024 mission where 120 commandos destroyed an underground missile facility in Syria

The Israeli Air Force (IAF) has declassified details of "Operation Many Ways," where 120 commandos dismantled a Syrian underground missile production facility reportedly financed by Iran. The mission was carried out on September 8, 2024. The facility, called "Deep Layer," was located near Masyaf in western Syria, a region known for its strong air defence. Targeted Facility The Deep Layer facility was reportedly constructed after a 2017 Israeli airstrike on an aboveground missile production site. Also read: Top 10 world news: New Orleans attack updates; IDF kills Hamas police chief, and more The facility was built 70-130 meters into a mountain and was operational by 2021. It was producing up to 300 missiles annually with a range of 300 kilometres. The missiles were allegedly intended for Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Assad regime. DECLASSIFIED: In September 2024, before the fall of the Assad Regime, our soldiers conducted an undercover operation to dismantle an Iranian-funded underground precision missile production site in Syria. Watch exclusive footage from this historic moment. pic.twitter.com/s0bTDNwx77 — Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) January 2, 2025 Operational Details Israeli military planned the operation for several years. It gained urgency amid escalating regional tensions. Commandos were flown into Syrian airspace on CH-53 helicopters, escorted by fighter jets and drones. To evade radar and Syrian air defences, the aircraft flew over the Mediterranean and at low altitudes. Upon reaching the site, diversionary strikes were launched to misdirect Syrian forces. Commandos breached the facility’s fortified entrances using forklifts to access critical areas. Explosives were planted along the production line to target machinery used for missile manufacturing. The explosives were remotely detonated by the Israeli commandos. Also read: Hamas police chief, deputy killed in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza humanitarian zone Outcome The IAF reported 30 Syrian casualties, while Syrian media claimed 14 deaths and 43 injuries. The operation lasted for almost three hours with all commandos returning safely. (With inputs from agencies)

'Operation Many Ways': Israel declassifies details of strike on Iran-backed Syrian missile facility

As part of its grand strategy to restore stability in its war-torn economy and entice international investment, Syria is contemplating legalizing Bitcoin and the digitization of the Syrian pound. Watch in for more details!

Syria Eyes Bitcoin To Revive Economy

Israel Confirms Syria Raid On Iran-Funded Missile Factory In September

Qatar Airways announced on Thursday (January 02) that it will resume flights to the Syrian capital Damascus after nearly 13 years, starting with three weekly flights beginning on Tuesday.
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The Qatari national carrier "is pleased to announce the resumption of three weekly flights to Damascus, Syria, from 7 January 2025," it said in a statement.
It hailed a "significant step in reconnecting the region", about a month after Islamist-led rebels toppled Syria's longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad, capping more than a decade of civil war.
"Qatar Airways is working closely with relevant authorities to ensure that all necessary safety, security and operational standards are met ahead of the relaunch," the airline said.
CEO Badr Mohammed Al-Meer said the company was "pleased to resume flights to Damascus, a destination of great historical and cultural importance".
A Qatari official told AFP last month that Doha had offered the new Syrian authorities help in resuming operations at Damascus airport.
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Qatar was the second country, after Turkey, to reopen its embassy in the Syrian capital following the overthrow of the Assad government on December 8.
Doha was one of the main backers of the armed rebellion that erupted after Assad's government crushed a peaceful uprising in 2011.
Unlike several of its neighbours, Qatar had remained a stern critic of Assad and did not renew ties with Syria despite its return to the Arab diplomatic fold last year.
Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION&nbsp;audience.

World news | Middle East: The Qatari national carrier "is pleased to announce the resumption of three weekly flights to Damascus, Syria, from 7 January 2025," it said in a statement.

Qatar Airways announced on Thursday (January 02) that it will resume flights to the Syrian capital Damascus after nearly 13 years, starting with three weekly flights beginning on Tuesday. Also read: Israel confirms September raid on Iran-funded missile factory in Syria The Qatari national carrier "is pleased to announce the resumption of three weekly flights to Damascus, Syria, from 7 January 2025," it said in a statement. It hailed a "significant step in reconnecting the region", about a month after Islamist-led rebels toppled Syria's longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad, capping more than a decade of civil war. "Qatar Airways is working closely with relevant authorities to ensure that all necessary safety, security and operational standards are met ahead of the relaunch," the airline said. CEO Badr Mohammed Al-Meer said the company was "pleased to resume flights to Damascus, a destination of great historical and cultural importance". A Qatari official told AFP last month that Doha had offered the new Syrian authorities help in resuming operations at Damascus airport. Also read: Syria's education minister defends changes in school curriculum amid criticism. Cites THIS reason Qatar was the second country, after Turkey, to reopen its embassy in the Syrian capital following the overthrow of the Assad government on December 8. Doha was one of the main backers of the armed rebellion that erupted after Assad's government crushed a peaceful uprising in 2011. Unlike several of its neighbours, Qatar had remained a stern critic of Assad and did not renew ties with Syria despite its return to the Arab diplomatic fold last year. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

'Reconnecting the region,' Qatar Airways to resume Damascus flights after 13 years

The Israeli military confirmed on Thursday that dozens of its troops were flown into <a href="https://www.wionews.com/search?title=syria" rel="dofollow">Syria </a>in September to destroy an underground missile factory funded by Iran.
The military, which rarely comments on its activities inside Syria, said in a statement that the September 8 raid involved more than 100 Israeli commando soldiers who dismantled the facility in the Masyaf area near the Mediterranean coast.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor reported at the time that 27 people were killed in the raid. The Israeli military did not disclose any casualty figures.
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Israel has carried out hundreds of strikes in Syria since a civil war broke out there in 2011, mainly on Iranian-linked targets.
In a statement on Thursday, the military said the underground Masyaf compound "included advanced assembly lines designed to manufacture precision-guided missiles and long-range rockets" for Lebanon's Hezbollah "and other Iranian terror proxies in the region".
Troops were flown in on helicopters, "with fire and intelligence-gathering support from aircraft, fighter jets, and naval vessels", it said.
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Military spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Nadav Shoshani told journalists in an online briefing that "this precision-guided missile factory was dug in the side of a mountain underground in the area of Masyaf."
"Most components in fact were sourced from Iran for precision-guided missiles and surface-to-surface missiles," he said.
The facility had the capacity to manufacture hundreds of missiles annually, Shoshani said.
The Observatory said the facility was created and supervised by Iran's Revolutionary Guards.
Tehran at the time condemned the raid as a "criminal attack".
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The military statement said critical machinery and documents found at the factory were brought to Israel for further investigation.
"The soldiers destroyed the compound and safely returned to Israeli territory," it said.
Rami Abdel Rahman, head of the Syrian Observatory, told AFP after the raid that an intense air strike preceded the raid, destroying a separate "scientific research centre" in Masyaf used for weapons development, where Iranian experts worked.
Syria, until last month under Iran-backed president Bashar al-Assad, has sought to stay out of the Israel-Hamas conflict, which began with the Palestinian militant group's October 7, 2023 attack and has drawn in Tehran-aligned groups in the region.
Since Islamist-led rebels toppled Assad on December 8, Israel has carried out hundreds of air strikes on Syrian military facilities in what it says is a bid to prevent them from falling into hostile hands.
In a move widely condemned internationally, Israel also sent troops into a UN-patrolled buffer zone in the Golan Heights and beyond, describing it as a defensive and temporary measure.
Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

World: The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor reported at the time that 27 people were killed in the raid. The Israeli military did not disclose any casualty figures.

The Israeli military confirmed on Thursday that dozens of its troops were flown into Syria in September to destroy an underground missile factory funded by Iran. The military, which rarely comments on its activities inside Syria, said in a statement that the September 8 raid involved more than 100 Israeli commando soldiers who dismantled the facility in the Masyaf area near the Mediterranean coast. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor reported at the time that 27 people were killed in the raid. The Israeli military did not disclose any casualty figures. Also read: Syria's education minister defends changes in school curriculum amid criticism. Cites THIS reason Israel has carried out hundreds of strikes in Syria since a civil war broke out there in 2011, mainly on Iranian-linked targets. In a statement on Thursday, the military said the underground Masyaf compound "included advanced assembly lines designed to manufacture precision-guided missiles and long-range rockets" for Lebanon's Hezbollah "and other Iranian terror proxies in the region". Troops were flown in on helicopters, "with fire and intelligence-gathering support from aircraft, fighter jets, and naval vessels", it said. Also read: Iran’s Khamenei praises Syrian resistance, says ‘US will leave the region in humiliation’ Military spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Nadav Shoshani told journalists in an online briefing that "this precision-guided missile factory was dug in the side of a mountain underground in the area of Masyaf." "Most components in fact were sourced from Iran for precision-guided missiles and surface-to-surface missiles," he said. The facility had the capacity to manufacture hundreds of missiles annually, Shoshani said. The Observatory said the facility was created and supervised by Iran's Revolutionary Guards. Tehran at the time condemned the raid as a "criminal attack". Also read: French military bombs ISIS positions in Syria, the first since fall of Assad govt The military statement said critical machinery and documents found at the factory were brought to Israel for further investigation. "The soldiers destroyed the compound and safely returned to Israeli territory," it said. Rami Abdel Rahman, head of the Syrian Observatory, told AFP after the raid that an intense air strike preceded the raid, destroying a separate "scientific research centre" in Masyaf used for weapons development, where Iranian experts worked. Syria, until last month under Iran-backed president Bashar al-Assad, has sought to stay out of the Israel-Hamas conflict, which began with the Palestinian militant group's October 7, 2023 attack and has drawn in Tehran-aligned groups in the region. Since Islamist-led rebels toppled Assad on December 8, Israel has carried out hundreds of air strikes on Syrian military facilities in what it says is a bid to prevent them from falling into hostile hands. In a move widely condemned internationally, Israel also sent troops into a UN-patrolled buffer zone in the Golan Heights and beyond, describing it as a defensive and temporary measure. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Israel confirms September raid on Iran-funded missile factory in Syria

With Trump 2.0 on the horizon, his potential tariff policies could have major implications for global trade, especially concerning India and China. Experts analyze how these tariff moves might affect the economies and trade relationships between the three countries.

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Syria's Education Minister Nazir al-Qadir on Thursday (Jan 2) defended the changes in the country's school curriculum, which were widely criticised.
In a statement shared on Telegram, Education Minister al-Qadir said that the changes were only meant to scrap the glorifying references to ousted president Bashar al-Assad and correct the misinterpretations of the Quran.
"The curricula in all Syrian schools will remain as is until specialised committees are formed to review and audit them," al-Qadir said.
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/irans-khamenei-praises-syrian-resistance-says-us-will-leave-the-region-in-humiliation-8583654" rel="dofollow">Iran&rsquo;s Khamenei praises Syrian resistance, says &lsquo;US will leave the region in humiliation&rsquo;</a>
"We have only ordered the deletion of parts glorifying the defunct Assad regime, and we have adopted pictures of the Syrian Revolution flag instead of the defunct regime flag," he added.
<h2>What has been changed in the curriculum?</h2>
The education ministry announced the changes on Wednesday in a post on Facebook.
The changes included scrapping poetry relating to women and love and references to "Gods" in ancient history courses and interpreting a Quranic verse about those who had angered God and strayed as referring to "Jews and Nasara", a derogatory term for Christians.
Syria's national anthem was also removed from textbooks, with the ministry describing it as the anthem of the fallen Assad government.
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/french-military-bombs-isis-positions-in-syria-the-first-since-fall-of-assad-govt-8581341" rel="dofollow">French military bombs ISIS positions in Syria, the first since fall of Assad govt</a>
The nationalistic phrase "to sacrifice one's life in defence of his homeland" has been replaced with the Islamist "to sacrifice one's life for the sake of Allah."
<h2>Outrage over the changes</h2>
Many took to social media to express outrage over the changes in the curriculum. Critics warned that "education based on extremist ideologies may shape individuals whose ideas threaten regional and international security."
"Changing the curriculum under the supervision of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) is not just an educational danger, but a long-term threat to the social fabric and future of Syria," journalist Shiyar Khaleal said in a post on Facebook.
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/syrias-new-leader-ahmed-al-sharaa-says-need-to-rewrite-constitution-before-elections-happen-urges-us-to-lift-sanctions-8576403" rel="dofollow">Syria's new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa urges US to lift sanctions, blames Assad regime for them</a>
Since the ouster of Assad last month following the rebel offensive led by the HTS, the new authorities face the challenge of rebuilding state institutions shaped by the Assad family's 50-year rule.&nbsp;
<h2>Germany plans major boost for Syrian schools</h2>
The changes to the curriculum came days after Germany said it would back $62.70 million worth of projects in Syria to boost education, women's rights, and other areas in the aftermath of Assad's ouster.
In a statement, Development Minister Svenja Schulze said, "We have clearly formulated our expectations: an education system free of ideology, discrimination, and exclusion."
&nbsp;

World, Middle East: Defending the changes, Syria's Education Minister Nazir al-Qadir said the changes were only meant to scrap the glorifying references to Bashar al-Assad and correct the misinterpretations of the Quran.

Syria's Education Minister Nazir al-Qadir on Thursday (Jan 2) defended the changes in the country's school curriculum, which were widely criticised. In a statement shared on Telegram, Education Minister al-Qadir said that the changes were only meant to scrap the glorifying references to ousted president Bashar al-Assad and correct the misinterpretations of the Quran. "The curricula in all Syrian schools will remain as is until specialised committees are formed to review and audit them," al-Qadir said. Also read | Iran’s Khamenei praises Syrian resistance, says ‘US will leave the region in humiliation’ "We have only ordered the deletion of parts glorifying the defunct Assad regime, and we have adopted pictures of the Syrian Revolution flag instead of the defunct regime flag," he added. What has been changed in the curriculum? The education ministry announced the changes on Wednesday in a post on Facebook. The changes included scrapping poetry relating to women and love and references to "Gods" in ancient history courses and interpreting a Quranic verse about those who had angered God and strayed as referring to "Jews and Nasara", a derogatory term for Christians. Syria's national anthem was also removed from textbooks, with the ministry describing it as the anthem of the fallen Assad government. Also read | French military bombs ISIS positions in Syria, the first since fall of Assad govt The nationalistic phrase "to sacrifice one's life in defence of his homeland" has been replaced with the Islamist "to sacrifice one's life for the sake of Allah." Outrage over the changes Many took to social media to express outrage over the changes in the curriculum. Critics warned that "education based on extremist ideologies may shape individuals whose ideas threaten regional and international security." "Changing the curriculum under the supervision of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) is not just an educational danger, but a long-term threat to the social fabric and future of Syria," journalist Shiyar Khaleal said in a post on Facebook. Also read | Syria's new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa urges US to lift sanctions, blames Assad regime for them Since the ouster of Assad last month following the rebel offensive led by the HTS, the new authorities face the challenge of rebuilding state institutions shaped by the Assad family's 50-year rule. Germany plans major boost for Syrian schools The changes to the curriculum came days after Germany said it would back $62.70 million worth of projects in Syria to boost education, women's rights, and other areas in the aftermath of Assad's ouster. In a statement, Development Minister Svenja Schulze said, "We have clearly formulated our expectations: an education system free of ideology, discrimination, and exclusion."

Syria's education minister defends changes in school curriculum amid criticism. Cites THIS reason

Staying with news from West Asia, Syria's Foreign Minister, Assad al-Shabani, has arrived in Saudi Arabia. The visit comes as part of Damascus' effort to renew its relations with Riyadh, following the severance of ties between the two countries in 2012 during the Civil War.

Syria FM Assad al-Shabani In Saudi Arabia On Maiden Trip As New Rulers Reset Regional Ties

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shabani lands in Riyadh in a bid to renew ties

Iran's Supreme Leader, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/irans-khamenei-dubs-women-as-delicate-flowers-as-calls-grow-to-amend-hijab-bill-785142">Ayatollah Ali Khamenei</a>, has praised Syrian resistance and said that "the United States would leave the region in humiliation."
Speaking on Wednesday (January 1) during a ceremony marking the fifth anniversary of Qasem Soleimani&rsquo;s death, the former commander of the Revolutionary Guards' Quds Force, Khamenei said that &ldquo;if a nation removes its pillars of stability and strength from the field, it risks becoming like Syria&mdash;vulnerable to occupation by the United States, Israel, and some regional states.&rdquo;
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/absurd-irans-supreme-leader-khamenei-denies-using-proxies-in-west-asia-785976">Iran's Khamenei rejects &lsquo;proxy force&rsquo; accusations, says Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis act independently</a>
He further added, &ldquo;But Syria belongs to the Syrians, and those who have violated its sovereignty will undoubtedly be forced to withdraw in the face of Syrian youth resistance.&rdquo;
Khamenei rejected claims that sacrifices made in defence of holy sites were in vain. &ldquo;Some people, due to a lack of proper analysis and understanding, claim that with the recent events in the region, the blood shed in defence of the shrine was wasted. They are making this grave mistake; the blood was not wasted," he said.
In his address, Khamenei called <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/french-ministers-in-lebanon-to-discuss-ways-to-strengthen-israel-hezbollah-truce-8580035">Hezbollah</a> and the Houthis, examples of resilience and defiance. He said that they will eventually succeed.
<h2>'US bases will be trampled under the feet of Syrian youth': Khamenei</h2>
Separately, in a post shared on X, Khamenei wrote, &ldquo;Young believers who are willing to sacrifice their lives are the most important factor for a nation's strength. These people shouldn&rsquo;t be removed from the scene. When they are removed, it becomes like Syria. It leads to the occupation of territory by foreigners.&rdquo;
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israeli-minister-katz-threatens-to-crush-hezbollahs-head-if-they-violates-ceasefire-785988">Israeli minister Katz threatens to 'crush Hezbollah's head' if it violates ceasefire</a>
He also criticised the United States&rsquo; activities in Syria, saying, &ldquo;Today, the US is continuously building bases in Syria. These bases will undoubtedly be trampled under the feet of the Syrian youth.&rdquo; 
Khamenei added, &ldquo;The US and the Zionist regime, who have invaded the land of the Syrian people, will one day be forced to retreat in the face of the power of the devout Syrian youth. This will happen without a doubt.&rdquo;
(With inputs from agencies)

World: Khamenei said, “If a nation removes its pillars of stability and strength from the field, it risks becoming like Syria—vulnerable to occupation by the United States, Israel, and some regional states.”

Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has praised Syrian resistance and said that "the United States would leave the region in humiliation." Speaking on Wednesday (January 1) during a ceremony marking the fifth anniversary of Qasem Soleimani’s death, the former commander of the Revolutionary Guards' Quds Force, Khamenei said that “if a nation removes its pillars of stability and strength from the field, it risks becoming like Syria—vulnerable to occupation by the United States, Israel, and some regional states.” Also read: Iran's Khamenei rejects ‘proxy force’ accusations, says Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis act independently He further added, “But Syria belongs to the Syrians, and those who have violated its sovereignty will undoubtedly be forced to withdraw in the face of Syrian youth resistance.” Khamenei rejected claims that sacrifices made in defence of holy sites were in vain. “Some people, due to a lack of proper analysis and understanding, claim that with the recent events in the region, the blood shed in defence of the shrine was wasted. They are making this grave mistake; the blood was not wasted," he said. In his address, Khamenei called Hezbollah and the Houthis, examples of resilience and defiance. He said that they will eventually succeed. 'US bases will be trampled under the feet of Syrian youth': Khamenei Separately, in a post shared on X, Khamenei wrote, “Young believers who are willing to sacrifice their lives are the most important factor for a nation's strength. These people shouldn’t be removed from the scene. When they are removed, it becomes like Syria. It leads to the occupation of territory by foreigners.” Also read: Israeli minister Katz threatens to 'crush Hezbollah's head' if it violates ceasefire He also criticised the United States’ activities in Syria, saying, “Today, the US is continuously building bases in Syria. These bases will undoubtedly be trampled under the feet of the Syrian youth.” Khamenei added, “The US and the Zionist regime, who have invaded the land of the Syrian people, will one day be forced to retreat in the face of the power of the devout Syrian youth. This will happen without a doubt.” (With inputs from agencies)

Iran’s Khamenei praises Syrian resistance, says ‘US will leave the region in humiliation’

Trump's ascension to power has possibly unnerved many leading allies of the US. Most notably in Europe and left them rather anguished. Time and again, Trump has been labelled the 'Disruptor-in-Chief'. Tune into the #Gravitas special year-end edition to find out more.

Trump Effect: Friends Fear Disruptor-in-chief as Much as Foes

In a historic move, Syria has appointed Maysaa Sabrine as the first female governor of its central bank. This appointment marks a significant step in gender equality within the country’s financial sector amidst ongoing economic challenges.

Syria Appoints Maysaa Sabrine as First Female Governor of Central Bank

Donald Trump's appeal has been rejected in the ongoing sexual abuse and defamation case filed by E. Jean Carroll. The court's decision upholds the previous ruling, continuing the legal battle over the allegations against the former president. This marks a significant development in the case, which has drawn widespread attention and controversy.

Donald Trump’s Appeal Rejected in E. Jean Carroll Sexual Abuse and Defamation Case

The French military bombed positions of the Islamic State (ISIS) in Syria on Tuesday (Dec 31), the first such strike in the West Asian country since the fall of Bashar al-Assad's government.
In a post on X, Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu said, "Our armed forces remain engaged in battling terrorism in the Levant." "On Sunday, French air assets carried out targeted strikes against Daesh (the Arabic name for ISIS) on Syrian soil," he added.
<h2>A total of seven bombs dropped in central Syria</h2>
Speaking to the news agency AFP, the French defence ministry said that Rafale fighter jets and US-made Reaper drones dropped "a total of seven bombs on two military targets belonging to Daesh in central Syria."
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Nos arm&eacute;es restent engag&eacute;es dans la lutte contre le terrorisme au Levant. Elles contribuent &agrave; la coalition internationale "Operation Inherent Resolve" (OIR), depuis 2014 en Irak et 2015 en Syrie. Dimanche, des moyens a&eacute;riens fran&ccedil;ais ont proc&eacute;d&eacute; &agrave; des frappes cibl&eacute;es contre des&hellip; <a href="https://t.co/uwzOmcJDce">pic.twitter.com/uwzOmcJDce</a>
&mdash; S&eacute;bastien Lecornu (@SebLecornu) <a href="https://twitter.com/SebLecornu/status/1873988975930548616?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 31, 2024</a></blockquote>

<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

France has been part of the Inherent Resolve international coalition against ISIS since 2014 for Iraq and 2015 for Syria.
<h2>The Syrian rebel group's battle with the ISIS</h2>
The rebel offensive in Syria, which led to Bashar al-Assad's ouster, was led by the&nbsp;Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS).&nbsp;
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/syrias-new-leader-ahmed-al-sharaa-says-need-to-rewrite-constitution-before-elections-happen-urges-us-to-lift-sanctions-8576403" rel="dofollow">Syria's new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa urges US to lift sanctions, blames Assad regime for them</a>
AFP reported that in its Idlib stronghold, the HTS has long battled jihadists from the Islamic State group, which was territorially defeated in Syria in 2019.
Recently, Syria's de-factor leader Ahmed al-Sharaa has tapped dozens of former rebels for high-ranking army positions, several of whom are foreign fighters.&nbsp;
A decree published late Sunday on the Telegram account of Sharaa's General Command listed 49 people to be made commanders, in the first such announcement since the fall of the Assad government on December 8.
(With inputs from agencies)

World News, Middle East: France has been part of the Inherent Resolve international coalition against ISIS. A total of seven bombs were dropped on two positions in Syria. 

The French military bombed positions of the Islamic State (ISIS) in Syria on Tuesday (Dec 31), the first such strike in the West Asian country since the fall of Bashar al-Assad's government. In a post on X, Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu said, "Our armed forces remain engaged in battling terrorism in the Levant." "On Sunday, French air assets carried out targeted strikes against Daesh (the Arabic name for ISIS) on Syrian soil," he added. A total of seven bombs dropped in central Syria Speaking to the news agency AFP, the French defence ministry said that Rafale fighter jets and US-made Reaper drones dropped "a total of seven bombs on two military targets belonging to Daesh in central Syria." Nos armées restent engagées dans la lutte contre le terrorisme au Levant. Elles contribuent à la coalition internationale "Operation Inherent Resolve" (OIR), depuis 2014 en Irak et 2015 en Syrie. Dimanche, des moyens aériens français ont procédé à des frappes ciblées contre des… pic.twitter.com/uwzOmcJDce — Sébastien Lecornu (@SebLecornu) December 31, 2024 France has been part of the Inherent Resolve international coalition against ISIS since 2014 for Iraq and 2015 for Syria. The Syrian rebel group's battle with the ISIS The rebel offensive in Syria, which led to Bashar al-Assad's ouster, was led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). Also read | Syria's new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa urges US to lift sanctions, blames Assad regime for them AFP reported that in its Idlib stronghold, the HTS has long battled jihadists from the Islamic State group, which was territorially defeated in Syria in 2019. Recently, Syria's de-factor leader Ahmed al-Sharaa has tapped dozens of former rebels for high-ranking army positions, several of whom are foreign fighters. A decree published late Sunday on the Telegram account of Sharaa's General Command listed 49 people to be made commanders, in the first such announcement since the fall of the Assad government on December 8. (With inputs from agencies)

French military bombs ISIS positions in Syria, the first since fall of Assad govt

Syria's new de facto ruler has promised to bring together all Syrians, offering a vision of national unity amidst the ongoing conflict and political fragmentation. This statement marks a significant moment in Syria's complex political landscape, raising questions about future governance and peace efforts.

Syria New De Facto Ruler Promises To Unite All Syrians

Syria's new rulers have appointed Maysaa Sabrine, formerly a deputy governor of the Syrian central bank, to lead the institution as the first woman to do so in its more than 70-year history, a senior Syrian official said. Watch in for more details!

Syria's Central Bank Gets First Woman Governor

At least 31 combatants have been killed in Syria since Sunday in ongoing battles between Turkey-based groups and Kurdish-led forces. Watch in for more details!

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Syria's new rulers have appointed Maysaa Sabrine, formerly a deputy governor of the Syrian central bank, to lead the institution as the first woman to do so in its more than 70-year history, a senior Syrian official said.
Sabrine, a longtime central bank official mostly focused on oversight of the country's banking sector, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
She replaces Mohammed Issam Hazime who was appointed governor in 2021 by then-President Bashar al-Assad and remained on after Assad was ousted by a lightning rebel offensive on Dec 8.
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/syrias-new-leader-ahmed-al-sharaa-says-need-to-rewrite-constitution-before-elections-happen-urges-us-to-lift-sanctions-8576403" rel="dofollow">Syria's new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa urges US to lift sanctions, blames Assad regime for them</a>
Since the rebel takeover, the bank has taken steps to liberalise an economy that was heavily controlled by the state, including by cancelling the need for pre-approvals for imports and exports and tight controls on the use of foreign currency.
But Syria and the bank itself remain under strict US sanctions.
The bank has also taken stock of the country's assets after Assad's fall and a brief spate of looting that saw Syrian currency stolen but the main vaults left unbreached, Reuters reported.
The vault holds nearly 26 tons of gold, the same amount it had at the start of its civil war in 2011, sources told Reuters, but foreign currency reserves had dwindled from around $18 billion before the war to around $200 million, they said.
Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

World News: Maysaa Sabrine, a former deputy governor, is the first woman to lead the Syrian central bank in its more than 70-year history. She replaces Mohammed Issam Hazime.

Syria's new rulers have appointed Maysaa Sabrine, formerly a deputy governor of the Syrian central bank, to lead the institution as the first woman to do so in its more than 70-year history, a senior Syrian official said. Sabrine, a longtime central bank official mostly focused on oversight of the country's banking sector, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. She replaces Mohammed Issam Hazime who was appointed governor in 2021 by then-President Bashar al-Assad and remained on after Assad was ousted by a lightning rebel offensive on Dec 8. Also read | Syria's new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa urges US to lift sanctions, blames Assad regime for them Since the rebel takeover, the bank has taken steps to liberalise an economy that was heavily controlled by the state, including by cancelling the need for pre-approvals for imports and exports and tight controls on the use of foreign currency. But Syria and the bank itself remain under strict US sanctions. The bank has also taken stock of the country's assets after Assad's fall and a brief spate of looting that saw Syrian currency stolen but the main vaults left unbreached, Reuters reported. The vault holds nearly 26 tons of gold, the same amount it had at the start of its civil war in 2011, sources told Reuters, but foreign currency reserves had dwindled from around $18 billion before the war to around $200 million, they said. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Maysaa Sabrine becomes first woman to lead Syria's central bank

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