Latest news with #Tartus
Arab News
a day ago
- Politics
- Arab News
Syrian authorities capture high-ranking official who helped run notorious Saydnaya prison
LONDON: Syrian authorities on Tuesday arrested a former high-ranking official who helped run the notorious Saydnaya Prison. Thaer Hussein, described as an assistant to the director of the prison, had been on the run since the collapse of President Bashar Assad's regime in December. Syria's Internal Security Command in Tartus said Hussein, who held the rank of colonel within the former regime, was captured while hiding in a remote part of the coastal town. He has been referred to judicial authorities, the Syrian Arab News Agency reported. Several officials who held senior positions at Saydnaya have been arrested since December. The military prison, located north of Damascus, was operated by the Ministry of Defense. After the fall of the Assad regime, rebel forces and local residents freed at least 2,000 prisoners held there. Rights groups described it as a 'human slaughterhouse' after former inmates told of the torture and extrajudicial killings that took place within its walls.
New York Times
16-05-2025
- Business
- New York Times
Gulf States Pay Off $15.5 Million Syrian Debt to World Bank
The World Bank said on Friday that it had cleared Syria's $15.5 million debt after payments by Saudi Arabia and Qatar, making the country eligible again for grants to fund reconstruction and economic recovery. 'We are pleased that the clearance of Syria's arrears will allow the World Bank Group to re-engage with the country and address the development needs of the Syrian people,' the bank said in a statement. 'After years of conflict, Syria is on a path to recovery and development.' It marked the latest victory for Syria's new government as it attempts to forge a stable path forward for the country after nearly 14 years of civil war. The debt relief came days after President Trump made the surprise announcement on Tuesday that the United States would lift sanctions on Syria. A day later, Mr. Trump met Syria's new president, Ahmed al-Shara, in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, where he was on a state visit. The extraordinary meeting was the first between leaders of the two countries in 25 years, and signaled both a dramatic shift in U.S. policy and another step in Syria's rapidly easing diplomatic isolation. The exact terms and timeline for lifting U.S. sanctions are still unclear. But there are already signs of growing confidence by international investors in Syria. The Syrian government has signed a $800-million memorandum of understanding with DP World, a Dubai-based global port operator, to develop the Mediterranean port of Tartus on Syria's west coast, the country's state news agency reported on Friday. It marked the first major deal since Mr. Trump's announcement and added to a growing optimism in Syria that the U.S. move will signal to other nations that the country is open for much-needed foreign investment. However, there are still significant challenges ahead for the fractured nation, which has been rocked by repeated waves of sectarian violence in recent months. Saudi Arabia and Qatar — two resource-rich Gulf nations — said in a joint-statement last month that they would cover Syria's arrears with the World Bank. The World Bank said this was the first step in a planned increase in support for Syria that will lay the groundwork for the nation's long-term recovery. The bank's initial effort will target expanding access to electricity in hopes of spurring economic activity and supporting basic services. 'This will help to stabilize the country and the region,' the World Bank statement said. 'Ultimately, there needs to be an environment for the private sector to invest, create jobs and enable growth to deliver on the promise of a better future for the Syrian people.'
LBCI
16-05-2025
- Business
- LBCI
Syria plans to print currency in UAE and Germany, ending Russian role: Reuters
Syria plans to print a newly-designed currency in the UAE and Germany instead of Russia, three sources said, reflecting rapidly improving ties with Gulf Arab and Western states as a move to loosen U.S. sanctions offers Damascus new opportunities. In another sign of deepening ties between Syria's new rulers and the UAE, Damascus on Thursday signed an $800 million initial deal with the UAE's DP World to develop Tartus port - the first such deal since President Donald Trump's surprise announcement on Tuesday that U.S. sanctions on Syria would be lifted.
LBCI
16-05-2025
- Business
- LBCI
Syria and DP World ink $800 million deal for port development
The Syrian government and DP World signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) worth $800 million to develop Syria's port of Tartus, Syrian state news agency SANA said on Friday, after the lifting of U.S sanctions cleared the way for the deal. The deal to develop, manage, and operate a multi-purpose terminal at Tartus includes cooperation in establishing industrial and free trade zones. DP World is a subsidiary of the United Arab Emirates investment company Dubai World. Reuters
Russia Today
10-03-2025
- Politics
- Russia Today
Kremlin urging swift action to curb violence in Syria
Moscow is concerned about a reported surge of violence in Syria and supports international intervention, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Monday. As many as 1,300 people have been killed in the cities of Latakia and Tartus in three days, including more than 800 civilians, according to news reports. Russia and US have requested an urgent meeting of the UN Security Council to discuss a response.
