Syria

23 July 2021; MEMO: Four missiles fired by Israeli warplanes in Syria's Homs province early on Thursday were shot down by the Syrian army using Russian-made "Buk" air defence systems, RT has reported. According to the report, two Israeli F-16 jets fired the guided missiles from Lebanese airspace.

DAMASCUS, Jul 22 (NNN-XINHUA) – The recent visit of Chinese State Councillor and Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, to Syria carries a message that the two sides will broaden bilateral cooperation, a political expert told Xinhua.

Muhammad al-Omari, a former government official, at Syria’s Ministry of National Reconciliation, and currently a political writer, said, Wang’s visit emphasises the longstanding relations between Syria and China and “tackles ways to elevating such relations to broader economic relations.”

DAMASCUS, Jul 20 (NNN-SANA) – Israel carried out a missile attack against military sites, in the northern Syrian province of Aleppo, on Monday night, it was reported today.

The attack targeted military sites, in the Safira area, in southern Aleppo, the report said.

The air defences intercepted most of the missiles, before they could hit their targets, it added.

Israel has repeatedly attacked military sites in Syria, claiming that, they are positions of Iranian-backed militias.

18 July 2021; MEMO: Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said on Saturday the main impediment to investment in the country was money stuck in ailing Lebanese banks, reports Syria.

In a speech after being sworn in as president for a fourth term, Assad said estimates suggested the frozen funds were worth between $40 billion and $60 billion.

"Both figures are enough to depress an economy like ours," he said.

DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — Syrian President Bashar Assad was sworn in Saturday for a fourth seven-year term in the war-torn country.

The May elections were described by the West and Assad’s opposition as illegitimate and a sham.

The swearing-in ceremony was held at the presidential palace and attended by clergymen, members of parliament, political figures and army officers.

12 July 2021; MEMO: The ancient Syrian village of Maaloula, where the locals still speak Aramaic, the language spoken by Jesus, and which is one of the world's oldest Christian settlements, is preparing for an influx of pilgrims ahead of the Assumption of Mary next month.

In anticipation of the pilgrims, volunteers have helped to clean up the area and removed a fallen boulder from a pathway.

12 July 2021; MEMO: Syrian authorities have announced a sharp increase in the prices of bread and fuel, in efforts to counter the economic crisis that has gripped the country over the past few years.

According to the state-run Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA), the regime yesterday doubled the price of bread and tripled the price of diesel throughout the territories under its control.

DAMASCUS, July 11 (Xinhua) -- Rocket fire targeted the largest U.S. base in eastern Syria on Sunday, the latest in a string of hits targeting the facility recently, according to the state news agency SANA.

The shelling targeted the U.S. base located in the al-Omar oil field in the eastern countryside of Deir al-Zour, sending smoke spiraling up in the sky, according to SANA.

The base has been targeted repeatedly by pro-Iran militias in the region.

On July 7, the same facility was targeted by weapon-laden drones.

09 July 2021; MEMO: Russia has proposed extending the opening of the last humanitarian border crossing into north-west Syria by six months, in a potential compromise move. The United States, however, is demanding a one year extension.

The Bab Al-Hawa crossing on the Turkish-Syrian border remains operational until tomorrow. UN and diplomatic sources have informed AFP that Russia submitted a draft resolution to the other 14 member states of the UN Security Council yesterday.

ALEPPO /Syria/, July 2. /TASS/: Russia and Turkey have exchanged, with Syria’s assistance, five Syrian soldiers for five members of illegal armed groups, the Russian defense ministry said on Friday.