This is Beirut

Plan to Repatriate Syrian Refugees in Lebanon Finalized (Asharq al-Awsat)

This is Beirut, 09/06 12:05 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Lebanon Syria Ahmad al-Sharaa Refugees Tarek Mitri UNHCR

The Lebanese ministerial committee tasked with resolving the Syrian refugee crisis has finalized a comprehensive repatriation plan, which it intends to present to the Cabinet for approval in the coming days, Asharq al-Awsat reported on Monday. Deputy Prime Minister Tarek Mitri, who heads the committee, said the first phase of the voluntary return ...

Syria Monitor Says One Killed in Israeli Strike near Buffer Zone

This is Beirut, 08/06 18:15 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Syria Israel SOHR

Israel struck southern Syria on Sunday, with a war monitor reporting one killed and the Israeli military saying it had targeted a member of Palestinian militant group Hamas. In the wake of longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad's overthrow in December, Israel has carried out hundreds of strikes and moved forces into the buffer zone that has separated ...

Coordinated Jailbreak: 19 Detainees Escape from Ghazir Police Station

This is Beirut, 08/06 12:30 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Internal Security Forces Ghazir Syria Egypt Lebanon

Nineteen detainees escaped from the Ghazir police station in the Keserwan district just after midnight on Saturday-Sunday, in what authorities describe as a coordinated and premeditated jailbreak. According to security sources, the group includes 13 Syrians, 5 Lebanese nationals and 1 Egyptian. The detainees reportedly breached the facility’s ...

Syrian Authorities Announce Closure of Notorious Desert Camp

This is Beirut, 07/06 15:30 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Syria Rukban Camp Bashar al-Assad displaced

A notorious desert refugee camp in Syria has closed after the last remaining families returned to their areas of origin, Syrian authorities said on Saturday. The Rukban camp in Syria's desert was established in 2014, at the height of Syria's civil war, in a de-confliction zone controlled by the US-led coalition fighting the Islamic State group, ...

Visas for Syria: Lebanese Citizens Exempt from Fees for a Six-Month Stay

This is Beirut, 07/06 14:50 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Lebanon Syria visas

In a new directive published on Saturday, the Syrian Ministry of the Interior announced a revision of its visa issuance policy, introducing different pricing based on travelers' nationalities. This measure, motivated by diplomatic considerations and bilateral relations, redefines the entry conditions for many foreign nationals. Among the ...

EU official says 175 mn euro Syria recovery package 'clear message' of support

This is Beirut, 05/06 12:45 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Damascus European Union Syria

Visiting EU Commissioner for the Mediterranean Dubravka Suica said Thursday that a 175 million euro package for war-torn Syria was a "clear message" of support for its reconstruction. Suica announced the package in Damascus Wednesday, saying it would focus on sectors including energy, education, health, and agriculture, helping rebuild Syria's ...

Syria Monitor Says 13 Alawites Killed by Security Forces

This is Beirut, 04/06 23:30 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Syria Alawite Community SOHR

Syrian forces shot dead eight members of the Alawite minority at a checkpoint on Wednesday, a war monitor said, after reporting that five men were found dead following their detention. Since the fall of longtime Syrian ruler Bashar al-Assad, the Alawite community which the deposed president hails from has been the target of many attacks, ...

Syria Says Seized All Captagon Factories

This is Beirut, 04/06 21:00 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Syria Captagon Bashar al-Assad

Syrian Interior Minister Anas Khattab said Wednesday that authorities had seized all production facilities of illicit stimulant captagon, which became Syria's largest export under ousted ruler Bashar al-Assad. In an interview with state television, Khattab said that "we were able to stop the production of this drug and seize all the materials and ...

Soaring Sheep Prices Mark Eid al-Adha Preparations Across Arab World

This is Beirut, 04/06 20:10 - Reading : less than a minute

Palestine Lebanon Syria Sudan

As Eid al-Adha nears, the traditional livestock markets across the Arab world are bustling. But this year, as in previous ones, it’s the steep cost of sheep that’s drawing the most attention. A regional survey by Al Jazeera Economy highlights stark price variations that mirror broader economic disparities. In crisis-hit Lebanon, families can ...

Syria Monitor Says Five Alawites Found Dead after Detention

This is Beirut, 04/06 16:55 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Syria Alawite Community SOHR

Five men from Syria's Alawite minority were found dead in a hospital two days after being detained by security forces, a war monitor said Wednesday, alleging they had been "summarily executed." Since the fall of longtime Syrian ruler Bashar al-Assad, the Alawite community, which he hails from, has been the target of many attacks, including ...

General Security Boosts Border Staff Ahead of Adha Rush

This is Beirut, 04/06 11:25 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Border Syria Lebanon refugees Adha Security

Ahead of Eid al-Adha on Friday, Lebanon’s General Security has increased its personnel at key border crossings to handle the expected surge of Syrian nationals returning home for the holiday. Authorities are bracing for a significant rise in departures in the coming days, particularly from the Arida, Qaa and Masnaa crossings, the only ...

Between Freedom and Restrictions, Syrians Navigate New Reality

This is Beirut, 04/06 10:00 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Damascus Freedom Syria

Syrian singer Ishtar halted concerts when Islamist-led forces seized power nearly six months ago. She's now back on stage, but lingering fears have reshaped Damascus's nightlife scene. Performing an international repertoire to a packed venue in the capital's Old City, she told AFP that "some bars and restaurants were closed and others had ...

Syria