Syria Daily News Briefing for 2026-02-18

Processed 136 posts from 31 sources

⚔️ The first national drill simulating a 7-magnitude earthquake response was conducted in Syria to enhance readiness, inter-sector coordination, and disaster response systems. - [Source 1], [Source 2]
⚔️ Israeli occupation forces conducted incursions in Yarmouk Basin and Ain Ziwaneh, detaining and deporting young men to the occupied Golan, in continued violations and breach of the disengagement agreement. Syria demands Israel’s withdrawal and civilian protection. - [Source 1], [Source 2], [Source 3]
🏛️ President Ahmad Al-Shara issued Decree No. 39 of 2026 granting a general amnesty for crimes committed before its date, with the Ministry of Justice providing details. - [Source 1], [Source 2], [Source 3]
💰 The Central Bank of Syria released the official bulletin of currency exchange rates for both new and old Syrian pounds for 18-2-2026. - [Source]
🚨 Security forces in Rural Damascus arrested a gang responsible for an armed robbery in Deir Atiyah, resulting in four deaths, two injuries, and the theft of funds from a money exchange. Case details were presented with the public prosecutor. - [Source 1], [Source 2], [Source 3], [Source 4]
🚨 The Anti-Narcotics Directorate foiled the smuggling attempt of 400,000 captagon pills through Homs with Iraqi authority cooperation, apprehending suspects and reaffirming Syria’s fight against drugs. - [Source 1], [Source 2]
🚨 Airport Security recovered stolen gold jewelry at Damascus airport after identifying and arresting the perpetrator with internal security, returning the items to their owner. - [Source 1], [Source 2]
🏛️ President Ahmad Al-Shara extended his greetings to Syrians and the Arab and Islamic nations on the occasion of Ramadan, wishing for security, stability, and prosperity in the country. - [Source]
💰 Consumer protection patrols in Damascus carried out an inspection round in Barzeh market to improve market conditions and control prices. - [Source]
🤝 About 400 people from Al-Hol camp were relocated to Akhtarin camp in Aleppo countryside as part of efforts to resolve camps and facilitate gradual family returns. - [Source]

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⚔️ The Central Financial Control Agency revealed a financial corruption case in Rural Damascus worth over 3.6 billion Syrian pounds from the previous regime era, with its details presented in the media. - [Source 1], [Source 2], [Source 3]
🌍 King Abdullah II of Jordan, during his meeting with the German president in Amman, emphasized supporting Syria’s reconstruction and maintaining its sovereignty and security, rejecting Israeli escalation in Palestine, and appreciating Germany’s support for a Gaza ceasefire. - [Source]
🤝 The Aleppo Directorate of Social Affairs and Labor held a meeting on orphan care with organization representatives, discussing coordination and support plans during Ramadan events. - [Source]
🤝 Juthoor Association launched its annual charity project “Habbat Baraka” with participation of youth with Down syndrome to provide support and food for the most vulnerable during Ramadan and promote integration of people with disabilities into society. - [Source]
🌍 Syrian emergency officials discussed with the UN measures to enhance child protection from war remnants, confirming development of protection programs. The Minister of Justice discussed supporting Syria’s removal from the child rights violation blacklist and enhancing partnership with the UN. - [Source 1], [Source 2], [Source 3], [Source 4]
🔧 The Ministry of Agriculture, in cooperation with governmental and local organizations, launched a national strategy for agricultural sector recovery during a broad workshop with participation from the Presidential Secretariat, FAO, and others. - [Source 1], [Source 2], [Source 3]
🌍 The head of the Civil Aviation Authority met with Canada’s ambassador in Syria to discuss boosting cooperation in civil aviation and developing bilateral relations. - [Source]
🌍 The Director of Afro-Asia and Oceania Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs discussed with the South African ambassador ways to enhance cooperation and bilateral relations between the two countries. - [Source]
🔧 Syrian Civil Defense teams at the Ministry of Emergency successfully rescued the child Abdul Razzaq Salloum al-Jubeir after he fell into a 30-meter-deep well near Tabqa in Raqqa, with participation from other governorate teams and modern equipment, providing oxygen until his extraction. - [Source 1], [Source 2], [Source 3], [Source 4]
🏢 The Ministry of Electricity replaced a damaged transformer at Ain Al-Sharqiyah station in Latakia with a new one to enhance the reliability and efficiency of the electrical grid. - [Source]
💼 The General Syrian Insurance Corporation announced the expansion of insurance coverage and the development of work mechanisms under its new plans. - [Source 1], [Source 2]
🎤 The SANA news brief for February 18, 2026 summarized the main local, political, and economic events in Syria. - [Source 1], [Source 2]
🔧 The National Authority for the Missing in Syria prepared a map and guide of entities working on missing and forcibly disappeared cases to organize efforts, facilitate communication, and assist families, preserving victims’ dignity. - [Source]
🏢 Syrian Transport Minister Yarob Badr emphasized the importance of improving road pavement quality and enhancing engineers’ competency in a workshop discussing challenges and innovations to ensure road safety and sustainability. - [Source]
🏢 The Technical Services Directorate in Raqqa started emergency measures to reinforce the Romanieh Bridge west of the city after a partial collapse, in response to citizens’ complaints. - [Source]
🏢 The Minister of Public Works and Housing visited Homs to follow up on accelerating delayed projects, holding coordination meetings and field tours to review housing projects and cooperative housing associations. - [Source]
🏢 The Ministry of Transport reopened traffic on the old Raqqa Bridge after completing emergency repairs, as part of ongoing road rehabilitation plans in the governorate. - [Source]
🏢 The water and electricity authorities in Idlib met with UNICEF to discuss providing power to water stations, including using alternative energy sources and ensuring service sustainability for citizens. - [Source]
🌍 Syria led a working group to adopt a new standard for olive oil; the Syrian delegation presented a file at the Codex Alimentarius meeting, the proposal was accepted, and the group was formed under Syria’s leadership. - [Source]
🏢 Energy Minister Mohammad Al-Bashir announced the connection of the new power line in Idlib province via X platform. - [Source]
🎓 The education sector in recently liberated areas of Deir ez-Zor improved after distributing books, providing desks, rehabilitating schools, and the return of thousands of students, though some buildings remain damaged. - [Source]
🏥 The Ministry of Health discussed with international organizations the 2026 work plan and health response priorities in Raqqa, Deir ez-Zor, and Hasakeh, emphasizing coordination of medical efforts. - [Source]
🏢 Transport directorates temporarily stopped work on 18 and 19 February 2026 for infrastructure and technical system updates as part of electronic workflow improvements; work resumes on 22 February. - [Source]
🔧 The Minister of Administrative Development met with the Raqqa Governor to discuss priorities for administrative development, enhancing readiness of public entities, accelerating institutional development, and reconstruction efforts. - [Source 1], [Source 2], [Source 3], [Source 4]
🏥 A coordination meeting was held at Aleppo Health Directorate with international organizations to discuss the health sector’s status, its needs, and ways to cooperate in supporting medical challenges. - [Source]
🔧 The Minister of Local Administration and Environment, Mohammad Anjarani, followed up on service conditions in Idlib, announcing progress in reconstruction, reinstatement of 1,200 dismissed employees, discussing infrastructure development and service improvement. The committee continues interviews to reinstate staff and develop institutional work. - [Source 1], [Source 2], [Source 3]
🔧 The Ministry of Administrative Development held a workshop in Homs titled “Institutional Transformation Paths and Local Challenges,” focusing on aligning central policies with the province’s specifics, empowering administrative development directorates, and enhancing institutional readiness. The workshop discussed reviewing legislation and developing human resources to improve public services. - [Source 1], [Source 2], [Source 3], [Source 4], [Source 5]
🎓 A strategic partnership agreement was signed between Syria, ICESCO, and Azerbaijan to rehabilitate 100 schools and build 10 new ones with a $30 million budget. - [Source 1], [Source 2]
🔧 The civil registry office in Al-Bab city experienced significant turnout from visitors outside the city, increasing its daily workload. - [Source]
🔧 Traffic police returned to the streets of Raqqa to ease congestion and enhance traffic safety. - [Source]
🎓 The Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) program is available for postgraduate studies in Syria until 25 February 2026, offering benefits such as fee exemption, monthly stipends, health insurance, travel tickets, and online application. - [Source]
🔧 The Minister of Emergency announced the start of sending early warning SMS messages to citizens, in coordination with the Ministry of Communications, as part of a national system to assess risks and deliver precise alerts based on regions. The ministry continues developing a multi-sector early warning system for disaster preparedness. - [Source]
🎓 The Ministry of Higher Education announced 4 postgraduate scholarships under the Global Korea Scholarship program covering fees, accommodation, insurance, and a monthly stipend. Applications are open until 25 February via the official website and Korean embassy. - [Source 1], [Source 2]
🏢 Aleppo Water and Oxfam implemented a project to install a new solar energy system in Al-Zerba, southern rural Aleppo, to enhance the sustainability of drinking water services and improve operational efficiency in rural areas. - [Source]
🌍 The Saudi Embassy in Damascus held a Foundation Day celebration attended by ministers, ambassadors, and Syrian and Saudi figures. - [Source]
💻 The Ministers of Communications and Transport discussed automating driver’s license issuance to simplify the process via a new electronic platform, as well as streamlining trainee registration and supporting governmental digital transformation. - [Source]
🎓 An integrated plan has been developed to reinstate thousands of teachers and rectify their administrative statuses in the Syrian education sector. - [Source 1], [Source 2]
🎓 The Administrative Development Directorate at the Ministry of Information conducted training sessions to enhance employee skills and administrative performance, with ongoing development of training programs. - [Source 1], [Source 2]
🏥 A meeting was held in Aleppo to review the 2025 vaccination program performance and discuss the integration and training plan for vaccination teams in Syria, with the participation of WHO and UNICEF. - [Source]
🎓 The vocational secondary workshop in Salam City, Quneitra, produced high-quality wooden classroom desks to support the education sector. - [Source]
🏥 Twenty dialysis machines were delivered to the Lattakia Health Directorate to alleviate suffering and raise health readiness. - [Source]
🔧 The committee for reinstating dismissed employees continues its work, with details on the central committee’s activities and the interview schedule across Syrian provinces. - [Source]
🏥 The Syrian Ministry of Health, in cooperation with WHO, organized a training course to build staff capacity in infection control in hospitals. - [Source]
🔧 There has been improved queue organization and faster processing of transactions at the Civil Registry Directorate in Quneitra, according to local residents. - [Source]
🏥 A scientific workshop on laparoscopic surgery was held at Tartous Maternity and Children Hospital, featuring lectures, live operations, and honoring the health director. - [Source]
🏥 Tartous Health Directorate launched two new dialysis centers in Tartous and Safita and supplied 27 devices to rural hospitals to improve patient services. - [Source]
🎤 A coordinating meeting was held to develop a national strategy for the return and integration of Syrian refugees, with ministries and organizations participating to seek sustainable solutions ensuring voluntary and dignified return. - [Source]
🔧 Justice Ministry directive No. 7 regulates criminal records and prohibits the arbitrary erasure of criminal precedents. - [Source]
🔧 The Central Financial Control Agency announced the list of candidates accepted for the written exam on 28/2/2026 at Damascus University, including exam topics and requirements. - [Source]
🔧 The Ministry of Administrative Development announced a recruitment competition to attract staff for the Central Financial Control Agency and its branches in various job titles. - [Source]
🏥 Tartous Health Directorate activated early childhood stimulation services at Mina and Radar health centers to enhance the development of children in early childhood stage. - [Source]
💻 A new Syrian-German project was launched to update thermal insulation codes and enhance energy efficiency in buildings, including training staff, establishing a national laboratory, and applying new technologies in cooperation with German experts. - [Source]
🏢 A joint team from Tartous Water Establishment and UNICEF conducted a visit to the wastewater treatment plant in Basira, assessing its condition and finalizing technical studies for its rehabilitation to improve sanitation services for over 51,000 people. - [Source]
🎓 An educational initiative for Syrian children in Belgium aims to preserve their mother tongue and Syrian identity through language teaching and cultural activities. - [Source]
🔧 The Ministry of Justice issued a directive to close buffets during the holy month of Ramadan. - [Source]
🏢 Hama Water began rehabilitating the Rabda well after more than ten years of inactivity, installing a solar energy system to supply drinking water to over four thousand citizens and support water sustainability. - [Source]
🏢 The Water Resources Directorate in Daraa began clearing the Ghadeer Al-Bustan dam canal in preparation for the upcoming irrigation season to ensure water flow and protect agricultural lands in Daraa and Quneitra. - [Source]
🏢 The Water Resources Directorate in Homs continues preparing irrigation canals and cleaning channels within the Homs-Hama irrigation project, removing flood effects to improve services for farmers. - [Source]
🏢 There has been a noticeable improvement in water availability in the Hama countryside after extended outages, thanks to network maintenance and more regular water distribution. - [Source]
🎓 The Minister of Agriculture and the Director of the Arab Organization for Agricultural Development visited the Agricultural Institute in Latakia to review educational and training activities, emphasizing skills development and Arab scientific cooperation. - [Source 1], [Source 2], [Source 3], [Source 4]
🎭 Markets in Deir ez-Zor prepared for Ramadan with active commercial movement and preparations to meet citizens’ needs during the holy month. - [Source]
🎭 Several government entities issued congratulations on the occasion of Ramadan, including messages of goodwill, prayers for the Syrian people and Islamic nation, and calls for spiritual values and national unity. - [Source 1], [Source 2], [Source 3], [Source 4], [Source 5], [Source 6], [Source 7], [Source 8]
🎓 Damascus University strengthened its research presence at an international conference in Jordan on contemporary challenges facing Arab societies, enhancing its academic ranking. - [Source]
🎭 The “Unity of Islamic Discourse” conference concluded with broad scientific and official attendance, focusing on unifying national religious discourse and reinforcing societal values. - [Source]
🎭 Damascus’ first Sharia judge announced that Thursday, February 19, 2026, is the first day of Ramadan 1447 AH. - [Source]
🌍 The Minister of Agriculture inspected the damages in Al-Rouj plain, Idlib countryside, caused by flooding from rain, and listened to the demands and needs of farmers in the presence of officials. - [Source]
🎭 Syrian ministries and institutions extended greetings to their staff, students, and the public on the occasion of Ramadan, wishing a blessed month. - [Source 1], [Source 2], [Source 3], [Source 4], [Source 5], [Source 6]
🎭 The Damascus International Book Fair witnessed eleven days of cultural events and creativity with public attendance, organized by the media center, highlighting national cultural content. - [Source 1], [Source 2], [Source 3], [Source 4]
🎭 Aerial footage of Safita city in Tartous countryside showed the city’s distinctive urban fabric. - [Source]
🎭 Residents of Raqqa celebrated the arrival of Ramadan by decorating streets and hanging lanterns to preserve popular traditions. - [Source]
🎭 Shadow play is considered an element of intangible heritage preserved in Syrian memory, with increasing efforts to document and revive it. - [Source]
🌍 Authorities announced the amount of rainfall during the 24 hours ending the morning of 18 February 2026. - [Source]
🌍 Footage from Latakia beach shows sea waves affected by heavy rainstorm and strong winds this evening. - [Source]
🌍 On Wednesday, 18-2-2026, Syria experienced unstable weather with strong winds and rainfall, with expectations of increased activity in the evening. - [Source]
🎥 The “Syrian” TV channel was launched, marking the beginning of a new media phase with a specialized channel aimed at Syrian families and society. - [Source]
🏆 The Minister of Sports and Youth met with the president and members of the Table Tennis Federation, affirming the ministry’s support to develop the sport and strengthen its presence locally and internationally, emphasizing teamwork and talent development. - [Source]