Syria News
Verified Syrian news that touches daily life — decisions, services, travel and crossings, banking and the economy — reported by the SYPNow desk.
Idlib Governorate Sets Olive Pressing Wages for 2026 Season by Official Decree
Idlib Governorate in northwest Syria has issued an official decree setting olive pressing wages across the province for the 2026 season, aiming to regulate dealings between farmers and press owners before the harvest begins.
Syrian Private University Tuition Cuts Set for Approval at Higher Education Council
Syria's Minister of Higher Education Marwan al-Halabi announced that the Higher Education Council will approve tomorrow a reduction in tuition fees at Syrian private universities, aiming to ease financial pressure on students and their families.
Turkey Drafts New Data Protection Law to Advance EU Visa-Free Travel
Turkish media report that Ankara has prepared a new draft personal data protection law aligned with European standards, the first practical step in a visa-liberalization process with the EU that has remained open for about 13 years.
Video Shows Aleppo Youths Turning Dangling Electric Wires Into a Street Swing
A video circulating widely on social media shows a group of young men in the Syrian city of Aleppo who turned bundles of electric wires dangling from a utility pole into a swing, riding it in the middle of a city street in a scene that has drawn broad attention online.
Syrian Security Arrests Four for Selling Used Oil as Iraqi Diesel in Aleppo
Syria's Internal Security Forces announced the arrest of a four-member cell that mixed used refined oil with chemicals and sold it as Iraqi diesel at a station in Aleppo. Patrols seized two loaded tankers and referred the suspects to court.
Syrian Education Ministry Releases Sample Test for Technology Schools Admission
Syria's Ministry of Education has circulated a sample (indicative) test for admission to the country's technology schools, a specialized track within the Syrian public education system. The release aims to clarify what the test covers and how candidates can prepare for it.
Damascus Governor Apologizes to Engineers Over Controversial Remarks
Damascus Governor Maher Marwan Idlibi issued a clarification stating his earlier remarks about outperforming many engineers were taken out of context, apologizing to anyone he wronged and confirming a cooperation memo with the engineers syndicate for training.
Syrians Improvise Fuel Tricks, From Naphthalene to Oil Blends, Amid Gasoline Crisis
Facing a worsening gasoline shortage, some Syrians are resorting to unconventional substitutes to keep vehicles and generators running, most notably naphthalene and mixtures of blended oils, according to a report by Al Jazeera.
Syria Higher Education Unification Brings Northern Universities Into One System
Syria's Minister of Higher Education has announced that all educational and academic institutions in the country will be unified under the national higher education system, with universities in the north formally joining the University of Aleppo and the University of the Euphrates.
Syria 2025 Budget: Salaries Take 41 Percent While Investment Spending Gets Only 7
Parliament budget committee head Amin al-Bashir said salaries and wages accounted for about 41 percent of Syria's 2025 budget against 7 percent investment spending, with the new budget bill due at parliament by October 30.
Syria's Central Bank Launches Nationwide Crackdown on Unlicensed Exchange and Money Transfer Offices Starting Sunday
The Central Bank of Syria announced that legal proceedings against anyone practicing currency exchange and money transfers without a license will begin next Sunday. Judicial police, coordinated with the Interior Ministry, will enforce compliance across all governorates.
Azaz and Afrin Water Supply Halted as Maydanki Dam Lake Turns Turbid
The General Company for Drinking Water in Aleppo announced a temporary halt to pumping from Maydanki Dam to the Azaz and Afrin areas, after floods increased turbidity in the lake water, with no set date for resumption.
Syrianair to Launch Direct Scheduled Aleppo–Moscow Flights on November 18
Syria's Civil Aviation Authority announced that the national carrier Syrianair will begin direct scheduled flights between Aleppo and Moscow on November 18, restoring a nonstop connection between northern Syria and the Russian capital.
Syrian-Turkish International University in Damascus Moves Toward Founding Agreement
Syria's Higher Education Minister Marwan al-Halabi announced that Damascus and Ankara are working to establish a Syrian-Turkish international university in Damascus. A Turkish delegation will visit to discuss the founding agreement, to be signed by Presidents Ahmad al-Sharaa and Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Aleppo Destroys 5 Tonnes of Expired Baby Milk Meant for Relabeling With Forged Dates
Aleppo's Directorate of Internal Trade announced the destruction of about 5 tonnes of expired baby milk, previously seized in a warehouse where it was being recycled and repackaged with forged expiry dates ahead of resale in local markets.
Istanbul Extends School Holiday to Friday as Heavy Rain Continues Across the City
Istanbul province authorities have extended the school holiday to include Friday, as rainfall continues across the city. The decision applies only to schools in Istanbul province and not to other Turkish provinces, forming part of public safety measures.
Syrian Intelligence Arrests Ali Kayali Known as Maarouf Oral While Attempting to Flee Across the Border
Syria's General Intelligence Directorate, working with the Interior Ministry, has arrested Ali Kayali, widely known as Maarouf Oral, while he was attempting to flee the country across the border. No charges have been disclosed.
Leak Hits Baniyas-Homs Fuel Pipeline in Hdeideh as Repair Crews Isolate the Site
Oday Al-Satouf, media office director at the Syrian Petroleum Company, said a puncture hit the fuel products pipeline running from Baniyas to Homs in the Hdeideh area. The site was immediately isolated and repair crews began treatment work.