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Qatar will seek to regain its momentum in the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025 when it faces Syria tomorrow at Khalifa International Stadium, as part of the second round of Group A matches.Qatar seeks to compensate for its sudden 0-1 loss to Palestine in the opening match of the tournament, whereas Syria will enter the match in high spirits after defeating Tunisia 1-0, collecting three valuable points.Currently, Syria and Palestine sit on top of Group A with three points each, while Qatar and Tunisia are third and fourth without points.Qatar will be required to perform differently in the match in order to win, which will force Spanish coach Julen Lopetegui to find solutions on the front line after the clear inability to show effectiveness in the first match.In the match against Palestine, Qatar lacked effective influence in the offensive aspects, with a scarcity of real opportunities in light of the inability to penetrate the opponent's defense, despite high ball possession. What is required is change and the regaining of momentum Qatar had during the fourth stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, which displayed an outstanding level that enabled it to grab qualification for the World Cup at the expense of Oman and the UAE.After the first match, Qatar's coach Lopetegui affirmed his confidence in the players' ability to overcome the defeat, and to perform differently in the second match against Syria, with the aim of winning and correcting course.Meanwhile, Syria hopes to continue to shine in the tournament by achieving a positive result to bring it closer to qualifying for the quarter-finals.Syria, led by Spanish coach Jose Lana, qualified for the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025 by defeating South Sudan 2-0. This will be their eighth appearance in the tournament's history.For its part, Qatar searches for its first FIFA Arab Cup title in its fourth appearance in the tournament, having been runners-up in 1998, as well as placing third in 2021, when it was held in Doha.

Al Raya newspaper highlighted the extent of regional and international concern over the latest Israeli attack on Syria, affirming that the escalation threatens efforts to restore stability to the country.In its editorial on Saturday, the paper referred to the massacre carried out by Israel at dawn on Friday in the Beit Jinn area in the Damascus countryside, which resulted in the killing of 13 people and the injury of others. It said that the attack falls within a series of systematic assaults targeting Syrian territory without justification, and that they come as part of Israel’s expansionist schemes.The paper added that this aggressive behavior comes at a time when international efforts are moving toward helping the new Syria recover and rebuild, making any military escalation a direct factor in disrupting the country. It stressed that the repeated Israeli attacks constitute a blatant violation of Syrian sovereignty and aim to create new pretexts for occupying Arab lands by exploiting the weakness of Syria’s security infrastructure during the recovery phase.Al Rayah noted that the State of Qatar strongly condemned the Israeli attack as a flagrant violation of international and humanitarian law, warning that continued assaults will increase regional tensions and undermine efforts aimed at restoring security and stability.In this context, it highlighted the State of Qatar’s call on the international community to act immediately and stop the violations and hold those responsible accountable in accordance with international conventions.Al Raya also noted that Israel encourages certain factions within Syria to secede or rebel, considering that these policies are aimed at preventing Syria from regaining stability, as Israel is the sole beneficiary of any state of chaos in the region. It warned that continued Israeli attacks could push the region toward a wide-scale regional war from which no party would emerge unscathed, stressing that this path carries catastrophic risks for all amid the interlinked security and military files in the Middle East.The paper called on the international community to adopt a firmer stance toward Israeli violations and work to prevent sliding into an open confrontation that could destabilize the entire region.Al Raya concluded its editorial by saying that the latest Israeli attack is a dangerous indicator of the continuation of the escalation policy, and that any international disregard for these assaults will weaken pathways to a solution in Syria and keep the region trapped in a circle of tension.

The State of Qatar strongly condemned the entry of the Israeli Prime Minister and a number of ministers and officials in the occupation government into the occupied Syrian territories, considering it a blatant violation of the sovereignty of the fraternal Syrian Arab Republic, a flagrant violation of international law, and a serious threat to regional security.In a statement on Thursday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged the international community to take urgent action to compel the Israeli occupation to comply with international law resolutions, particularly the 1974 ceasefire agreement, and to stop its repeated attacks on Syrian territory to prevent further escalation and tension in the region.The ministry reiterated the State of Qatar's full support for Syria's sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity, and the aspirations of its fraternal people for security and stability. 

Both Qatar and Japan can take advantage of each other to provide assistance for Gaza and Syria in many areas such as education, reconstruction and humanitarian assistance, noted the Japanese ambassador, Naoto Hisajima. Hisajima was interacting with Waleed Ziad, associate professor of History at Georgetown University in Qatar ( GU-Q) , after he addressed a gathering at the university as part of GU-Q’s “Ambassador Speaker Series.” “Japan has been continuing its humanitarian assistance for a long time in Palestine and Syria. The reconstruction of the infrastructure will take years in Gaza and Syria. And there are many areas that Japan is good at, particularly, like education and building schools, or health sector and hospitals,” said the ambassador. “So, there are many opportunities, actually, for Japan to contribute to the reconstruction and humanitarian relief in both Gaza and Syria. And Qatar is obviously a neighbouring state and very active in this region. We know the parties in question very well. So, there are many chances for two countries taking advantage of the strength of each country and supporting Palestine and Syria,” said the ambassador. During his talk, ambassador Hisajima highlighted the long-standing relationship between Qatar and Japan and prominent areas of collaboration between the countries. “Japan was the first country to import Qatar's LNG in 1997. And not just Japan importing Qatar's LNG, Japan also co-operated with Qatar to develop Qatar's natural gas resources so that it could be exported to foreign countries,” he highlighted. “And since then, Qatar has been a longtime stable and reliable supplier and partner for Japan. Other than the relationship regarding natural gas, Japan's co-operation with Qatar in economic areas is particularly seen in the building of various infrastructure. There are some examples as Japan has collaborated with Doha Metro, Hamad International Airport, water desalination projects and both power plants,” he said. The Japanese envoy also highlighted that the number of visitors from Japan and Qatar is on the rise as there is a steady increase in the number in recent years with Qatar Airways operating daily flights between Japan and Qatar. “It is such a convenience that we have direct flights between Japan and Qatar. I myself have had the privilege of being on the plane direct from Tokyo to Doha. And there are daily four flights between either Tokyo, Osaka, and Doha,” added the ambassador. **media[383100]** The lecture was followed by a ‘Japanese Cultural Evening' event, where Japanese food, martial arts, drum performances and several other cultural performances took place.

Three Israeli military vehicles entered the village of Abu Madrah in the countryside of Quneitra province in southern Syria on Monday, where they set up a temporary checkpoint before withdrawing, according to local reports. The forces inspected passersby and searched parts of nearby agricultural land during the brief incursion. The move is part of a series of repeated violations reported in the area over the past year. Syria considers such incursions a breach of its sovereignty and a threat to civilian safety, and has repeatedly urged the international community to assume its responsibilities and work to halt these violations.

The Syrian Ministry of Defense announced tonight that two Katyusha rockets fell in the capital, Damascus. They were launched from the outskirts of the city toward residential neighborhoods in the Mezzeh area and its surroundings, resulting in injuries among several civilians and causing material damage at the site.The Ministry's Department of Media and Communications stated in a communiqué that defense forces, in cooperation with the Ministry of Interior, had begun investigations to determine the circumstances of the attack. It noted that specialized teams are working to collect the necessary evidence and identify the trajectory of the two rockets and their launch points.The Ministry also affirmed that it would not hesitate to pursue those involved in what it described as a criminal act, stressing that it would take deterrent measures against anyone who threatens the security of the capital or targets the lives and stability of Syrians.Syrian authorities had earlier announced, at the time of the explosion, that one woman had been injured and transported to a hospital for treatment.

Israeli occupation forces (IOF) carried out an incursion on Tuesday into the northern countryside of Quneitra in southwestern Syria.Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) reported that an Israeli occupation force consisting of three military vehicles carried out an incursion towards the eastern village of Al-Samadaniya.Another force of Israeli occupation consisting of seven heavy vehicles carried out an incursion yesterday into the southern countryside of Quneitra and set up an earthen barrier west of the village of Al-Hanout.The Israeli occupation continues its attacks on Syrian territory, in violation of the 1974 Disengagement Agreement, international law, and relevant United Nations resolutions. Syria condemns these attacks and calls on the international community to take urgent measures to stop them.

On the sidelines of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) and the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD), in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), have announced a joint initiative to support Syria.Together QFFD and SFD are providing $89mn funding through UNDP to ensure the continuity of essential public services across Syria over a three-month period.The joint funding will provide vital budgetary support enabling the payment of a portion of salaries for government employees responsible for core government functions related to the delivery of essential basic services. By maintaining these critical services, the effort aims to strengthen social protection, foster stability, and promote inclusive socio-economic recovery throughout the country.SFD CEO Sultan bin Abdulrahman al-Marshad, stated that the grant provided comes as part of Saudi Arabia’s wise leadership efforts to enhance development support for brotherly Syria. He emphasised that the Fund works hand in hand with its partners to foster growth and advance the development journey in Syria.QFFD director-general Fahad Hamad al-Sulaiti stated: “This initiative reflects our shared vision to promote stability and build resilience for the brotherly Syrian people. We firmly believe that investing in essential public services is not only an urgent humanitarian necessity, but also a strategic long-term investment in achieving sustainable development, preserving human dignity, and laying the foundations for peace and prosperity.”Through this support, Saudi Arabia and Qatar reaffirm their dedication to advancing development and promoting strategic partnerships with the international community. These recovery efforts are designed to contribute to resilient governance, inclusive economic growth, and sustainable development throughout Syria.“The Government of Syria extends its sincere appreciation to both the Qatar Fund for Development and the Saudi Fund for Development for this joint initiative, contributing to financing a portion of the salaries of civil servants. This contribution conveys a message of support from the esteemed governments of Saudi Arabia and Qatar,” said Mohamad Yisr Barnieh, Minister of Finance of Syria, “This initiative aligns with the Syrian Government’s efforts to advance financial and economic reforms, reinforcing the foundations of stability and economic and social recovery in the service of the Syrian people.”Implementation of this initiative will closely align with Syria’s national priorities, laying the foundation for long-term recovery and sustainable development. “We are grateful for the generous contributions of the Qatari and Saudi funds for development, which address the immediate needs of the Syrian population while laying the groundwork for long-term recovery and development,” added, Haoliang Xu, UNDP acting administrator.

Qatar has participated in the High Level International Conference on the Repatriation of Persons from Al Hol, Surrounding Camps and Places of Detention in Syria, convened by Iraq and the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism, on the sidelines of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.Qatar was represented at the conference by HE Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh al-Khulaifi. In his remarks during the conference, HE the Minister said that Al Hol and Al Roj camps, as well as detention centers in northeastern Syria, pose a threat to peace and security at various levels and represent a major humanitarian and human rights dilemma.He believed that addressing these problems primarily requires political will and international co-operation to return detainees to their countries for trial, as appropriate, and to ensure their reintegration and rehabilitation, especially innocent women and children. He added that they have repeatedly heard from those who were detained that they were striving to survive amid constant fear and great hardship, including chronic shortages of food, clean water, medical care, and security risks, and that the common denominator among detainees is the desire to return home.He said that they have repeatedly heard success stories of returnees, thanks to the care, tolerance, and practical training in life and work skills in particular, in addition to the support provided by authorities and communities for rehabilitation and reintegration.He also commended the efforts of the Republic of Iraq and the Central Asian countries, which have made efforts to repatriate and rehabilitate their citizens. He also commended the Syrian government's commitment and keenness to resolve this issue and cooperate in this regard, while also praising the role of the United Nations in facilitating international co-operation in this regard.HE the Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized that the moral imperative, security considerations, and the aforementioned success stories should serve as an incentive to exert further efforts in this regard, allowing those trapped in tragic situations in the camps to return to their countries to live in peace and build a better future.He noted that Qatar has supported efforts to address this issue, in line with its commitment to global initiatives to counter terrorism and prevent violent extremism, through its financial support to the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism, which serves as the secretariat for the core task force dedicated to the Al Hol camp.He recalled that Qatar is one of the leading financial partners of the Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund, noting that the Fund has implemented a campaign to support the reintegration and rehabilitation of Iraqi returnees from camps in Syria, and that the campaign has achieved tangible successes.

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi met with UN Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen, on the sidelines of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.The meeting reviewed ways to support Syria at multiple levels, particularly efforts to improve the humanitarian and living conditions of the Syrian people. Discussions also addressed the importance of restoring political and security stability, advancing economic recovery, and promoting development.Albudaiwi stressed the need for concerted regional and international efforts to mobilize humanitarian and development assistance to help the Syrian people and government overcome current and future challenges.The two sides also exchanged views on the latest regional and international developments.

Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi welcomed the announcement by the sisterly Arab Republic of Syria of reaching a roadmap to resolve the crisis in the As-Suwayda Governorate.Albudaiwi commended the efforts of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and the United States of America in supporting this announcement, which will contribute to enhancing security and peace in the Arab Republic of Syria and achieving the aspirations of the brotherly Syrian people for stability, development, and prosperity.

Syrian Presidential Adviser for Media Affairs, Dr Ahmed Muwaffaq Zidan, has affirmed that the Syria-Qatar relations are far more rock-solid than ever, pointing out that the key challenge now is how to elevate these ties to new heights and build full integration between the two brotherly nations.In an interview with Qatar News Agency (QNA), he clarified that the Syrian people will never forget Qatar's historic position in standing with their cause in multiple stages.It was the country that embraced the Syrians and provided them with political and humanitarian backing until the last moments. Also, Qatar was visited by Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa as part of the political overture Syria has recently witnessed, Zidan underlined.Zidan further indicated that the Qatari support for Syria has not stopped even for a single day, whether at the political, economic, or humanitarian levels, with the Qatari companies undertaking a leading role, particularly in the energy sector.Preparation is currently underway to forge new agreements with Qatar in connection with reconstruction and infrastructure.The Qatari side has persistently contributed to supporting the education and health sectors and has had a preeminent presence in reconstruction programs, Zidan pointed out.Zidan emphasised that the Qatari helping hands have never been absent in Syria even for a day, as every single economic support Qatar provides today fully undergirds the Syrian statehood and its Arab renaissance project.Syria's return to the Arab fold, and the Arab fold's return to Syria, embodies an integration realised through investments, grants, and infrastructure development, setting the wheels of the economy in motion as a central driver of social, political, and economic life, Zidan stressed.Zidan pointed out that the provision of natural gas for power generation or contributing to reducing unemployment and creating job opportunities are strategic support that is squarely reflected on Syrians' lives and helps them integrate with their brothers in the Arab Gulf.He asserted that Syria's success is reciprocally a success for Qatar as long as their bilateral relationship is rock-solid and unshakable.Regarding upcoming international engagements, he revealed that President al-Sharaa will head to New York to participate in the 80th session of the UN General Assembly later this September, marking the first visit by a Syrian president to the UN in many years.This participation will usher in a new era of political and civic overture for Syria, providing the opportunity for the president to address the international community and meet the Syrian community, as well as UN officials, something that would break the isolation the erstwhile regime had imposed on Syria and return the global presence to the nation, Zidan said.He added that this visit will pave the way for broader co-operation prospects between Syria and the world, entrenching the image of the people of Syria.Regarding the repeated Israeli assaults on Syrian territories, Zidan highlighted that the Syrian statehood is strong by its people and allies, notwithstanding its weak military capabilities following the decades-long devastation it had incurred.He clarified that Syria's ceiling on this issue is a return to the 1974 Disengagement Agreement under international mediation and with the presence of UN forces, calling on the Israeli occupation to comply with this agreement.The American position plays a positive role in this direction, alongside the critical role undertaken by the Arab Gulf nations, foremost among them Qatar and Saudi Arabia, as well as Turkiye, to tighten the screws on the Israeli occupation to halt its incursions, Zidan highlighted.He revealed that all dialogues, whether in Baku, Paris, or through other mediation channels, focused on returning to the 1974 Agreement as the primary reference on this issue.On Syrian national media, Zidan confirmed a plan to reorganise the national narrative and political discourse, making it more comprehensive and inclusive for all Syrians, at home and abroad, in coordination with Syria's Ministry of Information.He added that while the discourse exists, it needs restructuring and a stronger, more prominent presentation, with results expected to become clear over the next two years.The mammoth investment projects, especially in Damascus, are underway based on meticulously learned plans to determine the image of the future city, and this requires time and effort, but cooperation with Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, and several western allies will accelerate the construction engine, even though Syrian statehood is still in the making after emerging from accumulated crises, Zidan clarified.Zidan further explained that the war has left 1mn killed, millions of orphans and widows, and 14mn displaced, in addition to the decimation of thousands of schools, hospitals, and homes, making development and economic reconstruction an utmost priority.He emphasised that the recent launch of the Syrian Development Fund represents a key lever for the economic process and will spare the country many burdens imposed by global banks, noting that the participation of friends and brotherly countries in this fund will bolster its effectiveness and impact.Finally, Zidan assured that Syria today is moving forward toward development and reconstruction with the support of Arab brothers, with the State of Qatar at the forefront, which has been providing an advanced model in backing Syria at a variety of levels.He expressed confidence in the upcoming phase, which will usher in a new era of the Syria-Qatar relationship for the interests of the two peoples and strengthening stability in the entire region.