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The Israeli occupation forces renewed their incursion into Syrian territory on Sunday, detaining six people.The Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) said that the Israeli forces detained these young men from the Daraa governorate as they were searching for wild mushrooms in farmlands near the town of Qudna, in the southern Quneitra countryside.SANA added that the occupation forces transferred the detainees to the Tal Al Ahmar Al Gharbi military base, with no information available regarding their fate or the reason behind their detention.The Israeli forces, driving four military vehicles, also carried out an incursion into Saida Al Hanout village in southern Quneitra countryside, where it detained a local young man.

The Qatari Businessmen Association (QBA) held a meeting with a delegation from Syria as a follow-up to QBA’s meeting with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, who was in Qatar for the recently concluded Doha Forum 2025.The delegation was headed by Dr Hazem al-Sharaa, vice-president of the Syrian Supreme Council for Economic Development. He was accompanied by Talal al-Hilali, director general of Syria’s Investment Authority, and Safwat Raslan, director general of the Syrian Development Fund.Sunday’s meeting comes as a continuation of QBA’s meeting last week with President al-Sharaa, aimed at discussing potential investment opportunities in Syria, even as a number of QBA members have already launched concrete economic projects there in the fields of energy, electricity, and real estate.The Syrian delegation was received by QBA chairman His Excellency Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim al-Thani, in the presence of board member Sheikh Nawaf bin Nasser al-Thani, and QBA members Sheikh Mansour bin Jassim al-Thani, Khaled al-Mannai, Mohammed Moataz al-Khayyat, Ramez al-Khayyat, Nabil Abu Issa, Faisal al-Mana, Yousuf al-Mahmoud, and Ihsan al-Khaimi, as well as representatives of Abdulrahman Al Mana Companies, Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad al-Thani, Mekdam Holding Group, and other member companies, in addition to QBA general manager Sarah Abdallah.At the beginning of the meeting, Dr Hazem al-Sharaa stated that Qatar was among the first countries to invest in Syria, following the directives of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and the Qatari Government, to place Syria on the international investment map by strengthening international relations and attracting major companies to participate in the reconstruction of Syria.Al-Sharaa noted that the Supreme Council for Economic Development aims to achieve economic stability in the country, revitalise and develop the economy, and establish a comprehensive economic map covering the entire Syrian geography.He said this will be achieved through full supervision of several economic authorities, organisations, and institutions operating within the framework of the state’s economic plan. He also confirmed that Syria will launch a completely new currency in the market at the beginning of the new year, in line with the requirements of the current phase.The council, chaired by the President of the Republic, is responsible for approving general strategies and plans related to investment. Its membership includes the ministers of economy and industry, energy, finance, tourism, communications and information technology, public works and housing, and agriculture, in addition to the head of the General Authority for Land and Sea Ports, among others. Several economic entities are affiliated with the council, most notably the Syrian Investment Authority, the Sovereign Fund, and the Development Fund.During the meeting, al-Sharaa focused on current economic projects in Syria that contribute to reconstruction and the development of infrastructure and vital sectors, with particular emphasis on energy, transport, tourism, real estate, health, education, and key industrial sectors such as pharmaceuticals and construction materials.He also praised the significant investments by Qatari and Saudi companies in the development of power generation stations, as well as the signing of memoranda of understanding to modernise the electricity sector in general. This is in addition to the development of Damascus International Airport and the Damascus Metro project, in cooperation with Qatari and Turkish companies.For his part, al-Hilali spoke about the development of the legislative framework to attract and guarantee direct investments through the adoption of the best international laws, allowing foreign investors to own 100% of their projects.He explained that, in this new phase, the state has adopted measures to fully exempt investors from taxes in the health sector and agricultural projects related to food security, in addition to full tax exemptions for factories that export more than 50% of their production.Meanwhile, Sheikh Faisal stated that Syria represents an investment bank of projects and golden opportunities for investors. He stressed the need to develop joint Qatari–Syrian projects through the establishment of institutions specialised across various sectors, such as industrial, health, tourism, and real estate, among others, given that the state’s objective is to create job opportunities and stimulate economic growth. He emphasised that the private sector in both countries can play a prominent role in this direction.Qatari businessmen affirmed that Syria is currently witnessing a major economic transformation across various sectors, noting that most of them have already begun working on productive projects in Syria. They also announced that a delegation of Qatari businessmen will visit Syria at the invitation of the Supreme Council for Development, following an official invitation from President al-Sharaa to Damascus to explore investment opportunities. 

His Excellency the Minister of Commerce and Industry Sheikh Faisal bin Thani bin Faisal al-Thani met on Saturday with Minister of Economy and Industry of the Syrian Arab Republic, Mohammed Nidal al-Shaar on the sidelines of the 23rd Doha Forum 2025, reports QNA. During the meeting, they reviewed co-operation relations between the two countries in the commercial, investment, and industrial fields, and ways to strengthen and develop them, in addition to discussing a number of topics of common interest.The two sides also discussed enhancing joint co-operation in the coming period, in a way that contributes to supporting and developing areas of co-operation between the two countries. 

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani met at the Sheraton Doha Hotel Saturday with several heads of state and government from brotherly and friendly nations participating in the Doha Forum 2025.His Highness met separately with President of the Syrian Arab Republic, Ahmed al-Sharaa; President of the Federal Republic of Somalia, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud; and President of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, Mohamed Ould Cheikh Ghazouani.His Highness the Amir also met with President of the Republic of Ghana, John Dramani Mahama and Prime Minister of the Lebanese Republic, Dr Nawaf Salam.Discussions during the meetings, focused on ways to develop cooperation between Qatar and their respective countries in various fields. The meetings also discussed a host of regional and international issues of common interest, in addition to key topics on the Forum's agenda.The meetings were attended by His Excellency Chief of the Amiri Diwan, Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Mubarak al-Khulaifi; His Excellency Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh al-Khulaifi and a lineup of senior officials.Also present were several members of the official delegations accompanying the heads of state and government. 

HE the Minister of Endowments (Awqaf) and Islamic Affairs Ghanem bin Shaheen al-Ghanem met Sunday with the visiting Syrian Minister of Endowments Mohammad Abu al-Khair Shukri and his accompanying delegation from the Supreme Fatwa Council.The two sides discussed co-operation relations in the fields of endowments and Islamic affairs, and ways to enhance and develop them. They also exchanged views on topics of common interest.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with a consortium led by Qatar's UCC Holding, valued at over USD 4 billion, is intended to revamp Damascus International Airport based on state-of-the-art global standards, Chairman of the Syrian General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), Omar Al Hussari has said.In remarks to Qatar News Agency (QNA), Al Hussari added that the MoU includes revamping the airport, increasing its capacity, modernising the infrastructure and ground services, in addition to deploying sophisticated operation systems.The project will constitute a paradigm shift in the Syrian airports systems and bolster the capacity of the civil aviation sector to keep up with the requirements of the upcoming phase, Al Hussari highlighted.Al Hussari stressed that the memorandum is a concrete step in strengthening the Syria-Qatar relationship, standing as a model of Arab cooperation in major strategic ventures. He affirmed that the next phase would shift from signing the memorandum to outlining a clear implementation plan, thereby ensuring that this partnership is converted into tangible projects that directly benefit travelers and the national economy.In connection with the projects undertaken by GACA, technical and economic studies are underway to convert Mezzeh Air Base into a civilian airport dedicated to private aviation and business travelers. The operational capacity of this base will be gauged not in terms of passenger numbers but by the volume of private flights and the quality of specialized services, thereby positioning it as a complementary facility to Damascus International Airport, he underlined.He further underscored that there is a strategic plan to expand the SyrianAir fleet through the modernization of existing aircraft and the acquisition of new planes, while GACA has opened the door for Arab and international carriers to operate within Syrian airspace and at its airports.Damascus International Airport currently serves 15 airlines, whereas Aleppo International Airport accommodates seven carriers. The measures broadly enhance competitiveness and elevate the level of services offered to travelers. These initiatives unfold amid a period of Arab and international engagement with Syria and the restoration of a huge portion of air traffic, contributing to reinstating the country to its natural position on the regional and global aviation map, Al Hussari underlined.As for the western sanctions, he evinced that the restrictions are still partial and hamper modernization processes, as well as securing spare parts and cutting-edge technologies.However, he said GACA has been successful in overcoming these impediments through forging cooperation with regional and global partners to secure practical alternatives in relation to maintenance, equipment, and technologies, noting that these partnerships helped proceed with the operation of aircraft and airports based on international safety standards.Al Hussari welcomed the recent decision taken by the US Department of Commerce to streamline the access of technology and spare parts to Syria, including civil aviation parts.The strategy of the upcoming period is based on making the civil aviation sector an economic driver and a major conduit, reinstating the nation to its position as a regional and global connection hub. This strategy includes modernization to have capacious airports, augmenting the national fleet, advancing air cargo services, and investing in training and qualifying manpower to ensure sustained development and keep abreast of the latest international standards, Al Hussari pointed out.Al Hussari further indicated that the projects and agreements underway represent practical steps toward advancing the Syrian civil aviation sector and reintegrating the country into the regional and global air transportation system.He affirmed that the coming period ought to witness a follow-up on the execution of these projects to ensure the achievement of GACA's objectives and the constant upgradation of this critical sector.

In line with Qatar’s commitment to supporting the brotherly Syrian people, a delegation from Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) conducted a field visit to the Syrian Arab Republic. The visit aimed to assess Syria’s current developmental and humanitarian needs and to identify avenues for collaboration with local and international partners to strengthen support for the country’s key sectors and advance sustainable development. In a statement, QFFD said the three-day visit included technical meetings with several international organizations and UN agencies. Discussions focused on the current priorities and the most pressing needs, with an emphasis on impactful and sustainable projects in essential sectors such as health, water, food security, and community rehabilitation. The delegation held meetings with representatives from the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) and the International Rescue Committee (IRC), focusing on ways to advance urban recovery and essential services in affected areas, while reviewing progress on ongoing joint initiatives. The delegation also met with the World Food Programme (WFP), including a field visit to Eastern Ghouta to take a look at several on-the-ground projects. These included the Adra wastewater treatment plant, the Rihan water lifting station, and the irrigation canal, in addition to a small and medium enterprise initiative. The visit offered an opportunity to engage with local farmers and entrepreneurs, and to witness first-hand the positive impact of community recovery programs. Further meetings were held with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC) to discuss potential areas of co-operation, and the Syrian Ministry of Health. Discussions with the Ministry covered health sector priorities, including support for medical centers, access to medicines, and coordination mechanisms to ensure the continuity and effectiveness of joint efforts. This field visit underscores QFFD’s dedication to promoting inclusive and sustainable development, enhancing humanitarian assistance, and reinforcing the resilience and well-being of Syrian communities. Through impactful partnerships and collaboration, QFFD continues to implement targeted initiatives that deliver meaningful and sustainable support to address the country’s most pressing needs.