News - Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/country-files/syria/news/?xtor=RSS-1 en Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/local/cache-vignettes/L144xH72/visuel_defaut_une_fd-44916-890bc.jpg?1702480409 https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr?xtor=RSS-1 Syria – 13th anniversary of the Syrian uprising - Joint Statement by the Foreign Ministries of France, Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States of America (15 Mar. 2024) https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/country-files/syria/news/2024/article/syria-13th-anniversary-of-the-syrian-uprising-joint-statement-by-the-foreign?xtor=RSS-1 The following statement was released by the Governments of France, Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States of America on the occasion of the 13-year anniversary of the Syrian uprising: On this day 13 years ago, the Syrian people took to the streets in peaceful protest to demand their freedom and respect for human rights. The Assad regime met these protests with a ruthless campaign of oppression and atrocities that continues to this day. Since March 2011, the Syria conflict has (…) 2024-03-15 16:36:10 65536_278036 Syria – Report by the organization for the prohibition of chemical weapons on the use of chemical weapons in Marea (24 Feb. 2024) https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/country-files/syria/news/article/syria-report-by-the-organization-for-the-prohibition-of-chemical-weapons-on-the?xtor=RSS-1 France welcomes the publication of the fourth report issued by the Investigation and Identification Team (IIT) of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW). 2024-02-26 13:25:28 58656_277829 Syria – Death of Riad al-Turk (1 Jan. 2024) https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/country-files/syria/news/2024/article/syria-death-of-riad-al-turk-1-jan-2024?xtor=RSS-1 Syrian opposition figure and activist Riad al-Turk passed away in France on January 1. It is with great sorrow that we salute the memory of this freedom worker, and we offer our heartfelt condolences to his family, loved ones, and fellow fighters for freedom and human rights. Syria's oldest political dissident, Riad al-Turk began his political activities in the 1950s and was renowned for his courage and free speech. He fought tirelessly for a free and democratic Syria in the face of the (…) 2024-01-04 08:09:58 65536_277119 Syria – Bombardment in Idlib province (6 Nov. 2023) https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/country-files/syria/news/article/syria-bombardment-in-idlib-province-6-nov-2023?xtor=RSS-1 France condemns the artillery fire and air strikes by the Syrian regime and Russia in Idlib province, in northwestern Syria. Since October 5, these indiscriminate attacks have left at least 70 dead, one-third of whom were children, and nearly 350 wounded. They have targeted residential neighborhoods, displaced persons camps and civilian infrastructure, including schools and hospitals. According to the UN, more than 120,000 people have been forced to flee the fighting. All in all, the war (…) 2023-11-06 21:04:50 58656_276246 Situation in Syria (06.10.23) https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/country-files/syria/news/article/situation-in-syria-06-10-23?xtor=RSS-1 France is troubled by the new wave of violence in Syria, which has left more than a hundred dead, including dozens of civilians, and resulted in damage to civilian infrastructure. France calls on all the parties to exercise restraint and protect civilian populations. France reiterates its support for the call issued by the UN Secretary-General and his special envoy for a cessation of hostilities throughout Syria and a political solution in accordance with resolution 2254, which was (…) 2023-10-06 18:26:42 58656_275584 Syria – 10 years on from the Ghouta attack (21.08.23) https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/country-files/syria/news/article/syria-10-years-on-from-the-ghouta-attack-21-08-23?xtor=RSS-1 21 August 2023 marks the 10th anniversary of the appalling sarin gas attack carried out in the Ghouta district of Damascus by Bashar al-Assad's regime against his own people, killing more than 1,400 people including many children. On this day of commemoration, France pays tribute to the memory of the victims of this heinous crime. For more than 12 years now the Syrian regime, with the support of its allies, has been regularly committing atrocities that constitute war crimes and crimes (…) 2023-08-22 11:42:49 58656_274806 Syria – France deplores the Russian veto of the resolution on cross-border humanitarian assistance (12.07.23) https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/country-files/syria/news/article/syria-france-deplores-the-russian-veto-of-the-resolution-on-cross-border?xtor=RSS-1 France deplores the Russian veto of this resolution brought by Brazil and Switzerland. This attitude cements Russia's growing isolation in all international bodies. Cross-border humanitarian aid remains vital to millions of Syrians. The February 6th earthquake accentuated the importance of this delivery route. There is no alternative route to providing assistance to more than 4 million people. France supports the continuation of this cross-border mechanism, per the request of the UN (…) 2023-07-13 16:53:06 58656_274257 Repatriation of children and mothers from north-east Syria (04.07.23) https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/country-files/syria/news/article/repatriation-of-children-and-mothers-from-north-east-syria-04-07-23?xtor=RSS-1 France has today conducted a new operation to return children and mothers who have been in camps in north-east Syria to France. In the operation, 25 minors and 10 adult women were returned. The minors are being handed over to child welfare services and are receiving ongoing medical and social support. The adults are being handed over to the relevant judicial authorities. France thanks the local administration in north-east Syria for its cooperation, which made the operation (…) 2023-07-04 12:33:11 58656_274111 Syria – Creation of an independent institution on missing persons in Syria (29 June 2023) https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/country-files/syria/news/article/syria-creation-of-an-independent-institution-on-missing-persons-in-syria-29?xtor=RSS-1 On 29 June 2023, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution establishing an independent international institution on missing persons in Syria. With more than 130,000 people still reported missing in Syria, the institution aims at helping the families of the victims, including the victims of forced disappearances, to ascertain the fate of their loved ones. It will require active cooperation in good faith by all those involved, including the Syrian regime. France reaffirms its (…) 2023-06-30 14:50:40 58656_274074 Syria – Air strikes in Idlib province (June 25, 2023) https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/country-files/syria/news/article/syria-air-strikes-in-idlib-province-june-25-2023?xtor=RSS-1 France utterly condemns the air strikes carried out on June 25 in Idlib province, in northwestern Syria. These attacks left at least 13 dead, including two children, and several dozen wounded. We offer our condolences to the victims' families and loved ones. France reaffirms its support for the call by the UN Secretary-General and his Special Envoy to end the hostilities throughout Syria and implement a political solution in accordance with resolution 2254. France reaffirms its commitment (…) 2023-06-26 18:03:33 58656_274005