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Tehran Times: Iran and the United States are ready to start new negotiations.
The source told SANA that the government calls on the SDF to engage in implementing the March 10 agreement and urges international mediators to move all negotiations to Damascus.
The source told SANA that the conference violates the commitments the Syrian government has begun implementing, including the formation of a transitional justice body and the dialogue process.
A Syrian source told SANA that the government considers this conference an attempt to internationalize Syrian affairs, invite foreign intervention, and reimpose sanctions.
A Syrian government source told SANA that the Syrian government will not participate in planned meetings with the Syrian Democratic Forces in Paris.
TASS news agency, citing a Kremlin official: Putin and Trump will meet in Alaska on August 15.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in South Lebanon: Israeli drone strike targets vehicle on Zahrani - Tyre Highway.
Israeli media: Israeli Prime Minister's Office: The security cabinet has approved Netanyahu's proposal on Gaza.
Al Mayadeen correspondent: The Lebanese Council of Ministers approved the general objectives of the US paper unanimously by the ministers who remained in the session.
Hezbollah, Amal Movement ministers withdraw from the Lebanese cabinet session as it discusses the proposal of US envoy Tom Barrack.

500,000 Syrian refugees return since regime change

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 15 May 2025 22:40
3 Min Read

The UNHCR says 500,000 refugees have returned to Syria since December 2024, with Trump’s pledge to lift sanctions expected to ease conditions for more returns.

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  • 500,000 Syrian refugees return since regime change
    A Syrian man carries his belongings as he walks on a street in Damascus, Syria, Wednesday, May 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Omar Sanadiki)

The head of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) mission in Syria, Gonzalo Vargas Llosa, announced that approximately half a million Syrian refugees have returned to their homeland since the fall of the previous regime on December 8, 2024.

In an interview with Syria’s state-run news agency SANA on Thursday, Vargas Llosa welcomed US President Donald Trump’s pledge to lift sanctions on Syria, saying the move would "contribute to improving humanitarian conditions and facilitate the return of more refugees."

He emphasized that many refugees and internally displaced persons have expressed a desire to return to their homes now that the main reason for their displacement has been removed. He added that the majority of those who have returned so far came from neighboring countries, including Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey, Iraq, and Egypt.

“The biggest challenge facing refugee returns today is the economic situation,” Vargas Llosa said, citing the extensive destruction across all sectors of Syrian life during the past 14 years of conflict.

US starts lifting sanctions

The US Department of the Treasury has officially begun the process of lifting sanctions on Syria, marking a significant shift in US foreign policy.

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Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed the move on social media, stating that this decision is intended to stabilize Syria and support its journey toward peace.

“The Treasury Department is moving to provide sanctions relief to stabilize and move Syria towards peace,” Bessent wrote on X, confirming the department’s intentions.

This marks a change from previous US policies that imposed strict sanctions on Syria under former President Bashar al-Assad.

The sanctions relief comes at a time when Syria is struggling with a prolonged conflict that has caused immense destruction and suffering. This decision comes amid growing international discussions on how to bring an end to the conflict, which has lasted for more than a decade.

Trump’s announcement in Saudi Arabia

On Tuesday, US President Donald Trump, during his visit to Saudi Arabia, publicly announced that the United States would lift sanctions on Syria, a decision made at the request of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

This announcement came just before the US-Gulf summit held in Riyadh, signaling a shift in US policy toward Syria and the broader Middle East. Trump had previously expressed concerns over the lack of progress in Syria's peace process, but this move is seen as a step toward facilitating dialogue and improving regional stability.

Trump’s talks with Syria’s interim President, Ahmad al-Sharaa, prior to the summit, marked a critical moment in US-Syria relations. The discussions focused on Syria’s future and the importance of international cooperation in rebuilding the country.

With the backing of Saudi Arabia, one of the most influential countries in the region, this move could help bring Syria back into the fold of regional politics, after years of isolation.

  • Syria
  • Bashar al-Assad
  • Ahmad al-Sharaa
  • Damascus
  • United Nations
  • UNHCR

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