Syria Today | November 2008

US raid kills eight in eastern Syria

US special forces shot dead eight people in eastern Syria after being flown in by helicopter from Iraq on October 26.

Israel heads for early elections

The future of the current Syrian-Israeli peace process has been put in doubt following the sudden move by Israeli Prime Minister hopeful Tzipi Livni to hold early elections on October 26.

Iraqi Christians seek refuge in Syria

Four hundred Iraqi Christians fleeing violence in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul have arrived in Syria in the past fortnight.

Damascus bomb blast kills 17

Seventeen people were killed and at least 14 wounded when a car packed with 200kg of explosives blew up in Damascus on September 27, the worst attack the country has seen in 20 years.

Syria and Lebanon formally establish diplomatic relations

Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Mu’allem and his Lebanese counterpart Fawzi Salloukh signed an agreement on October 15.

First Lady receives award

Syria’s First Lady Asma al-Assad received the Gold Medal of the President of the Italian Republic on October 19 in recognition of “her steadfast commitment towards inclusive economic growth and sustainable development in the Arab World”.

Al-Rai TV to continue controversial broadcast

The owners of a Syrian satellite channel hit with US sanctions for allegedly broadcasting footage of attacks on US soldiers in Iraq have said they will not stop their controversial programming.

Hamas’ Mashaal calls for thaw of Saudi-Syrian relations

Hamas political leader Khaled Mashaal called for an improvement in Saudi-Syrian relations during a recent visit to Saudi Arabia, an Arab diplomat told AFP on October 6.

Abbas and Assad discuss Palestinian reconciliation

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas met with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to discuss the Egyptian-mediated reconciliation process between the Palestinian president’s Fatah party and the Hamas movement in Damascus on October 12.

Taming the Beast

Efforts to reform Syria’s public sector administration have fallen behind other areas targeted by the government. Resistance from within government bodies is slowing the streamlining process.