Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa officially inaugurated the "Dar Al-Salaam" project package in Homs yesterday, a significant initiative aimed at reconstruction and development that includes infrastructure rehabilitation, housing for displaced families, eco-industrial zones, healthcare and educational centers, and vital service and transport corridors. Al-Sharaa also addressed thousands of people in Homs, stating, "After the war to Al-Ammar, God willing, we will return to build it," and "O people of Homs, you will see you, I am your son-in-law." The inauguration marks a major post-conflict development phase for the nation, described as a "rebirth as a sovereign, unified and democratic republic." In parallel with these domestic developments, Syria's Ministry of Energy signed agreements and Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) yesterday with several Saudi companies, including Acwa Power, Arabian Drilling, ADES, ARGAS, TAQA, PDC, and Saudi Electricity Company. These agreements are set to foster cooperation in electricity projects, transmission and distribution stations, geophysical and geological surveys, oil field services, drilling and maintenance of wells, technical training, workforce development, and integrated solutions for oil and gas field development and management. These economic policy shifts follow the suspension of key elements of the 2003 Syria Accountability and Lebanese Sovereignty Restoration Act in June. According to an analysis of the Bureau of Industry and Security's (BIS) announcement yesterday, the move generally removes the need for licenses to export most purely civilian goods, software, and technology (EAR99), consumer communication devices, and some items for civil aviation. It also makes it easier to obtain export licenses for telecommunications infrastructure, sanitation, power generation, and civil aviation, with other dual-use items subject to case-by-case review. Meanwhile, in southern Syria, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) reported arresting a suspect involved in promoting terrorist activities against their forces during a series of night operations in recent days. The IDF stated that combat means were found in the areas where the operations took place and that forces continue to operate in the region to thwart terrorism and ensure the security of Israeli citizens. Historical context from ten years ago indicates that rebels in Daraya, a suburb of Damascus, launched the "Flames of Daraya" Offensive, which led to one of the fiercest battles in the area. The offensive aimed to lift the siege by capturing the strategic Jaamayat area and weaken regime positions near Mazzeh Airbase. Previous reports from the Daraya graveyard mentioned an unidentified victim killed in heavy shelling and three children from the same family killed in a bombardment.
