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On the occasion of recent protests in Suweida, the following is a background on Suweida, its demographics, geography, and the state of government and private investments in the governorate.

The government has allowed the UN to use the Bab Al-Hawa crossing, raises concerns about Damascus’ role in humanitarian aid operations in areas under opposition control.

Trade between Turkey and Syria has remained steady for the first half of the year. However, the number of companies established by Syrian Investors in Turkey has decreased significantly.

Northeast Syria continues to suffer from an acute water crisis driven by climatic and man-made factors.

The U.S. Federal Reserve issued a USD 186 million fine against Deutsche Bank for failing to comply with previous orders concerning sanctioned countries, including Syria. 

The Biden administration recently published a written strategy outlining aspects of its interagency plan to intercept and dismantle “illicit captagon networks linked to the Assad regime.” The plan also includes proposals to collaborate with affected countries, such as Jordan, Lebanon, and Saudi Arabia, which has become the biggest market for the narcotic, according to recent investigations and reports. 

The report sheds light on the financial, security, and curriculum challenges hindering access to education in Northwest Syria.

The platform brings together CSOs from a range of sectors and geographical areas, including many that handle large annual budgets.

Ahead of the Turkish elections, one of the key areas of concern remains the future of Ankara's policy towards Syria and Syrian refugees. As Turkey continues to navigate the complexities of the Syrian conflict, it is important to understand how the election results may shape its approach towards its neighbouring country.

In 2021, Syria’s gross domestic product increased by 1.30 percent to USD 20.50 billion, according to the latest data published by the government.

The SSG released the first issue of its official gazette as it continues its drive towards institutionalisation. 

On May 11, a bipartisan group of lawmakers in the United States House of Representatives introduced the Assad Anti-Normalisation Act, sending a clear message of disapproval to Arab countries that have re-engaged the Syrian regime.

Syria has been readmitted into the Arab League more than a decade after its seat was frozen, marking a significant development in its reintegration into the Arab world. The decision will provide Damascus with a political boost and may encourage other countries in and outside of the Arab world to normalise and improve relations with Syria.

A crypto trading company based in the United States agreed to pay USD 7.59 million to settle its violations of sanctions against Syria, Crimea, Cuba, Iran, and Sudan. 

Around 39 percent of the funding requirements for the Regional Refugee and Resilience Plan for Syria were met last year, according to the UNHCR and UNDP.

Only half of the funding requirements for Syria’s Humanitarian Response Plan were reached in 2022, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

Last year, the Syria Recovery Trust Fund received 34 percent less international funding than the previous year. 

Microsoft was fined millions of dollars for selling software and technology to sanctioned individuals and entities based in Syria and elsewhere.

Between March 14 and 16, President Bashar Al-Assad led a high-level delegation to Moscow to meet with Russia’s President Vladimir Putin. During the visit, the two leaders discussed political, economic, and military cooperation, the Turkish-Syrian settlement, post-war reconstruction, and more.

During a conference held in Brussels on March 20, the international community secured close to EUR 1 billion in grants aimed at providing support to Syria. The funding will be used “to help meet humanitarian needs and support early recovery and resilience.”