Jordan

The Syrian government announced on November 13 the renewal of the three-month authorisation for the United Nations to send aid through the Bab Al-Salameh and Al-Rai border crossings into the northwest.

The National Islamic Bank has officially started its operations in Syria, becoming the first new bank to start operations since the beginning of the uprising in 2011.

The Israeli retaliation after the Hamas’ attack on October 7 has led to violent echoes in the region: from deadly flare-ups in the Lebanese-Israeli border, exchange of fire in southern Syria, Israel’s airstrikes at Damascus and Aleppo airports, to U.S. bases in Syria and Iraq targeted in drone attacks by Iranian affiliated groups. The announced Israeli ground invasion of Gaza could be an important turning point with regards to regional escalation as Iran and Hezbollah made the potential invasion their main red line.

Over the years, the relationship between Hamas and Syria has gone through significant transformations.

Efforts to resurrect the Kirkuk-Banias oil pipeline have recently gained momentum. However, financial constraints and political and security instability continue to deter the project's implementation.

Initial figures appear to indicate that Syria’s cement market, a proxy for construction activity, will contract again this year, despite the earthquake-related reconstruction needs and the investment that was expected after the Arab rapprochement with Damascus.