damascus

The recent liberation of Syria’s Palmyra (a UNESCO world Heritage site) by the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) and allies is an important victory for numerous reasons.

21st Century Wire says…
A review of all the Top Stories from this week – for your consideration.

21st Century Wire says…

This is an update following yesterday’s shenanigans by Reuters who published a report claiming 175 of the ISIS kidnapped cement workers had been executed.  As the world press ran with the story originated by Reuters, the news agency did a U turn and withdrew the story claiming their sources were unreliable. 

RT
Islamic State militants have killed 175 workers who were captured at a cement factory situated to the east of Damascus, Sputnik Arabic reported, citing its sources.

SANA
A group affiliated to ISIS terrorist organization kidnapped more than 300 workers and contractors from al-Badiyeh Cement Company- a closed joint-stock company located north east of Abu al-Shamat area in Damascus Countryside.

In April 2014 I first visited Syria, going to Homs and Latakia, in addition to Damascus. On each of my three subsequent trips to Syria, speaking moderate colloquial Arabic, I have been able to interact one-on-one with Syrians there, whether in markets, taxis, on the streets or in areas I visited.

21st Century Wire says…
Will it be possible to achieve agreement between warring factions by Friday?
Watch a video of this report here:

Four deafening blasts rocked today, Sunday, the Shia-populated district of Sayyidah Zaynab in the southern suburbs of Damascus, leaving more than 46 people dead, 100 injured in latest poll.

Local witnesses reported that at least two of the four explosions were carried out by suicide bombers.

The Sayyidah Zaynab district is where Imam Ali’s daughter is buried, and is one of the most significant iconic places for Shia Islam.

Hundreds of displaced Syrians have been able to return to their homes in a district in southern Damascus. This comes as part of a reconciliation deal between the Syrian government and foreign-backed militants. Press TV’s Mohamad Ali has more on the story from the Syrian capital.

Due to corporate media’s misrepresentation of Syria, some may be surprised to know that Syrians—suffering terribly under nearly five years of the foreign war on their country—are also celebrating Christmas from Damascus to Homs to Aleppo. Glittering displays, street Santas, choirs singing carols and people singing Jingle Bells, and tacky, exuberant Christmas parades are not unique to the West.