'Development, construction and reconstruction'- 62nd Damascus International Fair heralded as 'moment of liberation' for Syria

'Development, construction and reconstruction'- 62nd Damascus International Fair heralded as 'moment of liberation' for Syria

"The 62nd Damascus International Fair kicked off on Wednesday in the Syrian capital, Damascus, with the participation of 20 Arab and foreign countries. Footage shows celebrations and fireworks lighting up the capital’s sky, as well as crowds of visitors exploring the various national and commercial pavilions. "Today we are participating in the Damascus International Forum with the aim of identifying investment opportunities inside Syria, and also to promote the role of tourism in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia," said Abdullah Ibnami from Saudi Arabia. "Today we see Syria heading to development, construction, and reconstruction," added Faisal Majed Al-Muhaidib, also from Saudi Arabia. During the opening ceremony, President Ahmed Al-Sharaa said it was a "moment of liberation", and that he had made security stability and economic development top priorities for Syria. He also highlighted his government's diplomatic efforts to rebuild Syria’s relationships with the international community. The Damascus International Fair, first held in 1954, is one of the oldest, most prestigious, and largest international fairs in the Middle East. It brings together dozens of countries across various continents, along with hundreds of Syrian and international companies. "

'Development, construction and reconstruction'- 62nd Damascus International Fair heralded as 'moment of liberation' for Syria

'Development, construction and reconstruction'- 62nd Damascus International Fair heralded as 'moment of liberation' for Syria

"The 62nd Damascus International Fair kicked off on Wednesday in the Syrian capital, Damascus, with the participation of 20 Arab and foreign countries. Footage shows celebrations and fireworks lighting up the capital’s sky, as well as crowds of visitors exploring the various national and commercial pavilions. "Today we are participating in the Damascus International Forum with the aim of identifying investment opportunities inside Syria, and also to promote the role of tourism in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia," said Abdullah Ibnami from Saudi Arabia. "Today we see Syria heading to development, construction, and reconstruction," added Faisal Majed Al-Muhaidib, also from Saudi Arabia. During the opening ceremony, President Ahmed Al-Sharaa said it was a "moment of liberation", and that he had made security stability and economic development top priorities for Syria. He also highlighted his government's diplomatic efforts to rebuild Syria’s relationships with the international community. The Damascus International Fair, first held in 1954, is one of the oldest, most prestigious, and largest international fairs in the Middle East. It brings together dozens of countries across various continents, along with hundreds of Syrian and international companies. "

'We don't want to move from one camp to another' - Displaced people from northern Syria's Bab al-Salameh react to potential relocation

'We don't want to move from one camp to another' - Displaced people from northern Syria's Bab al-Salameh react to potential relocation

"Displaced residents from Bab al-Salameh Camp in rural Aleppo hit back on Wednesday at plans to move them to a new site. "Over the past 10 years, residents here have invested money and effort into building homes and laying the foundations of their lives," said Ayman Haj Qaddour, director of the camp and a displaced person himself. "The new camp would cost at least $10,000, while it would be better to give $3,000 to each displaced person to help them return to their homes." Drone footage shows aerial views of the camp, with displaced people moving through the narrow alleys, and children playing between the tents and temporary shelters. "Our houses are destroyed. We've been displaced since 2012. I'm from Al-Safira and we have no alternative housing. They proposed relocating us to Jarabulus, which is about 100 kilometres away," said one man. Faheema Mohammed Masri, a displaced woman from Tal Rifaat said: "We want to return and live in stability. We don’t want to remain displaced—we want to settle in our homes, our country, and our land. Not the opposite—remaining in a state of displacement, moving from one place to another, from one province to another." According to local sources, residents of the Bab al-Salameh Camp received an evacuation order through government-affiliated committees. The site is reported to be set to become an international freight hub, due to its proximity to the Bab al-Salameh border crossing with Turkey. However, at time of publication, no official statements had been issued by the authorities. The camp currently hosts around 925 families—about 65 percent of its capacity—mostly from towns in northern rural Aleppo, such as Mare, Menagh, Tal Rifaat, and Al-Safira. Displacement camps in northwest Syria have seen a growing number of families returning to their villages and towns in recent years. However, thousands remain in camps with nowhere to go. "

'We don't want to move from one camp to another' - Displaced people from northern Syria's Bab al-Salameh react to potential relocation

'We don't want to move from one camp to another' - Displaced people from northern Syria's Bab al-Salameh react to potential relocation

"Displaced residents from Bab al-Salameh Camp in rural Aleppo hit back on Wednesday at plans to move them to a new site. "Over the past 10 years, residents here have invested money and effort into building homes and laying the foundations of their lives," said Ayman Haj Qaddour, director of the camp and a displaced person himself. "The new camp would cost at least $10,000, while it would be better to give $3,000 to each displaced person to help them return to their homes." Drone footage shows aerial views of the camp, with displaced people moving through the narrow alleys, and children playing between the tents and temporary shelters. "Our houses are destroyed. We've been displaced since 2012. I'm from Al-Safira and we have no alternative housing. They proposed relocating us to Jarabulus, which is about 100 kilometres away," said one man. Faheema Mohammed Masri, a displaced woman from Tal Rifaat said: "We want to return and live in stability. We don’t want to remain displaced—we want to settle in our homes, our country, and our land. Not the opposite—remaining in a state of displacement, moving from one place to another, from one province to another." According to local sources, residents of the Bab al-Salameh Camp received an evacuation order through government-affiliated committees. The site is reported to be set to become an international freight hub, due to its proximity to the Bab al-Salameh border crossing with Turkey. However, at time of publication, no official statements had been issued by the authorities. The camp currently hosts around 925 families—about 65 percent of its capacity—mostly from towns in northern rural Aleppo, such as Mare, Menagh, Tal Rifaat, and Al-Safira. Displacement camps in northwest Syria have seen a growing number of families returning to their villages and towns in recent years. However, thousands remain in camps with nowhere to go. "