Levant24

Energy Minister Mohammed al-Bashir, addressing the People's Assembly:

We have a strategic plan to increase oil production. By 2028, we will achieve self-sufficiency in oil, and gas production will need around seven years to reach satisfactory levels. We have established a committee to study the reserves and stockpiles and prepare a new oil and gas resource map.

ISIS has changed its strategy in Syria

Syria signed a mine-action cooperation agreement with Ukraine on Sunday, pairing Syria's National Mine Action Center with Ukraine's Humanitarian Mine and War Remnants Action Center, a Levant24 correspondent reported. The deal draws on Ukraine's demining expertise in agricultural land survey through training and technical exchange, with field visits by Ukrainian experts to mine-contaminated areas in northern Syria to support land rehabilitation and the return of displaced residents.

Israeli forces blew up military sites near Qalaat Jandal in the Jabal al-Sheikh (Mount Hermon) area of Damascus countryside that were used by the former regime. The demolition comes roughly two weeks after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared "unprecedented control" over the Mount Hermon area during a visit on Sept. 9, saying Israeli forces would maintain an indefinite presence.

Syria News - 20/09/26 | Eleven Soldiers Buried After Deir Ezzor Depot Blast

Syrian internal security forces arrested Brigadier General Zakaria Mohammed Sannoun on Saturday in a precision operation. Sannoun headed air operations for the 22nd Division under the former regime from 2012 to 2020, overseeing Hama Military Airport, Tiyas Airbase (T4) and Shayrat Airbase in Homs province. Sannoun is considered a key figure in war crimes and air attacks on civilians during the Syrian revolution. Shayrat Airbase was used to launch the 2017 Khan Shaykhun sarin attack, which killed dozens of civilians. He has been referred to the judiciary for investigation.

Syrian internal security forces arrested Brigadier General Zakaria Mohammed Sannoun on Saturday in a precision operation. Sannoun headed air operations for the 22nd Division under the former regime from 2012 to 2020, overseeing Hama Military Airport, Tiyas Airbase (T4) and Shayrat Airbase in Homs province, the latter the launch site of the 2017 Khan Shaykhun sarin attack that killed dozens of civilians. He is considered a key figure in war crimes and air attacks on civilians during the Syrian revolution, and has been referred to investigation and the judiciary.

Energy Minister Mohammed al-Bashir, addressing the People's Assembly:

📌 We are maintaining Homs refinery despite its poor technical condition until new refineries can be established. Baniyas refinery underwent a full overhaul due to its urgent maintenance needs and to ensure worker safety. 📌 Industrial electricity consumption accounts for 40% of Syria's total electricity use. Reliable electricity for industrial facilities is essential to increasing and strengthening investment. 📌 The energy sector faces major challenges, including securing crude oil, spare parts and foreign currency.

Energy Minister Mohammed al-Bashir, addressing the People's Assembly:

📌 Gas production has risen from 6 million to 8 million cubic metres per day, while domestic demand is 24 million. We are drilling additional wells to increase output. 📌 We currently purchase 6.3 million cubic metres of gas per day from Azerbaijan and a vessel at Jordan's Aqaba port, costing around $140 million per month. 📌 Syria now has 3.6 million vehicles, up from 2.5 million, increasing fuel demand. Domestic refining capacity stands at 150,000 bpd, while petroleum-product imports average the same volume. 📌 Daily demand stands at 12 million litres of diesel, 8 million litres of gasoline, 8,500 tonnes of fuel oil for power generation and industry, and 1,300 tonnes of LPG.

Energy Minister Mohammed al-Bashir was summoned before Syria’s People’s Assembly over fuel price hikes that triggered protests across the country, addressing the energy sector and fuel supplies:

📌 Domestic oil production stands at 112,000 barrels per day, leaving a 200,000-bpd supply gap sourced from abroad. Syria has 78 oil fields, with several wells temporarily shut for rehabilitation. 📌 Syria needs $831 million per month to purchase crude oil and petroleum products. We sometimes resort to sole-source contracts amid the global crisis affecting the energy sector. 📌 We are moving toward contracts with friendly oil-producing countries until Syria achieves self-sufficiency. 📌 We have requested bids to complete the Arab Oil Pipeline from Jordan. The project is under implementation and estimated at around $250 million, financed by the Syrian Petroleum Company.

Energy Minister Mohammed al-Bashir was summoned before Syria’s People’s Assembly over fuel price hikes that triggered protests across the country, addressing the energy sector and fuel supplies: 📌 "Domestic oil production stands at 112,000 barrels per day, leaving a 200,000-bpd supply gap sourced from abroad. Syria has 78 oil fields, with several wells temporarily shut for rehabilitation." 📌 "Syria needs $831 million per month to purchase crude oil and petroleum products. We sometimes resort to sole-source contracts amid the global crisis affecting the energy sector." 📌 "We are moving toward contracts with friendly oil-producing countries until Syria achieves self-sufficiency." 📌 "We have requested bids to complete the Arab Oil Pipeline from Jordan. The project is under implementation and estimated at around $250 million, financed by the Syrian Petroleum Company."

Syrian Airlines will launch direct flights to Copenhagen on Sept. 21 and Vienna on Sept. 22, bringing its direct European destinations to three, alongside Amsterdam. The expansion follows Syria's removal from Washington's terrorism list earlier this year.

Israeli forces fired at least three artillery shells at a rural area between Ruwayhina and Bir Ajam in central Quneitra province, with several additional rounds striking the Bir Ajam forest west of Zubaida village. The attack is part of an escalating pattern of Israeli artillery strikes across Quneitra and western Damascus countryside this month. The two areas have been hit by at least 12 Israeli artillery attacks since early September.

Idlib Governorate opened the Idlib Markets 2026 festival at Tahrir Park, featuring about 100 Syrian firms. Running through 29 September, the event offers discounted food, clothing, detergents and household goods directly from producers, alongside cultural and tourism activities. Last year’s Idlib Markets 2025 opened on 2 August, bringing together about 120 firms to offer discounted food and consumer goods over ten days. It was the first edition after the former regime's fall.

𝗗𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘆 𝗨𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲 | 𝗜𝘀𝗿𝗮𝗲𝗹𝗶 𝗠𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝘆𝗿𝗶𝗮 𝗨𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱: 𝟭𝟵/𝟬𝟵/𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 Levant24’s tracker documents reported Israeli airstrikes, ground incursions, raids, detentions, checkpoints, and property destruction across Syria. Figures may be revised as new details are verified.

President Ahmad al-Sharaa discussed projects in Aleppo covering real estate, tourism, industry and an exhibition city with senior officials, including several ministers, the governor and Investment Authority chief. The talks followed al-Sharaa’s September 11 tour of Aleppo, where he inspected roads, services and industrial areas as housing and infrastructure projects advanced.

Former Assad Prison Chief Sentenced to 60 Years in US Read article here:https://levant24.com/en/article/former-assad-prison-chief-sentenced-to-60-years-in-us

Turkey’s Education Minister Yusuf Tekin said 260,000 Syrian students have left Turkish schools and returned to Syria, while 550,000 Syrian students remain enrolled in Turkey. The figures mark a further drop from earlier official counts. After the former regime's fall in December 2024, Tekin had said about 100,000 of nearly 900,000 Syrian pupils in Turkey had gone home. Enrolment of refugee students in Turkish schools also fell at the start of the 2025–26 year as voluntary returns continued.

Syria's Anti-Narcotics Directorate, supported by special forces, killed a prominent drug smuggling network leader in Homs province after he opened fire and refused to surrender. One special forces officer was killed during the confrontation. The operation reflects Syria's intensified anti-narcotics efforts throughout 2026, during which authorities have seized over 320 million Captagon pills and dismantled 13 drug manufacturing warehouses.

Aleppo Governor Azzam al-Gharib met Presidential Adviser Mustafa Khalil Abdi, the former commander of the now-dissolved SDF, to discuss integrating Kurdish military and civilian structures into Syria's state institutions and facilitating the return of residents to previously Kurdish-held areas. The talks reflect Damascus' consolidation efforts following the collapse of the former regime, with Aleppo focusing on restoring services in neighborhoods affected by the transition.