Even after 13 years of war, the West and its allies continue to promote divisions in Syria through occupation of its land, theft of its natural resources, unilateral sanctions and military interventions

Syria is seeking Chinese support for the economic revival and reconstruction of the country, devastated by more than a decade of war and continuing US and Turkish occupation  

A couple of delegations of US Congress persons and the US ambassador to Turkey paid illegal visits to areas held by anti-Assad forces on Sunday. Meanwhile, Israel conducted airstrikes inside Syria in recent days

In a statement issued after its contact group meeting in Cairo, the Arab League also underlined the need for better coordination among the host countries to facilitate return of Syrian refugees

Nearly half of Syria’s pre-war population of a little over 20 million was displaced due to the war which began in 2011. Almost six million of those displaced have become refugees, mostly in neighboring countries

Around 70% of Syria’s population—over 15 million people—depends on humanitarian aid for their survival, according to the UN. The country’s economy has been severely hurt due to a decade-long war and sanctions imposed by the US and its allies, with the situation worsening since the disastrous earthquake in February

Syria was suspended from the Arab League in 2012 after war broke out in the country. Several members of the League supported anti-government forces which included Islamist militias

Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan became the first high official from his country to visit Damascus since the war in Syria broke out in 2011. Farhan met with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and discussed the process of Syria’s reintegration into regional politics

Washington is increasingly left with no option but to stir up the Syrian pot again and create turmoil with a view to creating an alibi for the continued occupation of the country

Rania Khalek of BreakThrough News explains how Western sanctions on Syria are leading to deaths, obstructing aid, and preventing reconstruction in the aftermath of the horrifying earthquake

Over 5,000 people have been reported dead so far and thousands more injured in Turkey and Syria in a 7.8 magnitude earthquake on Monday

Syria claims that economic recovery and improvements to public service delivery have been hindered by unilateral sanctions and military occupation imposed by the US and its allies