1. The global chemical weapons watchdog criticized Syria for failing to declare a chemical weapons production facility and respond to 18 other issues, while Russia accused the watchdog of conducting a “political crusade” against its close ally, the AP reported. The clash on Friday came at the UN Security Council’s monthly meeting on Syria’s chemical weapons, where the Director-General of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, Fernando Arias, briefed members for the first time since May and was pummeled with questions from Russia’s UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia.
2. On Thursday, a group of Syrian refugees took the Canadian citizenship oath in an online ceremony, on the fifth anniversary of when the first plane carrying Syrian refugees arrived in Canada as part of the Liberal government’s promise to resettle tens of thousands, according to The Canadian Press. Ibrahim Nafash, who was one of 29 Syrian refugees who participated, said he was happy to take the oath after he and his family waited more than a year. He came to Canada with his wife and two sons from Syria via Lebanon in December 2015. He said his family received all the support it needed from the Syrian community in Montreal and from the government to start a new life here. “Everyone has been supportive and kind,” he said. “People stood with me and helped me find a job quickly after arriving.”
3. The Turkish army has launched a new attack in northern Syria over the weekend, with their forces targeting the positions of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in northern Raqqa. Al-Masdar reported that the Turkish army and their allied militants launched several artillery shells at the town of Ayn Issa, despite the presence of Russian troops in the area. The reports said the Syrian Democratic Forces did not respond to the attack by the Turkish military.
4. The Health Ministry announced on Saturday that 130 new coronavirus cases were registered in Syria, adding that 76 patients have recovered while 15 others have passed away. In a statement to SANA, the ministry indicated that the total number of coronavirus infections registered in the country to date has reached at 9,041, of which 4,319 have recovered, while 506 others have passed away.
5. Foreign Minister Faisal Mikdad received Regional Director of the United Nations Children’s Fund UNICEF for the Middle East and North Africa Edward Ted Chaiban. The two sides discussed means to enhance cooperation relations between the Syrian government and UNICEF, SANA reported. Mikdad appreciated the efforts exerted by UNICEF in Syria, particularly in the fields of education and health.
This article was edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
