AGP Executive Report

Syria’s Literacy Push: Syria’s Culture Ministry is stepping up adult education as war and displacement leave about 1 in 5 Syrians unable to read or write, with hundreds of new literacy courses launched this year and plans to expand teaching methods and digital access. Turkey–Damascus Momentum: Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan says President Erdogan is expected to visit Syria soon, stressing an inclusive political framework and saying Turkish-language classes would be offered as an elective, not removed. Rojava Grief and Tension: Thousands attended the funeral of Hesekê Brigade fighter Sîpan Hiznî after his killing, while the Syrian Democratic Council (MSD) demands an urgent, independent investigation into deadly prison unrest in Kobanê. Human Rights Accountability: Human Rights Watch calls for accountability for crimes committed in Syria across all sides, urging the new administration to preserve archives and mass-grave sites and cooperate with UN mechanisms. Regional Culture & Aid: Qatar Charity reports humanitarian and development work worth about QR 809mn reaching 10+ million people, including support in Syria.

Literacy & Adult Education: Syria’s Culture Ministry is ramping up a national push against illiteracy ahead of International Literacy Day, citing war and displacement effects: about 4 million people (around 20%) can’t read or write, and roughly 2.5 million children have dropped out; officials say they’ll expand literacy courses, update teaching methods, and use digital tools to reach excluded learners. Heritage & Memory: A plan to convert Damascus’ Mezzeh military airport into a private aviation hub is drawing alarm from rights groups, which warn construction could disturb suspected mass graves tied to Assad-era detention and executions. Rojava Education Rights: Kurdish groups are condemning restrictions on mother-tongue education in Rojava, calling it an inalienable right and urging the Transitional Government to halt what they describe as anti-democratic attacks. Kobani Tensions: Reports from Kobani describe clashes after a protest over the kidnapping and killing of a Syrian Ministry of Defense-linked figure, with PYD and KNK calling for investigations and accountability. Culture & Lifestyle (History): New research highlights “sophisticated” Bronze Age cooking in Hama, including multi-temperature pots and imported ingredients—an early look at culinary exchange in Syria.

Youth & Culture in Rojava: Kurdistan Democratic Party–Syria leader Mohammed Ismail marked the 13th anniversary of the Students and Youth Union of Democratic Kurdistani–West, praising its cultural and social role and urging deeper youth participation, education, and democratic values. Syrian Trade & Industry: The first Syrian Industries SYRIX Expo 2026 wrapped up in Jeddah, bringing 160+ Syrian companies to meet Saudi buyers and push deals in food, textiles, chemicals, and engineering. Heritage & Food History: A study on Bronze Age Syria suggests Hama residents 4,500 years ago already used “sophisticated” cooking methods—different pots for different meals and imported ingredients. Humanitarian Spotlight (Syria included): Qatar Charity reported QR809m in projects from January to July 2026, reaching 10m+ people across 44 countries, with specific focus on crises including Syria. Regional Security Echo: Gulf and Muslim organizations condemned drone attacks on Saudi’s East-West oil pipeline, warning of dangerous escalation tied to attacks from Iraqi territory.

Syria Border & Accountability: France urged withdrawal of “Israeli” forces from Syria’s separation zone, citing the 1974 disengagement deal, and backed UNDOF while warning that selective justice undermines reconciliation. Damascus Cultural Heritage: A historic Damascus library is preserving centuries of rare manuscripts, keeping fragile knowledge alive amid ongoing instability. Syrian Education & Community Life: A Damascus school controversy erupted after a freedom institute move to separate male and female students, reigniting debate over education and social norms. Rojava Language Rights: Protests in Rojava continued over cuts to Kurdish-language education, with demonstrations demanding mother-tongue schooling. Women & Safety in Syria: Women deminers in Syria reached areas men cannot, protecting children and communities from hidden danger. Arts & Craft Traditions: A feature highlights how cooking was already an art form in Bronze Age Syria, connecting food culture to deep historical creativity. Regional Security Shift: Iraqi PM said a Yazidi armed group will hand over weapons and integrate into state forces, aiming to stabilize Sinjar under federal authority.

Ancient Food Culture: New research on Bronze Age Hama suggests Syrians 4,500 years ago were already cooking “sophisticated” meals—slow-cooked goat and gazelle—using pots with different heating properties and even imported ingredients. 9/11 Anniversary & Public Memory: Multiple pieces mark 25 years since Sept. 11, debating what the “war on terror” changed in politics, surveillance, and rights—and how the legacy still shapes today. AI, Cyber & Security: Anthropic warns that hackers and state-linked groups are using Claude for cyber attacks, weapons design, propaganda, and mass surveillance. Syria’s Interfaith Rebuilding: Syria’s only female minister, Hind Kabawat, tells Vatican News that dialogue among ethnic and religious groups is central to rebuilding after years of war. Travel & Lifestyle: UAE airlines announce new direct routes in 2026, including Etihad’s Damascus service, adding fresh travel options for the region.

UNESCO & Education Protection: UNESCO warned that attacks on schools are rising, urging all parties to protect learning and backing its Plan of Action to Protect Education from Attack, with support already reaching Syria via teacher and school governance strengthening. Rojava Education in Focus: Protests across Rojava continue over mother-tongue schooling decisions, as Kurdish students and communities push back against limits on Kurdish-language education. Syria’s Cultural Memory: Damascus’ historic library work highlights preservation of rare manuscripts, while a separate cultural spotlight notes how ancient heritage sites like Trajan’s Baths are reopening to the public. Security After 9/11 (Global, with local echoes): Multiple reports mark 25 years since 9/11, stressing how al-Qaeda persists through affiliates and adaptation—an anniversary backdrop that also fuels renewed debate on Islamophobia and rights. Immigration Pressure on Communities: Haitian and Salvadoran communities in the U.S. face TPS uncertainty, with churches and nonprofits stepping in as families fear separation and loss of work authorization. AI Safety & Misuse: Anthropic says it blocked attempts to use Claude for harmful biological research, adding to the week’s culture-and-society debate over technology risks.

Religious Life & Identity: Coastal Syria’s Alawite communities are roiled by reports of a verbal order to remove “Hayya ‘ala Khayr al-‘Amal” from mosque call-to-prayer, with officials in Tartous and beyond trading denials and reversals over “unifying religious discourse.” Kurdish Culture & Politics: In Rojava, artist Ilham Xemgîn says Kurds must shape the “new Syria” by protecting language, culture, and social life as integration of the SDF into the national system moves forward. Syrian Kurdish-Turkey Dialogue: Ilham Ahmed says Syrian Kurdish officials have maintained fairly high-level contacts with Turkey’s security establishment and want direct political talks, including hopes to meet Öcalan. Cultural Memory & Heritage: Damascus’ historic library is highlighted for preserving centuries of rare manuscripts, keeping cultural memory alive amid transition and strain. Education & Language Rights: Protests for mother-tongue schooling continue in Rojava as Kurdish students reject cuts to Kurdish-language education. Community & Arts: TEV ÇAND’s cultural voices frame Kurdish gains as both political and cultural work, not just governance. International Politics Touching Syria: UN and EU discussions keep returning to Syria’s transition, accountability, and minority protections as cultural life depends on stability.

Damascus Heritage: The Al-Zahiriyyah Library in Damascus is preserving nearly eight centuries of scholarship, with about 171,000 books and rare manuscripts, plus thousands of new donations and reading halls for researchers. Rojava Education Rights: Kurdish students and parents in Qamishlo’s Girkê Legê protested limits on Kurdish-language lessons, demanding Kurdish be recognized as an official language of education. Syria-US Shift: The U.S. formally removed Syria from its “state sponsors of terrorism” list, signaling a new phase for sanctions and reintegration even as concerns grow over the direction of the transition. International Education Protection: Qatar’s education minister urged stronger action to safeguard schooling from attacks, citing thousands of incidents worldwide and the toll on students in Gaza and conflict-hit countries including Syria. Community Culture & Identity: A Syria-focused debate piece argues Sweida’s Druze protection should come through political guarantees and participation in state institutions, not separation. Global Security & Belonging: Singapore’s terrorism report links rising threats to Middle East conflicts and notes growing youth radicalisation cases, alongside efforts to rehabilitate detainees back into society. Human Stories in Migration: In the U.S., Salvadorans with TPS face uncertainty as deadlines near, with community leaders warning of job and family disruption.

Damascus Heritage: The Al-Zahiriyyah Library in Damascus is still safeguarding nearly eight centuries of scholarship, with around 171,000 books and rare manuscripts, plus thousands of new gifts of manuscripts and printed volumes. Cultural Tourism (Rome): Trajan’s Baths in Rome is reopening parts of its restored museum space, with visitors set to see major Roman mosaics and frescoes, including “The Painted City” and “The Muse and the Philosopher.” Women & Safety in Syria: In Idlib, an all-female demining team is clearing landmines and explosive remnants of war, with women like Lama Haj Kaddour entering households and teaching communities how to spot danger. New Syria & Identity: Kurds are debating what the SDF’s merger into government forces means for Kurdish language and political rights, as promises of constitutional protection face uncertainty. Culture & Expression: Syrian-born digital artist BossLogic is taking fan-made pop culture art into mainstream Hollywood, showing how Syrian creativity travels globally.

Minority Rights & Emigration: Syria’s Social Affairs and Labour Minister Hind Kabawat says the new constitution must guarantee equality and inclusion for religious minorities to curb departures, warning that many Christians left even before Assad fell. Education & Gender: A Damascus school linked to the Laïque/Al-Hurriya Institute sparked backlash after announcing plans for full gender segregation, with teachers and parents worried about teaching twice and about an Islamist shift. Currency & Identity: Syria’s new national currency—replacing Assad-era imagery with agricultural and livestock motifs—continues to draw criticism over a perceived loss of history and local character. Justice & Religion: A major court case against former Grand Mufti Ahmad Hassoun highlights the tangled relationship between parts of the Sunni religious establishment and the Assad system, as Syria faces pressure to reckon with past abuses. Press Freedom: The CPJ flags Syria’s transitional authorities after the release of detained journalist Eva Michelmann, while her colleague’s status remains unclear. Culture & Translation: The Sheikh Hamad Award for Translation received 256 nominations from 33 countries, with Syria among the top contributors. Lifestyle: A Damascus restaurant review spotlights how returning families are rediscovering everyday culture—from food to modern rituals—after years of war.

Accountability & Rights in Syria: The UN Commission of Inquiry on Syria says a successful transition depends on comprehensive accountability, inclusion, and guarantees of non-recurrence, warning against selective justice as the country rebuilds institutions. Human Rights Watchdog: The Syrian Network for Human Rights reports the regime executed 7,872 people via military field courts (including 114 children and 26 women) and lists tens of thousands forcibly disappeared. Education & Gender in the Region: A new Iranian directive draft would enforce mandatory hijab across universities, with officials citing existing laws but no clear penalties yet. Culture & Community in Exile: In London, a crochet and textile pop-up highlights Syrian refugee artisans through the Lamsa brand, turning craft into a lifestyle bridge between communities. Local Life Under Pressure: A Syrian minister tells UK MPs to shift from conditions-based aid toward direct trust and long-term social protection systems with the new leadership. Syria’s Cultural Memory Under Threat: Coverage from Khartoum describes how Sudan’s civil war damaged and looted major museum collections—an urgent reminder of what conflict does to heritage.

Education & Identity: Kurdish students in Hassakeh and Kobani boycotted classes after the Education Ministry cut Kurdish-language instruction to three periods a week, with protesters demanding Kurdish be restored as a core language. Gender & School Culture: In Damascus, the Freedom Institute (formerly Laïque School) sparked debate after announcing separation of male and female students for the 2026–2027 year, except for primary grades. State Control & Security: Syria’s foreign minister said Damascus has integrated armed factions into the national army to keep weapons under state monopoly, framing it as part of reconstruction and sovereignty. Accountability: Syrian authorities arrested former Assad-era Major General Mohammed Ali Durgham over alleged orders to fire on unarmed protesters in 2011 and involvement in the 1982 Hama crackdown. Diplomacy: Asaad al-Shaibani met Egypt’s FM Badr Abdelatty at the Arab League session in Cairo, discussing regional developments and cooperation. Cultural Heritage: The Louvre’s Islamic art collection is set to travel to the Smithsonian, including a Mamluk-era basin made in Syria or Egypt.

Cultural Heritage Rescue: ALIPH launched a new program to safeguard endangered film and audiovisual heritage, with Syria named for work to protect the National Film Archives’ collection and rebuild its storage and technical capacity. Arts & Identity: A Syrian designer, Zeina Issa, is accusing BLACKPINK’s Lisa of copying her coin-adorned headphone accessory for Lisa’s “SaWaDiKa” music video—an argument now playing out publicly online. Education & Memory: Damascus University’s Political Science Faculty is wrestling with its Baathist past as new leadership tries to “de-Baathify” the curriculum and protect academic freedom after the regime change. Everyday Culture in Transition: Researchers describe a wedding in Hama where traditional chants and ululations carried on despite years of war—an intimate look at how Syrians rebuild ordinary life. Regional Language Rights: Kurdish students and communities in Syria continue protests over limits on Kurdish-language education, including in Kobanê and Hesekê. Syria’s Cultural Landscape Abroad: A travel piece recalls a return journey from Germany to Idlib, framing the road home as both personal and cultural.

Kurdish Education Rights: Students in Kobanê, Hasakah and Qamishlo refused to enter classrooms at the start of the 2026–2027 year, protesting a Syrian Education Ministry decision limiting Kurdish-language instruction to three lessons per week and demanding mother-tongue schooling. Cultural Heritage in Afrin: Kurdish sculptors in Syria are recreating major historical symbols for younger generations, including a life-size replica of the Ain Dara lion, after saying the original was stolen following Turkish forces’ control of Afrin in 2018. Damascus International Fair Chants: At the Damascus International Fair, crowds chanted pro-Palestine slogans including “Al-Aqsa, be patient,” as Syria pushed “Syria Shines Again” and sought renewed international engagement. Design & Identity in Music: Syrian designer Zeina Issa accused BLACKPINK’s Lisa of copying her coin-adorned headphone concept in the “SaWaDiKa” music video, sparking a public credit-and-ownership dispute. Religious Freedom Dialogue: A European Parliament conference will focus on the future of Christians in Syria, emphasizing religious freedom, equal citizenship, and political representation during the transition.

Kurdish Education Protests: Students in Kobanê and Hesekê/Qamishlo are boycotting classes after the Interim Education Ministry limited Kurdish-language instruction to just three lessons per week, with protesters saying mother-tongue learning is identity and a right, not an elective. Damascus International Fair Politics: Damascus wrapped up its 63rd International Fair under “Syria Shines Again,” with chants calling for Palestine’s liberation and reports of participation from dozens of countries, as Syria pushes to reconnect with global markets. Martial Arts Film Buzz: German-Syrian filmmaker Taim M. Adams’ “Lion Fist” trailer spotlights an all-styles tournament plot, family stakes, and a cast of recognizable martial-arts names. Syrian Hip-Hop Generations: “Syrian Cypher 2 (963)” brings 12 Syrian MCs together to bridge older and newer rap voices, mixing boom-bap with oud and qanun across Syrian locations. UN Human Rights Council Focus: The UNHRC autumn session opens in Geneva with dialogues expected on Syria and other major crises, plus debates on sanctions’ human impact. Charity Spotlight: International Day of Charity highlights Qatar’s humanitarian presence and a shift toward more sustainable, long-term support.

Alcohol Curbs in Northeast Syria: New taxes and tighter rules tied to Damascus control of the Semalka border are pushing up alcohol prices in Qamishli and elsewhere, leaving many residents relying on smuggled supply. Back-to-School Cost Pressure: Families in Damascus markets are counting the price of pens, notebooks, bags, and clothing as school season reopens, with many buying less or passing items down between siblings. Interpol Passport Alert Canceled: Syria says Interpol has removed an international alert listing 24,511 Syrian passports as stolen after a review found the earlier claim unreliable. Kurdish Education Recognition: Syria’s education policy moves toward Kurdish-language schooling ahead of the new school year, with multiple groups weighing in on the decision. Cultural Pages from Damascus: The Department of Culture publishes issue 84 of Al-Masrah magazine, spotlighting theatre and readings across the region. SDF Fighter Remembered: The SDF marks the death of French internationalist Lorcan Charonnat, framing his life as part of the struggle in North and East Syria.