Syria Opens Door to Import of Used Cars
ARK News.. Under a decision issued by the Syrian General Authority for Border Crossings and Customs, investors in Syria’s free zones are now permitted to bring in their used vehicles from neighboring countries and display them in their private showrooms, alongside the activation of regulations governing the dismantling and scrapping of vehicles under specific controls.
The development comes in accordance with a decision issued by the authority based on the minutes of a meeting held between the Presidency of the leadership authority and the administration of the General Organization for Free Zones on April 16.
According to the decision, investors wishing to import vehicles must submit an “official written pledge” containing three commitments: not placing the vehicles into local consumption, not requesting their registration or sale inside Syrian territory, and fully complying with all applicable laws and regulations.
The decision also stipulates that the activation of vehicle dismantling and scrapping activities within free zones will be subject to joint supervision by the General Customs Administration and the General Organization for Free Zones.
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President Masoud Barzani: Martyr Layla Qassim and her comrades courageously sacrificed their lives for the freedom and dignity of their people.
ARK News.. President Masoud Barzani published a message on X on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, marking the 52nd anniversary of the execution of martyr Layla Qassim and her comrades.
“Martyr Layla Qassim and her comrades courageously sacrificed their lives for the freedom and dignity of their people, becoming role models and symbols of resistance for all freedom-loving people of Kurdistan.
On the 52nd anniversary of the execution and martyrdom of Layla Qassim and her comrades, we send our salutations to their pure souls and to the souls of all martyrs of the path of freedom.”
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Kurdistan Democratic Party Bloc to Attend Iraqi Parliament Session on Granting Confidence to Al-Zaidi Government
ARK News.. A member of the Kurdistan Democratic Party bloc in the Iraqi Parliament announced that the bloc will participate in the parliamentary session designated to grant confidence to the government of Prime Minister-designate Ali Al-Zaidi, scheduled for Thursday afternoon, May 14, 2026.
According to Kurdistan24, MP Silwan Taha Akrayi said on Wednesday, "The Kurdistan Democratic Party bloc will attend the session scheduled for 4:00 p.m. tomorrow, Thursday, May 14, 2026, to vote on Al-Zaidi’s government.”
MP Akrayi ruled out the possibility of voting on the entire ministerial cabinet during Thursday’s session, explaining: “We had hoped that all ministers would be approved, but the available information indicates that Iraqi political forces have not yet reached final agreements regarding all portfolios. It is highly likely that Parliament will grant confidence to only half of the cabinet for the time being.”
Akrayi also noted that the new cabinet consists of 21 ministries, adding that it has not yet been decided whether the position of Deputy Prime Minister will be counted as part of the ministerial formation or treated as an independent post.
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Prime Minister Masrour Barzani Receives New Apostolic Nuncio to Iraq Mirosław Wachowski
ARK News.. Masrour Barzani, Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region, received the newly appointed Apostolic Nuncio to Iraq, Mirosław Wachowski, on Wednesday, May 13, 2026.
At the beginning of the meeting, the prime minister congratulated the ambassador on assuming his new post and affirmed the Kurdistan Regional Government’s full support in facilitating the success of his mission.
For his part, the Apostolic Nuncio conveyed the gratitude and appreciation of His Holiness the Pope to the Prime Minister for the Kurdistan Region’s role in safeguarding the rights of Christians and other communities, as well as promoting a culture of peaceful coexistence in the Kurdistan Region.
He also noted that Kurdistan holds a special place in the heart of His Holiness the Pope, who prays for continued progress, prosperity, and peace for the region.
The meeting also included discussions on the reforms being implemented by the Kurdistan Regional Government and the latest developments regarding talks on the formation of Iraq’s new federal government.
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Israeli Military Force Conducts Incursion into Southern Quneitra Countryside
ARK News.. A Syrian media source reported that Israeli forces carried out a brief incursion into the southern countryside of Quneitra Governorate before withdrawing from the area shortly afterward.
According to the Syrian Arab News Agency, forces affiliated with the Israel Defense Forces advanced on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, along a road linking several villages in the southern Quneitra countryside.
The source stated that the force, consisting of five military vehicles, moved along the route connecting the villages of Al-Masheeda, Al-Mu'allaqa, Al-Hiran, and Al-Rafid before later withdrawing from the area.
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Dubravka Shuica: Syria Represents One of the Key Countries in the Eastern Mediterranean
ARK News.. Dubravka Shuica affirmed that the European Union is committed to supporting Syria in its transition from crisis to recovery, stressing that Syria represents one of the pivotal countries in the Eastern Mediterranean region and that its reconstruction requires broad international cooperation due to the scale of its extensive needs.
Speaking during the EU–Syria Partnership Coordination Forum held in Brussels, Shuica stated that the first high-level political dialogue between the two sides marks a “historic day” in Syrian–European relations and an important step toward reintegrating Syria as a partner of the European Union.
The European Commissioner added that the forum aims to coordinate support in line with Syria’s recovery priorities through the rehabilitation of infrastructure and essential services, as well as strengthening resilience, noting that the current path is gradually paving the way toward a partnership agreement between the two sides.
Shuica further explained that the European Union is working on practical measures to support Syria, including the establishment of a technical assistance center in Damascus, which will serve as a unified platform for coordinating aid and delivering support more rapidly and effectively.
She stressed that Syria’s recovery is not limited to rebuilding what was destroyed by war but also includes building a more inclusive and stable future and restoring hope for Syrians in cooperation with various partners, including civil society organizations and the international community.
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Kurdistan Region Free of Any Hantavirus Cases, Health Ministry Confirms
ARK News.. The Ministry of Health in the Kurdistan Regional Government issued a clarification statement regarding Hantavirus, confirming that the Kurdistan Region remains completely free of any confirmed or suspected cases so far, while epidemiological monitoring continues in coordination with international organizations.
The ministry stated that the virus — which is transmitted through contact with infected rodents or by inhaling dust contaminated with their secretions — has been under close surveillance by technical teams over the past week in direct cooperation with the World Health Organization.
It added that preparations are underway to equip laboratories and provide treatment protocols and preventive guidelines across all provinces and independent administrations as part of routine precautionary measures.
The Health Ministry of the Kurdistan Region also confirmed that no restrictions have been imposed on travel or commercial exchange, either domestically or internationally, due to the virus.
The ministry stressed the importance of following public health guidelines, maintaining household hygiene, and avoiding direct contact with rodents.
According to reports by the World Health Organization, between 10,000 and more than 100,000 cases of Hantavirus are expected to occur annually worldwide.
Symptoms of the virus include fever, severe fatigue, headaches, abdominal and muscle pain, vomiting, and, in severe cases, coughing and shortness of breath. Mortality rates range between 20% and 50%.
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Trump’s Rejection of Iranian Response Triggers Surge in Global Oil Prices
ARK News... The rejection by the U.S. President of Iran’s response to a proposed American plan to end the war has led to a rise in global oil prices.
According to Reuters, U.S. President Donald Trump rejected Iran’s response to the American proposal aimed at ending the war, causing oil prices to climb worldwide on Monday, May 11, 2026, amid fears of a prolonged conflict that has continued for nearly 10 weeks, keeping maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz completely halted.
Days after the United States presented an offer in hopes of resuming negotiations, Iran on Sunday issued a response focused on ending the war on all fronts, particularly in Lebanon.
Iran’s semi-official Tasnim News Agency reported that Tehran called on the United States to end its naval blockade, guarantee that no further attacks would be carried out, lift sanctions, and end the American ban on Iranian oil sales.
The United States had previously proposed ending the fighting before beginning negotiations on the more contentious issues, including Iran’s nuclear program.
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The European Union Restores Full Implementation of Cooperation Agreement with Syria
ARK News.. The European Council announced the full reinstatement of the cooperation agreement between the European Union and Syria, following the termination of the partial suspension that had been in place since 2011, in a move described as a significant shift in the course of bilateral relations between the two sides.
In an official statement, the European Council said it had adopted a decision to terminate Council Decision 2011/523/EU, which had imposed a partial suspension on the Cooperation Agreement between the European Economic Community and Syria.
The European Union explained that ending the partial suspension means the full reactivation of the agreement, in line with the EU’s policy aimed at supporting a peaceful and inclusive transition in Syria and facilitating the country’s social and economic recovery process.
The Council further noted that developments in Syria following the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024, along with subsequent European Union decisions to lift economic sanctions imposed on Syria in May 2025—with the exception of sanctions linked to security considerations—led to the disappearance of the conditions that had previously justified the suspension of the agreement.
The statement stressed that the decision sends a “clear political message” regarding the European Union’s commitment to re-engaging with Syria and supporting its economic recovery.
The European Commission will formally notify the Syrian authorities of the termination of the partial suspension. The decision will enter into force from the date of its adoption, while the reactivated provisions of the agreement will begin to apply from the first day of the month following the official notification, allowing sufficient time for the implementation of the necessary procedures.
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Syrian Foreign Minister Reaffirms Commitment to 1974 Disengagement Agreement
ARK News.. Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani reaffirmed Syria’s commitment to the 1974 Disengagement Agreement and to activating the role of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force.
Speaking during a press conference on the sidelines of the EU–Syria Partnership Forum in Brussels, al-Shibani said: “We view the European Union, the United States, and the Gulf Arab states as partners of Syria.”
Regarding Lebanon, al-Shaibani stated: “Lebanon is a neighboring country and a partner, and we have cooperation with it. However, we have security concerns due to the uncontrolled weapons in the hands of certain militias. Therefore, we seek to develop relations while moving beyond the legacy left by the former regime.”
The Syrian foreign minister added: “For the past year and a half, Israel has been threatening and destabilizing Syria. From the very first day, we stated that we are committed to the 1974 Disengagement Agreement and to activating the role of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF).”
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