BEIRUT: Daesh and the Syrian regime continued to play cat and mouse in the historic Syrian city of Palmyra on Thursday as President Bashar Assad’s forces claimed they had completed the recapture of the city with the help of Russian air power.
The oasis city has traded hands several times during Syria’s six-year civil war and become a symbol of Daesh’s wanton destruction of priceless cultural heritage in areas under its control.
Bolstered by airstrikes and ground troops from their ally Moscow, Syrian forces battled through the desert for weeks to reach Palmyra.
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu informed President Vladimir Putin of Palmyra’s recapture, a Kremlin spokesman told news agencies in Moscow.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a British-based monitoring group, said the terrorists had withdrawn from the desert city but not before mining several areas.
“The Syrian Army is still clearing neighborhoods of mines and has not spread out into the whole city yet,” said its director, Rami Abdel Rahman.
Meanwhile, a senior member of the main Syrian opposition said the prospects for progress after a week of peace talks in Geneva were “very dim.”
“We are convinced that there is no military solution, we are going for a political solution,” Basma Kodmani, a negotiator for the High Negotiations Committee (HNC), told a side event in Geneva.
“But there is no prospect as you can tell from the end of this second week or 10 days of talks here in Geneva. The prospects are very dim.”
Russia accused the HNC of “sabotaging” sputtering talks and questioned their ability to reach a deal.
“The results of the first days of the intra-Syrian dialogues, as before, raise questions over the ability of the Syrian opposition representatives to reach a deal,” Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said.
Syrian regime negotiator Bashar Al-Jaafari accused the opposition of holding talks hostage because of their reported refusal to unify under one opposition delegation and include terrorism on agenda.
“Counter-terrorism operations will continue until the last inch of territory from our country is retaken from the foreign terrorists who are wreaking havoc,” Al-Jaafari said.
The lead negotiator said he hoped US President Donald Trump would correct the “catastrophic” errors of his predecessor Barack Obama to become a reliable partner against “devilish” Iran.
“The people in Syria paid a high price because of the catastrophic mistakes made by the Obama administration,” Nasr Al-Hariri told reporters in a briefing after meeting UN mediator Staffan de Mistura.
“Obama lied and he did not keep any of the promises he made for the Syrian people. He drew red lines that he erased himself, he kept silent on crimes committed by Bashar Assad.”
Hariri said: “We reiterated the devilish role that Iran is playing through hundreds of thousands of fighters on the Syrian soil.”
Trump’s administration has so far done little to suggest it is willing to engage in finding a political solution for Syria.
“Their policy is still unknown,” said a Western diplomat at the talks. “They are almost not here.”
While Western envoys were coordinating with the Syrian opposition in Geneva, the US envoy kept his head down and left after a few days to deal with other issues.
“The US is not a direct participant in the UN-led talks,” a spokesperson for the US Mission in Geneva said. “The US remains committed to any process that can result in a political resolution to the Syrian crisis.”
When asked during a White House briefing this week about the talks, spokesman Sean Spicer gave no clear answer on how Washington saw the process or Assad’s role.
Hariri said the opposition had common ground with Trump because both wanted to fight terrorism and curtail Iranian influence. Washington, he said, should support the opposition.
Separately, Al-Qaeda confirmed that a US-led coalition drone strike had killed senior leader Abu Al-Khayr Al-Masri in Syria.
A statement issued by the militant group’s Maghreb and Arabian Peninsula branches said he died in a “treacherous” drone strike it described as a “new crime by America and the crusader coalition.”
Cat-and-mouse game over Syria’s Palmyra continues
Cat-and-mouse game over Syria’s Palmyra continues
Qatari emir, Spanish king meet on sidelines of UN investment conference in Seville
- King Felipe expressed his desire to strengthen relations and support joint investments with Qatar
- He reiterated Spain’s solidarity with Qatar and condemned the Iranian attack on Al-Udeid Air Base last week
LONDON: Qatari emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, met King Felipe VI of Spain in Seville on the sidelines of a UN-organized international investment conference.
The 4th International Conference on Financing for Development began on Monday and will continue until July 3, bringing together global leaders to discuss urgent reforms necessary for financing sustainable development.
King Felipe expressed his desire to strengthen relations and support joint investments through small and medium-sized enterprises following the recent economic agreements between Qatar and Spain.
He also reiterated Spain’s solidarity with Qatar and condemned the Iranian attack on Al-Udeid Air Base last week, praising Doha’s role in facilitating a ceasefire agreement between Iran and Israel.
Sheikh Tamim emphasized Qatar’s commitment to enhancing cooperation with Spain across cultural, educational and security fields to serve the common interests of both countries, the Qatar News Agency reported.
In Saudi Arabia’s ‘Year of Handicrafts,’ passion has no limits
- Local artisans receive government support as industry flourishes
- Handicrafts association aims to bring pottery to a wider audience
RIYADH: Since Saudi Arabia announced 2025 as the “Year of Handicrafts,” the industry has seen a significant focus on artisans and artisanal crafts that showcase domestic and international ventures through festivals and programs, leading to a boost in confidence for aspiring craftspeople.
For artisan and entrepreneur Sheikha Al-Abdulkarim and her two sisters, their interest in pottery went from a weekend curiosity to a local cultural initiative — one of the many shaping the future of traditional crafts in Saudi Arabia.
The idea behind Herfah, which means craft in Arabic, was born out of a love for the ancient clay material as a form of creativity and connection to Saudi heritage.
Today, that passion has transformed into a fully fledged venture that trains aspiring artisans, sells handmade ceramic pieces, and helps preserve one of the Kingdom’s oldest traditions.
“We weren’t thinking about a business at first,” Al-Abdulkarim said. “It was just something we really wanted to learn. But once we started working with our hands, we realized this was more than a hobby.”
In late 2016, the sisters struggled to find pottery workshops in their area, so they contacted an American-Danish ceramic artist who they had discovered online.
That decision led to their first intensive training course and sparked a vision they had not imagined: Creating a space in Saudi Arabia where others could learn, experiment and reconnect with the art of pottery.
Raised in a home where heritage was part of daily life, Al-Abdulkarim credits her upbringing for planting the seed. She was surrounded by handmade textiles, traditional crafts and a family that valued artistry, but turning passion into something tangible was not easy.
“There weren’t many resources,” she said. “Finding materials, equipment, even knowledge — it was all a challenge. But honestly, that made us more determined.”
In 2021, their project Herfah took a turning point when it received backing from Saudi’s Cultural Development Fund, or CDF, a key initiative supporting creative projects across the Kingdom.
With that funding and guidance, the sisters were able to set up a dedicated workspace in the Eastern Province, invest in tools such as kilns and clay-shaping equipment, and offer structured training programs.
“Having that kind of support changed everything,” Al-Abdulkarim said. “It allowed us to dream bigger.”
She advises any aspiring artisan to take advantage of the resources and opportunities that are now abundant in Saudi.
Including CDF’s support programs, the Heritage Commission’s Artisan’s House program offers training courses that seeks to enhance the skills of Saudi artisans, promote innovative craft designs, and encourage participation in festivals and events that attract tourists and visitors from both within and outside the region.
One of the largest annual events in Riyadh is the Saudi International Handicrafts Week — known as Banan — which offers a wealth of live music, interactive experiences and artisanal works from around the world, in addition to Hail’s HARFA festival.
At Herfah, visitors can take part in workshops, experience hands-on pottery sessions, or simply browse handcrafted pieces that blend traditional design with modern aesthetics.
Inclusion is also a priority for the studio, making sure to host sessions for visually impaired participants and encouraging people of all ages and backgrounds to explore the craft of pottery.
Their journey reflects a broader movement burgeoning across the Kingdom that highlights the growing importance of cultural preservation, not only for its heritage value but for its economic potential.
The local traditional crafts sector and associated industries have reached an annual market value of SR1.5 billion, according to the Saudi Cultural Development Fund, with efforts to grow that figure through investment and training.
But for Al-Abdulkarim, what matters most is that more people are discovering the joy and meaning behind handmade work. What began as a search for a simple pottery class is now a mission to keep an ancient craft alive, one fired kiln at a time.
“Pottery has taught us patience, resilience and how to connect with our roots,” she said. “Our goal now is to take Herfah further to different cities, different communities, and to show the world what Saudi hands can create.”
As part of Vision 2030, the Saudi Cultural Development Fund continues to back creative businesses such as Herfah, helping to shape a sustainable ecosystem for artists, artisans and cultural entrepreneurs alike.
Saudi leadership extends condolences over death of Kuwait’s Sheikh Fahad Sabah Al-Nasser Al-Sabah
- Sheikh Fahad passed away at the age of 75 and his funeral took place on Monday morning, Kuwait News Agency reported
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s King Salman sent a cable of condolences to the Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah on the passing of Sheikh Fahad Sabah Al-Nasser Al-Sabah.
Sheikh Fahad passed away at the age of 75 and his funeral took place on Monday morning, Kuwait News Agency reported.
King Salman prayed for the deceased’s forgiveness and extended his condolences to Sheikh Fahad’s family, Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman sent similar cables of condolences to Sheikh Meshal and Kuwaiti Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Sabah.
Closing Bell: Saudi TASI closes lower at 11,163 amid mixed performance
- MSCI Tadawul 30 Index slipped 0.36% to end at 1,428.86
- Parallel market Nomu rose 0.34% to finish at 27,341.63
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul All Share Index fell 0.35 percent to close at 11,163.96 on Monday, weighed by losses in several blue-chip stocks.
Trading activity remained robust, with turnover reaching SR7.3 billion ($1.9 billion), with the market recording 118 advancers versus 133 decliners.
The MSCI Tadawul 30 Index slipped 0.36 percent to end at 1,428.86, while the parallel market Nomu rose 0.34 percent to finish at 27,341.63.
Fawaz Abdulaziz Alhokair Co. led the main market gainers with a 9.96 percent rise to SR24.62.
National Metal Manufacturing and Casting Co. followed with a 9.29 percent gain, closing at SR16.83.
Other notable performers included Buruj Cooperative Insurance Co., which advanced 7.40 percent to SR18.00, and The Mediterranean and Gulf Insurance and Reinsurance Co., up 7.16 percent at SR20.06.
On the downside, Al Maather REIT Fund recorded the steepest decline, falling 3.33 percent to SR9.01.
Etihad Etisalat Co. dropped 3.10 percent to SR59.30, while MBC Group Co. slipped 2.99 percent to SR35.70. Rasan Information Technology Co. also retreated 2.69 percent to close at SR86.90.
On the announcement front, ACWA Power Co. released details regarding its planned capital increase through a rights issue.
The company set the offering price at SR210 per share, with a total of 33,928,570 new shares to be issued.
Following the offering, ACWA Power’s capital will rise from SR7.33 billion to SR7.66 billion, increasing the total number of shares to 766,490,498.
The transaction represents 4.63 percent of the issuer’s existing capital and is valued at SR7.12 billion.
ACWA Power said the proceeds will support its strategy to triple the assets under management by 2030 and strengthen its financial position.
Eligibility for the rights issue will apply to shareholders registered at the end of the second trading day following the date of an extraordinary general assembly.
ACWA Power shares closed up 4.07 percent on Monday at SR256.00, with over 1.1 million shares traded.
Pakistan to consider extending deadline for Afghan refugees facing mass deportation
- Any extension approved by the government would be a relief for those previously ordered to return to Afghanistan by June 30
- In 2023, Pakistan had launched a controversial crackdown on foreigners it said were in the country illegally, mostly Afghans
PESHAWAR: Pakistan will consider extending the deadline for 1.4 million Afghan refugees living legally in the country to return home, officials said on Monday.
Any extension approved by the government would be a relief for those who were previously ordered to return to Afghanistan by June 30, according to government and security officials. A decision could come on Tuesday when the Cabinet is due to meet.
In 2023, Pakistan launched a controversial crackdown on foreigners it said were in the country illegally, mostly Afghans. Millions of Afghans have fled their homeland over the decades to escape war or poverty.
The officials — who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to the media on the record — said the proposed extension was to allow the refugees more time to settle their personal affairs in Pakistan, such as selling property or wrapping up business activities, before returning to Afghanistan in an orderly and dignified way.
A senior ministry official said the decision to submit the extension proposal was made last week. A summary regarding the fate of the Afghan refugees has been forwarded for inclusion in the Cabinet agenda.
The Interior Ministry, which has overseen the sweeping crackdown on Afghans, did not immediately comment.
There was no comment from the Foreign Affairs Ministry, which previously said it expected Afghan authorities to create “conducive conditions” so those returning were fully integrated into Afghan society.
Earlier this year, Pakistan said it wanted 3 million Afghans to leave the country, including 1.4 million people with Proof of Registration cards and some 800,000 with Afghan Citizen Cards. There are a further 1 million Afghans in the country illegally because they have no paperwork, according to officials.
They said Pakistan’s Ministry of States and Frontier Regions submitted a proposal to the federal government recommending a six-month extension for Afghans with Proof of Registration cards.
Pakistan’s expulsion campaign has drawn strong criticism from the UN and rights organizations.
Human Rights Watch has accused authorities of arbitrarily detaining and forcibly deporting Afghans, many of whom, they say, face harassment under the Taliban who seized power in Afghanistan in 2021.
On Saturday, the UN refugee agency said at least 1.2 million Afghans have been forced to return from Iran and Pakistan this year. It warned that repatriations on a massive scale have the potential to destabilize the fragile situation in Afghanistan.
