Syrian News Channel
A Syrian state-operated free-to-air television news channel.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
Syrian News Channel, known in Arabic as Al-Ikhbariyah Syria, is a Syrian free-to-air television news service owned and operated by the state broadcaster General Authority for Radio and Television (GART). It was launched on 15 December 2010 as a dedicated news outlet within Syria's public broadcasting system. The channel has traditionally distributed live news, reports, interviews, political coverage and other current-affairs programming through Syria's terrestrial television network and satellite platforms. The station became particularly prominent during the Syrian civil war, when its crews reported from areas affected by fighting and its output reflected the position of the Syrian state. Its journalists and facilities were exposed to substantial wartime risks. In June 2012, a vehicle carrying a correspondent and cameraman was attacked near al-Haffa in Latakia Governorate. Later that month, gunmen attacked the channel's headquarters in the Damascus countryside, killing three employees and four security guards and destroying several buildings, studios and pieces of broadcasting equipment. Other incidents included the kidnapping of a four-person crew near al-Tall in August 2012, the killing of cameraman Mohammed al-Ashram in Deir Ezzor in October 2012, and the death of reporter Yara Abbas near the al-Dabaa military air base in Homs Governorate in May 2013. The channel also experienced interruptions and interference affecting its satellite distribution during 2012. The channel's programming included coverage of the Syrian government, military developments, official statements, domestic politics and international events. President Bashar al-Assad gave an interview to the channel in April 2013, illustrating its role as a platform for high-level state communication. Its editorial identity and state ownership placed it within Syria's official media structure rather than the independent or commercially funded news sector. Following the fall of the Assad regime on 8 December 2024, Syrian News Channel suspended its broadcasts for several months. The service was subsequently prepared for a return under the post-Assad authorities. In April 2025, Information Minister Hamza al-Mustafa announced that the channel would resume on 5 May, while channel head Jamil Srour said that sanctions affecting GART had delayed an earlier proposed return. GART reached distribution agreements with Es'hailSat and Nilesat in April 2025, enabling the channel to restore satellite availability. On 5 May 2025, Syrian News Channel relaunched at 5:00 p.m. with a new identity. The channel's facilities include a large studio in Drousha and a smaller studio at Gomarek Square in Damascus, with the latter configured for live guests and remote interviews linked to the headquarters. Its current role is best understood as a national Syrian news broadcaster undergoing institutional and editorial transition after the 2024 political change, while retaining a public-service and state-broadcasting infrastructure.
History
Syrian News Channel was established as a dedicated Syrian television news service and began broadcasting on 15 December 2010. It operated as part of the state broadcasting system administered by the General Authority for Radio and Television, using terrestrial transmission inside Syria together with satellite distribution for audiences beyond the country. Its Arabic-language output focused on news bulletins, government announcements, political coverage, interviews and reports from across Syria. The channel's most extensively documented period was the Syrian civil war. Its staff worked in an environment in which media organizations, journalists and broadcasting facilities were exposed to armed attacks, abductions and disruption. On 12 June 2012, a vehicle carrying correspondent Mazen Mohammad and cameraman Fadi Yakoub came under fire near al-Haffa in Latakia Governorate; both were injured. On 27 June, gunmen attacked the channel's headquarters in the Damascus countryside. Three channel employees—Zaid Kahel, Mohammad Shamma and Sami Abu Amin—and four security guards were killed. The attackers reportedly entered the complex, ransacked offices, planted explosives in studios and destroyed five buildings. On 10 August 2012, four members of another crew were kidnapped in the al-Tall area of Damascus Countryside. The group included journalist Yara Saleh, cameraman Abdullah Tabreh, assistant cameraman Hatem Abu Yehya and driver Hussam Imad. The crew was recovered after seven days, but Abu Yehya had been killed and the other three were released. In the same year, the channel suffered distribution problems: Syrian channels were removed or interrupted on Arabsat and Nilesat in September, and the channel's transmission was hijacked for roughly 90 seconds later that month. Cameraman Mohammed al-Ashram was shot dead in Deir Ezzor on 10 October 2012. Syrian News Channel also served as a venue for official political communication. Bashar al-Assad gave an interview to the station on 17 April 2013. The channel's war reporting continued to carry significant personal risk. On 27 May 2013, reporter Yara Abbas was killed by rebels near the al-Dabaa military air base in Homs Governorate; cameraman Osama Dayoub and driver Badr Awad were injured in the same attack. The service stopped broadcasting after the fall of the Assad regime on 8 December 2024. Its subsequent return was shaped by the reorganization of Syria's information institutions and by sanctions affecting GART. On 20 April 2025, Information Minister Hamza al-Mustafa announced that the channel would return on 5 May with support and guidance from President Ahmed al-Sharaa. Channel head Jamil Srour said that an earlier target of 13 March had not been achieved because of the sanctions issue. GART then signed a distribution agreement with Es'hailSat on 21 April and another with Nilesat on 22 April. The channel relaunched at 5:00 p.m. on 5 May 2025 with a new visual identity. Its documented facilities include a large studio in Drousha and a smaller studio at Gomarek Square in Damascus. The smaller facility can be connected to the headquarters for live interviews and remote guest participation. Following the 2025 relaunch, the channel remained an active Syrian news broadcaster, although its editorial and institutional role was situated within a changing national political and media environment.
- 2025
Satellite distribution agreements signed
[1]GART signs agreements with Es'hailSat and Nilesat in April to restore satellite distribution.
- 2025
Channel relaunches with new identity
[1]The service returns at 5:00 p.m. on 5 May after several months off air.
- 2024
Broadcasts suspended
[1]The channel suspends all broadcasts after the fall of the Assad regime on 8 December.
- 2013
Reporter Yara Abbas killed
[1]Yara Abbas is killed while reporting near al-Dabaa in Homs; two members of her vehicle crew are injured.
- 2012
Channel vehicle attacked near al-Haffa
[1]A correspondent and cameraman are injured when gunmen fire on their vehicle during coverage near al-Haffa in Latakia Governorate.
- 2012
Headquarters destroyed in armed attack
[1]An attack on the Damascus countryside headquarters kills three employees and four guards and destroys multiple buildings and studios.
- 2012
Crew kidnapped near al-Tall
[1]Four crew members are abducted; three are later released and assistant cameraman Hatem Abu Yehya is killed.
- 2010
Channel launches
[1]Syrian News Channel begins broadcasting on 15 December as a dedicated Syrian television news service.
Products and positioning
National state-operated news broadcaster providing Arabic-language television news and current-affairs coverage.
Television news · 2010
Syrian News Channel television service
The channel's core offering is an Arabic-language free-to-air television service carrying scheduled news bulletins, live reporting, official statements, interviews and current-affairs coverage. It has used Syrian digital terrestrial television and satellite distribution to reach domestic and regional viewers.
News programming · 2010
Live news and field reporting
Live links, on-location reports and correspondent packages form a significant part of the channel's news output. During the civil war, this work included reporting from contested and conflict-affected areas, exposing staff and crews to attacks, abductions and other wartime dangers.
Brand decisions
2025
Return to broadcasting after political transitionStrategyBackground
The channel had been off air since the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024. Its return was delayed in part by sanctions affecting GART.
Action taken
The information authorities and GART arranged renewed satellite distribution and prepared a relaunch under a new identity for 5 May 2025.
Aftermath
Syrian News Channel resumed broadcasting at 5:00 p.m. on 5 May 2025.
2025
Restore satellite distributionOtherBackground
The channel needed new distribution arrangements after its suspension and the institutional changes following the 2024 political transition.
Action taken
GART signed agreements with Es'hailSat on 21 April and Nilesat on 22 April 2025.
Aftermath
The agreements supported the channel's satellite return ahead of the May relaunch.
Recent events
- 2025
Syrian News Channel announces return[1]
Product launch
The Information Ministry announced that the channel would resume broadcasting on 5 May 2025. Distribution agreements with Es'hailSat and Nilesat preceded the relaunch.
- 2025
Channel relaunches with new identity[1]
Product launch · Product generation
Syrian News Channel returned to air at 5:00 p.m. on 5 May 2025 with a revised identity following its months-long suspension.
- 2024
Broadcasts suspended after Assad regime fell[1]
Other
Syrian News Channel stopped broadcasting after the fall of the Assad regime on 8 December 2024.
- 2013
Reporter Yara Abbas killed near al-Dabaa[1]
Other
Reporter Yara Abbas was killed in an attack near the al-Dabaa military air base in Homs Governorate. Cameraman Osama Dayoub and driver Badr Awad were injured.
- 2012
Syrian News Channel vehicle attacked near al-Haffa[1]
Other
A vehicle carrying Syrian News Channel personnel was attacked while the crew was covering events near al-Haffa in Latakia Governorate. Correspondent Mazen Mohammad and cameraman Fadi Yakoub were injured.
- 2012
Headquarters attack kills staff and security guards[1]
Other
Gunmen attacked the channel's main facility in the Damascus countryside, killing three employees and four security guards and destroying studios, equipment and several buildings.
- 2012
Four-person crew kidnapped near al-Tall[1]
Other
An armed group abducted four members of a Syrian News Channel crew. Syrian forces recovered the crew seven days later; three people were released, while assistant cameraman Hatem Abu Yehya had been killed.
- 2012
Satellite distribution interrupted[1]
Other
Broadcasts from Syrian television channels, including Syrian News Channel, were interrupted on Arabsat and Nilesat.
- 2012
Channel transmission hijacked[1]
Other
The channel's television transmission was reportedly taken over for approximately 90 seconds by unidentified actors.
- 2012
Cameraman Mohammed al-Ashram killed in Deir Ezzor[1]
Other
Syrian News Channel cameraman Mohammed al-Ashram was shot and killed while working in Syria's eastern Deir Ezzor province.
Sources2 sources
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