Cholera Outbreak in Syria Provokes Warnings of ‘Health Disaster’

A Syrian woman with her cholera-infected child (AP)
A Syrian woman with her cholera-infected child (AP)
TT
20

Cholera Outbreak in Syria Provokes Warnings of ‘Health Disaster’

A Syrian woman with her cholera-infected child (AP)
A Syrian woman with her cholera-infected child (AP)

The cholera outbreak in Syria is affecting all regions, regardless of the forces in control. Regime-run areas, however, are proving to be most affected by the epidemic.

Concerns are intensifying as more cholera cases are being reported from overcrowded refugee camps, where the necessities of life, like potable water, are not available.

Official statistics published by the Syrian Health Ministry showed that the governorates of Aleppo and Deir Ezzor in northern and eastern Syria had the largest number of cholera cases.

Damascus has been trying to impose strict measures to curb the spread of cholera.

The epidemic’s death toll in regime-controlled areas has risen to 44, according to the ministry. At least 908 infections have been reported as well.

The ministry recorded 558 infections in Aleppo, 165 in Deir Ezzor, 68 in Hasaka, 33 in Raqqa, 28 in Lattakia, 19 in As-Suwayda, 11 in Damascus, ten in Hama, seven in Homs, five in Daraa, and two in the Damascus countryside, and one in each of Quneitra and Tartous.

According to Damascus, two more people died because of cholera infection in northeastern Syria.

The Syrian capital urged health workers to continue reporting suspected cases.

Najat Rochdi, Deputy Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Syria, warned on Friday that the cholera outbreak could become “catastrophic.”

“Aid is urgently needed, and sustainable and unhindered access to affected communities is imperative,” said Rochdi.

Earlier, the UN attributed the rise in cholera cases in Syria to severe decline in Euphrates River water level, drought-like conditions, and people recourse to unsecured water sources.

Reports indicate that more than five million people in Syria depend on the Euphrates River for drinking water.

Since the outbreak was declared on Sept.10, UNICEF has distributed 60 acute watery diarrhea (AWD) kits in the most affected governorates to support the treatment at health facility and community level.



Lebanon’s Former Economy Minister Detained on Corruption and Embezzlement Charges

Former Lebanese Economy Minister Amin Salam 
Former Lebanese Economy Minister Amin Salam 
TT
20

Lebanon’s Former Economy Minister Detained on Corruption and Embezzlement Charges

Former Lebanese Economy Minister Amin Salam 
Former Lebanese Economy Minister Amin Salam 

Former Lebanese Economy Minister Amin Salam was arrested on Wednesday by order of Public Prosecutor Jamal al-Hajjar on multiple corruption-related suspicions, including embezzlement of public funds and the signing of questionable contracts during his tenure.

The arrest follows a three-hour interrogation by the Internal Security Forces’ Information Branch, conducted in the presence of Salam’s lawyer, Samer al-Hajj.

The move comes just two weeks after Salam was initially questioned at the Beirut Justice Palace. At that time, al-Hajjar had released him on a residency guarantee, lifted his travel ban, and returned his passport. However, new evidence has since prompted further legal action.

According to a senior judicial source, the renewed investigation was triggered by a formal complaint filed by the parliamentary Economic Committee, which accused Salam of embezzlement, forgery, illicit enrichment, and extortion of insurance companies in exchange for contract renewals. The Ministry of Economy reportedly submitted documentation indicating that several contracts signed by Salam were marked by serious irregularities and signs of corruption.

A new case was subsequently opened, prompting the Public Prosecutor to instruct the Information Branch to summon Salam for further questioning — a session that ultimately led to his detention.

The investigation is expected to expand beyond Salam himself. Authorities are reportedly looking into the activities of his inner circle at the ministry. Al-Hajjar plans to transfer the case to the Financial Prosecutor’s Office, which will determine further charges and refer the file to Investigative Judge Bilal Halawi. Halawi will then decide whether to issue a formal arrest warrant, release Salam on bail, or keep him in detention.

Salam’s legal troubles are not new. His former advisor, Fadi Tamim, was previously sentenced to one year in prison in a separate insurance-related corruption case. His brother and former chief of staff, Karim Salam, was also arrested two months ago and remains in custody.

This marks the first arrest of a senior Lebanese official on corruption charges since 2003, signaling what many observers see as a potentially significant shift in Lebanon’s long-stalled accountability efforts.