Raja Abdulrahim

Middle East Correspondent, Levant at The New York Times

Middle East correspondent covering the Levant for @NYTimes. Formerly @WSJ and @LATimes. News tips: [email protected]

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Articles

Latest News and Live Updates

1 week ago | nytimes.com | Raja Abdulrahim

The U.S. special envoy to Syria has said that the new government in the Mideast country has agreed to help locate and return American citizens or their remains, calling it a "powerful step forward." The Trump administration had previously demanded such cooperation in exchange for sanctions relief. The envoy, Thomas J.
Syrians Rush to Preserve Remembrances of a Painful Revolution

2 weeks ago | nytimes.com | Raja Abdulrahim

Many in Syria want to enshrine remnants of their recent history, not only to remember it, but as a cautionary tale. Banners, posters and graffiti denouncing the dictatorship. Artillery shells turned into sculptures. Implements of torture. Even an entire prison. As Syria emerges from a painful chapter in its recent history, some in the country are fervently trying to preserve the remnants of an anti-government uprising that morphed into a civil war and lasted almost 14 years.
Syria and sanctions: A new hope

2 weeks ago | thestar.com.my | Raja Abdulrahim

HOURS after the Assad dictatorship fell in Syria, business owner Rasin Katta got a call from a former business partner in Damascus. “‘Rasin, we’re going to start working again,’” Katta recalled the partner telling him excitedly. “‘We can start preparing the factory.’”Katta, whose family owned medical and pharmaceutical businesses, had left Syria for Germany during the nearly 14-year Syrian civil war. And he, too, was hopeful.
Trump's Promise to Lift Sanctions on Syria Gives Business Owners Hope

3 weeks ago | nytimes.com | Raja Abdulrahim

Since the overthrow of the dictator Bashar al-Assad, business owners have been waiting for Washington to ease sanctions and pave the way for an economic renewal. A market in the Old City of Damascus in February. The civil war devastated Syria's economy and many business owners fled the country. Credit... Kiana Hayeri for The New York Times Hours after the Assad dictatorship fell in Syria, business owner Rasin Katta got a call from a former business partner in Damascus.
What to Know About Syria's Druse, Alawites and Kurds as Sectarian Violence Rises

1 month ago | nytimes.com | Christina Goldbaum |Ben Hubbard |Raja Abdulrahim |Hwaida Saad

The new government has pledged to unify Syria after overthrowing the Assad dictatorship. One of its biggest challenges is persistent sectarian violence. The rebels who overthrew the Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad in December have vowed to unify their country.
Saudi Arabia and Qatar to Pay Off Syria's Debt to the World Bank

1 month ago | nytimes.com | Raja Abdulrahim

Saudi Arabia and Qatar have announced that they will pay Syria's $15 million debt to the World Bank, potentially unlocking millions of dollars in aid and giving a boost to the new government's task of rebuilding an economy shattered by civil war. The joint payment will enable the World Bank to resume its support and activities in Syria after an interruption of more than 14 years.
Death Toll in Iranian Port Blast Rises to 40

1 month ago | miamiherald.com | Raja Abdulrahim

The death toll from a massive explosion at an Iranian port rose to 40 on Sunday with more than 800 people injured, according to the state media. Several people remain missing. The blast Saturday evening at Iran’s largest and most important shipping port resulted in a major fire, which spread and caused destruction in the surrounding areas. Iran’s health ministry, citing airborne toxic pollutants, declared a state of emergency in the province and instructed people to stay indoors.
Iran Port Explosion's Death Toll Rises

1 month ago | nytimes.com | Raja Abdulrahim

The death toll from a massive explosion at an Iranian port rose to 25 on Sunday with more than 1,100 people injured, according to the state media. The blast Saturday evening at Iran's largest and most important shipping port resulted in a major fire, which spread and caused destruction in the surrounding areas. Iran's heath ministry, citing airborne toxic pollutants, declared a state of emergency in the province and instructed people to stay indoors.
Früher als Staatsfeind verfolgt, heute stolz darauf

1 month ago | katapult-magazin.de | Raja Abdulrahim

Als Kasem Togan nach zwölf Jahren zum ersten Mal nach Syrien zurückkehrte, bat er den Beamten an der Passkontrolle, zu prüfen, ob er „einen Namen habe“ – ob er also als einer von Millionen auf den Fahndungslisten des gestürzten Assad-Regimes stand. „Du wirst von Abteilung 235 gesucht“, erwiderte der Beamte mit einem Lächeln. „Vom Geheimdienst.“Togan, der als Journalist früher für oppositionelle syrische Medien gearbeitet hatte, war begeistert.
A traditional Ramadhan treat gets a modern remake

2 months ago | omanobserver.om | Raja Abdulrahim

As the minutes ticked closer to sundown, the crowd grew more impatient, pressing against the glass display case, shouting and shoving bills towards the young men filling order after order of the Ramadhan sweet bread. “If you please." What is this stuffed with?” “Sir, take my money!” “Just be patient!” The high-pressure volley of queries, entreaties and pleas for patience plays out each evening of Ramadhan as Syrians jostle for marook, a sweet bread eaten here during the fasting month.