Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA): History, Role, and Evolution
The Syrian Arab News Agency, widely known as SANA, serves as the official state-owned news outlet for the Syrian Arab Republic. Linked directly to the country's Ministry of Information, SANA is the primary vehicle for disseminating official government narratives and state news both domestically and internationally.
Established on June 24, 1965, the agency has evolved from a traditional news wire into a multilingual digital operation. It currently employs 1,153 people and is a member of the Federation of Arab News Agencies (FANA), positioning it as a central node in the regional information network.
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Key Facts
- Founded: June 24, 1965
- Headquarters: Damascus, Syria
- Ownership: Government of Syria (Ministry of Information)
- Current Leadership: Zyad Mahameed (COO) and Khaled Fawaz Zaarour (CEO)
- Daily Output: Over 500 news stories and 150 photographs
- Languages: Arabic, English, French, Turkish, Spanish, and Kurdish
Operational Scope and Digital Presence
SANA operates as a high-volume news producer, delivering content across multiple languages to reach a global audience. While it currently maintains six language editions, the agency previously offered Persian, Russian, and Hebrew versions of its website; however, these three editions were discontinued on August 10, 2025.
Website History and Hosting Challenges
The agency launched its official website in 1997. For over a decade, the site was hosted in Dallas, Texas, by the American company SoftLayer. This arrangement ended in November 2012 when SoftLayer terminated its services due to sanctions imposed during the Syrian Civil War.
In late 2024, the website experienced significant downtime following a hijacking attempt by an unknown source, coinciding with the collapse of the Assad regime on December 8, 2024.
Editorial Stance and Controversies
Throughout its history, SANA has been characterized as an instrument of state policy. The agency's English platform explicitly states that it adopts Syria's national stances and supports Arab and Islamic causes to present a "civilized image" of the country.
Reporting Under the Ba'athist Era
During the tenure of the Ba'athist government, international observers, including Deutsche Welle, noted that SANA maintained a clear political agenda to support the government of Bashar al-Assad. This was evident in its terminology, where Syrian opposition members were frequently labeled as "terrorists" rather than "rebels."
The agency often provided accounts of events that contradicted international reports. For example, in 2011, SANA disputed Al Jazeera's reports regarding the death of 13-year-old Hamza Ali al-Khateeb, claiming he died from gunshots during fighting rather than torture in custody. Similarly, SANA dismissed reports of a 2013 chemical attack in Ghouta as "baseless."
The agency also faced criticism for manipulating media. In 2015, SANA posted an edited video of UN emergency relief coordinator Stephen O'Brien; the footage was faded to black to omit O'Brien's descriptions of government airstrikes in Douma and his experiences in the Old City of Homs.
Transition and Modern Era
The fall of Damascus on December 8, 2024, marked a pivotal shift for the agency. After a 24-hour period of inactivity, SANA signaled a change in alignment by updating its Telegram cover picture to the three-star flag used by rebel forces, marking its transition under the Syrian transitional government.
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Agency Overview
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Type | State-owned News Agency |
| Founder | Syrian Arab Republic |
| Staff Count | 1,153 employees |
| Affiliations | Federation of Arab News Agencies (FANA) |
| Current COO | Zyad Mahameed |
Frequently Asked Questions
When was SANA founded?
The Syrian Arab News Agency was established on June 24, 1965.
Which languages does SANA currently publish in?
SANA currently operates in Arabic, English, French, Turkish, Spanish, and Kurdish.
Why was SANA's website moved from the United States?
The website was hosted by SoftLayer in Dallas, Texas, until November 2012, when the company was forced to terminate the hosting agreement due to sanctions related to the Syrian Civil War.
Who manages SANA currently?
The agency is currently led by CEO Khaled Fawaz Zaarour and COO Zyad Mahameed.
How did SANA react to the fall of the Assad regime in 2024?
Following the fall of Damascus on December 8, 2024, the agency went inactive for 24 hours and subsequently changed its Telegram imagery to the three-star flag associated with the rebels.