Syria’s Information Ministry has launched Syrian Response, an English-language account operated by its external media directorate, as the government of President Ahmed al-Sharaa seeks to communicate more directly with international audiences and strengthen ties abroad.
Launched on 24 August, the channel describes itself as "the first and only English-language account of the Syrian government. A window into the authentic Syria".
In an introductory message, Syrian Response said it aimed to address what it sees as a gap in international discussion of Syria.
"There’s a lot of talk about our country. Until now, one voice was missing […] We’re here to engage with you directly, and keep you in the loop about politics, economy, security, and the everyday Syria that rarely makes the headlines."
Its first post linked the launch to Syria’s removal from the US state sponsor of terrorism designation, saying: "Syria has been on social media for years. Just rarely in English. Any resemblance between the timing of Syrian Response launch and the exit of Syria from the 1979 designation list is entirely intentional. Syria is officially sanction free!"
Among its first pieces of content was a video showing Sharaa making a payment with a Visa card at a restaurant in the Old City of Damascus following the launch of international card payments in Syria.
The new English-language presence comes as Sharaa’s government attempts to restore and deepen relations with foreign governments, international business and other overseas audiences after years of isolation.
It also reflects an effort by Damascus to present its own account of political, economic and security developments directly to an English-speaking audience in an age of misinformation and disinformation.
Since the fall of Bashar al-Assad, Syrian fact-checking and media observers have documented waves of false or misleading material online, including recycled videos, fabricated claims and content that inflames sectarian tensions. Damascus and its supporters have accused Assad loyalist networks of circulating disinformation.
State-backed international communications platforms have been used elsewhere during periods of conflict or geopolitical crises.
Ukraine developed the foreign-facing Ukraine.ua digital platform and official English-language social-media accounts as part of its public-diplomacy strategy, while also establishing institutions and campaigns aimed at countering disinformation.
Similarly in France, Paris launched an official page operated directly by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs known as French Response, aiming to counter foreign disinformation campaigns and narrative attacks targeting France and the EU through an accessible, sarcastic tone.