SYRIA’S Environment Ministry has started work on solar energy projects to serve urban areas in all of the country’s provinces, the government announced today.

 Ministry spokeswoman Rowaida al-Nahar explained that more than 10,000 solar-powered street lights have been distributed to towns and cities so far.

The ambitious plan will also enable water to be pumped – crucial at a time when Turkey and allied jihadist groups continue to block supplies to more than 1 million people in the northern province of Hasakah.