<P> Television was first introduced to Syria in 1960, when Syria and Egypt (which adopted television that same year) were part of the United Arab Republic . It broadcast in black and white until 1976 . Syrian soap operas have considerable market penetration throughout the eastern Arab world . </P> <P> Nearly all of Syria's media outlets are state - owned, and the Ba'ath Party controls nearly all newspapers . The authorities operate several intelligence agencies, among them Shu'bat al - Mukhabarat al -' Askariyya, employing a large number of operatives . Since the Syrian Civil War many of Syria's artists, poets, writers and activists have remained incarcerated, including famed cartoonist Akram Raslam . </P> <P> The most popular sports in Syria are football, basketball, swimming, and tennis . Damascus was home to the fifth and seventh Pan Arab Games . Many popular football teams are based in Damascus, Aleppo, Homs, Latakia, etc . </P> <P> The Abbasiyyin Stadium in Damascus is home to the Syrian national football team . The team enjoyed some success, having qualified for four Asian Cup competitions . The team had its first international on 20 November 1949, losing to Turkey 7--0 . The team was ranked 76th in the world by FIFA as of January 2018 . </P>

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