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A UNHCR (UN High Commission for Refugees) staff member assists a man arriving from Lebanon at the Jdaidet Yabous border crossing in Syria. (Ola Kabalan:UNHCR)
A UNHCR (UN High Commission for Refugees) staff member assists a man arriving from Lebanon at the Jdaidet Yabous border crossing in Syria. (Ola Kabalan:UNHCR)

UN agency supports rising number of Syrians returning home from Lebanon since outbreak of war

    10 March 2026.  Over 80,000 Syrians have returned from Lebanon since March 2nd, leaving behind lives in exile and all belongings. UNHCR is expanding its presence at major crossings, coordinating with Syrian authorities to support arrivals fleeing sudden violence and seeking safety with family.Read more at:  LEVANT24

    Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa participates in a video conference addressing threats to the region, March 9, 2026. (Presidency of the Syrian Arab Republic)
    Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa participates in a video conference addressing threats to the region, March 9, 2026. (Presidency of the Syrian Arab Republic)

    President al-Sharaa joins emergency meeting on Middle East crisis with regional and European leaders

      9 March 2026.  During the video conference called by European leaders, Syria’s president spoke of threats to regional stability and energy routes, calling the escalation of war “an existential threat to the entire region.” He said Damascus was coordinating with regional governments to establish a unified position.Read more at:  LEVANT24

      The Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor unveils a two-year strategic plan, March 8, 2026. (Enab Baladi)
      The Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor unveils a two-year strategic plan, March 8, 2026. (Enab Baladi)

      Syria’s government launches comprehensive plan to expand social justice and social protections in the next two years

        9 March 2026.  Syria’s social affairs ministry unveiled a 2026-2028 plan, developed ‘in full partnership’ with civil society organizations, to expand equitable access to services, protect and empower women, strengthen protections for all vulnerable groups, integrate returnees, and promote decent work opportunities.Read more at:  ENABBALADI

        President al-Sharaa spoke to journalists and civil society leaders about priorities for rebuilding the country, People’s Palace, Damascus, March 5, 2026. (SANA)
        President al-Sharaa spoke to journalists and civil society leaders about priorities for rebuilding the country, People’s Palace, Damascus, March 5, 2026. (SANA)

        President stresses need for consensus on national priorities and strategies for rebuilding Syria

          6 March 2026.  Speaking to media professionals and civic activists, President al-Sharaa urged a focus on the broader goals for Syria’s reconstruction, rather than details that cause division. Offering a frank assessment of achievements, he focused on prioritizing challenges to restoring institutions and services.Read more at:  SANA

          Schools in Raqqa and Deir Ezzor are operating again after government rehabilitation. (SANA)
          Schools in Raqqa and Deir Ezzor are operating again after government rehabilitation. (SANA)

          Access to education restored to half a million students in newly liberated northeastern Syria

            6 March 2026.  With the rehabilitation of hundreds of schools in the Raqqa and Deir Ezzor provinces, recently transferred to state control, children are being reintegrated into Syrian society. The Education Ministry has provided 570,000 textbooks, supplied 10,000 desks, as well as support for teachers.Read more at:  SANA

            Officials laid the cornerstone for rehabilitating Barada Spring in Zabadani, northwest of Damascus, an historic site once prized by tourists. (SANA)
            Officials laid the cornerstone for rehabilitating Barada Spring in Zabadani, northwest of Damascus, an historic site once prized by tourists. (SANA)

            Rehabilitation of Barada Spring revives a once prized tourist destination in beautiful mountain town

              6 March 2026.  Work has begun to rehabilitate the historic Barada Spring, a key source of drinking water for Damascus and an historic natural landmark from Roman times. Once a key point for Hajj pilgrims, destroyed under the Assad regime, its restoration aims to revive tourism and support employment.Read more at:  LEVANT24

              Minister Hind Kabawat meets with delegation from the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Syria, 5 March 2026. (SANA)
              Minister Hind Kabawat meets with delegation from the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Syria, 5 March 2026. (SANA)

              Syria expands cooperation with UN team to reunite children and families

                5 March 2026.  Minister Hind Kabawat met UN commissioners in Damascus to strengthen cooperation on investigations into the fate of children of detainees and the forcibly disappeared, aiming to improve access to information in this critical humanitarian area. To date, 160 children have been reunited with their families.Read more at:  SANA

                Meeting of Mobile World Conference 2026 in Barcelona, where Syria’s Minister of Communications and Information Technology announced an international tender offer. (SANA)
                Meeting of Mobile World Conference 2026 in Barcelona, where Syria’s Minister of Communications and Information Technology announced an international tender offer. (SANA)

                In move to modernize telecommunications, Syria launches international tender offer for new mobile operator

                  4 March 2026.  In the goal of improving nationwide digital coverage, especially in rural areas emerging from years of conflict, Syria announced a tender offer for a 20-year mobile license, aiming to attract global investors in supporting long-term digital development.Read more at:  SANA

                  Crowds gather at a border crossing as Syrian authorities work to assist families returning from Lebanon. (L24)
                  Crowds gather at a border crossing as Syrian authorities work to assist families returning from Lebanon. (L24)

                  Government manages surge in Syrian families returning from Lebanon, as Israeli aggression intensifies

                    3 March 2026.  Syrian border crossings with Lebanon are seeing a sharp rise in returning families due to the regional conflict. Government authorities are providing essential support, including healthcare, as part of the nation’s commitment to create the best possible conditions for returning nationals.Read more at:  LEVANT24

                    Information Minister Hamza al Mustafa and UNDP representative Mohamed Siddiq Madawi sign an agreement to advance professionalism of Syria’s media sector. (SANA)
                    Information Minister Hamza al Mustafa and UNDP representative Mohamed Siddiq Madawi sign an agreement to advance professionalism of Syria’s media sector. (SANA)

                    Syria and UNDP partner to enhance skills and performance of nation’s media sector

                      3 March 2026.  Syria and UNDP have launched a program to offer training opportunities to strengthen the skills of hundreds of journalists, radio and TV presenters, graphic designers, photographers, and other media workers in the Information Ministry and affiliated institutions and directorates.Read more at:  SANA

                      Farmland in rural Aleppo, location of the ICARDA (International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Area) research site. (SANA)
                      Farmland in rural Aleppo, location of the ICARDA (International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Area) research site. (SANA)

                      Critical gene bank in Aleppo restored, boosting Syria’s agricultural recovery and food security

                        3 March 2026.  The revival of ICARDA’s facility in Aleppo marks a major step in restoring Syria’s agricultural research and farming. Seed banks destroyed under the previous regime and preserved in other countries include strategic crop collections of wheat, barley, lentils, chickpeas, and forage legumes.Read more at:  SANA

                        Shoppers move through a busy marketplace as Dr. Amer Kharboutli, Director of the Damascus Chamber of Commerce, discusses Syria’s economic realities and investment opportunities. (L24)
                        Shoppers move through a busy marketplace as Dr. Amer Kharboutli, Director of the Damascus Chamber of Commerce, discusses Syria’s economic realities and investment opportunities. (L24)

                        Syria’s market activity returns, says Chamber of Commerce head, with corruption down by 80%

                          2 March 2026.  In an interview, Dr. Amer Kharboutli describes Syria’s rapid economic progress, emerging investment opportunities, plus ongoing challenges, noting signs of reduced corruption and renewed market activity driven by people’s resilience and institutional reforms.Read more at:  LEVANT24

                          Syria’s Central Bank announced the reopening of its account with the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. (SANA)
                          Syria’s Central Bank announced the reopening of its account with the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. (SANA)

                          Syria reaches milestone in re-integration with global financial networks

                            28 February 2026.  Syria’s Central Bank restored full ties with the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, after meeting regulatory requirements and establishing required banking communications channels. The move will facilitate international banking relations and enhance financial and monetary stability.Read more at:  SANA

                            Ahmad al-Sharaa (formerly known as al-Jolani) celebrating HTS’ overthrow of the Assad regime, Damascus, 8 December 2024. (ISPI)
                            Ahmad al-Sharaa (formerly known as al-Jolani) celebrating HTS’ overthrow of the Assad regime, Damascus, 8 December 2024. (ISPI)

                            UN Security Council removes HTS from sanctions list in ongoing international policy shift toward Syria

                              28 February 2026.  The UN Security Council removed HTS from its ISIS and Al-Qaida sanctions list, clearing a final legal obstacle that was viewed as hindering Syria’s transition. The move, supporting the new government’s progress, lifts a 10-year freeze of assets, a travel ban, and arms embargo.Read more at:  LEVANT24

                              Syria’s Ministry of Education delivered a second shipment of textbooks to Raqqa to support local schools. (SANA)
                              Syria’s Ministry of Education delivered a second shipment of textbooks to Raqqa to support local schools. (SANA)

                              Syria delivers 100,000 textbooks to support education in newly integrated northeast region

                                27 February 2026.  As part a broader plan to rehabilitate schools and strengthen education in the Jazira region, previously controlled by SDF, the Ministry of Education delivered a second batch of new textbooks to the Raqqa directorate, following a batch of 118,000 textbooks delivered a month earlier.Read more at:  SANA

                                Syria participates in the United Nations Human Rights Council meeting in Geneva, 26 February 2026. (UN)
                                Syria participates in the United Nations Human Rights Council meeting in Geneva, 26 February 2026. (UN)

                                Syria’s commitment to human rights stems from decades of repression, officials tell UN council

                                  26 February 2026.  Syria told the UNHRC that its commitment to human rights is a national debt, given its history. Officials reported a range of institutional reforms made in the 14 months since the country’s liberation, many in cooperation with UN agencies, while constructing the rule of law.Read more at:  SANA

                                  Syrian Finance Minister Mohammed Yosr Bernieh (center) meets with an International Monetary Fund delegation visiting Syria, February 17, 2026. (Syrian Ministry of Finance:Telegram)
                                  Syrian Finance Minister Mohammed Yosr Bernieh (center) meets with an International Monetary Fund delegation visiting Syria, February 17, 2026. (Syrian Ministry of Finance:Telegram)

                                  IMF underscores signs of recovery in Syria’s economy, praising economic reforms

                                    26 February 2026.  The IMF delegation reported a recent increase in economic activity, due to rising consumer and investor confidence plus the continued return of refugees. The agency sees a promising economic outlook for 2026, depending on continued internal reconciliation and regional reintegration.Read more at:  ENABBALADI

                                    Syrian army engineering unit sweeps the Ruiha archaeological site in southern Idlib for landmines as part of a wider heritage protection effort. (SANA)
                                    Syrian army engineering unit sweeps the Ruiha archaeological site in southern Idlib for landmines as part of a wider heritage protection effort. (SANA)

                                    Clearing landmines at archaeological site connects Syria’s past to its present and future

                                      25 February 2026.  The Ruiha archaeological site, dating from Byzantine times, is being cleared of landmines to restore safe access, develop tourism, and revive local agriculture. Part of a UNESCO-heritage plan, the site contains remains of luxurious homes, churches, olive presses, and funerary monuments.Read more at:  SANA

                                      A meeting between the Ministry of Economy and Industry and the International Finance Corporation in Damascus. (SANA)
                                      A meeting between the Ministry of Economy and Industry and the International Finance Corporation in Damascus. (SANA)

                                      Syria holds talks with International Finance Corporation to strengthen economic recovery

                                        24 February 2026.  The Ministry of Economy and Industry met with an IFC delegation, exploring financing mechanisms to support the development of Syria’s employment and productivity sectors. The talks aimed at building a cooperative framework for aiding the country’s economic recovery.Read more at:  SANA