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Families in Hama hold photographs of those lost in 1982, 3 February 2026. (Enab Baladi)
Families in Hama hold photographs of those lost in 1982, 3 February 2026. (Enab Baladi)

Hama publicly commemorates brutal massacre for the first time in 44 years

    3 February 2026.   In 1982, the Hafez al-Assad regime killed an estimated 40,000 Hama civilians, forced the disappearance of 17,000 others and decimated entire neighbourhoods, for opposing the regime’s oppression. While documents were secretly compiled through the years, this first public ceremony restores dignity to the victims and opens a pathway toward justice for survivors.Read more at:  LEVANT24See also:  “Never Forgotten: Assad Dynasty’s Failure to Exterminate and Erase Hama”

    Syria’s Ministry of Health and UNDP (United Nations Development Program) sign agreement to rehabilitate and equip hospitals across five governorates, funded by the German government. (SANA)
    Syria’s Ministry of Health and UNDP (United Nations Development Program) sign agreement to rehabilitate and equip hospitals across five governorates, funded by the German government. (SANA)

    German funding will rehabilitate five major hospitals, under Health Ministry partnership with UNDP

      3 February 2026.  A €35 million German funded agreement between Syria’s Health Ministry and UNDP will restore and equip five major hospitals in areas recovering from conflict, part of the government’s efforts to rehabilitate healthcare. A portion of the funds will revitalize 25 medical centres across Syria.Read more at:  SANA

      Suleiman Abdulbaqi, head of internal security in Suwayda, visits Washington, D.C. as part of a delegation of social and civil figures from the governorate. (L24:Social media)
      Suleiman Abdulbaqi, head of internal security in Suwayda, visits Washington, D.C. as part of a delegation of social and civil figures from the governorate. (L24:Social media)

      Message of Suwayda delegation to Washington:  We seek to be part of a unified Syria

        2 February 2026.  A Suwayda delegation met with US officials to present the governorate’s political and security realities directly, free of “misleading narratives.” Part of an outreach effort to find political solutions to the ongoing crisis, the message emphasized unity and rejected separatism.Read more at:  LEVANT24

        Representatives of Finland and UNICEF formalize new support for children in Syria. (UNICEF)
        Representatives of Finland and UNICEF formalize new support for children in Syria. (UNICEF)

        Finland and UNICEF will foster inclusive education and protection for vulnerable Syrian children

          1 February 2026.  “Syrian children have waited too long for stability, safety and opportunities to learn,” said UNICEF’s representative in Syria, as the UN agency and Finland announced €2.7 million to expand inclusive education and child and social protection, prioritizing children with disabilities and those affected by conflict and displacement.Read more at:  SANA

          Ibrahim Olabi, Syria’s Permanent Representative to the UN, during monthly meeting of the Arab Group, 28 January 2026. (Ibrahim Olabi,X)
          Ibrahim Olabi, Syria’s Permanent Representative to the UN, during monthly meeting of the Arab Group, 28 January 2026. (Ibrahim Olabi,X)

          Syria elected to key role on major UN committee, reflecting confidence of UN member states

            30 January 2026.  Syria was elected by acclimation as Vice Chair of the UN Preparatory Committee on the Convention on Crimes Against Humanity. Ambassador Olabi noted the significance of the shift from involvement in issues internal to Syria to a role in global issues.Read more at:  ENABBALADI

            Modernized production lines support Syria’s push to secure daily bread supplies and strengthen food security. (L24)
            Modernized production lines support Syria’s push to secure daily bread supplies and strengthen food security. (L24)

            Syria boosts rehabilitation of bakeries to ensure stable bread supply including in newly liberated Kurdish areas

              30 January 2026.  Syria’s government launched a comprehensive program to strengthen food security, with bakery and grain establishments cooperating to improve efficiency, modernize production, improve bread quality, and ensure daily supplies.Read more at:  LEVANT24

              A displaced family at al-Hol camp in northeastern Syria, 23 January 2026. (UN)
              A displaced family at al-Hol camp in northeastern Syria, 23 January 2026. (UN)

              Large numbers of displaced families have returned home while UNHCR and local Syrian NGO’s provide emergency aid to those in camps

                27 January 2026.  The UN Refugee Agency reports tens of thousands of families in northeastern Syria were displaced by recent hostilities between SDF and government forces. UNHCR is providing aid to those still in camps with local partners. Of 100,000 people displaced from Aleppo, 80% have returned home.Read more at:  ENABBALADI

                Visitors gather in the Damascus Citadel, a medieval fortified palace in the Old City, to celebrate the opening of Damascus Heritage House. (SANA)
                Visitors gather in the Damascus Citadel, a medieval fortified palace in the Old City, to celebrate the opening of Damascus Heritage House. (SANA)

                Damascus Heritage House opens to bring Syria’s cultural legacy back into daily life

                  26 January 2026.  The Ministry of Culture inaugurated the Damascus Heritage House as a multipurpose cultural space to strengthen collective national identity by establishing a cultural hub showcasing Syrian heritage and reconnecting it with everyday social life.Read more at:  SANA

                  Officials survey a development site in eastern Syria, part of urgent efforts to assess infrastructure damage and plan reconstruction in Raqqa, Tabqa, and Deir Ezzor. (SANA)
                  Officials survey a development site in eastern Syria, part of urgent efforts to assess infrastructure damage and plan reconstruction in Raqqa, Tabqa, and Deir Ezzor. (SANA)

                  Syria launches preparations for urgent recovery of damaged sites in eastern provinces

                    25 January 2026.  After the Eastern region returned to government control, a Ministry of Public Works and Housing delegation identified numerous sites seriously damaged under SDF control and in urgent need of large-scale reconstruction efforts.Read more at:  SANA

                    Ministry of Culture announces the first Damascus International Book Fair post-liberation to open on February 5, 2026. (L24)
                    Ministry of Culture announces the first Damascus International Book Fair post-liberation to open on February 5, 2026. (L24)

                    Return of Damascus International Book Fair restores Syria’s role in Arab and international cultural life

                      25 January 2026.  The Ministry of Culture views the book fair as an occasion to reinforce national unity and reconnect the country with the world. Over 500 publishing houses from 35 countries will offer more than 100,000 book titles, plus over 500 writers, thinkers, and researchers will take part.Read more at:  LEVANT24

                      Syrian President Ahmad Sharaa meets with US Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack at the People’s Palace in Damascus on January 18, 2026. (L24)
                      Syrian President Ahmad Sharaa meets with US Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack at the People’s Palace in Damascus on January 18, 2026. (L24)

                      International community backs Syria’s ceasefire agreement with SDF

                        21 January 2026.  The US, the EU, Turkey and several Arab countries express broad support for Syria’s territorial unity, seeing the deal as a turning point in political and security spheres. US states its support of Syria’s capacity to combat ISIS and withdraws its support from SDF.Read more at: LEVANT 24

                        Map of Syria showing areas under Syrian government control in green. (L24)
                        Map of Syria showing areas under Syrian government control in green. (L24)

                        Senior diplomatic source reveals government’s stance as ceasefire with SDF nears end.

                          23 January 2026.  Damascus seeks to establish the rule of law across all Syrian territory, including the newly acquired Eastern region, says a source within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The January 18th agreement with SDF came after political channels had been exhausted and growing instability forced the state to intervene.Read more at:  SYRIAN OBSERVER