25 July 2026. The visit of Antonio Guterres to Syria, the first visit by a UN secretary-general in 17 years, marks a significant step in UN-Syria relations. Lauding the nation’s determination to rebuild and underscoring the UN’s broad support, Guterres called upon the international community to aid Syria’s recovery.Read more at: ENAB BALADI
24 July 2026. Syria and Türkiye signed an agreement to open cultural centers in each other’s country, to hold conferences, forums, festivals, exhibitions and cultural performances, establish libraries and resource centers, and sponsor exchanges of writers, scientists, researchers, academics and students.Read more at: SANA
21 July 2026. The Ministry of Tourism announced that over 3.5 million people had visited Syria in the first half of 2026, more than double the number from the same period in 2025. Foreign tourists accounted for the largest increase, with Syrian expatriates serving as “Syria’s ambassadors around the world.”Read more at: SANA
16 July 2026. Ministers of interior, health, culture and religious endowments (Awqaf) met to advance a nationwide strategy to combat drug trafficking and addiction. They are cooperatively developing a national framework that includes prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and social reintegration.Read more at: SANA
By Zeina Yagan After landing at Damascus International Airport, and while being transferred to the airport building, I could not hold back my tears. Am I really in Damascus? From the very first glance, I felt a deep sadness. The airport simply does not suit you, Damascus. You deserve a better one. And yet, amid this feeling of heaviness, there was warmth. The people working inside the airport were highly professional, generous, and smiling. They were doing their best to leave a warm first impression on Syrians coming back home. In that moment, longing prevailed over everything else. Read More …
26 June 2026. Sweden appointed a new ambassador to Syria and advanced plans to reopen its Damascus embassy. The appointment comes following the EU’s May 2026 agreement to renew cooperation with Syria—ending the 2011 partial suspension of cooperation with Syria due to the previous regime.Read more at: ENAB BALADI
25 June 2026. Syrian Airlines is restoring direct service to Europe with a Damascus–Amsterdam route beginning July 2nd in a significant step toward reconnecting Syria to international markets. Along with boosting passenger travel, this route will strengthen economic and cultural exchanges with Europe.Read more at: SANA
23 June 2026. A tourist passenger ship arrived in Latakia from Lebanon’s Jounieh port, resuming passenger trips between the two ports after years of suspension. The trip is part of the plan for establishing regular maritime routes for travel and tourism between Syria, Lebanon, Cyprus and Turkey.Read more at: ENAB BALADI
14 June 26. BUILDEX 24 resulted in 21 signed building contracts, with more foreign companies investing and importers establishing local factories. The finance minister described the fair as “one of the most prominent signs of economic recovery in Syria.”Read more at: SANA
8 June 2026. Hasakah, Syria’s largest wheat producing province, is central to the country’s food security. With favorable rainfall and weather conditions, officials anticipate one of the most abundant harvests in recent years.Read more at: SANA
5 June 2026. Minister al-Saleh said the restoration of Al-Rastan Bridge, a vital junction in the country’s transport network, reflects the peoples’ determination to rehabilitate infrastructure destroyed by the deposed regime. The bridge was formally reopened by President al-Sharaa.Read more at: SANA
2 June 2026. The Syria Peace Initiative unites Syrian officials, civil society and international partners to define priorities and strengthen the nation’s institutions during the transition. Organized by Germany, Denmark and the EU, it is part of an ongoing partnership supporting the rebuilding of Syria.Read more at: SANA
31 May 2026. The Syrian Network in Denmark held a conference to unite Syrian groups and initiatives across Denmark into a coordinated body to assist Syria. With Danish partners, Syrian activists and academics explored a framework for channeling diaspora expertise into the country’s rebuilding.Read more at: LEVANT 24
29 May 2026. Foreign Minister al-Shaibani announced that Syrian teams had managed to locate and secure materials from Assad’s chemical weapons program, working with OPCW inspectors. He spoke of prosecutions and commitment to transparency in building a safer nation and more stable region.Read more at: SYRIAN OBSERVER
28 May 2026. Journalists, media professionals, and advocates of press freedom explored improvements in Syria’s media landscape and remaining challenges. The head of Reporters Without Borders highlighted Syria’s notable climb in the World Press Freedom Index one year after the old regime was deposed.Read more at: SANA
27 May 2026. First Lady Latifa al-Droubi met with Samira al-Qaddour, an Idlib school principal known for her civic work and resilience during the war, when she was displaced to camps for anti-regime protests. Upon her return, she launched several education initiatives, including rebuilding a school with local women.Read more at: SANA
26 May 2026. As part of ongoing efforts to structure a comprehensive and realistic wage and pension system, President al-Sharaa approved a 30% increase in pensions, effective June 1. He noted that all workers had received wage increases since January 2025.Read more at: ENAB BALADI
25 May 2026. Interior Ministry committees have received 2,892 family applications for naturalization —covering over 10,500 people—under Presidential Decree No. 13, which in January this year recognized their legal, cultural and linguistic rights, integrating them into the national fabric.Read more at: ENAB BALADI
24 May 2026. A senior Ministry of Economy and Industry official stated that 1,846 companies have been registered thus far in 2026, reflecting streamlined procedures and modernized services in a more stable, investor-friendly environment. A system for incorporating domestic and foreign businesses online is also being launched.Read more at: SANA
19 May 2026. Having removed economic sanctions on Syria in May 2025, the EU has just removed sanctions on the Defense and Interior ministries, retaining them only on individuals and entities linked to the former regime. The sanctions were imposed following Assad’s brutal repression of civilian protests in 2011.Read more at: SYRIAN OBSERVER
18 May 2026. Syria has been invited to join a closed G7 financial session next month, discussing the country’s sustainable recovery and reintegration into the global system, along with its position in the shifting Middle East landscape. President al-Sharaa and Finance Minister Barnieh are expected to attend.Read more at: ENAB BALADI
18 May 2026. The Ministry of Sports and Youth and UNICEF gathered 250 young leaders, officials and civil society groups to design Syria’s first National Youth Strategy, highlighting youth as partners, innovators and active contributors to community development.Read more at: LEVANT 24
15 May 2026. Syria’s UN Ambassador, Ibrahim Olabi, cited developments in transitional justice, press freedoms, rebuilding institutions, launching strategic investment partnerships and other areas, while calling on Security Council members to respect Syria’s autonomy and support mutual goals as partners.Read more at: SANA
13 May 2026. The 23-member UN delegation met with Syrian officials to assess progress as Syria shifts from depending on emergency aid to leading a national recovery and development phase, focused on restoring essential services and enabling the return of displaced families.Read more at: SYRIAN OBSERVER
12 May 2026. UN-Habitat and Japan announced a project to improve service delivery and urban governance affecting some 870,000 people in 20 municipalities across 7 provinces. This grant is in addition to €58.51 million in previous grants from Japan to UN agencies on behalf of Syria’s recovery.Read more at: ENAB BALADI
