Recovery

Damascus : a city tired from outside, alive from within

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 …

Newly appointed Swedish Ambassador to Syria, Jessica Svärdström. (Syrian Civil Aviation Authority)

Sweden resumes diplomatic relations with Damascus after a 15-year hiatus

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

Syrian Airlines resumes direct flights to Europe with Damascus-Amsterdam route. (SANA)

Syrian Airlines restores direct flights to Europe after EU lifts sanctions imposed on former regime

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

The Cedar Waves tourist ship arrived from Lebanon to the port of Latakia on its first trip after years of suspension, June 22, 2026. (SANA)

Syria’s role as eastern Mediterranean gateway receives another boost

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

Finance Minister Mohammed Barnieh speaks at BUILDEX 24, Damascus, June 14. (SANA)

Rise of confidence in Syria’s economy confirmed at international construction fair

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

A combine harvester in a Hasakah province wheat field as farmers begin harvesting the season's crop. (SANA)

Wheat harvest in Hasakah expected to surpass one million tons, fortifying nation’s food security

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

Minister of Emergency and Disaster Management, Raed al Saleh. (SANA)

Restoration of critical bridge in Homs hailed as symbol of Syrian resilience and renewal

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

Syria Peace Initiative event begins in Damascus, June 2, 2026, at the Cham Hotel. (SANA)

European partners support Syria Peace Initiative

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

Syrian and Danish participants gather in Copenhagen to strengthen cooperation and unify support for Syria. (SND event organizer)

Syrians in Denmark create diaspora force to aid nation’s reconstruction

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

Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani announces progress with disposal of chemical weapons. (SANA)

Syria reports major progress in uncovering and dismantling deadly chemical weapons of ousted regime

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

Syrian and French journalists and media professionals meet at the Arab World Institute in Paris, May 28, 2026. (SANA)

Syrian and French journalists and media professionals discuss progress of Syria’s media in Paris

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

First Lady Latifa al-Droubi meets educator Samira al-Qaddour in recognition of her community leadership and resilience. (SANA)

First Lady honors community leader, symbol of resilience, and rebuilder of Syria

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

President Ahmad al-Sharaa signs decree on May 25, 2026, granting a 30% pension increase. (Ahmed al-Sharaa:X)

President announces significant pension increase, part of reforms aimed to ensure dignified life for workers and retirees

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

Committees receive naturalization applications from Kurdish citizens—mainly from Hasakah province, with some from Aleppo, Damascus, Raqqa and Deir Ezzor. (SANA)

Thousands of Kurds submit applications for Syrian citizenship

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

Director of Corporate Affairs and Property Protection Directorate, at the Ministry of Economy and Industry, Abdulmajeed Abdo. (SANA)

Over 1800 new companies registered in Syria this year indicating improved investor climate

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

EU flags outside its Brussels headquarters. (Reuters)

EU removes most remaining sanctions on Syria, helping to advance its transition and recovery

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

French President Emmanuel Macron, G7 president for 2026 (pictured at March 11, 2026 meeting), will chair the summit from June 15-17. (Reuters)

Syria’s participation in June G7 talks signals another step in international financial integration

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

Participants in national dialogue organized by the Ministry of Sports and Youth and UNICEF to design Syria’s first National Youth Strategy. (UNICEF Syria)

Preparing youth leaders to help shape Syria’s strategy for recovery

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

Syria’s permanent representative to the UN Security Council, Ibrahim Olabi. (UN)

Syria’s UN ambassador presents progress in nation’s transformation to Security Council

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

Delegates from 23 donor countries to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) meet with officials at Syria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 12 May 2026. (SANA)

23 major UN donor countries visit Syria to gauge humanitarian and development needs

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

Rehabilitation of the main sewage line of a neighborhood in Aleppo, January 2026, part of early urban recovery efforts supported by UN-Habitat and Japan. (UN-Habitat Syria)

Japan supports recovery of 20 Syrian municipalities

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

UN delegation in Damascus meets with Syrian officials to discuss the ‘Syria Without Camps’ initiative. (SANA)

UN signals growing international support for ‘Syria Without Camps,’ a key objective for 2026

9 May 2026. A UN delegation pledged support for a major government initiative aiming to move Syrian families displaced by years of civil war, still living in tent camps, into long-term permanent housing while also providing services to help them rebuild their lives.Read more at: LEVANT 24

Infant receiving a routine vaccination at a Ministry of Health clinic. (SANA)

Vaccination campaign expands to include over 81% of Syria’s children

1 May 2026. Syria’s vaccination coverage climbed above 81% in 2025, with the Ministry of Health’s nationwide campaign expanding to reach children in both urban and remote communities, including children up to the age of 12 who missed routine immunizations in previous years.Read more at: SANA

A press conference by the Committee to Investigate the Fate of the Sons and Daughters of Detainees and Forcibly Disappeared Persons, January 6, 2026. (Enab Baladi, Ahmad Maslamani)

Committee reports steady progress in reuniting missing children with their families

1 May 2026. Syria’s committee for missing children states that 194 boys and girls have been reunited with their families. Searches continue, with ongoing communications between specialists, volunteers, and families still looking for the children of detainees and forcibly disappeared persons.Read more at: ENAB BALADI

Islamic NGOs plan a strategic shift in assistance for Syria. (İDSB : TGTV [Union of NGOs of the Islamic World : Turkey Volunteer Organizations Foundation])

Union of Islamic NGOs doubles support as Syria moves toward sustainable recovery

29 April 2026. A coalition of major Islamic NGOs is doubling its support for Syria and shifting from humanitarian relief to long-term development, with new projects focused on youth, education, and strengthening coordination with local communities.Read more at: SANA

New Face of Syria