On Saturday, July 25th, 2026, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres made a landmark visit to Damascus, urging the international community to support Syria as it recovers from over a decade of civil war. This visit marks the first by a UN chief to the Syrian capital since 2009.

The civil war, which ended in 2024 when rebels ousted President Bashar al-Assad, resulted in hundreds of thousands of deaths and displaced millions. Ahmed al-Sharaa, appointed interim president in January 2025, is overseeing state reconstruction and the dissolution of armed factions.

Guterres, who held talks with al-Sharaa shortly after arriving, described Syria as being at a “pivotal moment” as it strives to return to stability. The conflict caused widespread destruction, with rebuilding costs estimated by the World Bank last year at approximately $216 billion.

Despite the lifting of many sanctions by the United States and Europe following the Assad dynasty's rule, the on-the-ground impact remains limited. The United Nations estimates that 90 percent of Syria’s population currently lives in poverty.

During his stay, Guterres is also scheduled to visit the UN force deployed along the border with Israel.

Sources