Overview
- UN Secretary-General António Guterres completed a visit to Damascus in late July 2026, meeting transitional president Ahmed al‑Scharaa, civil society groups and UN personnel to assess needs and offer support.
- Guterres publicly demanded the immediate and full removal of all sanctions on Syria and called for international investment to help rebuild basic services and livelihoods.
- He visited Saidnaya military prison and pledged UN help for justice measures, constitution drafting and preparations for free and fair elections as part of a political transition.
- Guterres sharply criticized Israeli military actions around the Golan Heights, visited UNDOF personnel who monitor the buffer zone, and Syrian state media reported renewed Israeli troop moves in southern Syria during the visit.
- The UN highlighted acute humanitarian needs — about 15.6 million people require assistance and millions remain displaced — while the World Bank estimates reconstruction at roughly $216 billion and foreign investors remain cautious.