UN chief Guterres makes historic Syria visit, urges global support for reconstruction

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres arrived in Damascus on July 25, 2026, becoming the first UN chief to visit Syria since 2009. His trip signals renewed international engagement with the country's post-war transition.

The visit

Guterres met with President Ahmed al Sharaa and Foreign Minister Asaad al Shaibani, and toured historic sites including the Umayyad Mosque and the notorious Sednaya prison, a symbol of the former regime's repression Source: infobae. He also visited the UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in the Golan Heights.

Call for reconstruction

In a joint press conference, Guterres declared that "no country emerges from a very serious conflict and rebuilds by itself," calling for international support Source: infobae. Al Shaibani noted that 3.5 million Syrians have returned since the fall of Bashar al-Assad in December 2024 Source: infobae. However, another report indicates that while 1.9 million internally displaced people and 1.7 million refugees have returned, 5.5 million remain displaced internally and 6 million abroad Source: euronewses.

Golan tensions

Guterres described the situation in the Golan Heights as "totally unacceptable," reaffirming that the territory is Syrian Source: euronewses. Al Shaibani demanded an immediate and unconditional Israeli withdrawal. Israel has sent troops into the buffer zone since Assad's fall and conducted repeated strikes, despite having held direct talks with the new Syrian authorities Source: euronewses.