Damascus: United Nations(UN) Secretary-General António Guterres has arrived in Syria, becoming the first serving UN chief to visit the country in 17 years.
The landmark visit underscores renewed international engagement with Syria following the country’s political transition after years of conflict. Guterres landed at Damascus International Airport, where he and his delegation were welcomed by Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani, according to Syria’s state news agency. During his multi-day visit, the UN chief is scheduled to hold talks with President Ahmed al-Sharaa, senior government officials and representatives of Syrian civil society.
The visit marks the first official trip by a UN Secretary-General to Syria since 2009, before the outbreak of the country’s devastating civil war in 2011. It also represents another significant diplomatic development for President al-Sharaa, who has worked to restore Syria’s international relations since assuming power following the ouster of longtime leader Bashar al-Assad in 2024.
I have just arrived in Damascus for a visit of solidarity.
My message is clear:
The @UN stands with Syria at this pivotal moment & I appeal to the international community to spare no effort to support the people of Syria as well. pic.twitter.com/5xg6sNT1J4
— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) July 25, 2026
As part of his itinerary, Guterres will also visit the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in the occupied Syrian Golan Heights. The visit is aimed at reviewing the peacekeeping mission’s role in monitoring the ceasefire agreement between Syria and Israel.
UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said the Secretary-General intends to stress that Syria now has a unique opportunity to move beyond years of conflict and build a future that is ‘more stable, more inclusive and more prosperous for all Syrians.’
Although the UN has not released Guterres’ full schedule, he is expected to remain in Damascus for several days and is scheduled to address Syria’s newly formed parliament.
The visit comes with heightened security concerns after two bomb explosions occurred near a Damascus hotel where French President Emmanuel Macron stayed during his recent visit, the first by a European Union head of state since the fall of the Assad government. Syrian authorities later announced the arrest of suspects linked to the ISIL (ISIS) group, saying they had dismantled the cell responsible for the attacks.
Guterres’ visit is widely viewed as a significant step in supporting Syria’s political recovery, humanitarian efforts and ong-term stability as the country seeks to rebuild after more than a decade of conflict.
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