At UN Security Council level, there was reportedly broad agreement that the Syrian transitional government needs international support to rebuild the country and its weakened economy, including through easing unilateral sanctions.42 In 2025, the European Union (EU)43 and U.S.44 lifted economic sanctions on Syria. In November 2025, Syria also gained access to the international banking system SWIFT after 14 years.45
In a November 2025 vote, the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 2799, removing interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa and interim interior minister Anas Khattab from the UN’s Islamic State and Al Qaeda sanctions list.46 Syria subsequently joined the US-led Global Coalition against Daesh (ISIL)47 and participated with forces in operations against the group.48
The US completed its withdrawal of forces from Syria in April 2026 after more than a decade of presence in the country49, handing over its bases to the transitional government.50
Since 8 December 2024, Israel has significantly intensified military operations in Syria through extensive airstrikes and ground incursions in southern governorates, actions criticised by the UN Secretary General as violations of the 1974 agreement.51 These operations, including hundreds of incursions into Quneitra governorate,52 have reportedly caused civilian casualties,53 displacement, property destruction, arbitrary detentions,54 transfers of detainees, and restrictions on fundamental freedoms.55 Israel has also carried out strikes against transitional government forces in the context of the conflict between government forces and Druze factions, stating that the attacks were intended to protect the Druze community.56 US-mediated negotiations between the transitional government and Israel took place during the reporting period although no formal agreement was reached.57 The transitional government continued to demand the full withdrawal of Israel forces from southern Syria.58
Since 28 February 2026, the regional escalation in the Middle East has also affected Syria, where falling debris from intercepted Iranian missiles and drones caused civilian casualties,59 while intensified hostilities in Lebanon prompted more than 440 000 Syrians living in the country to cross into Syria.60
- 42
Security Council Report, Syria January 2026 Monthly Forecast, 30 December 2025, url
- 43
Council of the EU, Syria: Council statement on the lifting of EU economic sanctions, 20 May 2025, url
- 44
US CRS, Syria: Transition and U.S. Policy, 26 February 2026, url, Sanctions Relief and Remaining Authorities
- 45
SANA, Syria’s Central Bank resumes SWIFT operations after 14-year halt, 21 November 2025, url
- 46
UN Security Council, Resolution 2799 (2025) Adopted by the Security Council at its 10036th meeting, on
6 November 2025, 6 November 2025, url
- 47
Atlantic Council, Syria joining the anti-ISIS coalition is a westward pivot—with opportunities and risks, 21 November 2025, url
- 48
UN Human Rights Council, Report of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic (A/HRC/61-62), 12 March 2026, url, para 22
- 49
Yacoubian, M., Todman, W., The United States Withdraws from Syria | State of Play, CSIS, 20 April 2026, url
- 50
Security Council Report, Syria May 2026 Monthly Forecast, 1 May 2026, url
- 51
UN Human Rights Council, Report of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic (A/HRC/61-62), 12 March 2026, url, paras 13, 82
- 52
UN Human Rights Council, Report of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic (A/HRC/61-62), 12 March 2026, url, paras 13, 82
- 53
BBC News, Thirteen killed in deadliest Israeli raid for months in southern Syria, 28 November 2025, url
- 54
Security Council Report, Syria May 2026 Monthly Forecast, 1 May 2026, url; UN Human Rights Council, Report of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic (A/HRC/61-62), 12 March 2026, url, paras 13, 82; OHCHR, Human rights update on Syria, 28 April 2026, url
- 55
UN Human Rights Council, Report of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic (A/HRC/61-62), 12 March 2026, url, paras 13, 82
- 56
Security Council Report, Syria April 2026 Monthly Forecast, 1 April 2026, url; UN Human Rights Council, Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic, International Human Rights Law and International Humanitarian Law violations committed during the July 2025 violence in Suwayda, Syria, 27 March 2026, url, paras 22, 36, 40
- 57
International Crisis Group, Crisis Watch January 2026, n.d., url; Security Council Report, Syria February 2026 Monthly Forecast, 1 February 2026, url
- 58
International Crisis Group, Crisis Watch January 2026, n.d., url
- 59
Security Council Report, Syria: Briefing and Consultations, 20 April 2026, url
- 60
UNHCR, UNHCR Facilitated Return of Syrian Refugees – Lebanon - 31 May 2026, 8 June 2026, url