4.8. Mobility and admittance

4.8.1. Freedom of movement at country level and in Damascus

Freedom of movement within Syria has improved since the fall of the Assad government1029 and people are generally able to travel between cities such as Damascus, Aleppo, Raqqa, and Hasaka without facing restrictions.1030 The collapse of SDF control in the northeast led to the removal of checkpoints, enabling relatively free movement of goods and people compared with previous years.1031

Geographic disparities in freedom of movement were reported, with the highest levels of movement restrictions perceived by respondents to an UNHCR survey in Sweida (36 %), followed by Tartous (29 %), Latakia (13 %) and Hasaka (11 %). These areas also reported higher perceptions of insecurity, suggesting a link between safety concerns and limitations on freedom of movement.1032 According to UNHCR, checkpoints along key routes between Sweida and Damascus continue to severely restrict movement, with travel largely limited to essential or emergency purposes.1033 Israel’s operations in southern Syria, particularly Quneitra governorate have led to restrictions on the freedom of movement of civilians1034, including preventing returns1035 and access to land and essential services.1036

Major highways remain generally secure during daytime travel, allowing travellers arriving via Damascus International Airport, now also used by UN personnel, to travel onward within government-controlled areas without difficulty, aside from isolated security incidents such as attacks on civilian vehicles reported in summer 2025 on the road between Damascus and Sweida as part of the conflict between Bedouins and Druze.1037 The road leading from Damascus airport to the city is well secured, with the government actively trying to demonstrating its presence and control.1038 According to Haid Haid, travel is generally considered relatively safe in Damascus and surrounding areas, including along routes between Damascus and other cities and towards border crossings.1039

Many residents limited their movement after dark, including in and around Damascus and on main travel routes between Damascus and Dar’a, Sweida and Homs1040 due to security risks1041 such as fear of kidnappings and theft.1042 In Haid Haid’s assessment, although criminal incidents do occur in and around Damascus, they are not considered to be at a level that significantly restricts freedom of movement.1043

Since the fall of the former government, the number of checkpoints on major roads has significantly decreased and routine inspections of IDs, vehicles, and searches are no longer common, although occasional incidents occur due to manpower shortages and command gaps.1044 In areas controlled by the transitional government, internal security forces typically staffed urban checkpoints, while Syrian army soldiers were more common in rural areas, with some checkpoints included mixed personnel. Identification was not always clear due to unclear insignia, and checkpoints were generally located at major junctions, city access roads, main routes, and near government buildings.1045

Checkpoint procedures vary significantly,1046 ranging from minimal oversight as documented by some sources in Latakia and Tartous to extensive inspections elsewhere.1047 Checks could include questioning travellers about the purpose of their journey, identity verification, vehicle searches, and, in some locations, examination of mobile phones or inquiries into religious background. Security forces occasionally fired at vehicles that failed to stop, while particularly strict controls were reported on roads between Dar’a and Sweida and on routes toward northeast Syria.1048 According to International Crisis Group, guards’ behaviour at checkpoints ranged from respectful to, at times, predatory.1049 According to multiple sources, non-Sunni citizens could face humiliating treatment and intrusive questioning at checkpoints.1050 Personnel at checkpoints in Damascus did not systematically request identification from travellers and people do not generally report any issues.1051

Women’s freedom of movement in Syria varies by region: in Damascus, many move independently with precautions, while in smaller towns and rural areas, cultural norms impose stricter limitations on freedom of movement. 1052 In the coastal region, fears of kidnapping have disrupted girls’ education, and in Aleppo, some women cover their hair to avoid harassment, which is primarily reported from armed men or at checkpoints rather than from regular police.1053 Respondents to an UNHCR study1054 focused on IDP returnees and refugee returnees across all Syrian governorates indicated that safety concerns (91 %) were the main factors limiting women and girls’ freedom of movement, followed by harassment and intimidation (16 %), discrimination (7 %), socio-cultural barriers (7 %) and lack of IDs (5 %).1055

Most respondents to the same UNHCR study reported being able to move freely within their area of residence, including 94 % of returnees and 82 % of host community members. The main barriers to movement were due to safety and security concerns, fear of abduction, explosive ordnance, and the presence of armed actors.1056

During the reporting period some border crossings have been either temporarily closed or reopened. The Jdeibet Yabous crossing with Lebanon which was temporarily closed on 5 April as a response to Israel’s warning to evacuate the area was reopened on 9 April.1057 The Yarubiyah (Rabia) border crossing between Syria and Iraq was reopened in April 2026 after more than a decade, with the aim of facilitating oil transportation and trade.1058 The Akcakale crossing between Türkiye and Syria was reopened after 12 years bringing the total number of crossings open between the two countries at 12.1059