UN Chief Guterres Visits Damascus for First Time Since 2009 and Pledges Reconstruction Aid
Guterres Makes First Damascus Visit Since 2009
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres visited Damascus on Saturday, the first such trip by a serving UN chief since 2009. [2] The visit marks a milestone for Syria since rebels ousted President Bashar al-Assad in late 2024, ending the war that began in 2011. [2] Guterres described the end of the Syrian dictatorship under Assad as a sign of hope for the region at the time. [2] In a post on X on Saturday for what he described as a visit of solidarity, Guterres said the United Nations stands with Syria at this pivotal moment. [2]
Pledges of Reconstruction Aid and EU Support
Guterres pledged support for Syria’s reconstruction after the ouster of Bashar al-Assad. [2] Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa received Guterres at the presidential palace in Damascus. [2] Guterres met Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa at the presidential palace and held talks focused on reconstruction, closing displacement camps, and increasing international support, particularly from the EU. [2] Guterres said no country emerges from a very severe conflict and rebuilds itself on its own. [2] We must help Syria in its determination and resolve to do so, Guterres added after the talks with Sharaa at a joint press conference with Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani. [2] Shaibani reiterated Syria’s request for more support from the international community, especially the European Union. [2] He said Guterres’ talks with Sharaa which Shaibani also attended had focused on increasing UN support for reconstruction and a government plan to close displacement camps. [2]
Syrian Demand for Israeli Withdrawal from Golan Buffer Zone
Syria demanded an immediate and unconditional Israeli withdrawal from a UN-patrolled buffer zone in the Golan Heights where Israeli forces advanced in 2024. [2] Guterres called the situation in the Golan Heights totally unacceptable. [2] Guterres also said the situation around Syria’s Golan Heights was unacceptable, as the Syrian foreign minister urged Israeli forces to withdraw from a UN-patrolled buffer zone where they deployed in 2024. [2] What is happening in the region around the Golan Heights is totally unacceptable, Guterres added. [2] Shaibani called for an immediate and unconditional Israeli withdrawal from the area where they had advanced. [2] Damascus has demanded they withdraw and return to a 1974 disengagement agreement. [2]
Syria’s Return to Global Diplomacy
The visit comes weeks after two bombs exploded near a hotel in Damascus where French President Emmanuel Macron stayed, and as Sharaa’s government seeks to rebuild international ties after rebels ousted Assad in late 2024. [2] Sharaa’s government is seeking to rebuild Syria’s international ties and economy after nearly 14 years of war and decades of isolation under the Assad family’s rule. [2] Sharaa, who broke ties with al Qaeda in 2016, led an alliance of rebel factions that ousted Assad in a lightning offensive in December 2024. [2] Since taking power, his government has sought to re-establish Syria’s diplomatic ties to expand beyond Assad’s longtime allies, Russia and Iran. [2] Last year, Sharaa became the first Syrian president since 1967 to take part in the UN General Assembly in New York. [2] The US has lifted most sanctions on Syria, and President Donald Trump informed Sharaa he intends to remove Syria from the list of state sponsors of terrorism. [2]
Netanyahu Prepares for US Visit Amid Iran Tensions
Separately, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will convene his Security Cabinet before a US visit amid reports that Trump has paused further escalation against Iran. [1] CENTCOM confirmed the naval blockade on Iran remains in effect. [4] Trump decides not to escalate Iran conflict as Middle East interceptor stockpile decreases. [4] According to the officials, recent White House discussions have centered on the depletion of the US's interceptor missiles, particularly since three US soldiers were killed in Jordan. [4] CENTCOM confirms naval blockade on Iran still in effect. [4] Israel and the US launched Operations Roaring Lion and Epic Fury on February 28, with the stated aim of creating conditions for regime change. [4] A ceasefire deal was announced on April 7 and went into effect on April 8. [4]
Regional Context and Upcoming UN Activities
Guterres is expected to be in Damascus for several days, but the full schedule of his visit has not been released by his office. [2] Guterres will also meet other government officials and representatives of Syrian civil society and is expected to address the country’s parliament on Monday. [2] He will underline that the country has an opportunity not only to recover from conflict, but also to lay the foundations for a future for Syria that will be more stable, more inclusive, and more prosperous for all Syrians. [2] Guterres is also expected during his trip to visit a UN peacekeeping force that has maintained a buffer zone between Israeli and Syrian forces for decades. [2] Israeli troops have occupied new areas in southern Syria after Assad was ousted. [2]
What to watch next: Netanyahu is set to convene his Security Cabinet before a US visit while the naval blockade on Iran remains in effect, and Guterres is expected to address Syria’s parliament on Monday after meeting civil society representatives.
