Antonio Guterres set to be first UN chief to visit Syria since before 2011 war
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is visiting Syria, marking the first such visit by a UN chief since the start of the 2011 war. The visit follows the 2024 ousting of Bashar al-Assad and aims to support the country's transition toward stability and international reintegration.
Why it matters
This visit signals a significant shift in international relations and the UN's engagement with the new leadership in post-war Syria.
United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will visit Syria on Saturday (July 25, 2026) in the first trip by a serving UN Chief since the start of a nearly 14-year war that killed hundreds of thousands and displaced millions in the country.
The visit represents another milestone for Syria since rebels ousted former leader Bashar al-Assad in late 2024 , ending the war that began in 2011 and launching a transitional period steered by an Islamist-led leadership. At the time, Mr. Guterres described “the end of the Syrian dictatorship” under Mr. Assad as a sign of hope for the region.
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