A historic moment unfolded on Thursday as a United Nations Security Council delegation arrived in Syria, marking the first-ever visit by the Council to the country. The visit comes just days ahead of the anniversary of the ousting of longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad.
According to state news agency SANA, the delegation crossed into Syria via the Jdeidet Yabus border from Lebanon and is scheduled to meet with Syrian officials as well as members of civil society. Their itinerary includes a visit to Damascus’s heavily damaged suburb of Jobar, highlighting the human cost of over a decade of conflict.
The diplomats are expected to meet Syria’s new authorities, including President Ahmed al-Sharaa, and will also visit neighboring Lebanon on Friday and Saturday. This visit follows the recent lifting of UN sanctions against Sharaa, a former jihadist whose forces led the offensive that ultimately ousted Assad on December 8 last year.
The United Nations continues to push for an inclusive transition in Syria, a nation scarred by nearly 14 years of civil war. Slovenian UN Ambassador Samuel Zbogar, speaking at a press conference earlier this week, emphasized the significance of this trip: “The visit to Syria and Lebanon is the first official visit of the Security Council to the Middle East in six years, and the first visit to Syria ever.” Slovenia currently holds the rotating presidency of the UN’s top body.
Zbogar highlighted the timing of the visit, noting its importance for both Syria and Lebanon. He pointed to ongoing efforts towards Syria’s political transition and a year-old ceasefire in Lebanon between Israel and Hezbollah, which continues to face challenges. “This visit is about expressing support and solidarity with both countries, understanding their challenges, and communicating the Security Council’s vision for a stable and inclusive future,” he said.
Despite lingering mistrust between Syria and the UN, the delegation hopes to bridge gaps and convey expectations for inclusivity, counter-terrorism, and regional stability. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’s spokesperson Stephane Dujarric added, “We very much hope that the visit will increase dialogue between the United Nations and Syria.”
For the people of Syria, who have endured years of conflict, this visit is more than a diplomatic milestone—it represents a glimmer of hope for dialogue, understanding, and a path toward rebuilding a nation long defined by turmoil.
