Since the uprisings began in March 2011, the U.S. Government has intensely pursued calibrated sanctions to deprive the regime of the resources it needs to continue violence against civilians and to pressure the Syrian regime to end the conflict through a political transition.

Syria remains heavily restricted in 2026 due to ongoing armed conflict, a high threat of terrorism, and political instability. While some countries, like Canada, have recently amended specific sanctions to allow for humanitarian aid flow, the general travel advice from almost all Western governments remains "Avoid All Travel." The country continues to be a theater for military operations involving multiple international and local factions, and there is a severe risk of kidnapping, arbitrary detention, and execution of foreign nationals. Furthermore, the infrastructure is in a state of collapse following years of war and devastating earthquakes, meaning that consular assistance is virtually non-existent. For 2026 travelers, Syria is one of the few places where your standard travel insurance is almost certain to be void, as the security environment is considered too volatile for any form of leisure or non-essential business tourism.