Syria, officially the Syrian Arab Republic, is a country in West Asia, situated in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Levant. It shares borders with Turkey, Iraq, Jordan, Israel, and Lebanon. Damascus is the capital and one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. Syria's terrain includes fertile plains, high mountains, plateaus, and deserts. Arabic is the official language, and the majority of the population is Muslim.
Syria is known for its rich history and cultural heritage, boasting several significant historical and archaeological sites. Key attractions include the ancient city of Aleppo, Palmyra, Krak des Chevaliers, and the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus. However, the Syrian civil war, which began in the early 2010s, has had a devastating impact on the country, causing widespread destruction and a decline in the economy.
Recent developments indicate a complex and evolving political landscape. In early 2026, the Damascus government seized northeast Syria from Kurdish-led forces. A ceasefire and integration agreement was reached between the Syrian Government and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in January 2026, aiming for military and administrative integration of northeast Syria. The US has also launched airstrikes on Islamic State targets within Syria in February 2026. Despite these developments, humanitarian conditions remain severe, with a large portion of the population displaced and in need of assistance.
