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Guterres visits Damascus
UN Secretary-General António Guterres visited Damascus on Saturday, reaffirming the United Nations’ support for Syria’s recovery and reconstruction efforts and stressing respect for Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
“UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres visited the former Sednaya prison north of Damascus on Saturday as part of his landmark trip to Syria, the first by a UN chief to the country since 2009”
Guterres met Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa at the Presidential Palace in the presence of Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani, and the talks focused on expanding cooperation between Syria and the United Nations and supporting early recovery and reconstruction programs.
In the same visit, Guterres toured the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus’ Old City before visiting Sednayah Prison, where he received briefings on the site’s history during the years of conflict.
Speaking at a joint press conference with al-Shaibani, Guterres said the United Nations would continue to stand by the Syrian people during the country’s current transitional phase, and he reiterated that the Golan Heights remain Syrian territory under UN Security Council resolutions.
The visit also included a scheduled stop at positions of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force in the Golan Heights to review the mission’s activities and the security situation in the area.
Sednaya and the “opportunity”
During his tour of Sednaya Prison north of Damascus, Guterres described the facility as a symbol of brutality under the ousted Assad regime, saying, "The Sednaya military prison shows how horrendous the oppression was during the previous Syrian regime."
Yeni Safak English reported that Guterres said one cell held approximately 35 prisoners who were denied adequate food and basic rights, and he added, "It was a permanent torture," during his inspection of the detention camp.
Anadolu Ajansı similarly quoted Guterres on the same conditions inside the prison, including his account that "In this cell about 35 prisoners leave in horrible conditions" with food barely enough for five or six.
Guterres also framed the moment ahead for Syria as a chance to rebuild, writing on X that "Today, Syria is facing a moment of opportunity - not only to recover from conflict, but to lay the foundations for a more stable, inclusive and prosperous future for all."
The tour was conducted alongside Syria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ibrahim Olabi, according to the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA), as Guterres continued his three-day trip that included visits to the Umayyad Mosque and Damascus’ Old City.
Sanctions, Golan, and next steps
At the end of his solidarity visit, Guterres called for lifting all sanctions on Syria, saying, "all these sanctions must be lifted immediately," while also urging sustainable political backing, economic engagement, and practical assistance to help Syria rebuild after years of conflict.
“Syria has ‘moment of opportunity’ to build ‘prosperous future,’ Sednaya shows brutality of Assad’s regime: UN chief ‘The Sednaya military prison shows how horrendous the oppression was during the previous Syrian regime,’ Guterres said as he toured the detention camp Mohammad Sio 26 July 2026•Update: 26 July 2026 ISTANBUL UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Sunday Syria’s notorious Sednaya Prison was a symbol of brutality under the former regime of Bashar al-Assad, saying the country has a “moment of opportunity” to recover from years of conflict and build “a more stable, inclusive and prosperous future for all”
UN News reported that Guterres described the transitional phase as "a rare moment in the life of the people" and an opportunity to open a "new chapter" in which all Syrians can see themselves as part of their homeland’s future.
In parallel, The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette said Guterres criticized Israel’s actions in the country’s south as he kicked off his first visit to Damascus as UN chief since 2009, and it quoted him telling journalists that "what is Syrian is Syrian, and cannot be taken away."
He also renewed condemnation of Israeli violations of the 1974 disengagement agreement, and UN News said he stated, "I strongly condemn Israel's continuing violations of the 1974 disengagement agreement, and that the Golan Heights are indeed Syrian territory."
The sources also tied the visit’s priorities to humanitarian and development needs, with UN News saying the UN stands ready to support efforts to strengthen accountability, transitional justice, human rights, reconciliation, and trust-building among communities.
