Travel Assistance in Syria

Medical Assistance

Healthcare capability in Syria varies considerably by location and has been significantly affected by the country’s prolonged conflict. Damascus and Aleppo contain the greatest concentration of established medical facilities, while access to specialist treatment can be more limited elsewhere. Latakia and the coastal area have established healthcare facilities, but the availability of specialist treatment can depend on the nature of an incident and current local conditions.

For travellers operating in Deir ez-Zor and eastern Syria, distance, infrastructure and the availability of appropriate specialist care can make medical contingency planning particularly important. Healthcare quality has deteriorated significantly, with facilities damaged or destroyed, shortages of medicines and medical supplies, and particularly limited services in rural areas. It also warns that emergency services have been severely affected and may be unresponsive.

Global Traveller can help identify appropriate medical facilities, coordinate appointments or admissions and arrange ground medical transportation where available. Where specialist treatment is unavailable locally, our Operations Centre can coordinate medical evacuation or repatriation through appropriate specialist providers.

Travel Security & Regional Awareness

Syria requires a substantially different approach to travel risk from most international destinations. The FCDO currently advises against all travel to Syria and states that terrorist attacks are very likely, with multiple terrorist groups operating across the country. Recent attacks have included incidents in central Damascus, including attacks near the Four Seasons hotel and Ministry for Tourism in July 2026. (GOV.UK)

The threat is not confined to Damascus. Security conditions can vary between governorates and areas controlled or influenced by different authorities and armed groups. Kidnapping, violent crime, carjacking and attacks on foreign nationals remain significant considerations. Landmines and unexploded weapons also remain a serious hazard, particularly away from major routes, in rural areas, former conflict lines, abandoned buildings and the Syrian desert.

Road travel is particularly important to assess. Road travel is dangerous in many parts of the country because of poor road maintenance, fragile security, unexploded weapons and high accident rates. Roads can be blocked without warning and checkpoints operate on major routes.

Global Traveller provides location-relevant travel intelligence and human assistance when circumstances change. For complex journeys, secure transportation, local operational support and specialist resources can be coordinated through the wider network.

Executive & Business Travel

Despite the operating challenges, Syria continues to have requirements for international organisations and businesses working across financial services, development, humanitarian activity, infrastructure, energy, telecommunications, professional services and market-entry programmes. Damascus is the principal political, diplomatic and commercial centre.

Aleppo remains important for commercial and industrial activity, while Homs provides a major central connection. Latakia and the coastal region have significance for maritime, logistics and commercial activity. Deir ez-Zor and eastern Syria have particular relevance to energy, infrastructure and development activity, although travel into these areas requires significantly greater consideration of route, security, communications, medical support and contingency arrangements.

Business travel can therefore involve airports, government offices, hotels, commercial facilities, industrial sites, project locations and long-distance road movements. For executives, consultants and project personnel, the journey itself can be as important as the destination. Global Traveller provides eligible executives and business travellers with access to assistance throughout their journey. This can include transportation coordination, medical assistance, local operational support and assistance when circumstances affect planned movements.

For more complex requirements, Stratum Global Risk provides dedicated travel risk management and operational support in Syria, including pre-travel risk assessment, itinerary review, secure ground movement, journey monitoring, medical contingency planning, accommodation and logistics coordination and market-entry support. For organisations requiring a more comprehensive corporate travel risk management capability, see Syria Travel Risk Management & Assistance from Stratum Global Risk.

Complex & Regional Travel

In Syria, the route can be as important as the destination. A movement between Damascus and Homs presents a different set of considerations from a journey towards Aleppo, Latakia or Deir ez-Zor. Travel towards border areas or through locations affected by changing security conditions can introduce additional complexity.

Global Traveller can support eligible members throughout these different stages of a journey. Where road travel is required, appropriate transportation and local resources can be coordinated. Where conditions change, the Operations Centre can help assess whether a journey should continue, be adjusted or require alternative arrangements.

Cross-border considerations can also be important, particularly for organisations operating between Syria, Jordan and Lebanon. For complex movements, Stratum Global Risk can provide more comprehensive journey management, secure transportation, local coordination and contingency planning.

Emergency Travel & Disruption

Travel disruption in Syria can occur with little warning. Fighting, security incidents, road closures, border restrictions, airport disruption, curfews and changing local conditions can all affect planned movements. The FCDO states that fighting has at various times resulted in temporary suspension of commercial flights, road closures and closure of border crossings. It currently notes that Damascus and Aleppo airports are operating with some international flights, while other airports remain closed. (GOV.UK)

Global Traveller provides members with a single point of contact when circumstances change. Our Operations Centre can assess the situation and coordinate appropriate transportation, medical, security, aviation or local support where available. Where an incident requires a more substantial response, specialist resources can be activated through the wider Global Traveller network.

Medical Evacuation & Repatriation

Where appropriate specialist treatment is unavailable locally, Global Traveller can coordinate medical evacuation, repatriation or onward movement where appropriate resources are available. This may involve ground transportation to an appropriate medical facility, movement from a remote or regional location towards Damascus or another suitable centre, specialist aviation or international repatriation depending on the circumstances.

For travellers in locations such as Deir ez-Zor or other areas distant from established specialist medical centres, the ability to assess onward movement options can be particularly important. The response is coordinated according to the traveller’s medical needs, location and available treatment options. Third-party medical, transportation and evacuation costs are separate from Global Traveller membership unless otherwise agreed.

More Than an App

The Global Traveller app provides destination information, travel intelligence, alerts, itinerary features and direct access to assistance. For a country where conditions can differ substantially between Damascus, Aleppo, Latakia, Deir ez-Zor and other areas, location-relevant information can be particularly important.

When an incident requires more than information, eligible members can contact the 24/7 Operations Centre directly. The app keeps travellers informed and connected. The Operations Centre provides the human assistance behind the membership.

Why Global Traveller?

24/7 Human Assistance

Direct access to an experienced Operations Centre when something goes wrong or circumstances change.

Global Provider Network

Access to more than 12,000 vetted medical, security, transportation, aviation and logistics providers worldwide.

Regional Capability

English and Arabic operational support from our Jordan-based Operations Centre, supported by an international provider network and regional operational resources.

Practical Coordination

We help identify and coordinate the appropriate resources rather than simply providing information or referring members elsewhere.