2026 in Syria

Events

January

• 3 January –
• *An unidentified missile explodes at Mezzeh Air Base in Mezzeh, Damascus.
• *The United Kingdom and France carry out a joint airstrike on an underground arms cache used by Islamic State north of Palmyra.
• *New banknotes for the Syrian pound to replace those issued during the Assad regime begin circulation.
• 6 January – At least nine people are killed in clashes between the transitional government and the Syrian Democratic Forces in Aleppo. The fighting subsides with the SDF's withdrawal on 11 January.
• 10 January – A drone attack is carried out on the headquarters of the Aleppo Governorate's government in Aleppo city.
• 13 January – The Syrian army declares the towns of Maskana and Dayr Hafir in Aleppo Governorate as closed military zones due to the presence of the SDF.
• 16 January –
• *President Ahmed al-Sharaa issues a decree recognising Syrian Kurds as an essential part of the Syrian people and the country’s diverse national identity. The decree also recognizes Kurdish as a national language and Nowruz as a national holiday.
• *The United States carries out an airstrike in northwestern Syria that kills a senior al-Qaeda militant.
• 17 January – The Syrian army retakes Dayr Hafir following the withdrawal of the SDF.
• 18 January –
• *The Syrian army retakes the Al-Omar field following the withdrawal of the SDF.
• *The transitional government reaches a ceasefire agreement with the SDF, allowing for the government in Damascus to reassert control over Al-Hasakah, Deir ez-Zor and Raqqa Governorates.
• 19 January – Around 120 members of Islamic State held in al-Aqtan prison in Al-Shaddadah escape amid clashes in the town between the Syrian army and the SDF.
• 20 January – The transitional government reaches a new four-day ceasefire agreement with the SDF. The ceasefire is extended for another 15 days on 24 January.
• 21 January –
• *The transitional government takes control of the Al-Hawl refugee camp from the SDF.
• *Seven Syrian army soldiers are killed in a drone strike blamed on the SDF in Al-Hasakah Governorate.
• 30 January –
• *The SDF reaches a comprehensive agreement with the transitional government to be integrated into the Syrian Armed Forces.
• *The Lebanese government approves an agreement allowing for the repatriation of Syrian nationals serving prison sentences in Lebanon.

Holidays

• 1 January – New Year's Day
• 18 March – Syrian Revolution Day
• 20–22 March – Eid al-Fitr
• 21 March – Mother's Day
• 21 March – Newroz
• 5 April – Gregorian Easter
• 12 April – Easter (Eastern Christianity)
• 17 April – Independence Day
• 1 May – Labour Day
• 26-30 May – Eid al-Adha
• 16 June – Islamic New Year
• 25 August – The Prophet's Birthday
• 8 December – Liberation Day
• 25 December – Christmas Day

Deaths

• 11 January – Ahmad Melli, 80, actor.
• 20 January – Rifaat al-Assad, 88, vice president.