Since the fall of President Assad in December 2024, Switzerland has strengthened its engagement in Syria. It supports the political transition, promotes peace, human rights and the rule of law and provides humanitarian aid. The goal is a Syria in which all people can live in security, freedom and dignity.
Switzerland has been following developments closely since the fall of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on 8 December 2024. It supports the Syrian people's endeavours to live in freedom, security and dignity. Switzerland's priorities for its work in Syria are as follows:
Switzerland is actively committed to an inclusive political transition in Syria. This should include all parts of society, protect the human rights of all population groups and pave the way for a secure future that is collectively determined and supported by the entire Syrian people. Respect for the rule of law is central to the protection of fundamental rights.
The containment and prevention of conflicts at local level is another of Switzerland's priorities in Syria. To this end, Switzerland is committed to supporting dialogue to promote cooperation between civil society organisations from different parts of the country and between civil society and the transitional authorities.
Switzerland is committed to ensuring that perpetrators are brought to justice, including for crimes committed after the fall of President Assad. Furthermore, the issue of missing persons is a peace policy focus area. Switzerland is also in favour of initiating a national process on dealing with the past with the participation of all sectors of Syrian society.
The humanitarian situation in Syria remains critical. Switzerland continues to support the needs of the Syrian population across the Syrian territory, including through the Humanitarian Office of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and in close cooperation with international organisations and international non-governmental organisations. It provides support in the areas of education, water and income generation, and in particular for the many internally displaced persons. In the area of migration, Switzerland supports host communities in Syria as well as in the neighbouring countries of Lebanon, Turkey, Jordan and Iraq.
Switzerland is an important donor country in the region and has allocated CHF 60 million a year for humanitarian aid to Syria and neighbouring countries between 2023 and 2025 – one of the largest aid contributions in its history.
There were 71 Swiss nationals living in Syria at the end of 2024.
Relations between Switzerland and Syria developed centuries ago. Indeed, the Silk Road, which passes through Syria, connected Europe with the Near East, Middle East and Far East. In the 19th century, Swiss textile and chemical exports to Syria and textile imports from Syria to Switzerland were the key areas of the countries' bilateral trade relations. Swiss traders established themselves in Aleppo, a trade hub between East and West.
Syria gained independence in 1941, and Switzerland recognised the new republic in 1945. A chancery represented Switzerland in Damascus between 1946 and 1958, followed by a consulate general that became an embassy in 1962.
The Swiss embassy in Damascus was closed in 2012 for security reasons. Switzerland has had a humanitarian presence in Damascus since December 2017, through an office that coordinates Swiss humanitarian activities in Syria. The Swiss ambassador in Beirut, Lebanon, has also been accredited to Syria since 2022.
Last update 13.08.2025
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