beirut to syria tour

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Two-day Trip to Damascus from Beirut 2024: An Unforgettable Trip that Fits your Budget.

Two-day Trip to Damascus from Beirut: Discover the real Damascus on a short trip from Beirut. Experience the authentic flavors of Damascus and its surroundings, immerse yourself in the vibrant culture and heritage, and enjoy the warm hospitality of the Syrian people. This unforgettable experience will leave you longing for a longer journey to explore more of Syria’s wonders.

Damascus Discovery : Two-day trip to uncover Syria’s historic capital.

Day 01: beirut – damascus city tour.

• Begin your journey from Beirut, Lebanon, with a convenient pick-up from your city center accommodation.
• Take a break at a street café for refreshments before reaching the Lebanese-Syrian border crossing.
• Continue your travel to the capital city of Damascus , Syria, renowned for its diverse religious, ethnic, and cultural heritage.
• Your drop-off point will be Bab Touma, the north-eastern gate associated with the old city’s Christian neighbourhood.
• Stroll along the ancient roadway to a boutique hotel located in the heart of old Damascus to have a short break and meet your guide to start your city tour of Damascus.
• Experience the spiritual significance of the Chapel of St. Ananias, an ancient church that embodies the essence of early Christianity.
• Take a stroll along the historic Straight Street, a captivating thoroughfare adorned with shops, cafes, and bustling markets.
• Be awe-inspired by the splendour of Azem Palace, an architectural gem that showcases the exquisite beauty of Damascene craftsmanship, currently houses the Museum of Popular Traditions.
• Embark on an exploration of Khan Assad Pasha, an impressive caravanserai that stands as a testament to the region’s rich trading heritage.
• Enjoy a stroll through the narrow alleys, leading you to the Umayyad Mosque. This iconic landmark is a significant cultural and spiritual center, housing the Shrine of John the Baptist.
• Immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of Souq al-Hamidiyeh, an ancient covered bazaar and bustling marketplace where the local culture thrives.
• Take a well-deserved rest at the historic Al Noufarah coffeehouse, where you can savour the flavors of coffee and tea while observing the vibrant Damascene life unfolding around you.
• Witness the religious diversity of Syria by visiting the Al-Seida Raqiyeh Mosque an important Shia pilgrimage site.
• Enjoy a stroll along the ancient roadway to your accommodation for overnight stay.

Day 02: Damascus – Beirut

• Free day to explore city at your own pace. Visit local markets beyond the popular Souq al-Hamidiyeh, and stumble upon charming cafes or traditional workshops tucked away in the city’s winding alleys.
• Immerse yourself in the enchanting world of a traditional public bathhouse, known as a Hammam, in the historic city of Damascus. Indulge in the rejuvenating rituals and immerse yourself in the cultural significance of this timeless bathing tradition.
• Alternatively, embark on a day excursion from Damascus to make the most of your time and discover the hidden gems of Syria.
• In the afternoon, travel back to your accommodation in Beirut.
• Private round-trip transfer.
• Syrian Land border security clearance.
• Syrian tourist visa reference code ( Entry visa approval ).
• Overnight at an old town boutique hotel, including breakfast.
• Professional English-speaking guide during the city tour.
• Entrance fees.
• Portage at the hotel.
• Syrian land border exit tax to Lebanon.
• Entry visa fees to Syria.
• Any meals and drinks.
• Any tipping.
• Insurance of any kind.

Rate per person in single room, valid till end of Sep 2024, on the basis of:

Rate per person in sharing twin/dbl, valid till end of sep 2024, on the basis of:, ************************, damascus delights:   two-day trip to uncover syria’s historic and cultural capital., day 01: beirut – damascus city tour.

• Continue your travel to the capital city of Damascus, Syria, renowned for its diverse religious, ethnic, and cultural heritage.

Day 02:   Damascus City Tour – Beirut

• Take a stroll through the winding alleys leading to the Jewish Quarter (Harat al-Yahud) in old Damascus. This neighborhood has a rich Jewish history, with synagogues, shops, and homes that were integral to the city’s social and cultural fabric. The Jewish population in Damascus has declined over time, with many leaving Syria.
• Visit the art gallery of Mustafa Ali, an esteemed sculptor renowned in Syria. Ali’s works are characterized by their elegance and monumental nature, provoking deep contemplation on the fragility of humanity. His sculptures have the power to penetrate the consciousness of viewers, leaving a lasting impact.
• Wander towards Maktab Anbar, an architectural gem nestled within the historic precincts of Damascus. Built in the mid-19th century by Anbar Anbar, a wealthy Jewish businessman, it showcases Damascene architectural style with ornate embellishments, stonework, and a charming courtyard that reflects a blend of Ottoman, Levantine, and European influences.
• Visit Beit al-Aqad, a meticulously restored Damascene house located in the old town of historic Damascus. It was originally owned by a prosperous family of textile merchants. Today, Beit al-Aqad serves as the home of the Danish Institute, which was established in 2000 with a primary focus on the study of Arab and Islamic culture.
• Syria Land border security clearance.
• Syrian tourist visa reference code (Entry visa approval).
• Professional English-speaking guide during two-day city tour.

Rate per person in sharing  twin/DBL, valid till end of Sep 2024, on the basis of:

Damascus spirituality: two-day trip to uncover syria’s historic and religious capital and surrounding regions., day 02: damascus – sayyidah zaynab – bab al-saghir – beirut.

• Embark on a captivating journey to visit to Sayyidah Zaynab, a significant pilgrimage site located in the southern outskirts of Damascus. This revered shrine is dedicated to Sayyidah Zaynab, the granddaughter of the Prophet Muhammad. Immerse yourself in the spiritual ambiance as you explore the intricate architecture and soak in the serene atmosphere of this sacred place. Witness the devotion of pilgrims who flock here to pay their respects and seek blessings.
• Continuing your journey, you’ll make your way to Bab al-Saghir, an ancient cemetery located within the walls of Old Damascus. This historic burial ground holds great significance as the resting place of numerous revered figures from Islamic history. Stroll through the hallowed grounds adorned with beautifully crafted tombstones and mausoleums. Discover the final resting places of prominent scholars and members of the Prophet Muhammad’s family, including some of the Prophet’s companions. Experience a profound sense of reverence as you reflect on the legacies left behind by these esteemed individuals.
• Having immersed yourself in the spiritual and historical richness of Sayyidah Zaynab and Bab al-Saghir, you’ll return to Damascus. As you journey back, take with you the memories of the sacred spaces you explored and the profound spiritual connections you forged. Reflect on the significance of these sites and the cultural heritage they represent, adding depth to your understanding of Syria’s diverse history and religious traditions.
• Professional English-speaking guide during two-day visits.

Rate per person in sharing Twin/DBL, valid till end of Sep 2024, on the basis of:

Book your trip today.

Don’t just read about it, experience it! Book your two-day trips to Damascus from Beirut and unveil the enchanting secrets of the captivating city of Damascus. Immerse yourself in its rich history, embrace the vibrant present, and indulge in the culinary delights that await you.

• E-Mail:  [email protected]
• WhatsApp: +963 94 435 15 98

You can learn more about:

• Visa Guide to Syria in 2024
• Travel Guide to Syria 2024
• Travel to Syria 2024: Your Questions Answered
• Reasons to Travel to Syria Beyond the Headlines
• Tours to Syria

Visa Guide to Syria in 2024: Simple Tourist Visa Process.

Day Trip to Damascus from Beirut 2024: A Memorable Experience with Affordable Budget.

Day Trips from Damascus 2024: Beyond Damascus Exploration.

Two Day Trips from Damascus 2024: Uncover Syria’s Hidden Treasures.

Travel Guide to Syria 2024: Vital Information and Insider Tips.

Travel to Syria 2024: Your Questions Answered.

Can Americans Travel to Syria in 2024?

Travel Influencers are welcome to Syria 2024.

Reasons to Travel to Syria Beyond the Headlines.

Cooking Experience in Damascus 2024, Unforgettable and Delicious Dishes.

Traditional Public Bathhouse in Damascus.

Handicraft Heritage of Syria.

Syrian Cuisine: Unique Culinary Adventure.

Enchanting Musical Performance in Damascus.

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Young Pioneer Tours

Group and Private Syria Tours 2024 – 2025

Young Pioneer Tours are pleased at announce our Syria Tours program for 2024 and 2025. That includes group tours and independent packages to the Syrian Arab Republic.

Back in 2017, we were one of the first travel agencies to offer Syrian packages after the war. We have now returned with a full program after the COVID-19 pandemic.

NOTE – Although the Gaza conflict is ongoing, this does not affect our tours to Syria. However, our staff on the ground is constantly monitoring the situation and we may change itineraries for safety reason if the situation were to escalate in the country.

Group Tours to Syria 2024 and 2025

Here are our upcoming group tours to Syria. Unless stated, they all start and finish in Beirut, Lebanon.

Syria Revolutionary Tour – May 2nd – 9th 2024 – $1595

This Syria tour can also be combined with our Lebanon Revolutionary Tour which directly precedes it.

Syria Marmarita Carnival Tour – August 12th – August 19th 2024 – $1595

Marmarita Carnival is one of the largest celebrations held in the country! Syrian Christians gather on the streets of Marmarita, known as the “Valley of Christians”, to dress up in bizarre, crazy and hilarious costumes and dance, drink and party!

Syria Autumn Tour – September 1st – September 8th 2024 – $1595

Our first tour after the summer. This trip has us going to all the main site including Aleppo, Palmyra and Busra. This tour can also be combined with our Ultimate Lebanon Tour .

Syria September Tour – September 13th – September 20th 2024 – $1595

The second of our back-to-back Syrian tours in September, with this one also linking up with Lebanon.

Every facet of the Syria visa process is taken care of by YPT – no need to send your passport away anywhere. You can read more about it here .

Christmas in Syria Tour – December 23rd – December 26th 2024 – $895

Looking for somewhere unique to spend your Christmas this year? Join us in Syria and create your unique Christmas tale for your family and friends back home. We’ve designed this tour to be short, sweet… and easy on the wallet after those hefty Christmas expenses!

Syria Spring Tour – February 20th – 27th 2025 – $1595

This tour can be combined with our Lebanon Spring Tour which directly precedes it. Make the most of your Middle East experience and continue your adventure on our  Iran Revolutionary tour .

Independent tours to Syria

In case our group tour dates do not fit your schedule, if you would like to travel alone, or if you would like a bespoke Syria itinerary, then Young Pioneer Tours can help arrange the perfect Syria tour for you. Prices depend on the number of people and the level of accommodation you require, but YPT can arrange everything you wish for an independent tour to Syria.

Independent Syria tours can start in Beirut (Lebanon) or Amman (Jordan), or internally from Damascus and Aleppo via Syrian Airways.

Independent Syria Tour examples

We do not list all of our bespoke Syrian tour itineraries, but we can offer some examples, such as the following;

• Explore Syria Independent Tour  – Our standard independent tour to Syria that takes you to all of the main sites of Syria. This tour can be extended or shortened in accordance to your needs.
• Cultural Syria Tours  – While all of our tours to Syria have a cultural element, we can also plan things around certain elements of particular interest, be it religion, archeology or anthropology for example.
• Weekend Holidays to Syria – We can arrange very short getaways to Syria, which can be done over a weekend that focus on Damascus and Aleppo..
• Aviation tours to Syria  – With Syrian Air and Cham Wings Air both being airlines active in Syria, we can arrange your aviation tour. For more information on our Syrian Aviation tours, please get in touch.
• Beach tours to Syria – Syria is no Ibiza, but it is secular and has beaches. It is possible to have an all out beach tour in Syria particularly in the summer months when people are partying, or it can merely be added as an extra day for independent tours to Syria.
• Tours to Rojava – YPT can now offer travel packages to Rojava for both journalists and independent special interest tours. These require a different visa to mainland government controlled Syria. Please contact us for more details about travel to Rojava.

Lebanon Tours

Since most of our Syrian group tours begin and finish in Beirut, this gives you the best opportunity to combine with our Lebanon tours. Our Lebanon tours can be done as part of a Syria tour, as part of a group tour, individually, or as a standalone tour independent of our group tours to Syria.

Syria Tours FAQ

Below are what we are frequently asked about Syria for those interested in traveling to the country. We feel that we answered pretty much everything you might need to know before you go to Syria, but please feel free to get in touch about your Syria tour, or to ask any additional questions.

How to get a Syrian Visa

Syrian covid-19 restrictions, is it safe to travel to syria, is it ethical to travel to syria, when is the best time to visit syria, how do you travel to syria, what currency should i bring to syria, are there atms in syria, how big are your tour group sizes in syria, what is the food like in syria what if i’m vegetarian or vegan, what should i wear in syria, is there alcohol in syria, should you tip in syria, can you talk about politics in syria, are there age caps on your tours of syria.

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After coming out of almost a decade of war and conflict, Syria is now ready to welcome tourists again. As the first guides to take groups to Syria (yes, really, despite other claims, we were the first to take group tours to Syria after the major part of the Syrian conflict had ended!), and the guides who have been to Syria the most times, no one else is better placed to show you everything this amazing country has to offer.

There has never been a better time to see some of the world’s most amazing sites, such as Palmyra, Krak de Chavilier  and Aleppo Citadel, while also helping support the reconstruction of this beautiful country and help Syrians get back to their day to day lives.

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Syria – 3 days tour

3 days tour – damascus.

Is a visit to Damascus high on your travel list but you’re short on time? During this tour you will make a lightning visit to Damascus. You can do the trip from Jordan or Lebanon. We will provide you with a good, reliable guide who will make sure your visit will go smoothly.

General info

Day 1 – Beirut (Lebanon) – Damascus

• You will be picked up at a central point in Beirut for the journey to Damascus.
• Lebanon/Syria border crossing.
• Drive to Damascus, the capital of Syria.
• If there is time, we will explore the city in the evening.
• Overnight stay in Damascus.

Day 2 – Damascus

• Visit to the National Museum, the best introduction for a trip through Syria.
• Süleymaniye Mosque, one of the most impressive mosques in Damascus.
• Highlight : We’ll walk towards the old town, to the famous Al Hamidieh Grand Bazaar (also known as the Al-Hamidiyah Souk). The perfect place to get acquainted with daily life in Damascus.
• At the end of the bazaar is the Mausoleum of Saladine. Saladine was the founder of the medieval Ayyubid dynasty.
• The Great Mosque, also known as the Omajaden Mosque.
• Highlight : We visit the Azm Palace, an 18th century palace located in the old centre of the city.
• Via Straight Street (yes, it’s really a street name) we walk to the House Chapel of Ananias. He was one of the first Christians.

Day 3 – Damascus – Beirut (Lebanon)

• Morning walk around Damascus.
• Drive to the border with Lebanon.
• Border crossing Syria / Lebanon.
• Drive to Beirut.
• End of tour.

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SYRIA FEBRUARY 8-DAY BUDGET TOUR

25 feb - 3 mar 2024, capacity: 4-5 people, guaranteed departure.

Join our immersive February 8-day journey through Syria’s historical wonders. Commence with a scenic drive from Beirut to Damascus, exploring ancient city quarters, vibrant food streets, and lively nightlife. Venture north to Maaloula, Homs, and Aleppo, discovering cultural treasures. Bid farewell to Aleppo and proceed to Hama and the awe-inspiring Krak des Chevaliers. Explore Palmyra’s ruins and conclude with visits to Damascus landmarks and handicraft workshops. Day 8 includes exploring Bosra’s Roman amphitheater before departing for Beirut, encapsulating Syria’s rich history and cultural heritage.

Join similar tours

• Enjoy a convenient pick-up from Beirut to Damascus.
• Embark on a scenic drive with a 3 to 4-hour border crossing.
• Check into your Damascus hotel.
• Take a brief break before a walking tour of the ancient city.
• Discover the Christian and Jewish quarters, Ananias Chapel, and Damascene houses.
• Experience the vibrant food street in the evening.
• Visit Nofara, Syria’s oldest functioning café.
• Enjoy Damascus’ nightlife: concerts, bars, traditional cafes, and a traditional bath.
• Start the day with a local breakfast.
• Explore the modern side at the National Museum.
• Witness attractions like the 100-year-old Hijaz railway station.
• Visit iconic landmarks: Umayyad Mosque and Al-Hamidiyah Souq.
• Indulge in a lunch sampling local cuisine.
• The afternoon includes exploring ancient houses, caravanserais, and souks.
• Conclude the day with a sunset view from a rooftop vantage point.
• Begin northbound journey from Damascus to Maaloula
• Enjoy the scenery of houses intricately carved into mountainside.
• Listen to prayers in Aramaic, Jesus Christ's language.
• Witness Safir Hotel, once Nusra Front headquarters.
• Continue to Homs, Syria’s third-largest city, hub for oil and gas production.
• Visit Khalid ibn al-Walid Mosque and Church of Virgin Mary's Holy Belt
• Walk through picturesque old market.
• Conclude the day by reaching Aleppo, where you will spend two nights.
• Visit the Citadel of Aleppo.
• Stroll through the ancient city alleys.
• Explore an 800-year-old soap factory.
• Visit Aleppo souks and Aleppo Museum.
• Witness the oldest functioning hotel in Syria and a 14th-century neighborhood.
• Meet locals with inspiring stories.
• Conclude the day with a panoramic view of the city and its citadel.
• Bid farewell to Aleppo.
• Continue the journey to Hama, renowned as the city of waterwheels, offering a close-up view of these famous landmarks.
• Venture to the awe-inspiring Krak des Chevaliers, a remarkably well-preserved crusader castle in the picturesque Valley of the Christians.
• Conclude the day’s adventures with a retreat to the tranquil village of Mishtaya.
• Enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of the nearby Christian village of Marmarita during your overnight stay.
• Explore Palmyra, often referred to as the pearl of the semi-desert.
• Discover ancient ruins, including the iconic Temple of Bel and the majestic Arch of Triumph.
• Gain insight into Palmyra’s history, from its 1st-century AD rise to the tragic 2015 destruction.
• Enjoy a scenic three-hour drive and visit a traditional Bedouin tent for a rejuvenating break and delightful lunch.
• Return to Damascus for an overnight stay, reflecting on enchanting memories made during your journey.
• Visits to the lavishly decorated Sayyida Ruqiyah shrine, adorned with intricate glass mosaics and Kashani motifs.
• Explore handicraft workshops where skilled artisans create swords, copper pieces, and mosaics.
• Utilize free time on your final day to explore Damascus or engage in last-minute shopping.

Explore Syria's history with a scenic drive through Horan's fertile plain, Bosra's Roman amphitheater, and black basalt temples. Conclude the journey departing for Beirut or Amman.

• A two-hour drive through the fertile Horan plain, enjoying breathtaking views of ruins and monuments.
• Explore the well-preserved Roman amphitheater in Bosra and indulge in a delightful picnic amid its historic surroundings.
• Discover temples, churches, and mosques crafted from black basalt stones, appreciating the architectural grandeur of the Roman amphitheater.
• Depart for Beirut, concluding your enriching journey through the historical wonders of Syria.
• Two-Way Transfer (From & to Beirut)
• Accommodation (Twin Rooms)
• Meals (Breakfast only)
• Transportation (Airconditioned Bus)
• English-Speaking Guide
• Sightseeing & Tours
• Fluent Knowledgeable Guide
• Visa Assistance
• Flight Tickets
• Personal Expenses

Is it safe to travel to Syria?

Yes, Syria is generally safe to visit, except for certain parts in the northwest region. The main cities and popular tourist attractions are considered safe and can be visited. Additionally, to ensure your safety, our guide will accompany you throughout your trip, prioritizing your well-being.

How can I obtain a visa for Syria?

Please note that a security clearance is currently required for obtaining a visa upon arrival in Syria. The clearance process takes approximately 1-2 weeks. To proceed with issuing your security clearance, please provide a photocopy of your passport(s).

How long does it take to get a visa to Syria?

The visa processing time for Syria is typically 2 to 7 days. However, please note that for American citizens, it may take up to 20 days.

What is the currency exchange rate in Syria?

Currency exchange rates in Syria can fluctuate. It is recommended to check on the internet before your tour.

Any dress code for women in mosques and churches?

In general, mosques and churches in Syria provide special attire for visitors, particularly for women, to ensure adherence to the appropriate dress code.

What are the best places to buy souvenirs in Syria?

Souvenirs can be found in local markets and bazaars across Syria, such as the Souq Al-Hamidiyah in Damascus and the Souq Al-Madina in Aleppo. These markets offer a wide range of traditional crafts and souvenirs.

What vaccinations do I need to travel to Syria?

No specific vaccinations are required.

Can I use credit cards in Syria?

Credit cards are not working in Syria because of US sanctions. So, it is better to carry cash in the local currency.

Any vegetarian or vegan options available in Syrian restaurants?

Syrian cuisine heavily features meat and dairy products, but there are vegetarian and vegan options available. Dishes like falafel, hummus, tabbouleh, and stuffed grape leaves (Warak Enab) are popular vegetarian choices.

In which cases can’t I visit Syria?

If you have visited Israel or if you have a stamp of Sharm El-Sheikh or Aqaba

BOOK YOUR TRIP TODAY!

Book your Syria tour today and set the stage for an adventure of a lifetime! Secure your spot now to explore captivating destinations, create lasting memories

Have any questions? Contact us!

+963-968-55-2040, [email protected].

Crossing the Lebanon – Syria Border from Beirut to Damascus.

• By Sarah Steiner
• Updated On April 15, 2024

There are many misconceptions about travel in Syria and about crossing the Lebanon Syria border. And even about entering Syria as a country!

Syria used to be one of the most popular destinations in the Middle East. And finally, it is beginning to open up for travellers again.

We had an amazing time in Syria including a smooth and straightforward border crossing traveling from Beirut to Damascus. 

The following is our report on crossing the border from Beirut, Lebanon to Damascus, Syria.

We hope this will give you everything you need to know to make your Lebanon – Syria border crossing just as smooth.

• About the Lebanon Syria border crossing
• Crossing independently vs. tour
• Visas for Syria
• Visa fees for Syria
• Documents required
• Getting from Beirut to the border
• Getting from the border to Damascus
• A few tips for the Beirut – Damascus border crossing

About the Beirut – Damascus border crossing (and options for making your Lebanon to Syria border crossing)

Lebanon’s capital city of Beirut is only 115km from Damascus and the journey takes around 3 to 4 hours.

We left mid-morning from our hotel in Beirut and were out exploring Damascus city in time for a late lunch.

How do you get a tourist visa for Syria? 

This is the first question we asked when looking to plan travel to Syria post-pandemic.  

You have two options for obtaining a Syrian visa. You can get a visa at your nearest Syrian embassy or you can get a visa at the border.

However, in order to get a Syrian visa at the border you need pre-authorisation (a special security clearance) arranged through a travel agency in Syria.

This is the option we went with.  It was very straightforward and the travel agency provided us with pre-authorisation (security clearance) in less than 10 working days.  

The security clearance cost $25 USD per person paid through the travel agency. 

We then took the security clearance with us to the border and purchased a visa for Syria at the border. 

Crossing the border independently vs. on tour

If you choose to book a private tour or visas and transport through an agency (this is what we did) all the logistics and finer details will be taken care of by the travel agency. (And spoiler alert; we had a great travel agency which we can highly recommend).

It is possible to get a shared taxi to the border and cross and get a shared taxi to Damascus.

However be sure to check the restrictions of actually entering Syria without a tour organised or transport pre-arranged and confirmed by a registered tour guide/agency in Syria.

We were not able to enter independently at the time we crossed the Lebanon-Syria border and so enlisted the support of a travel agency (who handled the pre-authorisation and one phone call at the border to confirm/translate a last few questions on entry). 

Visa fees at the Lebanon Syria border to enter Syria:

In 2024 these are the latest visa fees at the Lebanon Syria border crossing:

• New Zealand and Australia is 130 USD
• European passport 50 – 100 USD 
• USA 160 USD

Note it is not possible to get a visa for Syria at the Lebanon Syria border without pre-arranged security clearance. 

• Tip: You cannot enter Syria (or Lebanon) with a stamp from Israel in your passport.

They are very thorough in checking and will also check your passport for an exit-only stamp from Jordan. You will be refused entry.

What do you need to prepare in advance? 

In order to get a Syria visa at the Beirut – Damascus border crossing you need to have arranged pre-authorisation (security clearance) in advance through a travel agency in Syria. 

What do you need to take with you to cross the Beirut – Damascus border? 

• Printed confirmation of security clearance  
• Copy of your passport
• USD to purchase visa 

Actually there is a small booth just to the right of the Lebanon departure border (look to your right just before the main drive-through checkpoint to leave Lebanon).

In this office they are able to photocopy your passport if needed.

We already had a copy of our passports on us as instructed by the travel agency and didn’t realise in time this was not in fact the departure border; so they copied all four passports for $1 USD (a very friendly officer!).

If you have a driver to take you to your hotel in Damascus I suggest carrying USD with you for your stay in Syria (in large and small denominations) and wait to change to SYP once in Damascus.

You will be approached to change money at the border.

Getting from the Lebanon Syria border to Damascus

It takes about 45 minutes to get from the Lebanon Syria border crossing to Damascus.

However, there are many military checkpoints between the border and the city which can take more time.

Crossing times on each side

• Getting to the border from Beirut on the Lebanese side takes around 1.5 hours.
• Getting to the border from Damascus on the Syrian side takes around 45 minutes.

A note for the return journey

You do need to keep some Syrian Pounds for the return journey. There is currently a 7000 SYP exit tax as you leave Syria crossing back overland in the other direction to Beirut.

Crossing the Lebanon to Syria border

So, there you have it! That is our complete guide on crossing the border from Lebanon to Syria using the Beirut – Damascus border crossing.

We will have more travel guides on Damascus, Maaloula and Sebnaya to come!

There is a lot to see in Syria and we had an amazing time. But don’t forget this incredible country has been through a lot and it isn’t all cheery and touristy.

Bear this in mind and enjoy your travel in Syria.

Which tour company do we recommend for travel in Syria and Crossing the Lebanon Syria border?

We had a fantastic experience with Yasser from Nawafir Tours in Damascus. And we can highly recommend his friendly and responsive communication.

We met with Yasser at our hotel in Damascus and felt very lucky to have connected with such a great local tour company!

• Yasser Zied Nawafir Travel and Tours (Nawafir Al Dawlyeh) 24 Al – Rawda Street, Damascus Phone: +963 11 335 0151 Email: [email protected]

And let Yasser know you found him through that NZ traveling family! He will be sure to look after you very well.

Where we stayed in Beirut before crossing the border

• Beirut: Mayflower Hotel We had a good few nights stay at the Mayflower Hotel in Beirut before getting a taxi across the Lebanon Syria border. It is located in Hamra and only 2 minutes walk from the bustling Hamra Street which is well known for shopping and is an easy place to exchange money in Beirut. (At a good/blackmarket rate!). Breakfast is included. And plenty of restaurants within a 3-5 minute walking radius.
• Beirut: Embassy Hotel We also stayed a couple of nights around the corner at Embassy Hotel. A basic but friendly hotel (welcoming even when we checked in after midnight!). Directly across the road from several restaurants. Very basic breakfast included (wouldn’t rate it for the breakfast). But for a night or two before crossing the border to Syria this was a reasonably priced hotel in Beirut.

More about travel planning for Syria and beyond…

These are the companies we use while traveling fulltime as a family and that we would recommend to anyone planning and booking travel. 

• Booking.com  – The best all-around accommodation booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation and it’s easy to filter and sort into price and availability with all the extras you are looking for personally. (We love the flexible cancellation policy!). 
• Hostelworld – The largest inventory of hostel accommodation in the world. 
• Skyscanner   – This is by far our favourite flight search engine. They are able to search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites often miss. We book all our flights through Skyscanner.  
• GetYourGuide – Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions offered all around the world including everything from walking tours, to street-food tours, cooking classes, desert safari’s and more!
• SafetyWing  – A global travel insurance that covers people from all over the world while outside their home country. You can buy it short or longterm; and even if you are out of the country. 
• World Nomads   – Travel insurance tailored for longterm travel and nomads (including those who have already left home). 

Read more about travel in the Middle East 

• Saudi Arabia Travel Guide: Everything you need to know about visiting KSA.
• Jordan Travel Guide: Read all about magical Jordan.
• Visiting Umm Qais in Jordan
• Crossing overland from Israel to Jordan (and the worst noise ever).
• UAE with kids: Three Emirates in three days.
• Quick tips for visiting the Sheik Al Zayed Mosque in Abu Dhabi with kids.

Wondering about itineraries?  Questions about schooling?  See our Family Travel Guides and FAQ here . 

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3 thoughts on “Crossing the Lebanon – Syria Border from Beirut to Damascus.”

Can you tell me the agency that you used for visa and transportation?

Hi Pier I have added the details to the blog. We had a great experience with Yasser! Highly recommend.

hi… I’m looking to do a big tour around Arabia. I would really like to cross from Amman to Beirut through Syria for a bit.

I’ve been told recently that it was required to be in a tour group and pay stupid fees to visit for a few days.

Your post defies that information and I am wondering… do you think things have changed in the past year? is it because you did this specifically from Lebanon? like this is very much against all information I’ve received and would love to visit Syria and Lebanon but at the moment with the info I have it seems impossible (without serious bank to join a “tour”).

cheers [email protected] my email for response. please respond.

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Syria Expedition just before summer

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Let’s take advantage of the pleasant Mediterranean weather before and come to Syria before the beginning of summer.

From exploring the narrow alleys of the old city of Damascus and Aleppo to discovering ancient Medieval castles, remote monasteries, and Roman sites, Syria is one of the richest countries in terms of history.

In this EXPEDITION , we always explore Syria’s most precious sites, but the trip will also focus heavily on Syria’s most human side.

This means that we will interact and get to know kind-hearted Syrians, while witnessing their struggle and desire to return to normality, making it a unique expedition into Syria.

June 17th to 24th, 2023

Lead by Oriol Lopez

Not a big fan of groups?

No problem, we can also organize any sort of private, tailored adventure for you. Just tell us your dates and the number of people, and we will take care of the rest.

travelers who joined us say

Note that we always keep the itinerary flexible, and it may be subject to change, depending on the political situation.

Day 1 – Arrival in Damascus (from Beirut) Day 2 – Damascus Old City Day 3 – Maaloula & Mar Musa (overnight in Aleppo) Day 4 – Full day in Aleppo Day 5 – Hama & Krak de Chevaliers (overnight in al Mishtaya) Day 6 – Palmyra & Homs (overnight in Damascus) Day 7 – Day trip to Bosra Day 8 – New Damascus and departure

Remember that we also have one upcoming expedition to Iraq:

Oct 29th to Nov 5th, 2023

Day 1 – Beirut and Damascus

The tour will start at 8am in Beirut , the capital of Lebanon , from where we will drive towards the Syrian border and Damascus.

The whole journey takes around 3-4 hours, with border crossing included.

Once in Damascus, we will check in at our hotel, followed by a traditional lunch and a stroll around the old city.

Nightlife in Damascus is particularly vibrant, especially in the Christian district during the weekend, an area filled with bars and restaurants, where we can all go for dinner and a few drinks.

Day 2 – Full day in Damascus

With more than 5000 years of history, Damascus might easily be the oldest capital in the world, a city absolutely packed with historical sites, as well as lively souks and bazaars.

We will spend the entire day exploring the city’s most well-kept secrets, as well as landmarks such as the Umayyad Mosque (where Yahya is buried, John the Baptist for Christians) and Sayyidah Ruqayya Mosque, one of the most important shrines for Shia people.

As always, we will be visiting the city at our own pace, with plenty of time for photography and local interactions.

Overnight in Damascus.

Day 3 – Maaloula and Mar Musa (overnight in Aleppo)

On day 3, we will drive towards Aleppo, first stopping in Maaloula, one of the most important Christian towns in the Middle East , and one of the very few places in the world where people still speak Aramaic, the language of Jesus.

Once occupied by Al-Nusra, Maaloula was largely destroyed due to the recent war, but its most important churches and monasteries have been rebuilt, and we will visit two of them, where we might get the chance to meet nuns who were kidnapped and held as hostages for three months.

After Maaloula, we will also stop in Mar Musa, a mindblowing, skyscraper-shaped, 6th-century monastery raised in the middle of rocky mountains.

We should arrive in Aleppo in the evening. Free time for dinner and drinks.

Overnight in Aleppo.

Day 4 – Full day in Aleppo

Once the most populated city in Syria, and one of the most prominent cities in the Middle East , Aleppo was one of the most affected cities by the Syrian war.

Life, however, is coming back to Aleppo, visible in the ongoing reconstruction and all the people who are slowly returning to their beautiful home city.

During our visit, we will visit the Citadel of Aleppo – the last Syrian Army stronghold – as well as the historical souk and vibrant Christian district, which remained pretty untouched by the war, and is today filled with absolutely delicious restaurants serving Lebanese wine.

Day 5 – Hama & Krak des Chevaliers

Aleppo to Krak de Chevaliers is a 4-hour ride, so we will break the journey in Hama, a pretty photogenic town, famous for its water wheels, all over the city.

After a 1-hour visit, we will continue our way to Krak des Chevaliers, once described by Lawrence of Arabia as the most wholly admirable castle in the world, absolutely gorgeous and surrounded by lush green hills.

We will have lunch in a restaurant with stunning castle views. After lunch, we will visit the Medieval fortress and then we will head to Al Mishtaya, a lovely Christian town with a pretty nice evening atmosphere.

Overnight in Al Mishtaya.

Day 6 – Palmyra & Homs

Once one of the most important Roman cities, Palmyra is rich in both ancient and contemporary history, since the archaeological site was taken by ISIS on two separate occasions during the war. ISIS blew up the most important temple but the site is huge and most of its structures are still standing.

For visiting Palmyra, we do need to arrange a special permit.

After having a picnic lunch inside the ruins, we will head back to Damascus and, on the way, we will stop in Homs.

Homs was, by far, the city most affected by the Syrian war, today mostly composed of destroyed buildings and rubble. Honestly, there’s not much left to see in Homs nowadays but we will do a quick visit.

Day 7 – Bosra

On our 7th day, we will visit the southern part of Syria on a day trip to Busra, an ancient city home to one of the most admirable Roman amphitheaters in the whole world, as well as other important monuments.

In Bosra, the local Syrians are culturally different, similar to Bedouins.

We will have lunch in a traditional Bedouin tent, with locals from Bosra.

After lunch back to Damascus. Overnight in Damascus.

Day 8 – Damascus and Beirut transfer

After breakfast, we will visit the remaining touristic places in Damascus, including the new part of town, as well as do any necessary shopping.

Transfer to Beirut and end of the tour.

Transfer to and from Beirut

7 nights of accommodation (twin shared) in hotels mentioned in FAQ

Security clearance (needed for the visa)

Private transportation and driver around Syria

Breakfast and lunch

Special permit for Palmyra & Bosra

English-speaking knowledgeable Syrian guide

Tour leader

Entrance fees to the places listed in the itinerary

Not Included

International flights to Beirut

Alcoholic drinks or any extra drink

Single supplement. Having your own private room costs 300€

Which hotels do we stay in?

These are the hotels where we always stay but note that once in a while, they might be subject to availability.

• Damascus: Al Mamlouka Hotel
• Aleppo: Aleppo Palace
• Al Mishtaya: Rosa Vila Hotel

How does the room distribution work?

Price of the tour includes accommodation in a twin room.

If you are a solo traveler, you will be sharing the room with another like-minded traveler from the group. We always try to group people of same gender and age together but note that this won’t always be the case. Moreover, in the hypothetical case there weren’t perfect pairs, one of the rooms would be a triple room.

If you wanted to have your own single room, you will have to pay an additional €300.

How to get a visa?

In order to come to Syria , you must first obtain a security clearance (Letter of Invitation).

We will take care of that, so you don’t need to visit the embassy.

What’s the minimum amount of participants needed?

All our trips to Syria have a guaranteed departure.

However, in the hypothetical case we didn’t reach a minimum of 8 people, the Western tour leader would not join the tour, but you’d be traveling just with the local Syrian guides.

How much does the visa cost?

Price varies depending on nationality:

• European passport holders: 70USD
• Canadian passports: 90USD
• British and Australian passports: 140USD
• The rest of the nationalities (Argentina, Mexico, Japan, South Korea, China, etc.) pay 70USD

The visa fee is paid at the border, to the respective authorities.

Which nationalities can join this tour?

All nationalities, and that includes US passport holders. 

Syria started issuing visas for Americans in March 2023, so US citizens are welcome to join too. 

Where does the trip start from?

The trip starts and ends in Beirut, and transfer to and from Damascus is included in the price.

What’s the best way to reach Beirut?

Beirut International Airport (BEY) has plenty of connections with anywhere in the Middle East and Europe.

If coming from Europe, common stopovers include Istanbul (either Pegasus or Turkish), Frankfurt (Lufthansa), or Paris (Air France).

If coming from the American continent or Australia, Doha (Qatar Airways) or Dubai (Emirates) are also worth checking.

Which hotels do we recommend for Beirut?

Our team always stay in either of the following hotels:

• Grand Meshmosh
• Hamra Urban Gardens
• Hotel Cavalier

Is it safe?

As of today, the areas which are controlled by the Government (the ones we visit) are perfectly safe.

We’d never take a group of travelers to a risky area.

Moreover, know that our team in Syria is continually monitoring the area and has the latest security updates.

For more information: Is Syria safe?

How many people will attend this tour?

We limit our tours to a maximum of 12-13 people.

How does payment work?

In order to secure your spot on the tour, we require a deposit.

All details will be shared upon booking your spot.

Do you recommend a specific travel insurance?

Either you are joining one of our trips, or you are traveling by yourself, you might want to look for proper travel insurance.

Against the Compass has been a partner with IATI for several years already, recommending it to all readers, as well as covering all Joan Torres’ personal trips.

We like it because It covers all the countries where the FCDO advises against all travel, it offers budget plans and covers all sorts of adventure activities.

Against the Compass readers can benefit from a 5% discount .

Get a quote here to claim your discount

What about the cancellation policy?

Please refer to our Terms & Conditions .

From Reagan to Obama, presidents have left office with ‘strategic regret’ − will leaving troops in Iraq and Syria be Biden or Trump’s?

Professor of Politics and International Affairs, Wake Forest University

Disclosure statement

Charles Walldorf received funding from Charles Koch Foundation. Charles Walldorf is a Visiting Fellow, Defense Priorities

Wake Forest University provides funding as a member of The Conversation US.

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U.S. presidents often leave the White House expressing “strategic regret” over perceived foreign policy failures.

Lyndon Johnson was haunted by the Vietnam War . Bill Clinton regretted the failed intervention in Somalia and how the “ Black Hawk Down ” incident contributed to his administration’s inaction over the Rwandan genocide . Barack Obama said the Libyan intervention was “ the worst mistake ” of his presidency. And after a tragic bombing killed 241 U.S. service personnel in 1983 at a Marine Corps barracks in Beirut, President Ronald Reagan called his decision to send troops to Lebanon “ my greatest regret and my greatest sorrow .”

As the U.S. heads into a presidential election that will, in all likelihood, end the future White House ambitions of one of its two latest inhabitants – Joe Biden and Donald Trump – it is fair to ask whether either or both will end up similarly experiencing “strategic regret.”

As an expert on U.S. foreign policy and grand strategy, I believe that if history is any guide, a possible answer can be found in both men’s decisions to keep U.S. troops in Syria and Iraq .

With troops in both countries – about 900 in Syria and 2,500 in Iraq – facing missile attacks from Iranian-backed proxies of late, the U.S. could be edging toward another incident like the 1983 terrorist attack in Beirut, a point made all the more obvious by the recent deaths of three U.S. soldiers in Jordan along the Syrian border.

Another Beirut?

The Middle East has entered a volatile period. The threat to U.S. personnel in the region takes the form of both the Islamic State group, which is intent on hitting Western targets , and the increased risk from a network of Iran-linked militants seeking to avenge what they see as U.S. complicity in Israel’s siege of Gaza.

If any mass-casualty attack on U.S. forces were to occur, the occupant of the White House would face two conditions that have left departing presidents experiencing strategic regret: the loss of American lives on their watch and the prospect of being drawn into a widening war.

By historical standards, conditions could be ripe for strategic regret in the Middle East. Today’s situation in Iraq and Syria is eerily similar in many ways to the circumstances Reagan faced in Beirut, but potentially far more dangerous.

Like Lebanon then, U.S. troops are in Iraq and Syria for secondary, as opposed to primary, security objectives.

The troops in Lebanon in the early 1980s were peacekeepers . In Iraq and Syria they support a cleanup mission against an Islamic State group whose threat to U.S. national security ended with the collapse of the caliphate in 2019 . According to a recent Pentagon report , that threat remains exceedingly weak today for the United States.

As in Lebanon, U.S. troops today are also highly exposed given their small numbers, hostile surroundings and dependence on Iraq, Turkey and Kurdish forces for supply lines. That makes them easy targets for attack.

While Reagan was unaware of the high exposure of U.S. Marines in 1983, the danger U.S. troops face today in Iraq and Syria is abundantly clear. U.S. forces have faced more than 160 missile attacks from Iranian-backed proxies since mid-October 2023.

The Jordan attack aside, U.S. service members have already suffered significant injuries from missiles, including dozens of traumatic brain injuries . With Iran saying in April that the U.S. “ must answer ” for Israel’s killing of three generals in Iran’s Quds Force this week in Syria, prospects of more deadly attacks against U.S. soldiers in Iraq and Syria appear to be rising.

Fueling hubris

Some might consider this concern about “another Beirut” overblown. After all, proxy attacks on U.S. forces in Iraq and Syria have dropped since the attack in Jordan in late January, giving the impression that deterrence is now working after big U.S. retaliatory strikes in February.

Here again, though, history tells a cautionary tale. The 1983 Marine Corps barracks bombing was preceded a few months earlier by a smaller, yet still deadly, bombing at the U.S. embassy in Beirut. In the lull that followed the embassy attack, Reagan officials didn’t pursue a strategically smart rethink of U.S. policy or consider troop reductions.

Instead, fueled in part by a determination to make the mission work, they doubled down and adopted a more aggressive role in Lebanon’s civil war.

It was a fateful decision. In short, lulls in violence like today in Iraq and Syria can fuel hubris and provide a dangerous sense of false security and a determination to stay the course.

As Lebanon – as well as Somalia under Clinton and Vietnam under Johnson – shows, that is a prime condition for strategic regret.

If regret does come over Iraq and Syria, there are reasons to believe that it could even be more profound for the current occupant of the White House than it was for Reagan in 1983. After the Beirut bombing, Reagan used the distraction of the Grenada invasion to quietly withdraw U.S. troops from Lebanon rather than escalate militarily and risk additional U.S. bloodshed.

Biden or Trump, should he replace the current Oval Office occupant come November, may not have the luxury of a Grenada-like distraction.

Rather, the intensely partisan politics in Washington, in which a president may seek to avoid being perceived as weak and criticized for doing too little, will settle in. Critics of Biden have already made charges like this over the attack in Jordan – that will only grow with another mass casualty event.

As research shows , “see, I told you so” is a powerful rhetorical tool in circumstances like this.

The ghosts of history

In response, Biden or Trump – like their predecessors – might feel the pressure to “go big” militarily. But anything too large risks inviting the kind of response that could lead to lasting and devastating outcomes.

Imagine, for example, a scenario in which a U.S. president is provoked into striking Iran following repeated attacks by Tehran’s proxies on U.S. troops. Iran, in such a scenario, will have little choice but to respond in kind.

The result would be an expansion of – and further U.S. involvement in – the Middle East conflict. And that is something that Americans generally don’t want .

The majority of progressives , young voters and Black Americans oppose war. MAGA Republicans do too .

Furthermore, the inevitable economic pain of war would likely see support evaporate at home and compromise America’s ability to dedicate resources and efforts elsewhere, notably in Asia and Europe.

None of this is inevitable; presidencies don’t have to end in strategic regret. And like their predecessors, Biden or Trump would have options. Presidents Johnson, Reagan, Clinton and Obama chose the wrong options and regretted it. Their experiences and the ghosts of history serve as a warning when it comes to U.S. forces in Syria and Iraq now. Perhaps that will lead to fewer regrets.

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Cyprus president and Lebanese caretaker premier urge EU financial aid to curb migration from Lebanon

Cyprus’ President Nikos Christodoulides, left, meets with Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati at the government headquarters in Beirut, Lebanon, Monday, April 8, 2024. Christodoulides’ visit to Beirut comes after he asked the European Union last week to intervene with Lebanese authorities to stop boatloads of Syrian refugees from heading to the east Mediterranean island nation. Lebanon’s caretaker prime minister asked Southern European countries along the Mediterranean Sea to pressure the European Union to help Lebanon deport undocumented migrants. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)

Cyprus’ President Nikos Christodoulides, right, and Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati, left, arrive at the government headquarters in Beirut, Lebanon, Monday, April 8, 2024. Christodoulides’ visit to Beirut comes after he asked the European Union last week to intervene with Lebanese authorities to stop boatloads of Syrian refugees from heading to the east Mediterranean island nation. Lebanon’s caretaker prime minister asked Southern European countries along the Mediterranean Sea to pressure the European Union to help Lebanon deport undocumented migrants. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)

Cyprus’ President Nikos Christodoulides, left, shakes hands with Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati at the government headquarters in Beirut, Lebanon, Monday, April 8, 2024. Christodoulides’ visit to Beirut comes after he asked the European Union last week to intervene with Lebanese authorities to stop boatloads of Syrian refugees from heading to the east Mediterranean island nation. Lebanon’s caretaker prime minister asked Southern European countries along the Mediterranean Sea to pressure the European Union to help Lebanon deport undocumented migrants. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)

Cyprus’ President Nikos Christodoulides, center left, escorted by Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati, center right, arrives at the government headquarters in Beirut, Lebanon, Monday, April 8, 2024. Christodoulides’ visit to Beirut comes after he asked the European Union last week to intervene with Lebanese authorities to stop boatloads of Syrian refugees from heading to the east Mediterranean island nation. Lebanon’s caretaker prime minister asked Southern European countries along the Mediterranean Sea to pressure the European Union to help Lebanon deport undocumented migrants. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)

Cyprus’ President Nikos Christodoulides, left, speaks during his meeting with Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati, at the government headquarters in Beirut, Lebanon, Monday, April 8, 2024. Christodoulides’ visit to Beirut comes after he asked the European Union last week to intervene with Lebanese authorities to stop boatloads of Syrian refugees from heading to the east Mediterranean island nation. Lebanon’s caretaker prime minister asked Southern European countries along the Mediterranean Sea to pressure the European Union to help Lebanon deport undocumented migrants. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)

Cyprus’ President Nikos Christodoulides, left, inspects the a guard of honor with Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati, second left, upon his arrival to the government headquarters in Beirut, Lebanon, Monday, April 8, 2024. Christodoulides’ visit to Beirut comes after he asked the European Union last week to intervene with Lebanese authorities to stop boatloads of Syrian refugees from heading to the east Mediterranean island nation. Lebanon’s caretaker prime minister asked Southern European countries along the Mediterranean Sea to pressure the European Union to help Lebanon deport undocumented migrants. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)

Cyprus’ President Nikos Christodoulides, left, inspects the a guard of honor, with Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati, right, upon his arrival to the government headquarters in Beirut, Lebanon, Monday, April 8, 2024. Christodoulides’ visit to Beirut comes after he asked the European Union last week to intervene with Lebanese authorities to stop boatloads of Syrian refugees from heading to the east Mediterranean island nation. Lebanon’s caretaker prime minister asked Southern European countries along the Mediterranean Sea to pressure the European Union to help Lebanon deport undocumented migrants. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)

Cyprus’ President Nikos Christodoulides, on carpet right, attends a military welcome ceremony with Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati,on carpet left, upon his arrival to the government headquarters in Beirut, Lebanon, Monday, April 8, 2024. Christodoulides’ visit to Beirut comes after he asked the European Union last week to intervene with Lebanese authorities to stop boatloads of Syrian refugees from heading to the east Mediterranean island nation. Lebanon’s caretaker prime minister asked Southern European countries along the Mediterranean Sea to pressure the European Union to help Lebanon deport undocumented migrants. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)

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BEIRUT (AP) — The Lebanese caretaker prime minister and the Cypriot president are calling on the European Union to provide financial support to help cash-strapped Lebanon stop migrants from reaching European shores.

President Nikos Christodoulides’ visit to Beirut Monday, alongside his country’s interior and foreign ministers and army chief, came after he urged the EU last week to intercede with Lebanese authorities to help stop boatloads of Syrian refugees from heading to the east Mediterranean island nation.

Migration in recent years has become a priority issue between the two countries.

Najib Mikati said the Lebanese military and security agencies have been doing their utmost to curb migration, but the situation was so dire that it needed “a framework agreement” with the EU. He was referring to already sanctioned migration-linked European financial packages with cash-strapped Mediterranean countries Tunisia and Egypt .

Christodoulides agreed with Mikati on the importance of reaching a similar agreement with Lebanon as Cyprus, along with other European countries, has been witnessing a spike in migrant arrivals.

According to the Cypriot Interior Ministry, some 2,140 people arrived by boat in Cyprus between Jan. 1 and Apr. 4 of this year, compared to only 78 people during that same period in 2023. The vast majority were Syrian nationals departing from Lebanon.

Lebanon — which is coping with a crippling economic crisis since 2019 — hosts some 805,000 UN-registered Syrian refugees, of which 90% live in poverty, the UN’s refugee agency says. Lebanese officials estimate the actual number is far higher, ranging between 1.5 and 2 million. Many have escaped the civil war in their country which entered its 14th year.

The UN refugee agency also noted the surge in migrant departures from Lebanon and confirmed that most were Syrian refugees.

Lebanon and Cyprus already have a bilateral deal where Cypriot authorities would return migrants attempting to reach the island from Lebanon.

Mikati said Monday most of Syria has become safe as the conflict is now at a stalemate. He called on the EU to support the repatriation of Syrian refugees or help them resettle in other countries.

Christodoulides said that most Syrian migrants fled their home country mainly for economic reasons and called on the international community to fund development projects in Syria that would help incentivize or motivate their return, according to a statement issued by Mikati’s office.

However, UN agencies, human rights groups, and Western governments maintain that Syria is not yet safe for repatriation.

In a separate statement, Cyprus’ government spokesman said Christodoulides told Lebanese officials that EU help would depend on the results of Lebanon’s efforts to curb increased migrant arrivals to the island nation.

Cyprus has been pushing for the EU to re-designate some areas within war-torn Syria into “safe zones” for such repatriations. Cypriot Interior Minister Constantinos Ioannou said last week the proposal is gaining traction among the 27-nation bloc but it wouldn’t happen in the near term

A Lebanese diplomatic official familiar with Monday’s talks said that both delegations are discussing a joint proposal focused on Syrian refugees returning home. The official spoke on condition of anonymity in line with regulations.

Talks between Syrian parties to find a political solution are currently frozen. While Damascus was reinstated in the Arab League last year, the EU previously said conditions to restore ties were yet to be met.

Lebanon’s interior minister and army chief were part of Mikati’s delegation.

Associated Press writer Menelaos Hadjicostis in Athens, Greece, contributed to this report.

Follow AP’s coverage of migration at https://apnews.com/hub/migration

Human Rights Group Alleges Widespread Torture, Abuse of Detainees Accused of IS Affiliation in Syria

Amnesty International says it has documented widespread abuses, including torture and deprivation of medical care, in detention facilities holding thousands of suspected Islamic State members and their relatives in northeast Syria

Maya Alleruzzo

FILE - Women residents from former Islamic State-held areas in Syria line up for aid supplies at Al-Hol camp in Hassakeh province, Syria, March 31, 2019. Amnesty International said Wednesday, April 17, 2024 it has documented widespread abuses, including torture and deprivation of medical care, in detention facilities holding thousands of suspected Islamic State members and their relatives in northeast Syria. (AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo, File)

BEIRUT (AP) — Amnesty International said Wednesday it has documented widespread abuses, including torture and deprivation of medical care, in detention facilities holding thousands of suspected Islamic State members and their relatives in northeast Syria.

The centers and camps hold about 56,000 people — the majority of them children and teens — and are run by local authorities affiliated with the U.S.-backed, Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces. The SDF and its allies, including U.S.-led coalition forces, defeated the Islamic State group in Syria in 2019, ending its self-proclaimed Islamic “caliphate” that had ruled over a large swath of territory straddling Iraq and Syria.

What to do with the suspected IS fighters and their families has become an intractable issue. Many countries whose citizens traveled to Syria to join IS have been reluctant to repatriate them, as have local communities in Syria.

"People held in this system are facing large-scale violations of their rights, some of which amount to war crimes,” Nicolette Waldman, Amnesty’s senior crisis advisor, told journalists.

The United States is also responsible for the alleged violations because it played a key role in establishing and maintaining the detention system, providing hundreds of millions of dollars to the SDF and affiliated forces and regularly interrogating detainees, Waldman said.

The human rights group interviewed 126 people accused of IS affiliation currently or formerly detained, along with representatives of the local administration and aid workers.

Photos You Should See - April 2024

The Amnesty report said the vast majority of detainees are being held “indefinitely, without charge or trial, in violation of international human rights law and international humanitarian law,” while those who have been tried were, in many cases, convicted on the basis of confessions extracted under torture.

The alleged abuses include “beating, stress positions, drowning, electric shocks and gender-based violence,” including a male detainee who said he and others had been sodomized with broomsticks by guards, the report said. Detainees were also deprived of food, water and medical care and subjected to extreme cold and heat in overcrowded cells, with some allegedly dying of suffocation, it said.

The report added that many of the approximately 14,500 women and 30,000 children held had been victims of human trafficking, including women who were forced to marry IS fighters and minors who were forcibly recruited by the group, and that local authorities had failed to set up a “mechanism to identify trafficking victims” and protect them.

The report also criticized the practice of forcibly separating adolescent boys — some as young as 11 or 12 — from their mothers and placing them in rehabilitation centers indefinitely.

Amnesty called on local authorities, the U.S. government and other allies to bring the detention system into compliance with international law and urged the United Nations to work with them to establish a screening process to release all who are not “reasonably suspected” of having committed a serious crime.

The Autonomous Authorities of the North and East Syria Region, the civilian administration affiliated with the SDF, wrote in response to the Amnesty findings that it had not received any official complaints regarding torture in detention facilities and “if this happened, they are individual acts.”

The administration said it would take action against employees who committed violations if evidence is provided. It denied allegations that inmates were deprived of food, water and medical care. It acknowledged overcrowding in the facilities, which it attributed to lack of financial resources to secure larger centers.

The local authorities took issue with the allegation that people were arbitrarily detained, asserting that most detainees “are members of a terrorist organization and were arrested during the battles" and that many had committed crimes against humanity and war crimes.

The U.S. State Department said in its own response that “we share many of (Amnesty’s) concerns” and it has been working to address them. It called on the international community to “aid local entities’ management of these challenges” and for countries with citizens held in detention in Syria to repatriate them.

Waldman said she believes Washington "very likely knew about these poor conditions from the beginning."

She added: “We think that it may not be the case that they are doing everything they can. They need to accept a much greater responsibility, especially since they played such a key role in establishing the situation in the first place."

Copyright 2024 The  Associated Press . All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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Iran-Israel: 10 key moments to understand Tehran's attack

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News On Sunday, April 14, at 1:42 am, the first sirens sounded in Israel. For the first time, Iran directly attacked Israel, two weeks after a deadly strike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus.

On the night of Saturday, April 13, to Sunday, April 14, Iran launched 300 drones and missiles from its territory toward Israel . Tehran's attack was unprecedented since the creation of the Israeli state in 1948. For several hours, the skies over Jerusalem, the Golan Heights and the southern Negev were streaked with light trails left by interceptor missiles fired by the Iron Dome and some of Israel's allies.

The offensive was carried out in response to an airstrike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus, Syria, on April 1, which the Iranian regime blames on Israel. Sixteen people were killed in the attack, including two generals of the Revolutionary Guards, the Iranian regime's ideological army. The following day, Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, pledged that Israel would be "punished." Here is a look back at 10 key moments in the operation, dubbed "Honest Promise" by Iran.

Saturday, April 13, 10:45 am: Iran seizes ship "affiliated" with Israel

Iranian Revolutionary Guards maritime special forces seize the container ship MSC Aries, a hundred kilometers north of the Emirati city of Fujairah. While dozens of attacks have been carried out in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden against merchant ships since the start of the war between Israel and Hamas, until now, they had been claimed by the Yemeni Houthi rebels.

According to IRNA, the official Iranian news agency, the MSC Aries was boarded because this ship "flying the Portuguese flag" is "managed by the Zodiac company, which belongs to the Zionist capitalist Eyal Ofer." Israel is frequently described as "the Zionist regime" in Iran, which does not recognize the existence of this state.

Saturday, 11:12 pm: The Israeli army reports that Iranian drones have been launched toward its territory

"A short while ago, Iran launched UAVs [drones] from within its territory toward Israel," the Israeli army communicates on its Telegram account . In a televised address , army spokesman Daniel Hagari says they were "closely monitoring Iranian killer drones that are en route to Israel sent by Iran. This is a severe and dangerous escalation." He goes on to say that "together with our partners, the Israeli Defense Forces is operating at full force to defend the state of Israel and the people of Israel."

Saturday, around 11:45 pm: Iran confirms the attack, named "Honest Promise"

"In response to the Zionist regime’s numerous crimes, including the attack on the consular section of Iran’s embassy in Damascus and the martyrdom of a number of our country's commanders and military advisors in Syria, the IRGC's [Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps] Aerospace Division launched tens of missiles and drones against certain targets inside the occupied territories," state TV quotes the IRGC's public relations department as saying.

The operation, dubbed "Honest Promise," is launched. Within minutes of the attack beginning, the X account of Iran's supreme leader , Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, republishes a message stating, "The malicious regime will be punished."

Around midnight: Israel announces the closure of its airspace

"In accordance with security instructions, Israel's airspace will be closed to international and domestic flights from 12:30 this evening," says the Israel Airports Authority. At the same time, Iraq, which borders Iran and Lebanon, Israel's neighbor, announces the closure of their airspace and the suspension of air traffic. An hour earlier, Jordan had announced the temporary closure of its airspace in the face of "mounting dangers."

Sunday, April 14, around 12:20 am: Israel announces war cabinet meeting

The head of the Israeli government, Benjamin Netanyahu, convenes a meeting of his war cabinet, made up of his General Staff and his closest security associates, including Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Benny Gantz, a minister without portfolio and member of his coalition government, in a secure room in Tel Aviv. After the meeting, Netanyahu speaks with Joe Biden, who in turn holds a crisis meeting in Washington with his top officials.

Sunday, around 12:45 am: Houthis and Hezbollah launch attacks on Israel

British maritime security company Ambrey reports that the Houthis have launched drones toward Israel in "coordination" with Iran. "Israeli ports are assessed to be potential targets," the company adds, warning of possible "collateral damage" to ships.

Hezbollah announces that it shelled an Israeli military position on the occupied Golan Heights. In a statement, the pro-Iranian Shiite movement, which has been carrying out almost daily attacks against Israel for over six months, says it fired "dozens of Katyusha rockets" at an Israeli barracks in the Israeli-occupied Syrian Golan.

Sunday, 1:06 am: Iranian diplomats call the "matter" of the Damascus strike "concluded" from their point of view

The Iranian mission to the United Nations (UN) explains that "conducted on the strength of Article 51 of the UN Charter pertaining to legitimate defense, Iran's military action was in response to the Zionist regime's aggression against our diplomatic premises in Damascus," in a message posted on X .

"The matter can be deemed concluded," states the diplomatic representation. "However, should the Israeli regime make another mistake, Iran's response will be considerably more severe. It is a conflict between Iran and the rogue Israeli regime, from which the US MUST STAY AWAY!"

Conducted on the strength of Article 51 of the UN Charter pertaining to legitimate defense, Iran’s military action was in response to the Zionist regime’s aggression against our diplomatic premises in Damascus. The matter can be deemed concluded. However, should the Israeli… — Permanent Mission of I.R.Iran to UN, NY (@Iran_UN) April 13, 2024

Sunday, 1:42 am: The first warning sirens sound in Israel

Fired several hours earlier from Iran, whose closest border is almost 900 kilometers from Israel, drones and missiles appear in the skies over Israel.

Initially concentrated in the northern and southern Negev, alerts are heard in Jerusalem, three minutes later (1:45 am). Explosions in the sky, due to Israel firing missile intercepts as part of its Iron Dome defensive system, are also heard by journalists on the scene.

Sunday, around 1:45 am: Explosions in the skies over Damascus and Beirut

Detonations ring out during the night in Damascus, Syria, and Beirut, Lebanon, two of Israel's neighbors, according to Agence France-Presse journalists. In Lebanon, at least two explosions sound in the skies over the capital Beirut. Another journalist in the Beqaa Valley, a region in the east of the country bordering Syria, also reports hearing several detonations.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights claims that other explosions sounded in the skies over Damascus and also in other central cities and on the Syrian coast. The NGO adds that the explosions were due to Syrian anti-aircraft defense activated against Israeli drones and missiles attempting to intercept Iranian missiles.

According to information obtained by Le Monde , several Iranian vectors were also intercepted over French holdings located in Iraq and Jordan. "France has ground-air defense elements in the region to protect its forces, and they were used to neutralize what flew over our holdings," confirms an anonymous source familiar with the matter.

Sunday, 8:59 am: "99% of the threats launched against Israeli territory have been intercepted," says the Israeli army

In a morning address, Israeli army spokesman Daniel Hagari assures that "99%" of "300 threats of various types [170 drones, 30 cruise missiles and 110 ballistic missiles]," have been intercepted. "Only a few fell on Israeli territory," according to Hagari, notably at the Nevatim air base in the Negev. The Israeli army has so far reported only one serious injury: a 7-year-old girl hit in the head by shrapnel from a shell launched to intercept an Iranian projectile.

At Israel's request, the UN Security Council is expected to hold an emergency meeting on Sunday. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres condemns "a serious escalation," as do many European capitals , including France and Germany. Early Sunday afternoon, the heads of state and government of the G7 (Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States and the European Union) are also meeting "to discuss Iran's attack on Israel," announces the Italian government, which currently chairs this group of industrialized countries.

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Cyprus president discusses Syrian refugee influx in Lebanon visit

L ebanon's Prime Minister Najib Mikati and visiting Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides discussed migration on Monday in Beirut, both sides said, as Nicosia pushes the Lebanese authorities to stem boat departures.

Cyprus says the Israel-Hamas war, which has triggered a flare-up on the Israel-Lebanon border, has weakened Lebanon's efforts to monitor its territorial waters and prevent migrant vessel departures.

The Mediterranean island nation has reported a surge in Syrian arrivals in recent weeks.