WARNING: Travel to Syria is VERY STRONGLY DISCOURAGED due to an ONGOING CIVIL WAR. Since 2011, unrest within the country has continued to intensify and thousands of people have been injured and killed. Government security forces and the various rebel groups are engaged in open warfare in many rural and urban areas. It is EXTREMELY DANGEROUS to be a foreigner in Syria, as the line of control between rebel and government forces could be just a matter of city blocks, and anyone out in the open is at risk of being killed by either side. If you are caught, you may be suspected to be an agent of the other side and possibly detained or executed. If you insist on going, go with armed guides who are aware of the situation on the ground, but note that you will generally be picking a side when you do this, which may unavoidably draw you into the conflict.

 

Please note that even humanitarian workers need a special authorization to get there, and journalists get captured or killed frequently. If in Syria, the best advice is to GET OUT. EU citizens should try contact the embassy of another EU member-state if they cannot make contact with their home country's representatives. If possible, contact your embassy via phone or the internet, as the situation in Damascus is very dangerous and the level of fighting can escalate quickly and unpredictably. Some countries have issued travel warnings, so consult your foreign office before traveling to Syria. If you must travel to Syria, see War zone safety. } Note that the militant group of ISIS (Islamic State Of Iraq and Syria) or ISIL (Islamic State Of Iraq and The Levant)are present in major cities of Syria which makes it very unsafe, violent and dangerous.