Сирія: події — 26 липня 2026

Three Aframax tankers loaded Iraqi fuel oil at Baniyas between June and July for delivery to the United States, with the cargo trucked from Iraq into Syria. What is moving is fuel oil — not Syrian oil, and not Iraqi crude or naphtha. Crude and naphtha facilities are being prepared, but those exports have not begun.

Why it matters. The route gives Syria a renewed transit and port role while giving Iraq an alternative to Gulf shipping. Its truck-dependent structure is expensive, but it creates a new layer of Iraqi–Syrian economic interdependence that may continue after the immediate shipping disruption.

• US imports first fuel oil cargoes shipped via Syria as Iraq leverages new export route — Reuters, 2026-07-23

UN Secretary-General António Guterres visited Damascus — the first such visit by a serving UN secretary-general since 2009. Talks with Ahmed al-Sharaa focused on reconstruction, displacement camps and international support.

Why it matters. The visit is institutional recognition of Syria's diplomatic reintegration, but reconstruction support remains conditional on inclusion, minority protection, accountability and the transition's conduct.

• Guterres set to be first UN chief to visit Syria since before 2011 war — Reuters, 2026-07-25