{"license":"CC BY 4.0 — attribution: IsMyTripSafe.com","source":"https://ismytripsafe.com/syria/damascus","updatedAt":"2026-07-29T00:11:24.103Z","place":{"city":"Damascus","country":"Syria","countryCode":"SY","lat":33.5102,"lon":36.29128},"safety":{"score":18,"level":"HIGH_RISK","answer":"Elevated risk — reconsider","saferThanPctOfCountries":6,"confidence":0.78,"caps":[{"max":18,"reason":"Level 4 advisory — \"Do Not Travel\""}],"databaseScore":17,"travellerSentiment":{"score":35,"label":"Extremely negative","summary":"Travelers who have entered Damascus in 2026 describe pervasive anxiety, frequent security checkpoints, and a general feeling of unease, with most reporting they felt unsafe despite occasional hospitality from locals","weightInScore":0.18,"components":[{"label":"Reported feel","score":12,"weight":0.35},{"label":"Robbery risk","score":34,"weight":0.45},{"label":"Pickpocket risk","score":78,"weight":0.2}]},"categories":[{"key":"crime","label":"Crime","score":51,"tier":1},{"key":"sentiment","label":"Traveller Sentiment","score":35,"tier":1},{"key":"advisories","label":"Advisories","score":0,"tier":2},{"key":"stability","label":"Stability","score":27,"tier":2},{"key":"health","label":"Health & Air","score":62,"tier":2}]},"advisories":[{"source":"UK Foreign Office (FCDO)","level":4,"label":"Advises against all travel to parts of the country","updated":"2026-07-22T12:44:11Z","url":"https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/syria"},{"source":"Government of Canada","level":4,"label":"Avoid all travel","updated":"2026-07-23T10:52:20.2525485-04:00","url":"https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/syria"}],"indicators":[{"key":"homicide","label":"Homicide rate","value":2.05938679956635,"display":"2.1 / 100k","year":"2010","score":86,"source":"World Bank Open Data"},{"key":"terrorism_deaths_pm","label":"Terrorism deaths (latest year)","value":9.679776219186355,"display":"9.7 / million","year":"2021","score":41,"source":"Global Terrorism Database"},{"key":"road_deaths","label":"Road traffic deaths","value":29.9,"display":"29.9 / 100k","year":"2021","score":24,"source":"WHO Global Health Observatory"},{"key":"stability","label":"Political stability & no terrorism","value":25.4439405,"display":"25/100","year":"2024","score":25,"source":"World Bank Governance Indicators"},{"key":"rule_of_law","label":"Rule of law","value":25.7521361,"display":"26/100","year":"2024","score":26,"source":"World Bank Governance Indicators"},{"key":"corruption","label":"Control of corruption","value":13.4112838,"display":"13/100","year":"2024","score":13,"source":"World Bank Governance Indicators"},{"key":"gov_effectiveness","label":"Government effectiveness","value":18.8174812,"display":"19/100","year":"2024","score":19,"source":"World Bank Governance Indicators"},{"key":"regulatory","label":"Regulatory quality","value":23.3597703,"display":"23/100","year":"2024","score":23,"source":"World Bank Governance Indicators"},{"key":"voice","label":"Voice & accountability","value":24.517035,"display":"25/100","year":"2024","score":25,"source":"World Bank Governance Indicators"},{"key":"numbeo_crime_index","label":"Crime index (crowdsourced)","value":68.1,"display":"68.1 / 100","year":null,"score":31,"source":"Numbeo Crime Index"},{"key":"human_trafficking_victims","label":"Detected human-trafficking victims","value":0.04,"display":"0.04 / 100k","year":"2022","score":91,"source":"UN SDG Global Database"},{"key":"air_quality","label":"Air quality","value":60,"display":"US AQI 60 · Moderate","year":null,"score":85,"source":"Open-Meteo Air Quality"},{"key":"health","label":"Travel health notices","value":null,"display":"3 global notices","year":null,"score":92,"source":"CDC Travelers' Health"},{"key":"weather","label":"Extreme weather","value":42,"display":"July: highs ~42°C · dangerous heat","year":null,"score":45,"source":"Open-Meteo"},{"key":"natural_hazards","label":"Natural hazards","value":0,"display":"No active alerts · low seismicity","year":null,"score":100,"source":"GDACS / USGS"},{"key":"advisory","label":"Government travel advisory","value":4,"display":"Level 4 — Avoid all travel","year":null,"score":0,"source":"Government of Canada"}],"healthNotices":[{"level":"Alert","title":"Global Polio","url":"https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/level2/global-polio"},{"level":"Watch","title":"Global Dengue","url":"https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/level1/dengue-global"},{"level":"Watch","title":"Global Measles","url":"https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/level1/measles-globe"}],"hazardAlerts":[],"fieldResearch":{"verdict":"No — Damascus is not safe for travelers; the official Level 4 \"Do Not Travel\" advisory and high-risk composites reflect ongoing terrorism, kidnapping, and armed conflict that make any visit extremely hazardous.","summary":"The multi-source safety profile rates Damascus at 17/100 (HIGH RISK) and caps the score at 18 due to a Level 4 \"Do Not Travel\" advisory from the U.S., U.K., and Canada. While homicide rates appear low, terrorism deaths and the presence of active bombings in the capital demonstrate a severe security threat that outweighs any apparent stability.","robberyRisk":{"level":"High","note":"Armed robbery and carjacking are reported near checkpoints and in peripheral districts; visitors should avoid isolated streets after dark"},"pickpocketRisk":{"level":"Moderate","note":"Pickpocketing occurs in crowded markets and transport hubs, particularly around Bab Sharqi and the Old City"},"safeAreas":["Jaramana","Kafr Sousa","Mijdal"],"avoidAreas":["Tafas (recent bombings and shelling)","Harasta (ongoing clashes and terrorist activity)"],"scams":["Fake UNHCR cash‑assistance scams targeting returnees","Overcharging by unofficial money‑exchange bureaus","Taxi drivers offering unsolicited accommodation or medical referrals"],"zones":[{"name":"Old City","level":"caution","note":"caution — active checkpoints and frequent security sweeps; avoid nighttime and stay with a guide"},{"name":"Barzeh","level":"caution","note":"caution — residential area with occasional shelling and checkpoint delays; keep to main streets"},{"name":"Jaramana","level":"safe","note":"safe — predominantly residential with stable security and limited incidents"},{"name":"Kafr Sousa","level":"safe","note":"safe — quiet suburb, low recent activity, but verify local checkpoints before travel"},{"name":"Tafas","level":"avoid","note":"avoid — known hotspot for recent bombings and armed clashes; high risk of stray shells"},{"name":"Harasta","level":"avoid","note":"avoid — frequent clashes and reported terrorist activity; not recommended for visitors"},{"name":"Saqba","level":"caution","note":"caution — mixed security; some areas safe during daylight but avoid after dark"},{"name":"Mijdal","level":"safe","note":"safe — industrial zone with minimal reported incidents and stable checkpoint presence"}]}}