(1) Environment & Agriculture

• Successive Saharan Dust Waves Blanket Syria, Trigger Nationwide Health Alerts

• Heavy April Storms Drive Sharp Rainfall Surges Across Syria

• Five-Month “Reefna Akhdar” Campaign Ends After Planting Nearly 500,000 Saplings Across Rif Dimashq

• April Rains Boost Al-Hasaka Wheat Projections to 1.3 Million Tons

(2) Humanitarian

• Syrian Authorities Seal Off Al-Hol Camp in April as Relocation Operations Continue at Aq Burhan

(3) Energy

• Damascus Sees First 48 Hours of Continuous Power in Over a Decade

• Construction of Zayzoun’s 1,000 MW Thermal Power Plant Officially Begins in April

• Al-Tabqa Lake Rises Four Meters in April, Supporting 250 MW of Hydropower Generation

(4) Infrastructure

• April Rehabilitation Push Brings Deir Ezzor Airport Closer to Reopening

• Tartus Port Sees Strongest 2026 Performance in April, Handling 910,000 Tons of Cargo

• Al-Tanf Crossing Reopens in April After 11 Years as Iraqi Fuel Convoys Resume Transit to Syria

• Adra Industrial City Expands Investment in Q1 as Baladna Signs Major Dairy Project in April

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Electricity

• Damascus (134.5% ↑): Damascus residents reported 48 hours of continuous electricity for the first time in over 10 years in April 2026, likely attributed to increased gas supplies from Jordan and improved national grid stability.1

• Deir Ezzor (126.6% ↑): Power was restored to Al-Hamidiyah and Khasarat neighborhoods after a nine-year outage, while grid repairs continued across several neighbourhoods throughout April.23

• Ar-Raqqah (116.4% ↑): Electricity service was restored across multiple neighborhoods, following power outages that had persisted for more than seven years.4

• Aleppo (114.9% ↑): Four electrical substations were inaugurated in Al-Sha’ar and Al-Halwaniyya neighbourhoods of eastern Aleppo, restoring electricity access to approximately 15,000 residents after prolonged outages.5

• Hama (109.2% ↑): Construction officially commenced on the new 1000 MW Zayzoun thermal power plant in the Hama countryside as part of a major national electricity generation expansion initiative.6

• Al-Qamishli (40.9% ↑): Expansion works have begun at the Northern Al-Qamishli transformer station with the installation of a second 20 MVA transformer. This has boosted daily power supply from just one hour to over eight hours for about 35% of the city and 286 nearby villages, restoring service to residents after a two-year outage.7

• As-Suwayda, Homs, Latakia, Daraa, Tartus & Idlib (3.2% ↑ - 127.1% ↑): Improvements in electricity supply were reported through out Syria in April following Jordanian gas deliveries, grid stabilization measures, and ongoing maintenance works; some areas experienced near-continuous electricity service for the first time in years.8

• Al-Hasakah (29.7% ↓): Local authorities and Ministry of Energy officials continued discussions in April on the deteriorating electricity situation in the governorate, focusing on low production capacity, damaged transmission and distribution infrastructure, and ongoing service delivery challenges.9

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Air Quality

• Major Saharan dust waves originating from North Africa affected Syria on April 3 and again between the evening of April 4 and April 5, 2026, generating dense haze, dusty conditions, and elevated particulate concentrations across coastal, central, northern, eastern, and southern regions; the second wave prompted nationwide health advisories and preventive measures, particularly in heavily impacted southern governorates.1011

• A subsequent light-to-moderate dust and haze event affected southern, eastern, and parts of central Syria between April 15 and 17, prompting additional public health warnings and precautionary guidance from the Ministry of Emergency and Disaster Management.12

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Rainfall

• Successive Mediterranean low-pressure weather systems caused widespread heavy rainfall and thunderstorms across all Syrian governorates from early to mid-April 2026, resulting in year-over-year rainfall increases ranging from ~50% in Tartus to +168.6% in Rif Dimashq.131415

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Tree Cover

• Aleppo (47.3% ↑): Approximately 20,000 trees were planted around Midanki Dam in Afrin countryside in late February;16 subsequently 10,000 trees were planted across town centers and public parks in Al-Bab district in late March.17

• Rif Dimashq (28.5% ↑): The “Reefna Akhdar” campaign concluded on April 30 after planting 497,000 forest and fruit-bearing saplings across nine districts, with major reforestation concentrated in conflict-affected Eastern Ghouta and Zabadani areas.18

• Idlib (17.4% ↑): Residents across southern Idlib countryside resumed large-scale olive and fig tree planting after years of illegal logging, contributing to localized vegetation recovery and improved land cover.19

• Tartus (9.9% ↑): As part of the continuing “Tartus Green” campaign, approximately 1,000 trees were planted in Jabal Al-Qash'at near Mishta Al-Halu to expand green spaces and reinforce reforestation efforts.20

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Cropland

• Al-Hasaka (300.8% ↑): Local projections estimated up to 1.3 million tons of wheat after heavy rainfall revived Al-Khabur River and ended years of drought; subsequently, rehabilitation of key grain silos in Tal Alo, Tal Hamis, and Sabah al-Khair began in late April to prepare for the 2026 harvest.2122

• Daraa (220.3% ↑): Al-Samaqiyat Dam filled to capacity after years of drought, revitalizing irrigation, agriculture, and livestock watering across eastern Daraa; authorities also confirmed strong wheat crop conditions while assessing and processing compensation claims for hail and thunderstorm damage later in the month.232425

• Ar-Raqqah (211.9% ↑) & Deir Ezzor (163.5% ↑): The Syria Recovery Trust Fund completed technical training programs for 698 farmers, in both governorates, focused on climate-smart agriculture, irrigation, and land management; subsequently, subsidized diesel distribution began in late April to support irrigation pumps and agricultural machinery ahead of the wheat harvest.2627

• Aleppo (185.4% ↑): Rainfall revived croplands and pastures across western and southern Aleppo throughout April, significantly improving wheat, barley, and other crop growth despite localized fungal diseases and aphid outbreaks linked to increased humidity; ICARDA subsequently organized a field day showcasing new high-yield wheat and barley varieties to local farmers.282930

• Hama (154.6% ↑): FAO and ICARDA organized field demonstrations highlighting improved wheat varieties and climate-resilient farming practices in Al-Sqeilbiya; later in April, water releases from Rastan Dam resumed to support irrigation across multiple agricultural zones.3132

• Idlib (128.1% ↑): Agricultural authorities launched a wheat protection guidance course in Idlib in early April; rehabilitation of the Ra’a grain reception center subsequently began to prepare for the 2026 wheat harvest season.3334

• Al-Qunaitra (82.0% ↑): Farmers reported abundant rainfall and significantly improved crop conditions compared to previous drought years; agricultural field inspections and pest-monitoring campaigns were also conducted across wheat-growing areas in the southern countryside.3536

• Tartus (20.8% ↑): A Cash-for-Work program supported 686 farmers through the installation of drip irrigation systems and water tanks in household gardens, improving water management, crop production, and local food security.37

• As-Suwayda, Rif Dimashq, Homs & Latakia (22.1% ↑ - 203.2% ↑): Croplands across all four governorates recorded significant EVI increases, corresponding with substantially above-average year-over-year rainfall levels in April 2026 (65.5%–168.6%).38

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Burned Areas

• No burned areas were detected in Syria in March 2026, contrasting with March 2025, when concentrated forest fires in Latakia coincided with coastal sectarian clashes.39

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Airports

• Deir Ezzor Airport (253.8% ↑): Rehabilitation works reached advanced stages by late April, passenger terminal upgrades nearing 95% completion, and navigation lighting systems under preparation as part of efforts to resume operations serving eastern Syria.4041

• Aleppo International Airport (189.2% ↑): Strong operational recovery continued throughout April, with 24,854 passengers handled across 264 flights operated by seven airlines; this coincided with Syrian-Saudi agreements to develop and operate the airport and the launch of the Flynas Syria carrier.424344

• Qamishli Airport (17.4% ↑): Rehabilitation works accelerated throughout April, including runway and apron earthworks upgraded to international standards, as authorities prepared for the airport’s full reopening and the resumption of operations across Al-Jazira region.4546

• Damascus International Airport (0.7% ↓): Syrian authorities announced the full reopening of all air corridors and the resumption of normal airport operations on April 8; simultaneously, rapid progress continued on the first phase of Terminal 2 development works while the airport handled 34,347 passengers across 492 flights during April.474849

• Palmyra Airport (124.8% ↑) & Latakia International Airport (47.5% ↑): Significant NTL increases were recorded; further localized analysis is required to identify the specific drivers behind the observed trend.

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Ports

• Baniyas Port (214.1% ↑): Approximately 500,000 tons of Iraqi oil per month were designated for transit through Baniyas port in early April; the first convoys arrived mid-month and tanker loading operations for re-export commenced, with part of the shipments allocated to domestic power generation.505152

• Latakia Port (169.0% ↑): Port activity expanded significantly in April, with approximately 350,000 tons of cargo handled and 68 vessels received; in late April, the port launched the first UAE-to-Europe vehicle transit shipment via Syria, involving more than 200 vehicles.5354

• Tartus Port (93.4% ↑): Tartus port recorded its strongest commercial performance of 2026 in April, handling approximately 910,000 tons of cargo and receiving 100 vessels; the increase was linked to broader trade recovery measures and simplified customs procedures that accelerated import and export operations.5556

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Border Crossings

• Jdeidet Yabous (276.5% ↑): Early April saw the temporary closure of the crossing due to Israeli threats, followed by its reopening on April 9; at the same time, the IOM reported that Jdeidet Yabous handled roughly 60% of the 277,000 Lebanon-to-Syria crossings recorded between March and April amid intensified returnee flows.575859

• At-Tanf (100.0% ↑): Syria and Iraq officially reopened Al-Tanf/Al-Waleed crossing in early April after nearly 11 years of closure; Iraqi fuel convoys began transiting on April 1–2 toward Baniyas port, with hundreds of tankers continuing daily operations throughout mid-April.60616263

• Arida (68.2% ↑): Arida crossing remained operational for pedestrian traffic throughout April despite vehicle restrictions caused by bridge damage; authorities denied closure rumors on April 18 while IOM reported more than 9,400 individuals processed during sustained returnee movements from March to April.646566

• Nasib (58.1% ↑): Syrian border authority inspected the crossing on April 8 to review readiness and expansion works, including new cargo yards and transit lanes; by late April the crossing was facilitating major commercial activity, including the transit of more than 200 UAE vehicles bound for export through Latakia Port.6768

• Bab Al-Salameh (6.3% ↑) & Bab Al-Hawa (15.3% ↓): On April 1, authorities sharply increased private passenger car entry fees at both border crossings, while expansion works at Bab Al-Hawa began in early April to increase daily passenger handling capacity to 10,000 travelers.6970

• Al-Yarubiyah (5.3% ↑): Al-Yarubiyah/Rabia crossing officially reopened on April 20 following rehabilitation works on both the Syrian and Iraqi sides; senior officials attended inauguration ceremonies aimed at restoring transit, trade, and bilateral economic cooperation.7172

• Semalka (14.4% ↓): Syrian authorities denied reports of increased customs duties on April 11; the crossing was transferred to joint administration under the SDF integration agreement on April 15, followed by the removal of entry and exit fees for Syrian travelers on April 18.737475

• Al-Bukamal (2.0% ↓): Syrian customs authorities conducted an inspection visit during April to review passenger and cargo operations, assess infrastructure development plans, and coordinate with Iraqi counterparts in Al-Qaim to facilitate bilateral trade flows.76

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Power Plants

• Zayzoun (100.0% ↑): Construction of the 1,000 MW Zayzoun thermal power plant officially started on 9 April; parallel agreements between UCC Holding and Siemens Energy covered the manufacturing and supply of turbines, generators, transformers, and associated technical equipment for the national power programme, including the new Zayzoun facility.7778

• Mehardeh (113.4% ↑): A 100 MW generating unit was reactivated in late March after more than a decade offline; the restart was overseen by Energy Minister Mohammad al-Bashir during a field visit on the first day of Eid al-Fitr.79

• Jandar (35.2% ↑): Maintenance operations were carried out on the plant’s first gas turbine in early April to improve operational efficiency and increase electricity generation capacity.80

• Al-Nasserieh (23.7% ↑) & Deir Ali (42.1% ↓): UNDP issued international tenders on 3 April for the supply of spare parts to support ongoing operation, maintenance, and rehabilitation activities at both power plants.81

• Tishreen (18.5% ↓): Rehabilitation works continued throughout April on the plant’s first and second steam turbines; energy officials emphasized accelerating implementation due to the facility’s importance for grid stability and electricity supply.82

• Baniyas (16.4% ↑) & Latakia (41.2% ↓): Mixed NTL trends were recorded during April; a localized analysis is required to pinpoint the underlying drivers.

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Dams

• Al-Mansoura (104.4% ↑): Syrian authorities warned that water levels along the Euphrates downstream of Al-Mansoura Dam are expected to rise for one to two weeks due to increased turbine operations and higher inflows following heavy regional rainfall, prompting advisories for residents in Raqqa and Deir Ezzor to move agricultural equipment away from riverbanks.83

• Qattinah (26.7% ↑): Syrian media reported that Lake Qattinah returned close to full capacity following heavy rainfall in April 2026, improving reservoir conditions and supporting nearby agricultural and irrigation activities.84

• Tishreen (16.7% ↑): Emergency maintenance and rehabilitation operations intensified throughout April 2026 following climatic damage assessments; technical teams continued repairs on the fifth turbine, including blade welding and generator servicing, to restore hydroelectric generation capacity and grid stability.8586

• Mashqita (-5.6% ↓): Water authorities in Latakia conducted extensive maintenance and cleaning operations on drainage channels and water passages at Mashqita Dam in mid-April 2026 as part of flood prevention and network-efficiency measures during heavy rainfall conditions.87

• Al-Tabqa (-9.0% ↓): Water levels at Lake Al-Tabqa rose by approximately four meters in April 2026, increasing storage volumes to around 12 billion m³ and enabling hydropower generation of roughly 250 MW; the Ministry of Energy also held discussions with the FAO on April 13 regarding maintenance support and operational reliability for the dam.8889

• Midanki (-12.5% ↓): Heavy rainfall significantly increased water levels at Midanki Dam in Afrin countryside during April 2026, improving irrigation prospects after prolonged drought conditions; local officials also conducted inspection visits emphasizing infrastructure development and public service improvements around the dam area.909192

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Industrial Zones

• Adra Industrial City (50.0% ↑): Investment activity accelerated during Q1 2026, with 88 plots offered across different sectors; infrastructure works continued, including electricity, road, sewage, and flood-mitigation projects; a World Bank/IFC-backed agreement signed in mid-April with Qatari food company Baladna will establish a major dairy manufacturing plant in the zone.939495

• Hasyaa Industrial Zone (38.7% ↑): Subscription opened for 76 fully serviced industrial plots across food, engineering, chemical, and textile sectors between 13–30 April; by April 23, 16 investors, including a Chinese iron manufacturer, had subscribed following eased payment terms and expanded installment options.9697

• Sheikh Najjar Industrial Zone (30.1% ↑): April saw meetings between the Deputy Minister of Economy and Industry and investors focused on development plans and improving the investment environment in Aleppo’s industrial city; authorities also finalized third-phase plot allocations and announced upcoming auctions for high-demand industrial plots.9899

• Deir Ezzor Industrial Zone (65.5% ↓): In early May, SANA reported that extensive destruction across the industrial zone and key facilities continued to suppress industrial activity and halt production lines; rehabilitation and reorganization plans were prepared, while several damaged facilities were offered for investment to support industrial recovery and the return of workshops and skilled trades.100

IDP Camps

• Aq Burhan (1061.0% ↑) & Al-Hol (89.1% ↓): Humanitarian interventions and aid operations continued throughout April in Aq Burhan camp to support families relocated from the closed Al-Hol camp; meanwhile, Syrian authorities declared Al-Hol a fully closed military zone in early April, enforcing a total access ban around the site.101102

• Serekaniye (53.7% ↓) & Washokani (10.9% ↓): Camp residents reported worsening humanitarian conditions throughout April, including waterlogged tents, declining aid distributions, and deteriorating services, while simultaneously intensifying calls for safe and organized return to their original areas following the January 2026 agreement; discussions with camp leadership and security officials focused on return mechanisms and security guarantees.103104105106

• Economy & Infrastructure

  • Latakia Port Nighttime Lights Spike Over 250% YoY Amid Container Handling and Logistics Overhaul

  • Nighttime Lights at Palmyra Airport Jump 325% One Year After Airstrikes

  • Mehardeh Power Plant NTL Jumps 156% YoY as Decade-Idle Unit Returns to Service

  • Al-Mansoura Dam Lights Surge for Second Consecutive Month After Syrian Government Regains Control

  • Deir Ezzor Industrial Zone NTL Drops for Second Consecutive Month Despite Rehabilitation Plans

• Humanitarian & Population

  • Sharp Nighttime Light Spikes at Jdeidet Yabous and Arida Amid Increased Lebanon-to-Syria Crossings

  • March Floods Drive Double-Digit NTL Drops Across Al-Hasakah and Aleppo Displacement Sites

  • Al-Hasakah Records 33% Drop in Nighttime Lights as Residents Rely on Costly Generators

• Environment

  • Aleppo Sees 33% Improvement in Vegetation Health Following Large-Scale Tree-Planting Campaigns

  • Deir Ezzor Registers 84% Rise in Aerosol Levels Amid Large-Scale Rubble Removal

  • Syria Records Zero Burned Areas in February 2026 Following Minimal Fire Activity in 2025

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Cities

• Damascus (167.7% ↑): Lighting networks were rehabilitated in Bab Touma and Qaymariya via cable repairs and lamp upgrades; Q1 road-lighting projects were finalized across Barzeh, Qaboun, Dummar, Tadamon, and Yarmouk, including public parks.1

• Aleppo (134.9% ↑): A $5M rehabilitation project was launched to restore electrical networks and transformers across eastern neighborhoods; primary works were concentrated in Al-Sukari, Tel al-Zarazir, Al-Amariya, and Al-Ma’adi.23

• Hama (129.8% ↑): A 100 MW generation unit at the Mhardeh thermal power plant was returned to service following a ten-year outage; street-lighting and network rehabilitation were concurrently finalized in the Al-Nasr (Al-Tatan) neighborhood.45

• Ar-Raqqah (80.7% ↑): Extensive repairs were executed on underground medium-voltage cables alongside comprehensive maintenance of power stations; daily electricity supply was subsequently increased from four to over ten hours, supported by improved voltage stability.6

• As-Suwayda (3.4% ↑): Prolonged outages were sustained following repeated damage to the 66 kV high-voltage transmission line west of the city; repairs were executed on March 28 by technical workshops under SARC escort to restore urban supply.7

• Al-Hasakah (33.1% ↓): Government electricity supply was entirely absent, shifting total reliance to high-cost private generators and limited solar capacity; daily coverage was restricted to afternoon and evening hours, resulting in sustained darkness.8

• Latakia, Homs, Daraa, Deir Ezzor, Tartus, Al-Qamishli & Idlib (51.1%–169.6% ↑): Broad gains were recorded across all seven cities; however, no specific reporting or infrastructure projects were found to account for these increases.

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Air Quality

• Deir Ezzor (84.2% ↑): An intensive debris removal initiative, launched in January 2026, continued through March to clear approximately 75,000 tons of rubble across various neighborhoods; operations, conducted in coordination with the UNDP, utilized heavy machinery for large-scale debris handling and street clearance.9

• Al-Qamishli (21.7% ↑): A significant dust storm was documented on March 15, 2026, resulting in acute visibility reductions; widespread deposition of fine particulate matter was recorded across the city.1011

• Al-Hasakah, Latakia, Damascus, Idlib, Aleppo, Ar-Raqqah, Hama & As-Suwayda (+23.2% to -22.5%): Divergent aerosol trends were recorded following severe mid-to-late March weather, including heavy rainfall and flooding;12131415161718 in Aleppo, this period also coincided with the launch of a 150,000 m³ rubble-clearing campaign utilizing heavy machinery.19

• Tartus, Homs & Daraa (+34.9% to -18.9%): Mixed YoY aerosol trends were recorded; however, no specific drivers were identified during the reporting period.

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Tree Cover

• Aleppo (32.5% ↑): Approximately 20,000 trees were planted around the Midanki Dam in the Afrin countryside in late February;20 subsequently 10,000 trees were planted across town centers and public parks in the Al-Bab district in late March.21

• Idlib (4.0% ↑): 190,000 olive saplings and 5,000 forestry trees were planted in early March to restore regional vegetation cover; these efforts were subsequently followed by severe rainfall and flash flooding between March 19 and 27.2223

• Latakia (2.9% ↑): A Tree planting campaign was conducted in the fire-affected forest areas of Bashoura village on March 14; heavy rainfall and flooding were subsequently recorded across the governorate in mid-March.24

• Tartus (1.1% ↑): Approximately 8,000 saplings were planted starting in February to expand green spaces; the governorate was subsequently impacted by a severe weather depression and heavy rainfall in mid-March.25

• Homs (0.3% ↑): Approximately 3,500 seedlings were planted in Taldo (Homs countryside) on March 10 to restore regional vegetation cover.26

• Hama (1.5% ↓): 9,000 forestry saplings were planted across seven sites in Hama city and the surrounding countryside following an early February launch; a marginal YoY decline in the vegetation index was nevertheless recorded during March.27

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Burned Areas

• No burned areas were detected in Syria in February 2026.28 While this marks a year-over-year decline, fire activity was already minimal in February 2025, with only 324 hectares burned, all within Ar-Raqqah Governorate.

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Airports

• Deir Ezzor Airport (465.8% ↑): Intensive rehabilitation and maintenance operations continued throughout March to restore operational readiness; technical workshops focused on runway repairs and essential facility upgrades to meet safety standards.29

• Palmyra Airport (325.7% ↑): Over fourfold gains in NTL were recorded as visual analysis shows burn scars from March 2025 airstrikes have largely faded (see animation); these observations suggest infrastructure restoration or an increase in operational activity.30

• Aleppo International Airport (275.5% ↑): Operations and key northern air corridors were reopened on March 4, enabling the resumption of commercial flight services; activity included FlySham and temporary DAN AIR operations, with returning passenger traffic documented throughout the month.31323334

• Damascus International Airport (0.6% ↑): Regular commercial passenger operations remained suspended throughout March due to security assessments and airspace restrictions; activity was limited to authorized non-passenger ferry flights, while bus transfers to Aleppo Airport were initiated on March 14 for ticket holders.3536373839

• Qamishli Airport (21.2% ↑): Rehabilitation works involving ground leveling around the runway and aprons continued throughout March; a security incident on March 21 resulted in a heightened security presence and the re-raising of the national flag the following day.404142

• Latakia International Airport (170.1% ↑): A substantial NTL gain was recorded; further localized analysis is required to identify the specific drivers behind the observed trend.

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Ports

• Latakia Port (256.3% ↑): New container terminal mechanisms and centralized logistics were implemented in mid-March to accommodate rising cargo volumes; this surge in activity was highlighted by the March 31 docking of the NEW UNITY carrying 20,000 tons of steel.4344454647

• Baniyas Port (232.0% ↑): Unloading operations for crude oil and petroleum derivatives continued throughout March; eight tankers were unloaded on March 18, while additional gas carriers (GAS MILANO and PREMIER) were received on March 23.4849

• Tartus Port (106.0% ↑): New operational mechanisms were announced on March 15 to facilitate truck movements and streamline freight transport; 10,000 donated school desks were subsequently received and unloaded between March 19 and 20.5051

Border Crossings

• Jdeidet Yabous (472.3% ↑) & Arida (160.7% ↑): High volumes of inbound traffic from Lebanon were recorded throughout March; over 110,000 entries at Jdeidet Yabous and 7,000 at Arida were documented by IOM’s Displacement Tracking Matrix.52

• Semalka (134.5% ↑): Operational assessments were initiated in early March to integrate the crossing into the national framework; a temporary closure was recorded on March 16 due to river flooding; a high-level inspection of technical and administrative readiness was conducted on March 31.535455

• At-Tanf (100.0% ↑): The crossing was reopened on March 31 after a decade-long closure; Iraqi oil tanker convoys were received for transit to the Baniyas refinery.5657

• Nasib (82.5% ↑): New regulations for back-to-back cargo transfers were protested in mid-March; operations were expanded to a 24/7 schedule on March 23; a new gate and updated lighting infrastructure were inaugurated between March 25 and 29.585960

• Al-Bukamal (22.2% ↑): Full operations were maintained during the Eid al-Fitr period (March 18–21); a temporary suspension was recorded on March 27 due to flooding and access road disruption; passenger crossings were resumed on March 31 following infrastructure repairs.616263

• Bab Al-Hawa (1.2% ↑): Traffic was redirected from the Al-Hammam crossing following its permanent closure on March 17; a temporary closure was recorded from March 19 to 23; rehabilitation and expansion works were inspected on March 30.6465

• Bab Al-Salameh (24.5% ↓): A temporary closure was recorded between March 19 and 23 per coordination with Turkish authorities; the suspension of passenger and commercial movements likely contributed to a net reduction in monthly activity.66

• Al-Yarubiyah (49.6% ↓): Infrastructure upgrades and inspections were conducted by the General Authority for Border Crossings and Customs; operational capacity was reduced to facilitate rehabilitation efforts; a reopening was scheduled for early May.67

• Daraa/Ramtha (81.1% ↑): A substantial increase in NTL levels was recorded throughout March; no specific operational drivers were identified during the reporting period.

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Power Plants

• Mehardeh (156.1% ↑): A 100 MW generating unit was reactivated on March 20–21 after being offline for a decade; maintenance and rehabilitation works were completed; the restart was overseen by the Ministry of Energy.68

• Aleppo (20.8% ↑): A technical fault was recorded on the 230 kV high-voltage lines on March 29 due to adverse weather; the power plant was taken offline; restart operations were initiated following a regional blackout.69

• Tishreen (10.7% ↑): Rehabilitation of the 230/66 kV transformer was completed on March 14; a new 66/20 kV 30 MVA transformer was installed; grid stability and power flow were increased.70

• Al-Nasserieh (0.5% ↓): Maintenance on the 230 kV transformer was completed on March 11; flooding was recorded within the station perimeter on March 15 due to heavy rainfall; technical faults were addressed via emergency repairs.7172

• Jandar (7.3% ↓): A shaft replacement project on the first gas turbine was inspected on March 27; repair operations were continued; maintenance works remained ongoing to return the unit to service.73

• Zayzoun (100.0% ↑), Baniyas (56.4% ↑), Al-Rastin (4.7% ↓), Al-Zara (5.8% ↓) & Deir Ali (19.0% ↓): Mixed trends were observed across these facilities; specific drivers were not identified; further localized investigation is required.

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Dams

• Al-Mansoura (178.0% ↑): Substantial NTL gains were recorded in March for a second consecutive month following the dam’s return to government control in January 2026.74

• Tishreen (64.7% ↑): Increased NTL signatures were recorded for a second consecutive month following reconnection to the national grid in late January after one year offline.75

• Mashqita (49.3% ↑): Full storage capacity of approximately 210 million cubic meters was reached on March 9 following heavy rainfall; inspections were conducted by water resource officials; water was released to support the irrigation of 21,000 hectares.76

• Midanki (0.5% ↓): A field inspection was conducted on March 3 to assess structural integrity and gate operations; water discharge levels were adjusted following heavy inflows; the facility continued to supply drinking water to Afrin and Azaz alongside irrigation for 30,000 hectares.77

• Qattinah (61.4% ↑) & Al-Tabqa (4.6% ↓): Mixed NTL trends were observed across these facilities; specific drivers were not identified during the reporting period; further localized investigation is required.

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Industrial Zones

• Adra Industrial City (56.6% ↑): Remains of 14 people were discovered during foundation excavations for a new mill at the zone; a response was initiated by specialized teams; construction activity was continued.78

• Sheikh Najjar (45.5% ↑): Applications for new industrial and shipping plots were opened through March 19.79

• Hasyaa (41.8% ↑): Ten administrative licenses for new industrial facilities were granted since the start of 2026; capital investment totaling 33 billion Syrian pounds was recorded across the chemical, food, and engineering sectors, according to SANA reporting in early March.80

• Deir Ezzor (62.0% ↓): Field visits and high-level meetings were conducted in January and February to assess war damage at stalled spinning, paper, and sugar factories; rehabilitation planning was initiated in coordination with the UNDP.8182

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IDP Camps

• Aq Burhan (100.0% ↑) & Al-Hol (84.0% ↓): Significant NTL shifts were recorded following the closure of Al-Hol in February; over 1,000 families were relocated to Aq Burhan; electricity and water infrastructure were deployed in Aq Burhan while services in Al-Hol were scaled down to minimal levels throughout March.838485

• Washokani (34.5% ↓), Serekaniye (40.5% ↓) & Al-Mukawamah (19.4% ↓): Severe flooding was recorded in March across North and East Syria; tent infrastructure was damaged and urgent humanitarian appeals were issued from several IDP sites.868788

• Atmeh (3.4% ↑) & Al-Karameh/Qah (5.6% ↓): Tents were damaged in Al-Karameh during heavy rainfall; a government initiative to survey and plan the closure of Idlib displacement camps was launched in March.8990

1. Cities | Al-Hasakah Saw 27% Drop in Nighttime Lights Following Clashes and Grid Damage

2. Air Quality | Aerosol Levels in Deir Ezzor Decline Following Crackdown on Informal Refineries

3. Tree Cover | Hama, Homs, and Latakia Post Double-Digit Vegetation Declines as 2025 Wildfire Impacts Persist

4. Burned Areas | January Satellite Data Show Zero Burned Areas Nationwide

5. Airports | Deir Ezzor Airport Records Nearly Eightfold Increase in Nighttime Lights Ahead of Planned Reopening

6. Ports | Baniyas Port Posts 291% Surge in Nighttime Lights Amid Emergency Gas Deliveries During Ramadan

7. Border Crossings | Jdeidet Yabous Saw 524% Spike in Nighttime Lights Amid Refugee Returns and Trade Congestion Relief

8. Power Plants | Jordanian Gas Imports Drive Modest Activity Uptick at Al-Nasserieh Power Plant

9. Dams | Regained Government Control Triggers Activity Surges at Key Euphrates Dams

10. Industrial Zones | New Infrastructure and Energy Agreements Coincide with Spike in Nighttime Lights Across Key Industrial Cities

11. IDP Camps | Al-Hol Closure and Relocation of 1,000+ Families Coincide with Activity Spike at Aq Burhan Camp

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Cities

• Damascus (+223.5%), Homs (+204.5%) & Hama (+188.1%): Nighttime light (NTL) levels saw significant year-over-year (YoY) increases in February 2026,1 coinciding with the launch of a $12.4M Japan–UNDP project to rehabilitate Jandar Power Plant, targeting up to 540 MW and helping stabilize electricity supply across their respective governorates.2

• Aleppo (+189.0%): The recorded NTL growth is consistent with reported increased daily power availability (16–20 hours in several neighborhoods), alongside intensified grid rehabilitation work.3

• Daraa (+160.4%): This spike in NTL coincided with a $10.7M UNDP project to rehabilitate Deir Ali Power Plant, aiming to restore ~120 MW and improve electricity reliability across the southern governorates.4

• Deir Ezzor (+156.9%) & Ar-Raqqah (+94.5%): NTL levels substantially grew in both cities aligning with the launch of extensive grid repairs by the Ministry of Energy;5 Ar-Raqqah's recovery also reflects developments following the Syrian transitional government regaining control in January 2026.6

• Latakia (+137.5%): This steep NTL increase mirrors local reports of longer periods of continuous power (over 12 hours on some days in late February),7 supported by improved grid stability from gas imports and coastal infrastructure maintenance.8

• Al-Qamishli (+117.7%): NTL levels more than doubled YoY following the completion of emergency repairs to the main 230 kV high-voltage line connecting the Buwab and Al-Qamishli stations, restoring power and improving supply stability.9

• Idlib (+73.2%): NTL levels increased significantly in February 2026 following reports of a newly completed electricity line, which has contributed to a gradually stabilizing power supply.10

• Al-Hasakah (-27.1%): This was the only major city to record a decline in NTL levels in February 2026, following January clashes between transitional government forces and the SDF that damaged key power lines and caused widespread, persistent outages.11

• Tartus (+98.7%) & As-Suwayda (+2.2%): Both cities posted positive NTL growth; further localized analysis is required to identify underlying drivers.

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Air Quality

• Homs (+15.1%), Damascus (+4.7%) & Aleppo (+3.4%): Year-over-year (YoY) aerosol optical depth (AOD) increases in February 202612 align with extensive rubble clearing, debris removal, and recycling operations across the three cities.131415

• Idlib (-18.8%), Latakia (-22.6%) & Hama (-34.1%): Sharp declines were recorded in the three cities, consistent with heavy rainfall, winter storms, and flash flooding in the region, which likely washed suspended aerosols from the atmosphere.16

• Al-Hasakah (-0.8%): AOD levels showed virtually no change from the baseline, despite ground reports indicating collapsed municipal services and widespread open-air waste burning.17

• Al-Qamishli (-18.0%): A steep decline in overall AOD is observed despite documented high levels of localized pollution from diesel generators, high-emission vehicles, and crude-oil burners.18

• Ar-Raqqah (-19.6%): The AOD decline follows the transitional government regaining control and launching an emergency sanitation campaign in late February that cleared 165 illegal dumping sites across the city.19

• Deir Ezzor (-21.8%): This YoY drop in aerosol levels is consistent with the closure of informal oil refineries and localized enforcement raids on non-compliant sites within the governorate.20

• As-Suwayda (+22.4%), Daraa (+11.8%) & Tartus (+8.3%): All three cities posted higher AOD levels YoY; further localized analysis is required to identify the specific underlying drivers.

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Tree Cover

• Aleppo (+5.9%): A slight year-over-year (YoY) increase in the Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI)21 coincided with localized reforestation efforts, including a campaign by authorities and volunteers to plant 20,000 trees around the Midanki Dam.22

• Idlib (-1.3%): A negligible YoY decline was recorded in February 2026 despite the late-January launch of the “Green Idlib” (“إدلب خضراء”) campaign, which planted hundreds of thousands of saplings across the governorate.23

• Tartus (-7.1%), Hama (-14.0%), Homs (-15.1%) & Latakia (-16.3%): Steep declines broadly reflect the lingering devastation of the 2025 wildfire season, which damaged over 18,000 hectares and destroyed at least 150,000 trees nationwide.24 Notably in Latakia, these low baselines persist despite mid-February mitigation efforts to plant 4,000 saplings in fire-affected zones.25

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Burned Areas

• Zero burned areas were detected across Syria in January 2026.26 This marks a stark year-over-year (YoY) improvement from January 2025, which saw 6,876 hectares of agricultural land burn concentrated within Aleppo Governorate.

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Airports

• Deir Ezzor Airport (+674.5%): A nearly eightfold year-over-year (YoY) increase in nighttime light (NTL) levels aligns closely with the February 2026 start of runway and infrastructure rehabilitation ahead of a planned reopening.27

• Aleppo International Airport (+272.8%): This YoY spike in NTL levels coincides with early-February Syria–Saudi Arabia agreements on airport expansion28 and the delivery of Turkish-supplied ground navigation equipment.29

• Qamishli Airport (+4.0%): Overall NTL levels grew slightly in February 2026 following the transfer of operational control to Syrian authorities,30 alongside the initiation of technical rehabilitation works aimed at restoring full capacity.31

• Damascus International Airport (-6.1%): This was the only airport to record a decline in NTL levels in February 2026, reflecting the late-February flight suspensions and temporary southern airspace closures linked to regional military escalation,32 despite ongoing expansion works.33

• Palmyra Airport (+476.2%) & Latakia International Airport (+97.2%): Both recorded substantial growth; further localized analysis is required to identify the specific underlying drivers.

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Ports

• Baniyas Port (+291.1%): A nearly 300% year-over-year (YoY) increase in nighttime light (NTL) levels in February 2026 coincides with reports of four liquefied gas shipments arriving during the month to alleviate countrywide cooking gas shortages in early Ramadan.34

• Latakia Port (+201%): NTL levels grew threefold YoY following a January announcement by Italian carrier Ignazio Messina to add Latakia to its regular Middle East maritime service.35

• Tartus Port (+78.6%): This spike in NTL is consistent with January’s $190 million shipyard agreement with Turkey’s Kuzey Star Shipyard36 and DP World’s ongoing redevelopment plan launched in 2025.37

Border Crossings

• Jdeidet Yabous (+523.7%): Nighttime light (NTL) levels saw an over sixfold year-over-year (YoY) increase in February 2026, coinciding with a surge in voluntary returns of Syrian refugees from Lebanon38 and coordinated measures on truck transit and container unloading.39

• Nasib (+312.3%): February 2026 data showed a substantial YoY increase in NTL levels despite Syrian restrictions on non-Syrian lorries entering via the crossing.40

• Arida (+164.2%): This spike followed Lebanon’s initiation of repairs on the damaged border bridge to support the reopening of the crossing with Syria.41

• Daraa/Ramtha (+106.6%): NTL levels more than doubled YoY, coinciding with calls from the Daraa Chamber of Commerce and Industry to reopen the crossing to boost trade, jobs, and economic activity with Jordan.42

• Semalka (+87.4%): Overall NTL growth coincided with a visit from a Syrian Defense and Interior Ministry delegation, alongside SDF officials, to discuss integration, security coordination, and operations with Iraqi Kurdistan.43

• Al-Bukamal (+47.9%) & Al-Yarubiyah (-25.7%): Despite Iraq’s broader push to reopen adjacent crossings for trade, local realities drove divergent trends: Al-Bukamal surged following its recent reopening, whereas Al-Yarubiyah declined ahead of anticipated administrative shifts.44

• Bab Al-Hawa (-9.1%) & Bab Al-Salameh (+6.3%): Data show mixed trends as Syria adjusts border operations with Turkey45 amid ongoing voluntary returns processing; localized variations require further investigation.

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Power Plants

• Mehardeh (+101.6%) & Zayzoun (+100%): Nighttime light (NTL) levels doubled year-over-year (YoY) in February 2026, following November 2025 agreements for new gas-fired power plants in Mehardeh (800 MW) and Zayzoun (1,000 MW) under a $7B international consortium to expand generation capacity.46

• Baniyas (+41.0%): This NTL spike likely reflects the November 2025 restart of Unit Four, restoring 150 MW and raising total plant capacity to a maximum of 500 MW.47

• Al-Nasserieh (+4.4%): A modest uptick in NTL is likely linked to the January 2026 start of gas supply from Jordan, activating the ~450 MW facility.48

• Al-Zara (-5.2%): Overall NTL levels slightly declined YoY in February 2026 despite the December 2025 completion of maintenance on the second steam unit and its reconnection to the national grid.49

• Tishreen (-6.3%): The slight drop in NTL levels aligns with reported transformer faults linked to prior damage, which have compounded persistent outages and delayed repairs.50

• Jandar (-9.3%): This decline in NTL in February 2026 coincided with the signing of a $12.4M agreement with Japan and the UNDP to rehabilitate Units 1 and 2 and stabilize ~540 MW of capacity.51

• Deir Ali (-24.3%): Despite the finalization of an international, UNDP-backed agreement to rehabilitate the facility, the power plant recorded a substantial drop in NTL.52

• Al-Rastin (+13.5%) & Aleppo (-1.6%): Data show mixed trends; further localized investigation is required to determine the specific underlying drivers.

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Dams

• Al-Mansoura (+175.2%) & Al-Tabqa (+23.5%): Nighttime light (NTL) levels surged year-over-year (YoY) after the Syrian government regained control of both facilities in January 2026.53 As of early February, turbine operations at Al-Tabqa are functioning at 50% capacity, generating approximately 400 MW.54

• Tishreen (+34.6%): This spike in NTL levels followed the facility's reconnection to the national electricity grid in late January and early February 2026.55

• Mashqita (-44.4%): NTL levels dropped significantly in February 2026, coinciding with a severe weather event that required urgent public warnings and active management of the reservoir.56

• Qattinah (+26.9%) & Midanki (+6.2%): Both dams recorded NTL growth; further localized investigation is required to determine the specific underlying drivers.

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Industrial Zones

• Sheikh Najjar Industrial Zone (+119.8%): Nighttime light (NTL) levels more than doubled year-over-year (YoY), coinciding with a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed with Takween Advanced Industries to support further infrastructure development.57

• Hasyaa Industrial City (+38.2%): The NTL increase follows the January 2026 launch of the country’s largest raw sugar refinery on site.58

• Adra Industrial City (+31.1%): Overall NTL levels posted substantial growth in February 2026, following an MoU to develop a 210 MW solar power plant and 827 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) to strengthen on-site power supply for industrial operations.59

• Deir Ezzor Industrial Zone (-55.1%): NTL levels significantly declined in February 2026 amid official assessments of stalled facilities and rehabilitation planning for the governorate.60

IDP Camps

• Aq Burhan (+100.0%) & Al-Hol (-57.2%): Nighttime light (NTL) levels shifted in opposite directions year-over-year (YoY), as Al-Hol camp was officially closed on 22 February61 and over 1,000 families were relocated to Aq Burhan in northern Aleppo by 23 February.62

• Washokani (+11.0%) & Serekaniye (-29.6%): Data show mixed trends amid reduced international humanitarian assistance to approximately 15% of normal levels and halted fuel distribution following funding shortfalls reported in early January 2026.63

• Atmeh (+22.4%) & Al-Karameh/Qah (+12.4%): Overall NTL levels grew following severe winter weather events, including a January snowstorm64 and early February flooding that affected multiple IDP sites in Idlib Governorate, prompting humanitarian responses and site assessments.65

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