Syria — Global Risk

    Insurance for work and travel in Syria

    Syria is one of the most challenging environments in the world to insure properly. Most standard policies will not respond in any meaningful way, which leaves many professionals exposed at the point they most need support.

    This is specialist cover designed for journalists, NGOs, contractors, researchers and operational teams whose work still requires them to be present in high-risk and unstable environments.

    What's included

    Specialist cover for Syria

    Accidental death & permanent disability
    Sickness & accident medical expenses
    Medical evacuation & repatriation
    24/7 emergency support through NGS

    Designed for non-combatants working in environments where standard insurance often fails.

    Syria is one of the most challenging environments in the world to insure properly.

    The risks are not theoretical — they are practical, immediate and often unpredictable. Insurance designed for stable environments is unlikely to help when something goes wrong here.

    Yes — Conflict Cover provides specialist insurance for Syria.

    Subject to full disclosure of your assignment, operating area and security arrangements. This cover is designed for journalists, NGO workers, contractors and other non-combatants who have a legitimate professional reason to be there.

    Country context

    What's happening in Syria

    The situation

    Post-Assad Syria — transition, fragmentation and persistent risk

    Syria's political landscape changed dramatically in late 2024 with the fall of the Assad government. HTS-led forces now control Damascus and much of the north-west, while the situation in other regions — including Kurdish-controlled areas in the north-east and residual regime-aligned pockets — remains fluid. The transition away from Assad creates both new access opportunities and new risks.

    International organisations are reassessing their Syria presence following the change in government. Humanitarian access has improved in some areas, but the security environment remains complex: armed groups with different loyalties, unclear command structures and ongoing local conflicts mean the risk of being caught in crossfire or targeted is real.

    For non-combatants considering work in Syria — journalists, humanitarian workers, researchers and reconstruction staff — specialist insurance and 24/7 emergency support remain essential. The improvement in access does not mean a reduction in risk to individuals.

    What to watch

    • HTS governance consolidation and relations with other armed factions in Syria
    • Kurdish-Arab tensions in north-east Syria and US forces' operational posture
    • Islamic State activity in Deir ez-Zor, Palmyra and central desert regions
    • Israeli strikes on former Assad military infrastructure and weapons depots

    Why it can be challenging

    Risk factors in a rapidly changing environment

    Multiple armed factions with unclear command and control

    Syria's security landscape is fractured. HTS, Kurdish forces (SDF/YPG), Turkish-backed groups, and remnant IS cells operate in different areas with different rules of engagement. Non-combatants can be targeted by any faction for different reasons.

    Active Islamic State insurgency in central and eastern regions

    IS retains a significant insurgency capability in the Syrian desert, Deir ez-Zor and the Iraqi border region. Ambushes, IEDs and targeted killings of anyone perceived to be associated with opposing forces continue.

    Infrastructure destruction and absent services

    Years of conflict have destroyed much of Syria's medical, communications and transport infrastructure. Emergency response in most of the country depends on the resources international organisations bring with them.

    Kidnapping and extortion by armed groups

    Kidnapping of international staff for ransom or political leverage has occurred throughout the conflict. The post-Assad transition period, with its unclear authority structures, does not eliminate this risk.

    Can you get insurance for Syria?

    Yes — built for active and post-conflict environments

    We provide specialist insurance for non-combatants travelling to Syria for professional and operational reasons.

    This cover is built for real working conditions in an environment where infrastructure, access, medical support and evacuation can all be severely constrained.

    • Journalists and media teams
    • NGOs and humanitarian organisations
    • Contractors and consultants
    • Researchers and analysts
    • Corporate and operational teams

    Why this matters in Syria

    Ordinary assumptions do not apply here

    Syria is not a place where ordinary assumptions about travel or insurance apply. The risks are not theoretical. They are practical, immediate and often unpredictable.

    That means having insurance that is designed for stable environments is unlikely to help when something goes wrong.

    Specialist cover gives you a clearer route to support in an environment where that support can be difficult to access.

    Practical relevance

    Real-world scenarios this cover is designed for

    Active or recently active conflict environment

    Professional work in an active or recently active conflict environment where standard insurance provides no meaningful cover.

    Medical treatment where local facilities are limited

    Medical treatment following an incident where local facilities may be severely limited or inaccessible.

    Evacuation where safe routes are restricted

    Need for evacuation where safe routes, transport options and border access may all be restricted at the same time.

    NGOs, press and teams under sustained pressure

    Support for NGOs, journalists and operational teams working under sustained pressure in one of the world's hardest operating environments.

    Emergency support

    What happens if something goes wrong?

    NGS provides 24/7 support. They can assess the situation, help coordinate treatment, support evacuation where possible, and manage the case through to a safer outcome.

    You are not relying on a policy alone. You have access to real-world support in an environment where that matters most.

    Continuity

    Does cover continue after you return home?

    Yes. Eligible personal accident benefits can continue after you return to your country of domicile, subject to the policy terms.

    That helps provide continuity if the impact of an incident continues after you leave the country.

    Exclusions

    What is not covered?

    Being clear about exclusions helps buyers know exactly what this policy is for and where separate cover may be needed.

    This policy is designed to protect people, not possessions.

    Cover not included

    • Kidnap and ransom cover
    • Detention or arrest cover
    • Political evacuation

    Activity exclusions

    • Participation in combat or military activity
    • Active involvement in hostilities

    Property exclusions

    • Loss or damage to personal belongings, baggage, or equipment

    These covers can be arranged separately if required.

    Threat intelligence

    Threat intelligence and risk context

    For a deeper understanding of the current situation, including operational risks and regional dynamics, see our threat intelligence hub.

    View threat intelligence

    Common questions

    Questions about insurance for Syria

    Next step

    Need cover for work in Syria?

    If you need to travel to Syria for work and want to know whether proper cover can be arranged, start a quote and tell us what you need.

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