Syria: Ramadan to begin May 26-27

Event

On May 26-27, Muslims in Syria and elsewhere in the world will begin their month-long celebration of Ramadan. The end of the month of Ramadan, marked by Eid-el-Fitr celebrations, will take place on June 25. Busy periods should be expected around daybreak but especially in the evening around sunset. In the morning families will gather for "Suhoor" - the last meal before fasting begins. In the evening families gather for "Iftar" - the breaking of the fast. Markets are usually busy in the evenings as people prepare for the evening gathering and feast. Such gatherings will be attractive targets for terrorist elements in the country. Many traditional Ramadan practices have been largely put on hold out of necessity in much of Syria in recent years due to the ongoing civil war and accompanying humanitarian crisis.

Most notably for travelers to Syria, there is a particularly high terror threat during the holy month. In 2016, Islamic State (IS) called on its members to perpetrate attacks coinciding with Ramadan. Then, on July 3, 2016, a minivan packed with explosives detonated and killed at least 143 people in central Baghdad, Iraq, during Ramadan celebrations. Similar attacks targeting Ramadan-related activities in Syria are possible.

Context

Ramadan is a period of reflection and self-restraint and it carries great significance within the Muslim calendar. Muslims traditionally observe daytime fasting and are called to practice increased devotion and abstain from certain activities.

More generally, this period marks a significant increase in the regional terror threat in many Muslim-majority countries across the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. In recent years, IS, as well as other groups, have called on their fighters to perpetrate attacks during the holy month of Ramadan. On June 26, 2015, IS fighters killed 39 people in an attack targeting Sousse, Tunisia. The same day, a similar attack also claimed by IS targeted a Mosque during Friday's noon prayers in Kuwait City, killing 27 people. On June 21, 2016, members of Jordan’s security forces were killed in a car bomb. In Lebanon, a series of suicide attacks killed six people. In Turkey, on the evening of June 28, 2016, an attack carried out by three gunmen/suicide bombers was perpetrated at Istanbul-Atatürk International Airport (IST), leaving 44 people dead and scores more injured.

Syria is enmeshed in a complex civil war that started between the Assad government and opposition forces in March 2011. Today, the conflict in Syria involves many parties, including the Syrian government, the Jordanian government, the Iranian government, the Turkish government, the Russian government, a United States-led coalition, and numerous armed groups on the ground (including IS) with competing goals.

Advice

Individuals in Syria are advised remain aware of their surroundings and on alert against any suspicious behavior due to the high terrorist threat. It is advised not to eat, drink, or smoke in public throughout this period to avoid drawing undue attention to yourself.

Due to extremely poor security conditions, Western governments generally advise against all travel to Syria, with some countries banning all travel to the country. Professional security advice and support should be sought prior to any travel to the country.