Under the Assad regime, Idlib was completely off limits for tourists as the city was not under government control. It was always an area avoided on tours for the safety of the group and for the lack of permissions to be visiting idlib. However, after the fall of Asaad, visiting Idlib in 2025 is possible. The city itself is a lot different to many other cities that have been, for long periods, on the beaten track. Visiting Idlib may not be for everyone, but it is an interesting look at the city in which the revolution evolved from within.
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What is the importance of Idlib?
Idlib is a small city in the north-western corner of Syria inside the Idlib governorate. The city has always been relatively small but is located strategically in the north near Turkey. When the civil war broke out in 2011 in Syria, Idlib was full of different militias fighting against the government. Over the years many different militias operated in Idlib – the most prominent militia and well known one being Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (or better known as HTS).
In 2022 the Syrian Government forces under Baashar Al-Assad lead offenses that significantly shrink the territory of Syria’s ‘last stronghold’ of the opposition. However, HTS united many other opposition forces upon its creation, encouraged Turkish troops to enter North-Western Syria which allowed for partnerships to form and beat down rival opposition groups such as Al-Queda.
From 2017 onwards, the Syrian Salvation government partnered with HTS to govern Idlib province and administration, serving as the governmental wing of the opposition forces. In December 2024, HTS, its subjugated groups and the Syrian Salvation Government began an offensive that would see the surprise complete withdrawal and surrender by Bashar Al-Assad government, marking the end of the Al-Assad rule that had controlled Syria for decades.
HTS, The Syrian Salvation Government and their allies now have dissolved and now form an Islamic Syrian government (the Syrian Transitional Government) set to be in power for a transitional period of three years.
When visiting Idlib, what is there to see?
Idlib is the military source of the recent revolution and is different to many other cities in the country. The city is much more conservative with both men and women often covered ankle to wrist. Many women and girls wear a hijab or more commonly, a niqab.
City Centre and Clock Tower
The city itself is quite small and centers on one roundabout that acts as the hub for activity – merchants selling everything from clothes, to vegetables, to books around one small clock tower. The road is paired with palm trees and of course, the new Syrian flag remains perched at the very top.
Main Square
The main square as you drive into the city has a huge mural dedicated to the fall of the Bashar Al-Assad regime and is a monument of victory for the opposition forces who hailed from Idlib. The mural is adorned with the date and time that the opposition captured Damascus and is accompanied by the free Syrian flag.
Meeting The Locals
While many locals in the city center are shy or prefer not to interact much with strangers, in the rural areas there are some pockets of communities who are happy to see locals return. We visited a small refugee camp on the fringe areas of Idlib where there are many families living in tents, mostly from countryside Aleppo. They were very happy to see foreigners return and assist with their basic needs.
They showed us around and were repeatedly welcoming, as most Syrians are.
Gun Shops
In Idlib, you will see a lot of gun stores. Most of the men in Idlib are employed by the military forces and carry weapons with them. The shops have all sorts of military equipment – guns from Turkey, Europe and beyond, military clothing, scopes, binoculars, bullets, helmets and other accessories needed for conflict.
The cost of these items are significantly lower than in other areas of the country or even the region. You are likely to also see many people carrying weapons on the streets.
Security Concerns
Opening up to a new area of any country after long periods of conflict can bring instability. Idlib, while perhaps one of the most controlled areas of Syria currently, has many social rules visitors must be aware of when visiting. Firstly, you need to be fully covered to avoid any issues with locals or foreign fighters residing in Idlib. This means preferably an abaya, a hijab (with no hair at all showing) and for men, long pants and shirt, especially if you have tattoos. While people are generally pretty used to foreigners, they may be surprised and stare when they see you.
Guns, as previously mentioned, are very common in idlib. However, gun crime and crime against people, especially foreigners, is rare. As long as you are abiding by the above dress code, and keep in mind that your behaviour should also be modest, you should have no issues.
Security and military personnel, while some may not talk directly to women, are usually pretty friendly.
Idlib can be very crowded. Due to many rebels and their families moving to Idlib during the war, a city of previously 100,000 is said to be home to approximately 1 million people.
Do you want to visit Idlib?
YPT group tours are scheduled to be visiting Idlib in 2025. If you would like a private tour, visits to Idlib can also be arranged.
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