20th century World War I and Deir ez-Zor occupation During
World War I, the United Kingdom played a significant role in the
Allied victory in Syria, collaborating with Arab
Sharifian Army during the
Arab Revolt, which was supported by British Army officer
T. E. Lawrence. This partnership helped secure major victories, including the
capture of Damascus in 1918. Following the war, the implementation of the
Sykes-Picot Agreement shaped the division of the region, granting Britain influence outside Syria. On 11 January 1919, British forces occupied
Deir ez-Zor, annexing it to Iraq. However, local resistance, supported by Iraqi officers and tribes, culminated in the city's liberation on 27 December 1919, as British troops withdrew to Iraq.
World War II and Levant Crisis In 1941, the British launched the
Syria-Lebanon Campaign to counter
Vichy French influence in the region, fearing it could bolster
Axis powers. British troops, alongside
Free French forces and Commonwealth allies, successfully invaded Syria and Lebanon, driving out Vichy French forces and establishing control under the Free French government. The British later became involved in the
Levant Crisis of 1945, as tensions between the French and Syrians escalated. When French forces bombarded Damascus in May 1945 to suppress growing independence movements, the British intervened militarily, pressuring the French to withdraw. This intervention paved the way for
Syrian independence and the end of French colonial rule, solidifying Britain's role in shaping the region's post-war order.
1950s On 6 November 1956, during the
Suez Crisis, a
Royal Air Force Canberra PR.7 was sent to overfly Syria on a photo reconnaissance mission, and was shot down by a
Syrian Air Force Gloster Meteor. As of 2022, this was the last RAF aircraft shot down in an enemy air-to-air engagement.
21st century Ba'athist Syria Asma al-Assad was born and raised in
England. in November 2015. In 2001, positive relations were developed between
Prime Minister Tony Blair and the
Syrian government, as part of the
war on terror. In 2002,
President Bashar al-Assad made an official visit to the United Kingdom, the first Syrian leader to do so. He and his wife Asma met with Queen
Elizabeth II. In 2003, the
British Syrian Society was established in
London by
Fawaz Akhras, father-in-law of Bashar al-Assad.
Syrian civil war (2011–2024) Since the emergence of
Syrian civil war in 2011, relations have deteriorated, and the UK was one of the first countries to recognise the opposition as the sole legitimate representative of the Syrian people. The
Embassy of Syria in London closed in 2013. In 2018, the UK took part in the
missile strikes against Syria alongside the
United States and
France. In March 2021, the
British Government placed sanctions on key allies of
Assad.
Post-Assad regime (2024–present) met Syrian President
Ahmed al-Sharaa at
Downing Street, 31 March 2026 British prime minister
Keir Starmer and foreign secretary
David Lammy welcomed the
fall of the Assad regime on 8 December 2024. A week later, the UK announced a £50 million aid package to support food, shelter, healthcare, and restoring essential services in Syria. In January 2025, the UK took part in the
Riyadh meetings on Syria, which focused on addressing the ongoing situation in Syria and exploring measures to promote stability in the country. During the meetings, UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy held talks with Syrian Foreign Minister
Asaad al-Shaibani. Two months later, the United Kingdom pledged an additional £160 million to Syria for aid. On 24 April 2025, the UK lifted sanctions on several Syrian government agencies, including the
Ministry of the Interior, the
Ministry of Defense, and the
General Intelligence Service, as well as the police, air force, military, and state-run media. On 5 July 2025, British foreign secretary Lammy announced that relations would be reestablished during a visit to Damascus. In addition, the United Kingdom pledged £94.5 million to provide urgent humanitarian aid, support Syria's long-term recovery, and assist neighboring countries hosting Syrian refugees. The Syrian embassy in London was reopened on 13 November 2025. On 31 March 2026, Syrian President
Ahmed al-Sharaa met UK Prime Minister
Keir Starmer in London to discuss cooperation, security, and reconstruction. The following day, he was received by
King Charles III at
Buckingham Palace, in a symbolic step reflecting renewed engagement between the United Kingdom and Syria. Al-Sharaa became the first Syrian head of state to visit London since former president
Bashar al-Assad visited the United Kingdom in 2002. == See also ==