Nordwestsyrien

Nordwestsyrien, also referred to as the northwestern part of Syria, is a geographic and political region that covers primarily the Idlib Governorate and parts of the adjacent Aleppo and Latakia governorates. It is bounded by Turkey to the north, the Mediterranean Sea to the west, and the rest of Syria to the east and south. The area includes mountainous and hilly terrain, with agricultural activity focusing on olives, citrus, grains and other crops.

Since the start of the Syrian civil war, the northwest has been a principal opposition stronghold. Since 2017, Idlib and much of the surrounding countryside have been under the de facto control of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and allied groups, while in parts of northern Aleppo, including Afrin, Turkish-backed factions have held sway following the 2018 military operation Olive Branch. The Syrian government maintains limited presence in some western outskirts of Aleppo and along certain routes, and ceasefire arrangements, brokered by Russia and other actors, have affected fighting in the region.

The population of northwestern Syria has been heavily affected by the conflict, with millions of residents and a large number of internally displaced people. The region is ethnically and religiously diverse, including Sunni Arabs, Kurds, Turkmen and Christians, among others. The humanitarian situation remains acute, with damaged infrastructure and services; aid deliveries are a key element of relief, often routed through crossings with neighboring Turkey such as Bab al-Hawa and Bab al-Salama.

Economy and services are largely constrained by ongoing instability. Agriculture remains important for many communities, but access to healthcare, education and public utilities is limited in parts of the region.