8th December 2025 marked Syria’s one-year anniversary since rebel forces, led by the now interim President Ahmed Al-Sharaa, ousted the Bashar al-Assad government.

Whilst a number of countries have reopened their embassies in Damascus including Egypt, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Jordan, Bahrain, Oman, and Italy both the USA and UK have yet to commit. In relation to the latter two, discussions are reportedly ongoing and the US held a symbolic flag-raising ceremony in 2025. The main issue for both these countries and others is that the security situation in parts of the country is still challenging with ISIL and other splinter groups conducting terrorist strikes against both civilian and military targets. President Trump retaliated with air strikes against 70 ISL Targets on 19th December 2025 after an ISIL gunman killed two US military personnel and US civilian interpreter.

Prior to travelling to Syria, security should be the main focus for any company or executive. Conducting a political and security risk assessment backed by good on the ground intelligence is essential. This will identify what security you require if any and identify the areas which to avoid and the most secure hotels to stay in.

The second priority is to conduct due diligence on any potential business partners and opportunities. Not only to ensure compliance with the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), UK’s Bribery Act and other countries bribery laws, but also to protect the reputation of your company.

Page Group is well placed to assist with both security and due diligence.

Since 2004, Page Group has managed and operated security contracts for diplomatic missions in high risk countries including Haiti, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Palestinian Territories and Sri Lanka. The contracts involve the provision of close protection teams to the Head of Delegation/Ambassador and Senior Staff as well protecting their premises.

Below is an overview of the daily duties of one of our international security managers protecting EU Missions and other Embassies in Israel and the West Bank.

“Every day starts around 6 o’clock, checking the recent announcements of the Israeli government, Israeli Defense Force, Lebanese Government and Army, Palestinian Authorities and regional media outlets for updates on the current situation to anticipate any possible scenario that could develop during the day. I prepare a quick report for our clients, to inform them of any potential events, for example, a potential attack from Iran or something similar. Once the guards start arriving at their posts, I check in with them to ensure they are ready for the working day, regarding their respective missions and the current national situation. They inform me if there are any requests regarding equipment maintenance or supply acquisition.

Around 9 or 10 in the morning, I arrive at the office, and proceed to do my administrative work. This includes but not limit to checking our “punch in and out” system, request for new equipment including guns or ammunition if it is needed, preparing extensive report for the clients if they require them, paperwork regarding the different government offices and prepare a recce report for possible locations that our clients may visit in the future.

Usually by 3pm I will visit the different projects under my supervision to check how our team is performing to ensure that we are maintaining our high standards and state of alert. Sometimes, the clients, represented by their Security officers (aka Regional Security Officer/Advisor or Security Manager, etc) and their Head of Administration, request a meeting to discuss future events that requires our assistance.

There were many expats who were terrified of the situation, so our duty was also to calm them down. I remember how I personally handled the evacuation of a mother and her daughter where the mother was in panic, not knowing what to do once the Ambassador of her mission told her to evacuate, asking every five minutes if they were going to die. We are aware that our clients are not used to this extreme situation, and I think that it is one of our prime duties to keep them calm and demonstrate how they will be ok.”

For over ten years Page Group has been supporting security departments of the multinational corporations in the management of the travel integrity and security programs for their Executives and business travellers.

Page Group has been deploying tactics and procedures based on its security management experience of the intelligence-driven, low-profile, and avoidance based approach. Page Group deploys experienced, low profile close protection trained operatives (international and/or local) with local knowledge who are sensitive to commercial environments. They may accompany the Executives overseas enabling the client to work in the knowledge that all aspects of their personal safety are being managed. The operatives may go in advance of an Executive to meet at airports and ensure all arrangements are made in the destination country. Other roles include conducting counter surveillance, physical security (checking hotels, residences, offices and venues of interest) and instigating crisis management and evacuation when the situation requires. Page Group maintains working relationships with the experienced and qualified local security providers in the countries and locations of interest. The services have been recently provided in Iraq, Libya and the United Kingdom.