Levant in May 2026: the most important developments in society
Society in the Levant in May 2026 was marked by flooding in Syria and by the war's effects on civilians in Lebanon. Late in the month the Euphrates River rose, and flooding in northern and eastern Syria displaced thousands of people. President Ahmed al-Sharaa visited Deir ez-Zor as relief was deployed, and by 31 May the flooding was receding in the east. Earlier, on 20 May, he apologized to Deir ez-Zor residents over remarks by his father.
In Lebanon, the United Nations reported that eleven children were killed or injured every 24 hours. Reports said war and drought had pushed Lebanese agriculture to breaking point, and that support for Hezbollah endured in the south despite the ceasefire. Syria's foreign minister, Asaad al-Shaibani, said forcing refugees to return would lead to chaos in Syria, and Australian women who had lived in Syrian camps remained a subject of debate.
by WorldBrief & Maksim Micheliov | AI-generated summary
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