What was once confined to adventure tourism niches has increasingly entered the mainstream. Tour operators and governments alike are cautiously opening doors to regions marked by instability, betting that economic incentives and controlled access can outweigh security concerns.

In recent years, countries such as Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria long associated with conflict have witnessed a trickle of foreign visitors, often guided by specialized agencies offering tightly managed itineraries.

Industry analysts say the trend is driven partly by a new generation of travelers seeking “untouched” destinations, and partly by lower costs compared to traditional tourist hubs. Social media has further fueled interest, with influencers documenting trips to places once synonymous with danger.

“There is a segment of tourists who want to see the world beyond postcard destinations,” said a Dubai-based travel consultant. “For them, these places represent authenticity.”

For governments emerging from conflict, tourism offers a rare opportunity to generate revenue and rebuild global perception. In Rwanda, once defined by the Rwandan Genocide, high-end eco-tourism centered on mountain gorillas has transformed the country into a premium destination.

Similarly, Colombia has rebranded itself following decades of insurgency, with cities like Medellín shedding their violent past to attract digital nomads and international investors.

Officials argue that controlled tourism can help create jobs, reduce poverty and foster stability though the benefits are often unevenly distributed.

Despite the optimism, the rise of tourism in conflict zones raises serious ethical and safety questions.

Human rights groups warn that such travel can trivialize local suffering or expose visitors and residents to renewed risks. In countries where conflict remains unresolved, the presence of tourists may even strain fragile security environments.

Insurance premiums remain high, and many governments continue to issue travel advisories against visiting such areas. “There is always a line between exploration and exploitation,” said a European security analyst. “Not every destination is ready to be a destination.”

Major global travel platforms, including Airbnb and Booking.com, have adopted cautious policies when listing properties in high-risk regions, often relying on local regulations and risk assessments.

Meanwhile, niche operators emphasize cultural sensitivity, working with local communities to ensure tourism does not exacerbate tensions.

As geopolitical instability persists across multiple regions, the future of tourism in conflict zones remains uncertain. While the industry offers economic hope, it also reflects broader global inequalities where some regions must leverage even their scars to survive.

For now, the question remains whether tourism can genuinely contribute to peace and recovery, or whether it risks becoming another layer in the complex realities of conflict-affected societies.

Samir Ousman Alsheikh, 73, was convicted on one count of conspiracy to commit torture and three substantive counts of torture for his role in abuses carried out at Damascus Central Prison, widely known as Adra Prison.

The verdict marks one of the most significant prosecutions in the United States targeting alleged human rights violations committed during Syria’s long-running conflict.

Accountability for abuses at Adra PrisonAccording to the Justice Department, Alsheikh led the prison between 2005 and 2008, a period during which prosecutors said detainees were subjected to systematic physical and psychological abuse.

The facility, located on the outskirts of Damascus, became synonymous among rights groups and survivors with harsh detention conditions and coercive interrogation practices.

Prosecutors told the court that Alsheikh not only oversaw operations but also directed subordinates to inflict “severe physical and mental pain and suffering” on prisoners.

In some instances, he was personally involved in acts of torture, the department said, framing the abuses as part of a broader effort to suppress dissent against the Syrian government.

The charges reflected allegations that torture was used deliberately to deter political opposition, a pattern long documented by international human rights organizations examining the conduct of Syrian state institutions during the years preceding and following the country’s civil war.

Alsheikh had pleaded not guilty, according to court filings. Following the verdict, his legal team said it was “disappointed” and confirmed that he would pursue appeals and other post-trial remedies.Immigration fraud and deceptionIn addition to the torture-related convictions, the jury found Alsheikh guilty of lying to U.S. immigration authorities about his past conduct.

Prosecutors said he fraudulently obtained a green card and later attempted to become a U.S. citizen by concealing his alleged role in human rights abuses.The Justice Department said these findings underscored a broader effort by U.S. authorities to prevent individuals accused of serious international crimes from using immigration pathways to evade accountability.

Alsheikh was charged in late 2024 after investigators pieced together evidence linking him to abuses in Syria’s detention system. The case was brought under statutes that allow U.S. courts to prosecute acts of torture committed abroad when suspects are present on American soil.

He remains in U.S. custody and is awaiting sentencing. The department said he faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for each of the torture counts, as well as the conspiracy charge.

He could also receive up to 10 years for each of the immigration-related offenses.Links to Syria’s security apparatusProsecutors described Alsheikh as a long-time member of Syria’s state security apparatus with ties to the ruling political structure under Assad.

He was associated with the Syrian Ba’ath Party and later held a senior administrative role when he was appointed governor of Deir Ez-Zour province in 2011.

That appointment came at the outset of Syria’s uprising, which escalated into a protracted civil war that reshaped the country’s political and social landscape.

The conflict, which lasted more than a decade, killed hundreds of thousands of people, displaced millions, and devastated urban centers across the country.The Justice Department said Alsheikh’s role within the system illustrated how detention facilities were integrated into the broader machinery of state control during that period.

Broader context of Syria’s political transitionThe conviction comes after major political changes in Syria, where rebels ended more than five decades of rule by the Assad family in late 2024 following a rapid military advance.

The shift in power marked a turning point after years of stalemate and fragmented territorial control.Following Assad’s ouster, Ahmed al-Sharaa, a former al Qaeda commander, assumed leadership and has since sought to rebuild Syria’s international standing and improve relations with Western countries.

While the trial focused on events predating the recent transition, it reflects continued international scrutiny of alleged crimes committed during the Assad era. Legal experts say such cases highlight the use of universal jurisdiction and domestic legal frameworks to address human rights violations that might otherwise go unpunished.

Legal and geopolitical significanceThe case underscores Washington’s willingness to pursue accountability for alleged torture carried out abroad, particularly when suspects enter U.S. jurisdiction.

It also signals a broader effort to align immigration enforcement with human rights objectives.Although U.S. courts have limited reach over crimes committed overseas, the presence of defendants like Alsheikh enables prosecutors to bring cases that might not be feasible in international tribunals or in the country where the crimes occurred.

The outcome may also carry symbolic weight for survivors and advocacy groups that have long documented abuses in Syria’s detention system, where thousands of detainees are believed to have been subjected to torture or enforced disappearance.

For European and North American governments, the verdict highlights ongoing legal avenues for addressing crimes linked to the Syrian conflict, even as diplomatic engagement with Syria’s new leadership evolves.

Alsheikh’s sentencing date has not yet been set, the Justice Department said.

Omar Hosari, director of the Syrian Civil Aviation Authority, said the corridor will provide a designated flight path for aircraft arriving at and departing from Aleppo. The route is open to any airline provided it complies with internationally recognized aviation safety standards.Hosari said the corridor forms part of a broader effort by aviation authorities to gradually restore operations through Aleppo’s airport, which has faced intermittent disruptions in recent years.Route designed to stabilize air operationsHosari told Reuters that the newly activated route stretches westward from Aleppo toward the Mediterranean, offering aircraft a defined and secure passage for takeoff and landing procedures.He said the corridor was created to support the resumption of scheduled and charter flights while ensuring safe navigation for aircraft operating in the region’s increasingly congested airspace.Airlines that meet international operational and safety requirements will be permitted to use the route, according to the civil aviation authority. The corridor is intended to accommodate both Syrian carriers and foreign airlines seeking to operate flights to and from Aleppo.Authorities did not specify which international carriers may begin using the route or when additional flights might be scheduled.Gradual resumption of Aleppo air trafficThe reopening of the corridor coincides with a gradual revival of flight operations through Aleppo’s airport, one of Syria’s main aviation hubs. Officials say restoring reliable access routes is a prerequisite for broader resumption of air services.Hosari said the corridor is designed to facilitate stable air traffic management as operations increase at the airport. Aviation authorities have focused on establishing clear approach and departure paths to minimize operational risk.He emphasized that compliance with international aviation standards would be required for airlines seeking to utilize the corridor.Airspace management amid regional congestionRegional airspace has faced mounting pressure as airlines adjust routes due to geopolitical tensions and operational disruptions in parts of the Middle East. Aviation authorities in several countries have been modifying corridors and flight paths to maintain safety and operational continuity.Syrian officials said the Aleppo–Mediterranean corridor provides an additional option for aircraft navigating the region’s complex airspace environment while maintaining adherence to established safety protocols.Hosari said the corridor remains available to any airline capable of meeting the necessary operational standards, underscoring that the route was developed to support safe and orderly air traffic flows linked to Aleppo’s airport.Authorities did not disclose further technical details about the corridor’s altitude structure or operational parameters but confirmed that it is now active for aviation use.