In the first Assassin's Creed game, Altaïr's first major target city in 1191 is Damascus.
After Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad is demoted following a failed mission, the Assassin leader Al Mualim sends him to eliminate a series of Templar-connected targets. The game presents three principal investigation cities: Damascus, Acre, and Jerusalem. Damascus is the first city visited for a major assassination target, Tamir, a wealthy arms merchant.
The Damascus sequence introduces several recurring systems, including gathering information, climbing viewpoints, blending with crowds, and using social stealth. Its densely built streets and white stone architecture also make it visually distinct from Acre and Jerusalem.
A common mix-up is confusing the city with Masyaf, the mountainous Assassin stronghold where Altaïr receives missions. Masyaf is the Brotherhood's headquarters, while Damascus is the first target city in the game's assassination campaign.