[Objective] The macroscopic and microscopic mechanisms of loess strength degradation under the coupled effects of wet-dry cycles and soluble salt content were analyzed in order to provide a basis for engineering construction and geologic disaster prevention and control in the Ili region. [Methods] The typical loess from the Ili region was taken as the research object. The influence of different numbers of wet-dry cycles and different soluble salt contents on the mechanical properties and microstructure of loess was analyzed through triaxial shear tests, scanning electron microscope(SEM) tests, and nuclear magnetic resonance(NMR) tests. [Results] ① The cohesion decreased by approximately 17.5% after only 10 wet-dry cycles(η=0%). When the soluble salt content increased from 0% to 2%(N=0), cohesion decreased by about 3.5%. However, under their coupled effects(N=10, η =2%), cohesion decreased by 24.3%, demonstrating a significant synergistic deterioration effect.② Soluble salts exerted a highly significant influence on both cohesion and internal friction angle, while wet-dry cycles had a highly significant influence on cohesion and a significant influence on internal friction angle.③ Under low confining pressures, the failure mode of loess shifted from brittle to plastic failure. Under high confining pressures, although the strength remained relatively high, degradation continued.④ With increasing numbers of wet-dry cycles and soluble salt content, fracture development occurred, gradually increasing the pore fractal dimension and pore area ratio of loess. A reduction in micropores, along with a sharp expansion of mesopores and macropores, leading to increased porosity and enhanced connectivity within the pore system. [Conclusion] Under the coupled conditions of wet-dry cycles and soluble salts, the synergistic effects of repeated swelling and shrinkage driven by the wet-dry cycles and crystallization stresses generated by salt dissolution and recrystallization jointly disrupt soil structure. This process leads to strength degradation and structural degradation in Ili loess.