Syria !

Syria is situated in the Western Asia. Lies at the eastern end of the Mediterranean. Turkey to the north; Iraq to the east; Jordan to the south; Lebanon to the west and Israel to the southwest. It is with an area of approx. 185,000 Sq KM. Damascus is the capital of Syria. 

 

Trade Situation in Syria

Trade with Syria is increasing year on year by the major global players. The imposed sanctions have significantly been lifted. The current trade events with the major global players are as under:-

United States

General License 25 (GL 25), an OFAC general license has been issued by the United States of America on May 23, 2025. Simultaneously, on June 30, 2025, President Trump issued an executive order for the purpose of termination of the U.S. Syria sanctions.

European Union

The EU has been suspended sectoral sanctions in energy, transport and financial sectors. The said announcement has been happened on February 24, 2025. This announcement will definitely be imparting humanitarian and reconstruction trade. Even the EU has been lifted nearly all economic sanctions & the restrictions from the Central Bank of Syria has been lifted by the European Union.

United Kingdom & Others

In March-April 2025, the UK has lifted many trade and financial restrictions. However, restrictions on military related equipments are maintained. The other countries like Norway and others seem to be stand with Syria to lift the imposed sanctions. Turkish machinery exports and construction materials are significantly increasing.

Terms and Conditions

The Major global players are playing significant role to enable trade with Syria. However, the trades are subject to the conditions of Syrian government. The countries are very cautious while trading the goods and material. Trade is permitted under strict conditional frameworks or remains conditional and reversible. Their aimed are to prevent misusing the trade contents.

Government & Constitutions

A transitional government has been established with 22-23 Ministers. The establishment of the said government was announced on 29^th March 2025 by al-Sharaa the interim President. Interim President- Ahmed al-Sharaa (a former leader of the islamist group Hayat Tehrir al-Sham (HTS) has been appointed. Basar al-Assad was ousted in December 2024. Afther the establishment of transitional government al-Sharaa passed a constitutional declaration on 13 March 2025. A five year plan has also been enacted, appointed one third of parliament and all judicial officials.

Terrorist groups active in Syria

1. Islamic State of Iraq and Syria : Being 3000 above fighters in Central, Eastern and Southern Syria, carried out insurgent attacks, ambushes, IEDs, Prison breaks and attacking on forces.
2. Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS): It has over 20,000 fighters. It is said that the newly appointed president al-Sharaa was also a leader of this group. This group was once linked to al-Qaeda which was controlling large swaths of idlib.
3. Hurras al-Din: Fighters of Hurras al-Din is literally come out from the HTS (Hay’at Tehrir al-Sham). It has about 2,000 fighters they are showing their involvement in planning for external attacks. Their ideology is rooted from al-Qaeda.
4. Saraya Ansar al-Sunnah: This outfit is emerged in 2025. They are targeting minorities like Alawites and Druze. This outfit is taking responsibility for sectarian attacks and church bombings. The other active groups are also present over there like Ajnad al-Kavkaz (Chechen-led jihadists), Ansar al-Islam, Katibat al-Tawhid wal Jihad and former Uyghur fighters from the Turkistan Islamic Party, all these extremist groups are exploiting Syria’s.

Global Contribution

Major global countries continue trade and limited bilateral engagement with Syria despite the presence of terrorist groups due to several factors. Syria is a valuable trade hub and through the Mediterranean Sea, it can access to the Middle East Countries for major oil & gas trade. It can be considered as a gateway between the Middle East, Europe and Asia.

Economic and Reconstruction Opportunities

After the conflict a reconstruction of infrastructures, building and other logistics are estimated at hundreds of billions dollars. It can be a big opportunity for a country to supply the materials and other necessities. Major global players are looking long-term benefits in being early investors even if there is a security risks. Phosphate, clothing, shoes, medicines, aromatic products (cumin) & almonds are the main category of trade.

Main Exporter Countries of Syria

1. 1.  Turkey ($363 M)
   2.  Saudi Arabia ($204 M)
   3.  Lebanon ($131 M)
   4. India ($127 M)
   5. UAE ($69 M)

List of Products Which are Exporting

1.   Olive Oil.

2.    Pure olive oil ($306 M)

3.    Calcium phosphates ($148 M)

4.    Spice seeds ($64 M)

5.    Raw cotton ($49 M)

6.    Tomatoes ($44 M)

Importing Countries

Turkey, China, UAE, Egypt & Jordan are the main importing countries who are importing the essential things to the Syria. However, growth in exports was increased by phosphate, clothing, medicines and aromatic products like cumin etc.

Current Situation

Due to the internal terrorism and conflicts more than 7 million people are internally displaced and several million people are refugees in neighboring countries. A devastating drought in 2025 has slashed wheat yields by about 40%, causing one of the most severe hunger crisis in modern Syrian history.

Conclusion

Today, Terrorism in Syria is the main cause of instabilities and crisis in Syria. However, several major global countries are interested in having trade with Syria. May be because of their own personal national benefits. The conflicts were started in early 2011 when people protested against the government for more freedom and better living conditions. As per the statement the people of Syria was beyond under control of the then government, resulted, growth of ISIS in some areas. Creation of more extremist groups and fighting between them is also a main reason of instabilities. Peace can only come with a fair political solution, rebuilding the country and stopping the expansion of all outfits. Despite of being instabilities and terrorism the other major global countries like China, UK and others. They are taking part into the development. Their long-term view is still positive and convenient.

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