Archive · 19 Jun 2025
Syria Completes First International SWIFT Transfer Since Civil War
Syria has made its first international bank transfer since the civil war, using the SWIFT system.
This was a commercial transaction from a Syrian bank to an Italian bank.
Banks in Syria were cut off because of sanctions.
The government wants to reconnect to the global banking system, which could help them rebuild their country and revive their economy.
Syria conducted its first international bank transaction via SWIFT since the civil war.
The transaction was a direct commercial transaction from a Syrian bank to an Italian bank.
The Central Bank governor stated that transactions with U.S. banks could begin within weeks.
Syrian banks were largely cut off due to sanctions imposed after 2011.
The aim is to reconnect Syria's banking system to the global financial system for reconstruction.
- Who
- Syrian central bank, and banks in Syria and Italy.
- What
- Syria conducted its first international bank transaction via SWIFT since the civil war.
- When
- Thursday, though the transaction happened Sunday.
- Where
- Syria and Italy.
- Why
- To reintegrate into the global financial system and enable reconstruction.
- Transaction Type
- Commercial
- Transaction Date
- Sunday
- Recipient Bank
- Italian bank
- Transaction System
- SWIFT
- Significance
- First since civil war
- Next Steps
- Possible transactions with U.S. banks in weeks