Massive Shipment of Syrian Currency Arrives from Russia Amid Speculation
Central Bank Denies Reports of 60 Trillion Lira Transfer as Financial Uncertainty Grows
Watan-The media office of the Central Bank of Syria confirmed to SANA on Friday the “arrival of financial amounts in Syrian lira denominations coming from Russia to Syria via Damascus International Airport.”
The office clarified, “However, the circulating figures regarding the size and quantity of these funds are completely inaccurate. We emphasize the need to rely on official information and avoid following rumors.”
News pages and websites reported on Thursday that “a shipment of money is expected to arrive tomorrow (Friday) at Damascus Airport from Russia,” adding that “the estimated amount expected to arrive is 60 trillion lira, in 5,000-lira denominations.”
A message attributed to Maysaa Sabreen, the acting head of the Central Bank, has circulated, stating a commitment to cover the aircraft’s landing fees, civil aviation services, and ground handling costs.
The message addressed to Damascus International Airport stated: “With reference to the expected shipment of money arriving at the airport on 14-2-2025 and in follow-up to the ongoing coordination with the concerned parties at your end, we inform you of our commitment to pay the landing fees for the cargo plane carrying money from Russia to Damascus, as well as civil aviation and ground services at the airport, based on your forthcoming request. We appreciate your cooperation.”
It is worth noting that the ousted president, Bashar al-Assad, is accused of smuggling large amounts of money from Syria to Russia, where he fled to Moscow after his regime was overthrown on December 8, 2024.
