RismadarVoice Reporters
January 5, 2026
Syria has launched new banknotes across the country, removing images of former president Bashar al-Assad and his family.
The move is part of efforts by the new government to stabilize the economy, simplify transactions, and rebrand the state.
The redesigned notes feature images of roses, wheat, olives, oranges and other agricultural symbols. They range from 10 to 500 Syrian pounds and entered circulation on January 1.
Authorities have removed two zeros from the old currency in a process known as redenomination.
The change does not affect the currency’s value but is aimed at easing daily transactions.
The Syrian pound has suffered severe devaluation since the start of the civil war in 2011.
Before redenomination, it had fallen from 50 to about 11,000 pounds against the US dollar. Inflation recently reached triple digits, and foreign exchange reserves were reported at just $200 million at the end of 2025 compared with $17 billion in 2010.
Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa said the new banknotes mark “the end of a previous unlamented phase and the beginning of a new phase that the Syrian people aspire to.”
Residents in Damascus welcomed the changes, saying it is a relief to see the previous regime removed from the currency.
The reforms are part of broader efforts to restore confidence in Syria’s financial system. The recent lifting of U.S. sanctions and billions of dollars in Gulf state investments are expected to support the recovery of the economy.
