Inclusion of the Turkish Lira in Official Exchange Bulletins Sparks Controversy in Syria

Syria’s state-run news channel, affiliated with the transitional government, published the country’s daily exchange rates as usual. However, the inclusion of the Turkish lira alongside the Syrian pound raised widespread questions.

Observers believe this move reflects a new economic reality in which Syrian markets are operating under a dual-currency system, fueling concerns about the extent of the national economy’s ties to and vulnerability to fluctuations in the Turkish economy.

Some northern Syrian regions have been using the Turkish lira for years due to geographic proximity and trade exchange. However, its official inclusion in government-issued exchange rate bulletins may signal a shift in monetary policy during the transitional phase.

This development comes as the government faces major challenges in restructuring the economy and stabilizing the national currency amid political changes and external pressures.