Syria's Central Bank Confirms Arrival of 300 Billion Liras from Russia via Damascus Airport

The Central Bank of Syria announced the arrival of 300 billion Syrian liras, Friday, coming from the Russian Federation.

The Central Bank of Syria said, "The amount that was transferred from Russia is only 300 billion Syrian liras, and there is no truth to the news circulating about larger numbers."

The bank added that "the amount that arrived today is the right of Syria and the Syrian people and is part of a contract signed between the ousted regime and Russia, and it was supposed to arrive before the end of last year. The contract also stipulates another payment that will be sent at a later time, which may be for a larger amount than the one currently sent," according to the German News Agency (DPA).

The media office of the Central Bank of Syria said in a press statement yesterday, "We confirm the arrival of sums of money in the Syrian pound category coming from Russia to Syria via Damascus International Airport, but the circulating numbers about the size and quantities of this money are completely inaccurate, and we stress the need to rely on official information and avoid being led by rumors."

Since the beginning of this year, Syrian markets have been witnessing great pressure on the Syrian currency, as all markets have witnessed a significant decrease in the supply of the Syrian pound, which has increased in value against the dollar due to the lack of exhibition.

The exchange rate of the Syrian pound against the dollar was recorded between 9,000 and 10,000 thousand liras.

Hundreds of thousands of government employees have been suffering for the second month in a row from the absence of their monthly salaries due to the non-operation of the ATMs from which their salaries are withdrawn due to the absence of the Syrian currency.

Last January, the Central Bank of Syria directed commercial banks to unfreeze bank accounts, with the exception of those frozen under official decisions, including those belonging to businessmen linked to the regime of former President Bashar al-Assad, according to Reuters.