Syria Has Unveiled A New Currency, Removing Portraits Of The Al-Assad Family Who Ruled Brutally For Years
The new banknotes show the new syrian identity and moves away from the veneration of people.
Syria has unveiled new banknotes that remove images of the al-Assad family, who led a brutal 54-year regime in the country, replacing them with drawings of the country’s agricultural products.
On Monday, Dec. 29, 2025, Syria’s interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa presented the redesign, which removed the face of ousted president Bashar al-Assad, who was featured in the 2,000-pound banknote, and his father Hafez al-Assad, who was featured in the 1,000-pound banknote.
The new design instead features agricultural products grown in Syria, including roses, wheat, olives, oranges and mulberry.
"The new currency design is an expression of the new national identity and a move away from the veneration of individuals," Sharaa said, according to euronews.
As part of the redesign, Syria’s will also remove two zeros from the notes, issuing bills of 10, 25, 50, 100 and 500.
Authorities said the redenomination will not change the currency’s underlying value and is meant for ease of use.
"Changing the zeros and removing two zeros from the old currency to the new currency does not mean improving the economy, but rather it is easier to deal with the currency," Sharaa said.
Syria’s currency has dropped dramatically since the start of the civil war in 2011, when one US dollar traded for about 47 Syrian pounds.
As of early 2026, one US dollar traded for about 11,000 to 13,000 Syrian pounds.
The transitional government said the new banknotes is another effort to rebuild and stabilize Syria after years of conflict and economic sanctions.
The government has established an initial 90-day time frame, starting on Jan. 1, for Syrians to exchange their old banknotes; however, the timeframe may be extended.
Sharaa has urged people to remain calm and avoid rushing to exchange their banknotes.
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Cherry Mohamed
Cherry Mohamed
Cherry Mohamed
