Visa, Mastercard Launch International Card Payments in Syria After US Lifts Terrorism Designation
Ahmed al-Sharaa tapped a Visa card in Damascus to mark Syria’s return to international payments after more than 15 years of banking restrictions.
- On Tuesday, Syrian President Ahmed Sharaa used a Visa card at a café in the Old City of Damascus, marking Washington's removal of Syria from the State Sponsor of Terrorism list.
- The State Department officially removed Syria from the State Sponsor of Terrorism list on Monday, concluding a 45-day congressional review triggered by President Donald Trump in July.
- Sanctions had barred Syrians from accessing the global banking system for more than 15 years, but Treasury confirmed American financial institutions may now process payments involving Syrian banks.
- Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the action "will help foster additional investment in Syria," while Dubai-based research firm Tellimer called it "effectively, a green light" for reconstruction.
- Syria remains on the Financial Action Task Force grey list over money-laundering concerns, and the Treasury retains measures against Bashar and Assad associates and human rights abusers.
36 Articles
36 Articles
Syrian President Swipes Visa Card in Historic First
The Syrian government released video Wednesday showing al-Sharaa making the purchase during a sit-down with Syria’s central bank governor Mohammed Safwat Raslan. The simple transaction carried enormous symbolic weight for a nation cut off from Western banking for decades. “Today, in the oldest continuously inhabited capital in the world, Syria’s return to the global financial system became a fact,” Syria’s rapid response account posted on X alon…
Syria's Jihadi President Pays for Coffee with Visa Card, Marking End of Assad-Era Sanctions
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa paid for a coffee in Damascus using a Visa card on Wednesday, a common sight in most countries but unprecedented in the modern history of his country, as it represented the first such transaction since Syria was removed from the U.S. State Sponsors of Terrorism (SST) list. The post Syria’s Jihadi President Pays for Coffee with Visa Card, Marking End of Assad-Era Sanctions appeared first on Breitbart.
Syria’s president seen using Visa credit card for first time ever after country taken off terror list
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa used a Visa credit card for the first time following the State Department's decision to remove his country from its state sponsors of terrorism list.
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 52% of the sources lean Right
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
