Syria exports oil for first time in 14 years after Assad’s ouster

Syria has exported its first official shipment of crude oil in 14 years, marking a significant step in efforts by the country’s new leadership to revive its battered energy sector.

A Syrian energy official told Reuters that 600,000 barrels of heavy crude were shipped on September 1 from the port of Tartus aboard the tanker Nissos Christiana. The cargo was sold to international trading firm B Serve Energy, Caliber.Az cites. 

“This will be followed by subsequent exports in the coming period,” said Riyad al-Joubasi, assistant director for oil and gas at the Energy Ministry, describing the deal as part of a strategy to support the national economy and expand cooperation with international companies.

Before the outbreak of war in 2011, Syria exported about 380,000 barrels of oil per day. But nearly 14 years of conflict devastated infrastructure and production capacity, while Western sanctions blocked most foreign trade.

The exports were announced less than a year after the fall of former president Bashar al-Assad, who was toppled in December 2024. The Islamist-led government that replaced him has pledged to prioritise economic recovery, including the rehabilitation of the oil sector.

Much of Syria’s crude lies in the northeast, an area controlled by Kurdish-led authorities. While those authorities began supplying oil to Damascus earlier this year, relations with the central government have since deteriorated over disputes concerning minority rights and political inclusivity.

In parallel, Damascus has signed an $800 million memorandum of understanding with DP World to develop and operate a multi-purpose terminal at Tartus, ending a previous agreement with a Russian company that managed the port under Assad.

Officials say the government hopes that renewed access to global energy markets will help stabilise Syria’s struggling economy, which has endured more than a decade of war, sanctions, and political upheaval.

By Sabina Mammadli