Syria has opened the door to oil imports from international and commercial entities to address the country’s fuel shortage, according to the country’s oil minister.
Speaking on Syrian state television, Oil Minister Ghiath Diab confirmed that the decision was made due to the severe shortage of oil derivatives in Syria’s local market. The country has been importing varying quantities of oil daily from neighboring Lebanon.
“Tenders will be issued for oil imports, and we will contract with the best available options,” Diab explained.
He added that imports have already begun, with three tankers carrying 15,000 tons of oil to supply the local market.
Syria’s previous regime, led by Bashar al-Assad, relied heavily on allies like Russia to meet local crude oil demands, according to oil analytics service Kepler. However, no official data is available on Syria’s daily crude oil needs at this time.
“I haven’t noticed any significant impact of the sanctions on oil imports in the past, which were easily facilitated under the Assad regime. The previous government depended on allies such as Iran and Russia for oil supplies,” Diab remarked.
Earlier, Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar announced that Turkey would increase energy supplies to Syria in an effort to promote stability in the country and the region.
Syria’s long-time leader, Bashar al-Assad, fled to Russia after anti-regime forces seized control of Damascus on December 8, ending his family’s decades-long rule. The takeover occurred after Hayat Tahrir al-Sham fighters captured key cities in a rapid two-week offensive.
A new administration, led by Ahmed al-Sharaa, is now in charge of the country.
Reporting by Anadolu staff in Damascus, Syria. Writing by Rania Abu Shamala Anadolu Agency.
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