Syria retires Assad-era banknotes as citizens burn old currency

Syria's transitional government, led by President Ahmed Shah, completed a major currency reform on 3 January. The Central Bank introduced new 10, 25, 50, 100, 200 and 500 Syrian‑lira notes, removed two zeros from the denominations and gave the public a 90‑day window to exchange the old notes.

The legal tender status of the previous banknotes expired on 31 July 2026. Images circulated of Syrians setting fire to notes bearing the portrait of former President Bashar al‑Assad, turning the act into a symbolic farewell to the old regime. The destruction of the notes was widely shared on social media, highlighting the public’s reaction to the reform.