Severe drought in Syria this year is threatening about 75% of local wheat crops, the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) warns, risking food shortages for millions.
Toni Ettel, FAO’s representative in Syria, told Reuters that the agency expects a wheat shortfall of 2.7 million tonnes this year — enough to feed 16.3 million people for a year.
For years, under President Bashar al-Assad, Syria relied on wheat imports from Russia to support bread subsidies during droughts. But after Assad was ousted, Moscow stopped wheat shipments, citing uncertainty about Syria’s new government.
Farmers like Asaad Ezzeldin in Aleppo have seen their crops fail due to lack of rain and irrigation. The agriculture sector is already weakened after 13 years of war and heavy bombing.
In a surprise move, U.S. President Donald Trump announced last week plans to lift all sanctions on Syria, with some relief expected soon. This could help Syria’s agriculture recover by allowing funds for irrigation and rebuilding infrastructure, Ettel said.
Following this move The EU has also officially announced the lifting of its broad economic sanctions on Syria, aiming to support the country’s reconstruction and recovery.
The removal of sanctions on Syria is seen as a turning point, offering hope for progress in key sectors like agriculture. With restrictions lifted, Syrian farmers may soon gain access to vital resources such as irrigation technology, fuel, and investment—essential for rebuilding after years of war and drought. While targeted sanctions tied to the Assad regime and security risks remain, the broader move signals international support for Syria’s recovery and political transition.
Syria’s new government has long pushed to remove sanctions that isolated its economy, making it heavily dependent on Russia and Iran.
People in Damascus expressed relief and cautious optimism on Tuesday night after the European Union announced it would lift economic sanctions on Syria, following a similar decision by the United States last week.
The European Union has decided to lift economic sanctions on Syria while maintaining targeted measures against figures from the former Assad regime.
The EU is debating lifting economic sanctions on Syria to support the nation's recovery while maintaining measures targeting the Assad regime.
Syria's defence minister has urged remaining armed groups to integrate with the security apparatus within 10 days, marking a pivotal step towards consolidating state authority under interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa's leadership.
Syria regains World Bank funding after Saudi Arabia and Qatar pay $15.5 million debt
President Donald Trump has announced the development of a sweeping new missile defense initiative dubbed the “Golden Dome,” a multibillion-dollar system designed to shield the U.S. from next-generation threats, including hypersonic and space-launched missiles.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for May 21st, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Russia's Defense Ministry said its air defenses shot down 159 Ukrainian drones on Wednesday, including several near the heavily populated Moscow region, marking one of the largest reported drone attacks on Russian territory.
China has threatened legal action against entities that support U.S. restrictions on Chinese semiconductors, escalating tensions after Washington warned companies against using Huawei’s advanced AI chips.
Google announced a new “AI Mode” for its search engine in the United States, aiming to make searching feel more like talking to an expert who can answer almost any question.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara on May 15, with discussions reportedly focusing on upcoming peace talks between Ukrainian and Russian delegates in Istanbul.
Tensions flare in the India-France Rafale deal as France refuses to share the fighter jet’s source code, limiting India’s ability to integrate indigenous weapons and reducing its combat autonomy.
Qatar signed a landmark agreement with U.S. aerospace giant Boeing on Wednesday to acquire 160 aircraft for Qatar Airways, a deal valued at $200 billion. The signing took place in Doha during the visit of U.S. President Donald Trump.
Ukrainian and Russian delegations meet behind closed doors at Istanbul’s Dolmabahçe Palace at 10:00 local time today to explore security guarantees, territorial integrity and a possible ceasefire.
EU approves 17th Russia sanctions, blacklisting almost 200 shadow‑fleet ships, 30 evasion firms and 75 defence figures, banning missile chemicals and arming Brussels to strike Kremlin hybrid and operations.
President Donald Trump has announced the development of a sweeping new missile defense initiative dubbed the “Golden Dome,” a multibillion-dollar system designed to shield the U.S. from next-generation threats, including hypersonic and space-launched missiles.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for May 21st, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Russia's Defense Ministry said its air defenses shot down 159 Ukrainian drones on Wednesday, including several near the heavily populated Moscow region, marking one of the largest reported drone attacks on Russian territory.
China has threatened legal action against entities that support U.S. restrictions on Chinese semiconductors, escalating tensions after Washington warned companies against using Huawei’s advanced AI chips.
Google announced a new “AI Mode” for its search engine in the United States, aiming to make searching feel more like talking to an expert who can answer almost any question.
President Donald Trump has announced the development of a sweeping new missile defense initiative dubbed the “Golden Dome,” a multibillion-dollar system designed to shield the U.S. from next-generation threats, including hypersonic and space-launched missiles.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for May 21st, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Russia's Defense Ministry said its air defenses shot down 159 Ukrainian drones on Wednesday, including several near the heavily populated Moscow region, marking one of the largest reported drone attacks on Russian territory.
China has threatened legal action against entities that support U.S. restrictions on Chinese semiconductors, escalating tensions after Washington warned companies against using Huawei’s advanced AI chips.
Google announced a new “AI Mode” for its search engine in the United States, aiming to make searching feel more like talking to an expert who can answer almost any question.
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