The Syrian government announces the arrival of the first wheat ship to Latakia since the fall of the former regime.

The Syrian government announced today, Sunday, the arrival of the first wheat-loaded ship to the port of Latakia since the ousting of former President Bashar al-Assad on December 8th last year. Officials in the government stated that despite wheat and other essential goods not being subject to sanctions imposed by the United States and the United Nations, challenges in financing commercial transactions prevent global suppliers from selling their products to Syria. The General Authority for Syrian Ports and Maritime Transport stated in a press release that the ship carries 6600 tons of wheat. The nationality or destination of the ship was not specified, but according to a commodities trader in the region, it is said to be coming from Russia. The authority described this step as a "clear indication of the beginning of a new phase of economic recovery in the country, as part of ongoing efforts to secure basic needs and enhance food security in preparation for the arrival of more vital supplies in the near future." Russia and Iran used to supply Syria with most of its wheat and oil shipments, but they stopped doing so after Assad's fall and escape to Moscow.