Crowds in Hasakah as deadline for exchanging old Syrian banknotes approaches

Currency exchange centres in the city of Hasakah are witnessing growing crowds as the deadline set by the Central Bank of Syria for exchanging old Syrian banknotes for new ones approaches on 30 July.

On 23 July, the Central Bank urged citizens to exchange their old banknotes within the remaining days of the designated period and not to postpone the process until the last minute. It also confirmed that exchange requests would continue to be accepted through authorised exchange centres.

In Hasakah, dozens of residents gathered at the city's post office to exchange their banknotes. Many complained about lengthy waiting times and slow processing, as the exchange operation is currently being handled through a single centre.

One resident, Abdul Masih Asiyo, who was waiting in line, said: "I came to the exchange centre as soon as the decision to replace the currency was announced. I've been waiting for my turn since yesterday."

He added: "I came back again today to register my name, but the employee told me there were more than 100 people ahead of me, without giving any indication of when my turn would come. With the deadline fast approaching, we do not know how all citizens will be able to exchange the money they have earned over years of work."

Asiyo called on the authorities to open banks and establish additional exchange centres, arguing that a single centre is insufficient to serve the population of Hasakah and the wider Jazira region. He said the slow pace of procedures is hampering the completion of exchange transactions.

He also pointed to shortcomings in the registration process, saying that applicants' details are being recorded incompletely, causing confusion over appointment times. He added that overcrowding and poor organization inside the exchange hall have further complicated the process.

Asiyo noted that conditions in Hasakah differ from those in other Syrian cities, where residents were given a longer period to exchange their old banknotes. He called for either an extension of the deadline or the opening of additional exchange centres to accelerate the process.

The Central Bank of Syria urged citizens to rely exclusively on official channels for information and to avoid misinformation, amid unconfirmed reports suggesting that the deadline for exchanging old banknotes could be extended beyond 30 July.

The Bank also confirmed that old Syrian banknotes will remain exchangeable at the Central Bank of Syria for five years after they cease to be legal tender, under procedures that will be announced at a later date.

ANHA