The Government of Syria
Overview
- Capital: Damascus
- Administrative regions: 14 governorates
- Government & legal system: Transitional government following the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024; institutions and legal framework are being reorganized (historically a civil law system).
- Head of state / government: Ahmed al-Sharaa, Transitional President (since January 2025)
- Official language(s): Arabic (official); Kurdish and other languages spoken regionally
- National Day: April 17 (Independence Day, 1946); status of official state observances is under review during the transition
- Independence: April 17, 1946 (from the French Mandate)
- Other official holidays: Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha (other observances subject to change under the transitional government)
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs (official site)
- Regional / international memberships: United Nations/ UN; Arab League membership reinstated after prior suspension; Organization of Islamic Cooperation/ OIC
- Visa / entry requirements: Visa required for most nationalities; entry procedures are in flux during the political transition — check the nearest Syrian consular mission directly.
- Currency: Syrian pound (SYP) — notes depict national landmarks such as Krak des Chevaliers, Palmyra, and the Umayyad Mosque.
- Flag symbolism: Since the 2024–2025 transition, Syria has reverted to the green-white-black tricolor with three red stars (used 1932–1958 and 1961–1963) — green represents the Rashidun Caliphate, white the Umayyad Caliphate, black the Abbasid Caliphate, and the stars represent unity.
