Syrian Central Bank to open Raqqa branch in nation’s north

RAQQA, Syria

Syria’s Central Bank announced on Monday that it had begun preparations to open a branch in the northern Syrian city of Raqqa following the ceasefire and integration deal between the government and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).

The bank encouraged all banks operating in the Raqqa region to reopen, the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) reported.

The move represents a leap in banking services in the country following the Syrian Army’s operation east of the Euphrates River over the weekend. The operation eliminated SDF elements in Deir Hafir, Meskene, and Tabqa, while tribes and the local population in Raqqa joined the efforts.

On Sunday, tribes and the local populace liberated the Raqqa city center from the SDF, while Syrian Army units entered the city the same evening.

Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa on Sunday announced a comprehensive ceasefire and integration agreement with the SDF, with all the group’s military formations to withdraw east of the Euphrates River.