Crackdown on Al-Wadi Street
Authorities in Deir ez-Zor inspected several currency-exchange shops on Al-Wadi Street on Sunday, 9 August 2026, in an operation targeting unlicensed offices accused of charging residents to swap old Syrian pound (SYP) notes for the new denominations. The Central Bank of Syria's local branch led the action alongside judicial police and criminal investigators.
What Inspectors Found
The operation focused on companies that were not authorized to handle the currency changeover yet were collecting fees from citizens for a service meant to be free. The branch director, Ahmad al-Mansour, oversaw the inspection with the head of the provincial judicial police, Mu'amina al-Kurdi, and with support from the attorney general's office.
Seizures and Detentions
Inspectors ordered non-compliant shops closed and detained suspects at the scene. Cash, computers, and other devices were confiscated as evidence, and the Central Bank said it would pursue legal proceedings against those found in violation.
Extended Swap Deadline
Officials said the window to hand in old Syrian pound notes in the provinces of Deir ez-Zor, Raqqa, and Hasaka has been extended to Thursday, 20 August 2026. "The withdrawal period for the old currency has been extended," al-Kurdi said, with exchanges to be carried out through Central Bank branches and authorized post offices.
Call to Comply
The authorities urged unlicensed exchange offices to complete their registration and licensing, and asked residents to report any operator demanding payment for the swap. They framed the campaign as a defense of citizens against illegal charges during the transition to the redesigned currency.