First shipment of wheat since Assad’s overthrow arrives in Syria, most likely from Russia

Syria has received its first seaborne shipment of wheat since the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime from an “unknown” supplier.

A ship carrying 6,600 tonnes of wheat has arrived in the Syrian port of Latakia, the first such shipment since rebels ousted dictator Bashar al-Assad, Reuters reports.

Although food imports are not subject to international sanctions, Syria admits that supplies of vital goods remain limited due to difficulties in financing trade operations. The cargo, according to border guards, “is clear evidence of the beginning of a new phase of economic recovery” and could pave the way for further supplies of basic products.

Although the government did not specify the origin of the ship, one regional trader told Reuters that it likely came from Russia.

Before the regime change, Syria relied heavily on supplies of wheat and petroleum products from Russia and Iran, Assad’s main allies. However, after his flight to Moscow, these supplies were stopped. This year, the country mainly imports grain by land via neighboring states.Earlier, Russia sent tankers with Arctic oil to Syria for the first time.