First shipment of wheat since the overthrow of Assad arrived at a Syrian port. It was probably from Russia

A ship carrying wheat has arrived in the Syrian port of Latakia, the first such shipment since former President Bashar al-Assad was ousted by rebels in December, the government said on Sunday.

Officials in the new government say that while imports of wheat and other staples are not subject to U.S. and U.N. sanctions, problems securing financing for trade deals are deterring global suppliers from selling to Syria.

Syria’s General Directorate of Land and Sea Borders said the ship was carrying 6,600 tons of wheat. It did not specify the nationality or destination of the ship, but a regional commodities trader told Reuters it was from Russia.

“A step that is considered clear evidence of the beginning of a new phase of economic recovery in the country,” the border guards said of the cargo, adding that it should pave the way for more arrivals of vital goods.

Traders say Syria is relying mostly on land imports from its neighbors this year.

Russia and Iran, which back Assad’s government, used to supply most of Syria’s wheat and petroleum products, but stopped doing so after the rebels won and he fled to Moscow.

Tags: Russia, wheat, Syria