The import of water well drilling rigs into Syria is prohibited without prior approval.
The General Authority for Water Resources clarified in a Facebook post on Monday, August 11, 2025, that the decision was made to regulate the entry of drilling rigs into Syrian territory and to implement a directive from the Ministry of Energy regarding the arid climatic conditions affecting the region.
The Authority called on citizens and importers to fully comply with the ban on the entry of any drilling rig through land, sea, or air ports without prior approval from the Ministry of Energy, in accordance with the established procedures.
The Authority emphasized the importance of cooperation and adherence to this decision to preserve water resources and "ensure the proper management and utilization of heavy equipment in a way that serves the public interest."
Syria is experiencing a severe drought this year, which has impacted the agricultural sector. Surface water levels have decreased due to the scarcity of rainfall. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) stated last June that the harsh climatic conditions experienced during the current agricultural season in Syria are "the worst in nearly 60 years."
The Syrian Ministry of Economy and Industry issued a decision to stop the import of used cars that are more than two years old, excluding the year of manufacture, starting from June 29, with temporary exceptions that included trucks, tractor heads and agricultural tractors that are no more than 10 years old.
