TEXTILE SECTOR UNDER CONFLICT IN SYRIA

After years locked behind frozen frontlines, the rebels in Syria have burst forth to mount the swiftest battlefield advance by either side since a rebellion against Assad descended into civil war 13 years ago. After Aleppo, the capture of Hama gave them control of a strategic central city they never managed to seize before. Wool, cotton, and nylon textiles are Syria’s most important manufactures, and mills are mainly in Aleppo, Damascus, Homs, and Hama; natural silk is also produced. With over 24,000 registered textile facilities and employing 30% of the population, the sector has been a driving force behind the nation’s economic vitality. In 2022, Syria exported USD 80.2M in textiles, and the Syrian government has implemented policy reforms aimed at revitalizing the textile sector. What is the impact on exports of the new conflict in Syria?