21:52 - 27.08.2026

---

August 27, 2026, Fineko/abc.az. Visa and Mastercard have executed their first international card transactions in Syria following Washington's decision to remove the country from its state sponsors of terrorism list.

Qatar's QNB Group and Mastercard completed the first end-to-end international transaction, while Visa tested its first live payment in Damascus alongside Lebanon-based Fransabank. Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa personally participated in the Visa transaction test. According to the Central Bank of Syria, these operations mark the official return of international card services after months of technical preparation.