Key Points:
- US officials warned Syria not to use Chinese equipment for its telecom networks.
- The private meeting took place in San Francisco with Syria’s communications minister.
- Syria currently relies heavily on Huawei because of past US trade sanctions.
- American export controls make it difficult for Syria to buy US technology.
The United States has issued a clear warning to Syria regarding its telecommunications networks. US officials urged the Syrian government to avoid buying Chinese technology, citing serious national security threats and conflicting geopolitical interests.
A US State Department team delivered this message directly during a private meeting in San Francisco. They sat down with Syrian Communications Minister Abdulsalam Haykal to discuss the country’s plans for rebuilding its internet and mobile infrastructure. Washington and Damascus have worked much more closely together since President Ahmed al-Sharaa ousted Bashar al-Assad in 2024.
Syria desperately needs to upgrade its cell towers and internet providers after 14 years of destructive war. Many areas outside major cities barely get a signal. To fix this urgent problem, the country is exploring Chinese equipment. During the talks, American diplomats pushed Syria to buy from the US or its allies instead.
Syrian officials told the Americans they actually want to partner with US companies. The main problem is that strict US export controls make buying American gear nearly impossible. Because of heavy sanctions placed on the old Assad government, Chinese tech giant Huawei already powers more than half of Syria’s current mobile networks.
A State Department spokesperson warned that Chinese laws allow Beijing to force companies to hand over sensitive customer data. China strongly denies these spying accusations. Meanwhile, the Syrian telecom ministry promised to protect user data and stated it wants to diversify its technology partners to serve its own national interests.
Foreign investment is slowly returning to help Syria rebuild its shattered systems. Just last month, the Saudi telecom company STC announced an 800-million-dollar project to lay thousands of miles of fiber-optic cables across the country. Syria says it will welcome American companies to join the rebuilding effort once the US finally lifts its trade restrictions.
