DAMASCUS (Enmaeya News) — Syria is facing one of its worst droughts in recent years, with the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) warning that up to 75% of local wheat crops could fail, putting the food security of millions at risk.

According to FAO Representative Toni Ettel, Syria could face a shortfall of 2.7 million tonnes of wheat, enough to feed over 16 million people for a year. The prolonged drought, compounded by over a decade of civil war, has devastated the agricultural sector, particularly in areas like northern Aleppo, where farmers report a complete lack of rainfall and irrigation.

Previously reliant on wheat imports from Russia, Syria now struggles to secure grain supplies following Moscow’s suspension of deliveries amid political uncertainties. Local farmers, like Asaad Ezzeldin, describe their fields as parched and harvests as lost.

In a significant development, U.S. President Donald Trump announced plans to lift all sanctions on Syria, a move that could unlock international funds to revive agriculture. The FAO says such support could bring essential irrigation technologies and infrastructure upgrades.

Syria’s new leadership has lobbied hard for the removal of international sanctions, which have long crippled the economy and deepened its dependence on Russia and Iran.

Meanwhile, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas expressed hope that European ministers will reach consensus on lifting remaining economic sanctions. While some restrictions on energy, transport, and reconstruction have been eased, observers argue that more action is needed to support Syria’s economic recovery and political transition.

For Syria’s farmers, international re-engagement offers a glimmer of hope that the land and their livelihoods can be restored.