Syria Country Code +963: Complete Calling Guide 2026
Complete guide to Syria country code +963. Learn how to call Damascus, Aleppo, mobile carriers (Syriatel, MTN Syria), and the cheapest ways to call Syria.
The Syria country code is +963. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about calling Syria in 2026, including how to dial Damascus, Aleppo, and other cities, mobile carrier prefixes (Syriatel, MTN Syria), and the cheapest ways to call Syria from abroad.
Quick Reference: Syria +963
Country Code: +963
Exit Code: 00
Trunk Prefix: 0
Capital: Damascus
Time Zone: AST (UTC+3)
Currency: Syrian Pound (SYP)
How to Call Syria
International Dialing Format
To call Syria from abroad:
+ 963 + area/mobile code + numberImportant: Drop the leading "0" from Syrian numbers when calling from abroad.
Dialing Examples
Syria Area Codes
| City / Region | Area Code | International Format |
|---|---|---|
| Damascus | 011 | +963 11 |
| Rural Damascus (Rif Dimashq) | 012 | +963 12 |
| Aleppo | 021 | +963 21 |
| Homs | 031 | +963 31 |
| Hama | 033 | +963 33 |
| Latakia | 041 | +963 41 |
| Tartus | 043 | +963 43 |
| Deir ez-Zor | 051 | +963 51 |
| Idlib | 023 | +963 23 |
| Raqqa | 022 | +963 22 |
| Al-Hasakah | 052 | +963 52 |
| Daraa / Sweida / Quneitra | 015, 016 | +963 15, +963 16 |
Mobile Carriers in Syria
Syria has two mobile operators. Coverage has been significantly affected by years of conflict, with many cell towers destroyed or damaged. Service availability varies greatly by region, with government-controlled areas generally having better coverage.
| Carrier | Prefixes | Market Share | Network |
|---|---|---|---|
| Syriatel | 93X, 98X, 99X | ~60% | 3G / 2G (limited 4G) |
| MTN Syria | 94X, 95X, 96X | ~40% | 3G / 2G (limited 4G) |
Special & Emergency Numbers
| Number | Service |
|---|---|
| 112 | General Emergency |
| 110 | Police |
| 113 | Ambulance |
| 118 | Fire Department |
| 147 | Directory Enquiries |
Note: Emergency services availability varies significantly by region within Syria. In conflict-affected areas, standard emergency numbers may not be operational.
Syria Telecom Overview
Syria's telecommunications infrastructure has suffered enormous damage since 2011. Before the conflict, the Syrian Telecommunications Establishment (STE) operated a relatively modern fixed-line network, and the two mobile carriers (Syriatel and MTN Syria) provided coverage to most of the country. Today, the situation is dramatically different.
Thousands of cell towers have been destroyed or damaged. Fixed-line connections in many cities, particularly in areas that saw heavy fighting like Aleppo, Raqqa, Homs, and Deir ez-Zor, have been largely wiped out. Reconstruction of telecom infrastructure is ongoing in government-controlled areas, but progress is slow due to economic sanctions and limited funding.
International connectivity is limited. Syria has only a few international gateway switches, and the bandwidth available for international calls is constrained. This is a major reason why calls to Syria are expensive and sometimes difficult to connect. The large Syrian diaspora (millions of refugees and emigrants across the Middle East, Europe, and North America) creates high demand for communication with Syria, further straining limited capacity.
Internet access in Syria, while limited, has expanded in some areas through local ISPs and satellite-based services. Many Syrians rely on internet cafes or shared Wi-Fi connections to access WhatsApp and other messaging apps for communication with family abroad.
Calling Syria from Specific Countries
Cheapest Ways to Call Syria
Free app-to-app calls when internet is available.
Best Times to Call Syria
Syria uses Arabia Standard Time (AST), UTC+3 year-round. Syria stopped observing daylight saving time in 2022.
From US East (EST): Syria is +8 hours
From US West (PST): Syria is +11 hours
From UK (GMT): Syria is +3 hours
Business hours: Sun-Thu 8 AM - 3 PM
Best from US East: 7 AM - 8 AM EST (3 PM - 4 PM Syria)
Best from US West: Very early morning only
Note: Due to electricity rationing in Syria, many people charge their phones and use electricity during specific scheduled hours. Calls may be more likely to connect during daytime hours when generators are running in urban areas.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Call not connecting -- infrastructure damage
Years of conflict have destroyed significant portions of Syria's telecom infrastructure. Landline connections in cities like Aleppo, Raqqa, and Deir ez-Zor may be completely non-functional. Mobile coverage is patchy in many areas. If a landline does not connect, try the person's mobile number instead.
Internet-based calls as an alternative
Many Syrians rely heavily on WhatsApp and Telegram for communication because traditional phone service is unreliable or unaffordable. Internet access, while limited, is sometimes more available than phone service in certain areas. WhatsApp voice calls work on low bandwidth and can succeed even with poor connections.
US sanctions affecting call routing
US sanctions on Syria can affect VoIP services and payment processors. Some calling services may not support calls to Syria. BubblyPhone routes calls to Syria through compliant international gateways. If your current provider cannot connect, try an alternative VoIP service.
Phone numbers in different-controlled regions
Syria's telecommunications network has been fragmented. The official +963 numbering plan works primarily in government-controlled areas. In some other regions, alternative telecom infrastructure using Turkish or Iraqi networks may be in use. Reaching people in these areas may require different dialing methods.
High calling rates to Syria
Calls to Syria are significantly more expensive than calls to most countries due to limited international gateway capacity and political factors. Rates from major US carriers can exceed $2-5/min. VoIP services offer lower rates but Syria remains one of the more expensive destinations globally.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still call Syria from the United States?
Is WhatsApp available in Syria?
Why are calls to Syria so expensive?
Does mobile coverage work across all of Syria?
Tips for Calling Syria
- Try multiple times: Calls to Syria often fail on the first attempt due to overloaded networks and infrastructure damage. Try calling at different times of day for best results.
- WhatsApp as primary contact: Many Syrians rely on WhatsApp as their primary means of communication. If voice calls do not connect, try sending a WhatsApp message first to arrange a call time when they have internet access.
- Drop the leading 0: When calling from abroad, always drop the trunk prefix 0 from Syrian numbers. A Damascus number 011 XXX XXXX becomes +963 11 XXX XXXX internationally.
- Consider electricity schedules: Electricity rationing in Syria follows schedules that vary by region. Calling during daytime hours increases the chance of the recipient having power for their phone.
- Keep the number updated: Many Syrians have been displaced and may have changed their phone numbers. Check with family or friends for the most current contact information.
- Sanctions compliance: US sanctions on Syria permit personal communications. You do not need special permission to make personal phone calls to Syria from the United States.