Postal History of Syria: From Mandate to Modern Day

Introduction

The postage stamps and postal history of Syria tell the story of a nation shaped by empire, war, independence, and resilience. From the final years of Ottoman rule through the French Mandate, the brief unity with Egypt, and the turbulent path to modern statehood, Syrian postal issues have served as silent witnesses to these dramatic shifts. Each overprint, surcharge, and commemorative design speaks volumes about sovereignty, identity, and historical transition.

This blog post traces Syria’s postal evolution from 1919 until today capturing every significant milestone, regional variation, and political change along the way. For collectors, historians, and enthusiasts alike, Syria offers a uniquely rich philatelic journey that is both complex and captivating.

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1. Prelude: Ottoman Era to 1919

Before the end of World War I, Syria was a province of the Ottoman Empire. The region used Ottoman postal services, and from the mid-19th century onward, various foreign post offices also operated on Syrian territory—most notably French, Italian, Russian, and Egyptian. The Egyptian office in Latakia, for instance, was active until 1919. Turkish stamps were used throughout the empire until its disintegration following the war.

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2. Egyptian Expeditionary Force (EEF), 1918–1922

In the immediate postwar period, the British-controlled Egyptian Expeditionary Force administered postal services across Syria and Palestine. EEF stamps were issued for use in the occupied territories from September 1918 through early 1922. These were British designs with Arabic inscriptions and represented a temporary solution during the political vacuum.

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3. Arab Kingdom under Faisal, 1919–1920

Following the collapse of Ottoman control, Emir Faisal established an Arab government in Damascus and proclaimed an independent Arab Kingdom in 1920. During this short-lived era, Syrian stamps were issued by overprinting existing Turkish and EEF stamps with Arabic inscriptions such as “Arab Government” and occasionally with values in Egyptian currency. These stamps symbolized a declaration of independence, although the kingdom lasted only a few months.

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4. French Military Occupation, 1920–1924

In July 1920, French forces entered Damascus and dissolved Faisal’s Arab Kingdom. Under the League of Nations mandate, France assumed control of Syria and Lebanon. French stamps were issued with overprints like “T.E.O.” (Territoires Ennemis Occupés) and later “O.M.F.” (Occupation Militaire Française). Between 1923 and 1924, stamps were further overprinted with “Syrie Grand Liban” to reflect the division of the mandate territories.

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5. French Mandate Era, 1925–1939

By 1925, Syria began issuing stamps under its own name, inscribed simply as “SYRIE.” These stamps, though still influenced by French colonial policy, increasingly reflected local culture and landscapes. In 1930, Syria became the State of Syria under French mandate, and stamps began to depict local architecture, monuments, and institutions.

In 1934, a new series marked the proclamation of the “République Syrienne,” symbolizing the growing autonomy of the Syrian state within the framework of French oversight.

During this era, regional issues also appeared in areas such as:

• The Alawite State, using stamps overprinted “ALAOUITES” from 1925 to 1936.

• Latakia, using stamps overprinted “LATTAQUIE” during the same period.

These regional overprints reflect the complex administrative divisions imposed by the French authorities.

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6. Hatay / Alexandretta (1938–1939)

The Hatay region, also known as the Sanjak of Alexandretta, was a contested territory with a unique philatelic profile. In 1938, Hatay declared independence from Syria and issued its own stamps. A year later, the region was annexed by Turkey, and many of the final stamps were overprinted with “T.C. ilhak tarihi 30-6-1939” to commemorate the annexation date.

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7. Full Independence and Early Republic, 1946–1958

Syria achieved full independence from France in April 1946 and quickly restructured its postal system. As a newly sovereign republic, Syria issued stamps that celebrated national achievements, ancient heritage sites, and political leaders. This period also saw Syria become a member of the Universal Postal Union, integrating it formally into the global mail system.

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8. United Arab Republic Period, 1958–1961

From 1958 to 1961, Syria merged politically with Egypt to form the United Arab Republic (UAR). During this brief union, stamps were issued under the name of the UAR and typically featured shared symbols like the Eagle of Saladin or both nations’ flags. After secession in 1961, Syria resumed its independent postal identity.

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9. Modern Syrian Arab Republic, 1961–Present

Following its withdrawal from the UAR, Syria rebranded itself as the Syrian Arab Republic. The country has continued to issue stamps regularly under inscriptions such as “Syrian A.R.,” “Syrian Arab Republic,” or simply “Syria.”

Modern issues have covered a wide range of topics including:

• Famous Syrians and Arab leaders

• Islamic architecture and archaeological ruins

• National holidays and anniversaries

• Pan-Arab solidarity and anti-imperialist themes

Despite periods of political turbulence and war, Syria has maintained a steady release of philatelic material—sometimes limited in distribution due to sanctions and conflict.

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10. The Role of Syrian Post Today

Syria’s national postal operator, Syrian Post, was officially established in 1975. It oversees all postal services in the country, including domestic mail, EMS, philatelic sales, and international delivery. Though service interruptions have occurred due to war, the institution remains functional, and Syria continues to be an active member of the Universal Postal Union.

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📊 Summary Table