Syria’s central bank to open branch in Raqqa

Syria’s central bank has begun arrangements to open a branch in Raqqa after the city in the northeast was taken from Kurdish-led fighters by government forces, the state broadcaster reports. Raqqa is one of Syria’s largest cities. The SDF has been running it since it ousted ISIL in 2017. Syria’s central bank also said it would encourage other banks to return to the city, which it said should represent a “qualitative leap” in banking services.