Syrian Communications Minister Abdul-Salam Haykal announced the reactivation of the American programming platform GitHub in Syria.
In a post on his X account on Friday, September 5, Haykal welcomed the return of GitHub services to Syria, thanking Syrians working in global companies for supporting the Communications and Information Technology Ministry team in reactivating international platforms. He also expressed appreciation for what he described as the support of "partners" in the US government.
GitHub had announced on Thursday, September 4, that with the easing of sanctions and export controls on Syria, the platform would once again be broadly available to Syrian developers. The company invited Syrians to contribute their projects to the global developer community, adding that it was working to lift restrictions on Syrian users and restore full account functionality within the coming week.
What is GitHub?
"Git" refers to an open-source version control system that allows programmers and developers to save the code they use to build their applications. Developers can modify applications by taking a copy, improving it without affecting the original version, and then saving those changes within the system.
Git also lets developers view and learn from other projects' code stored in a central repository.
"Hub" refers to the central space where all different versions of applications are collected and stored.
Key Features of GitHub
GitHub offers developers a wide range of tools, including:
Repository (Repo):
A storage space where all files and code for a project are kept, accessible through a unique URL. Forking a Repo:
A feature that allows developers to branch from an original project's code, create their own version, and develop it into a new or updated application. Pull Requests:
Used when a developer modifies a project; they must submit a request to the original owner for review and approval (or rejection). Social Networking:
GitHub makes it easy for developers to build profiles showcasing their projects, interact with other developers quickly, and share updates, replacing slower methods like email. Changelogs:
Records all changes made to a project, which is especially useful when multiple people collaborate, allowing each contributor to track and review past updates. Easing of US sanctions
On June 30, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order lifting economic sanctions on Syria imposed since 2004, while maintaining those related to human rights violations, chemical weapons, terrorism, drug trafficking, and ties to Iran.
On August 28, the US Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security announced relaxed licensing requirements for civilian exports to Syria. This measure allows the entry of US-origin goods, software, and technology for civilian use, including consumer communications equipment and some civil aviation goods, without an export license.
The new rules also facilitate exports related to communications infrastructure, sanitation, energy generation, and civil aviation.
In August, Google updated its advertising policy, removing Syria from the US Treasury's sanctions list (OFAC). This opens the way for the return of its advertising services, including Google Ads, Ad Exchange, and Ad Manager, after years of restrictions.