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Unblock Syria

Ubuntu

Ubuntu works in Syria, but not all of it, as of .

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Linux distribution for desktops, servers, cloud, and IoT devices

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What works

Each part of the service, checked from Syria.

Core useWorks

Tested from a Syrian connection on Ubuntu 22.04: apt update reached Canonical's official archives, including the local Syrian mirror, the security archive and Ubuntu Pro's ESM repositories; an app installed from the Snap Store; and Additional Drivers listed the available drivers. Only third-party re...

Landing pageWorks

The ubuntu.com website opened normally from a Syrian connection, with no regional restriction notice.

Sign-upWorks

An Ubuntu One account was created from a Syrian connection, and the account was then used to activate an Ubuntu Pro subscription.

Sign-inWorks

The tester used their own Ubuntu One account from Syria to register an Ubuntu Pro subscription and attach it to their machine, which shows sign-in working. This is inferred from the subscription step; there is no screenshot of the sign-in itself.

PaymentNot checked
UpgradeWorks

Ubuntu Pro's free personal subscription was registered from a Syrian connection and attached to the machine, enabling Expanded Security Maintenance (ESM) and Livepatch. The paid plans and checkout were not tested.

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Progress Timeline

In Review

Activity Summary

Accessible in Syria. The service was added for review in February 2026 after a community report that package updates failed with a 403 error.

Under Company Review

Community Updates

A user reported that running 'apt update' failed with a 403 Forbidden error on a Syrian connection, prompting Ubuntu's addition to the platform for further testing.

Need Help with Ubuntu?

If you're experiencing issues accessing Ubuntu in Syria, you can reach out to their support team directly.

Work at Canonical? Know someone who does?

Sanctions are lifted. Most companies just haven't updated their policies. A word from inside Canonical can change that.

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Tips for advocating

  • Reach out to legal, compliance, or policy teams.
  • Reference the lifted sanctions.
  • Point to competitors who have already unblocked Syria.

Frequently Asked Questions

Partly. The core use of Ubuntu works in Syria, but something else about it fails or has not been checked. This page lists what works and what does not.

Many international services blocked access to Syria due to previous sanctions and compliance policies. Even as sanctions are being reviewed, some companies have not yet restored access. Unblock Syria tracks these services and advocates for change.

You can help by voting on this page to show demand, sharing it on social media, and contacting Ubuntu directly to request they restore access for Syrian users.