Area Code 43 – Tartous

Geographic Coverage and Administrative Jurisdiction

The Syrian area code +963 43 is the National Destination Code (NDC) assigned to the Tartous Governorate, a coastal region in western Syria bordering the Mediterranean Sea. The code serves the city of Tartous (the administrative capital) and its surrounding districts, including Baniyas, Safita, Dreikish, and Al-Shaykh Badr. As a geographic code, it routes calls to fixed-line PSTN subscribers within this specific governorate, distinguishing them from other Syrian regions such as Damascus (+963 11) or Aleppo (+963 21).

Dialing Formats and Number Structure

Syrian fixed-line numbers under the +963 43 code typically consist of 8 to 9 digits in total when dialed in international format. The structure is: +963 (country code) followed by 43 (NDC) and then the subscriber number (usually 6 to 7 digits). For example, a local number might appear as +963 43 1234567.

• International dialing from abroad: Dial your country's exit code (e.g., 00 or 011), then 963, then 43, followed by the local subscriber number. Example: 00 963 43 1234567.
• Domestic long-distance dialing within Syria: Dial 0 (trunk prefix) then 43 and the subscriber number. Example: 0 43 1234567.
• Local calling within Tartous: For calls within the same NDC, you may often omit the area code and dial only the subscriber number, depending on the current Syrian telecom regulations.

Overlay and Numbering Plan Considerations

As of the latest ITU-T E.164 national numbering plan updates, Syria has not introduced overlay codes for Tartous. The +963 43 code remains exclusively assigned to the geographic region. However, due to the ongoing modernization of Syria's PSTN and the increasing adoption of VoIP, some operators may route calls over IP backbones, but the dialing format remains unchanged for end users.

Caller Instructions

For callers inside Syria: When calling a Tartous fixed line from another governorate, always include the trunk prefix 0 followed by 43. For local calls, check if the number is within the same exchange; if so, you may dial the subscriber number directly.

For international callers: Always use the full international format: +963 43 followed by the subscriber number. Do not include the leading 0 that is used for domestic dialing.

Note that due to the current telecommunications infrastructure in Syria, call quality and routing may vary. It is advisable to confirm the correct number with the recipient, as some fixed-line numbers may have been migrated to mobile or VoIP services.