Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
President Aoun: We urge the activation of the monitoring committee, the cessation of hostilities, ongoing Israeli violations, attacks
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun to US Envoy Morgan Ortagus: Southerners must be enabled to return to their homes and rebuild
Syrian sources: The Israeli occupation has begun withdrawing from the areas it infiltrated last night in the Quneitra countryside.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Massive bombings in eastern Gaza, the second within half an hour, and its sound was heard from central area.
Russian air defense units destroyed a drone that was heading toward Moscow.
Maduro: Tomorrow, a business meeting will be held bringing together hundreds of entrepreneurs from advanced Russian industries with hundreds of Venezuelan businesspeople.
Maduro: In the face of threats, Trinidad and Tobago agreed to suspend all effects of the energy agreement and everything that had been agreed upon in that regard.
Maduro: It’s time to make a choice, either stand with the warmongers who want death and violence, or stand with life.
Maduro: They want our wealth. This is not about drug trafficking, and they know it.
Maduro: Everyone in the world knows that what the economic elite ruling the United States seeks today is Venezuela’s oil, gas, and gold.

EU to decide on Syria sanctions at January 27 meeting

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 12 Jan 2025 18:07
3 Min Read

The US has already eased some restrictions on Syria, granting a six-month exemption for certain transactions with Syrian governing institutions to enable humanitarian assistance and limited energy deals.

Listen
  • x
  • AP
    Germany's foreign minister Annalena Baerbock speaks to the press during a conference on Syria's future attended by top European and Middle Eastern diplomats hosted by Saudi Arabia in Riyadh, Sunday, Jan. 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Anwer Baraa)

European foreign ministers are set to convene in Brussels on January 27 to deliberate on lifting sanctions against Syria, European foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas announced on Sunday. Speaking in Riyadh ahead of a conference involving Middle Eastern and Western diplomats, as well as Syria's new foreign minister, Kallas noted that any easing of sanctions would be conditional on the new administration's governance approach.

"The principle of including different groups, women, and ensuring no radicalization is critical," Kallas stated. She added, "If we see the developments going to the right direction, we are ready to do the next steps... If we see that it's not going to the right direction, then we can also move back on this."

There are both hope and challenges in Syria.

Today in Riyadh, I will exchange with the Foreign Ministers from the Gulf States, the Middle East and Europe on the transition since the fall of the Assad regime.

It is important that Syria’s Hassan al-Shibani is here too. (1/2) pic.twitter.com/Am3Fq76Nua

— Kaja Kallas (@kajakallas) January 12, 2025

The discussions come after the ousting of President Bashar al-Assad on December 8 in a rapid offensive led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). The Islamist group, formerly linked to al-Qaeda, has since established an interim government in Damascus, prompting calls from Syria's new leadership to lift international sanctions and facilitate funding for reconstruction efforts.

Related News

Israeli forces raid Syrian military barracks in Quneitra: SOHR

US cargo plane lands in Syria base as IOF escalate Quneitra breaches

Germany on the lead

Germany has taken the lead in the EU's discussions. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock affirmed the importance of maintaining sanctions on those responsible for alleged war crimes while providing relief to the Syrian population.

"Sanctions against Assad's henchmen who committed serious crimes during the civil war must remain in place," she said in Riyadh. Baerbock also announced €50 million in aid for food, emergency shelters, and medical care.

Meanwhile, the US recently eased restrictions, granting a six-month exemption for certain transactions with Syrian governing institutions to enable humanitarian assistance and limited energy deals. The US also removed a $10 million bounty on Ahmad al-Sharaa, the HTS leader who led the campaign against Assad. Al-Sharaa, once associated with al-Qaeda, has distanced himself from the group and promised a government inclusive of religious minorities.

Read more: Russia must exit Syria for EU to lift sanctions on HTS: Dutch FM

The Riyadh conference, hosted by Saudi Arabia, marks the first high-level gathering of Western and Middle Eastern diplomats since Assad's removal. Discussions are focused on supporting Syria's interim authorities while addressing accountability for alleged war crimes committed during Assad's tenure. A statement from the UK Foreign Office highlighted the importance of ensuring mechanisms to hold the Assad regime accountable.

Syria's new leadership hopes the international community will mobilize funds to rebuild its devastated infrastructure and revitalize its economy. However, the process remains fraught with challenges amid the controversial appointment of jihadists in key leadership positions.

  • Syria
  • Sanctions on Syria
  • HTS
  • European Union

Most Read

'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

  • Technology
  • 24 Oct 2025
Arab League chief exposes secret US deal shielding 'Israel’s' nukes

Arab League chief exposes secret US deal shielding 'Israel’s' nukes

  • Politics
  • 27 Oct 2025
Abu Hamza, the spokesperson for the Al-Quds Brigades, during a speech televised on October 22, 2025 (Al-Quds Brigades Military Media)

Al-Quds Brigades' Abu Hamza mourns leaders, vows continued resistance

  • Politics
  • 22 Oct 2025
US missionary kidnapped in Niger capital, suspected taken toward Mali

US missionary kidnapped in Niger capital, suspected taken toward Mali

  • Africa
  • 23 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Delta Air Lines flight lands at Harry Reid International Airport, Wednesday, April 9, 2025, in Las Vegas (AP)
Politics

Nearly 3,800 US flights disrupted amid ongoing government shutdown

FILE - The Amazon logo is pictured at the Amazon Robotic Sorting Fulfillment Center in Madison County, Miss., Aug. 11, 2022. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis, File)
Economy

Amazon to cut 30,000 jobs in largest layoff in company history

Eurofighter Typhoon Spain's Air Force fighter jets fly above the military parade marking 'Día de la Hispanidad', or Hispanic Day, in Madrid, Spain, Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025. (AP)
Politics

UK sells 20 Eurofighter jets to Türkiye in £8bln defense agreement

Smoke billows after drone strikes by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) targeted the northern port in the Red Sea city of Port Sudan, Sudan, May 6, 2025 (AP)
Politics

RSF tighten El Fasher siege as Sudan risks fragmentation: Reuters

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS