UK lifts sanctions on Syria def., interior ministries, intel agencies

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
Today 13:44

The UK lifts Syria sanctions on key ministries and intelligence agencies, reversing measures imposed under the al-Assad regime.

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Children buy from a street vendor in an open market in Aleppo, Syria, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025 (AP)

The United Kingdom has officially lifted sanctions on Syria’s defense and interior ministries, along with several intelligence agencies, in a significant Syria asset freeze reversal, Reuters reported on Thursday.

This decision marks a shift in the UK-Syria foreign policy, following the ousting of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad by armed forces led by the Islamist Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group in December.

A notice from the British finance ministry, published online on Thursday, confirmed that 12 Syrian entities are no longer subject to an asset freeze. These include the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Defense, and the General Intelligence Directorate.

The notice did not elaborate on the reasons behind this policy change.

Although the British government had previously emphasized that British sanctions on al-Assad regime members would remain in force, this latest move signals a potential shift in how the UK engages with the post-Assad political structure in Syria.

This latest development follows the British government's decision in March to lift sanctions on Syria's central bank and 23 other entities, including financial institutions and oil companies.

These steps suggest that the UK is seeking to recalibrate its relationship with Syria as new power dynamics emerge following years of war on the country.

The lifting of sanctions comes as part of a broader reassessment by Western nations of their strategies in Syria. While the full implications of this policy shift are yet to be seen, it raises questions about future engagement and support for the reconstruction of Syria under new leadership.

Despite these changes, UK officials have maintained that measures against individuals and groups linked directly to the al-Assad regime will continue to be enforced, keeping pressure on those associated with the previous government.

UN envoy calls for lifting sanctions on Syria, warns of effects

In mid-April, the United Nations Special Envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, called for the lifting of sanctions imposed on Syria, warning of their "catastrophic consequences on the Syrian people," and stressed the need to support the country’s new government in its efforts to rebuild and stabilize.

Speaking at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, Pedersen said, "The political situation in Syria has changed," describing the new Syrian government as "better than its predecessor." He urged the international community to "extend a helping hand so it can succeed in its reconstruction mission."

In February, the European Council of the European Union suspended several restrictive measures over the situation in Syria, adding that the decision comes as part of the EU's "efforts to support an inclusive political transition in Syria, and its swift economic recovery, reconstruction, and stabilization."

The European Council said the bloc "aims to facilitate engagement with Syria, its people, and businesses, in key areas of energy and transport, as well as to facilitate financial and banking transactions associated with such sectors and those needed for humanitarian and reconstruction purposes."

The EU Council will suspend sanctions in the transport sector and energy sector, namely oil, gas, and electricity, in addition to removing five entities (Industrial Bank, Popular Credit Bank, Saving Bank, Agricultural Cooperative Bank, and Syrian Arab Airlines) from the list of those subject to a freeze in funds and economic assets.