The United Nations Security Council has adopted a resolution lifting international sanctions on Syrian transitional President Ahmad al-Sharaa and Interior Minister Anas Khattab, according to a RIA Novosti correspondent reporting from the UN headquarters.

The move signals a notable shift in the international approach toward Syria’s transitional authorities.

The resolution passed with 14 votes in favor, with the Russian Federation backing the decision. China abstained from the vote but did not oppose the resolution.

This comes despite ongoing atrocities being carried out in Syria, including mass killings reportedly carried out by armed members affiliated with the Syrian security forces. 

According to the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Syria, approximately 1,400 men, women, and children were killed in March in coordinated massacres across the provinces of Latakia, Tartus, and Hama. Some of the killings were carried out by members of the interim government’s security forces. Similar massacres and human rights abuses were seen in Sweida. 

US exempts interim Syrian leadership despite atrocities

On August 25, the US Department of the Treasury announced that Syria had been officially removed from the US sanctions list. Moreover, the reward for al-Sharaa's arrest had been scrapped by the United States. 

The US had offered a $10 million reward for information that would lead to the arrest of al-Sharaa.

The decisions came into effect following an executive order signed by Trump, reflecting a broader shift in US policy toward Syria under his administration.

Syria welcomes decision

The Syrian Foreign Ministry welcomed on Thursday the UN Security Council's decision, saying this step reflects growing international confidence in al-Sharaa's leadership.

It noted that "removing the designation constitutes legal and political confirmation of the Syrian state's steadfast commitment to upholding the rights of Syrians, maintaining civil peace, establishing international peace and security, combating drug trafficking, and fighting terrorism."

"The Security Council's agreement, for the first time in many years, to pass a resolution concerning Syria expresses the will of the international community to support the Syrian state's efforts to build a new phase of security, stability, and prosperity, and represents a victory for Syrian diplomacy, which has succeeded in restoring international recognition of Syria's status and its pivotal role in the region," it added.

The Syrian Foreign Ministry concluded by saying that "Syria expresses its appreciation to the Security Council member states for their unified stance and affirms its full commitment to working with the international community to achieve the aspirations of the Syrian people for peace, development, reconstruction, and the building of a new Syria."

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