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
Palestinian Prisoners' Information Office: Four of his ribs were broken
Palestinian Prisoners' Information Office: Marwan al-Barghouti lost consciousness after a brutal assault by Israeli occupation soldiers
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Israeli violations in the Gaza Strip have not stopped, and just a short while ago, fishermen came under fire from boats
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Israeli occupation forces carry out a large explosion in the eastern neighborhood of the town of Mays al-Jabal in southern Lebanon.
Israeli media: Israeli political leadership decides to open Rafah crossing “as planned” and transfer aid to Gaza Strip.
Palestinian media: Three Palestinians were killed after being targeted by Israeli drone fire in the al-Shujaiya neighborhood east of Gaza City
Nicolas Maduro: The Palestinian cause is the most sacred cause for humanity, and we propose sending teams of builders, farmers, and doctors to Gaza to help the people
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Lebanon: IOF infiltrate Khallet Wardeh towards the municipality in the town of Aita al-Shaab, south of Lebanon.
Leaders of the United States, Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey sign a ceasefire agreement in Gaza.
Trump arrives in Sharm el-Sheikh

US greenlights sanctions waiver for supporters of Syria’s transition

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Al-Monitor
  • 19 Jan 2025 13:48
3 Min Read

The waiver reportedly covers Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, the UAE, and Ukraine.

Listen
  • x
  • People celebrate holding a large Syrian opposition flag at Umayyad Square in Damascus on December 9, 2024. (AFP)
    People celebrate holding a large Syrian opposition flag at Umayyad Square in Damascus on December 9, 2024. (AFP)

The Biden administration has granted a limited sanctions waiver for regional countries assisting Syria's transitional government, Al-Monitor reported citing US officials.

On Friday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken informed lawmakers that the administration was lifting restrictions under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 for nations providing support to the de facto government in Damascus, which would typically face restrictions on US-provided assistance due to Syria’s designation as a "State Sponsor of Terrorism".

The waiver covers Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, the UAE, and Ukraine, according to a State Department official who spoke on condition of anonymity.

As the Biden administration nears its end, following the fall of al-Assad regime on December 8, it did not rescind any sanctions targeting the former regime nor lift Syria’s State "Sponsor of Terrorism" designation, which was applied in 1979 during Hafez al-Assad’s presidency.

Earlier this month, the US Treasury Department authorized certain transactions with Syria’s transitional government, aiming to reassure aid organizations and banks that humanitarian efforts, such as providing water, electricity, and energy, would not violate US sanctions.

Meanwhile, the Biden administration maintained the Foreign Terrorist Organization designation for Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the group that led the ousting of Syria's former regime and is now overseeing the country's political transition.

In late December, the administration removed the $10 million bounty on HTS leader Ahmad al-Sharaa after he assured US officials that he would prevent terrorist groups in Syria from threatening the US or the region.

Related News

Putin, al-Sharaa reaffirm decades-long partnership during Moscow talks

SDF to integrate into Damascus ministries, retain regional authority

Six EU members advocate for temporary suspension of Syria sanctions

Last week, six European Union member states urged the bloc to temporarily suspend certain sanctions on Syria, specifically in areas such as transport, energy, and banking, Reuters reported, citing a document.

EU foreign ministers are scheduled to discuss the potential relaxation of sanctions on Syria during a meeting in Brussels on January 27.  

The document, endorsed by Germany, France, the Netherlands, Spain, Finland, and Denmark, stated that the EU "should immediately begin adjusting our sanctions regime."  

However, the paper cautioned that if Syria fails to meet the EU's expectations regarding human rights and minority protections, further sanctions may remain in place, and previously lifted measures could be reinstated through a snapback mechanism.  

Earlier this month, the United States issued a six-month sanctions exemption for transactions with Syrian governing institutions to facilitate humanitarian aid. 

The six EU member states proposed lifting sanctions to enable civilian flights, reevaluating restrictions on high-value goods, removing the export ban on oil and gas technology, and reopening financial channels between the EU and Syria.  

They emphasized that sanctions targeting members of al-Assad's administration and its supporters should remain intact.  

Regarding HTS, the paper noted that lifting sanctions would require discussions at the United Nations level and coordination with key partners. It added that any decision would depend on a collective assessment of HTS, its leader Ahmad Al-Sharaa, and developments on the ground in Syria.  

  • Syria
  • United States
  • Sanctions on Syria

Most Read

Iran strikes secret Israeli-US bunker under Tel Aviv high-rise

Tel Aviv high-rise struck by Iran hid Site 81, secret US-Israeli base

  • Politics
  • 14 Oct 2025
Palestinian journalist Saleh al-Jaafarawi in an undated image in Gaza, occupied Palestine (Social media)

Gaza Palestinian journalist Saleh al-Jafarawi killed by collaborators

  • Politics
  • 12 Oct 2025
Taylor Swift: The Life of a Showgirl

The Life of a No-Girl: The one verse Taylor Swift refuses to sing

  • Arts and Culture
  • 8 Oct 2025
drop site

New report details extensive Israeli arson in Gaza after ceasefire

  • Politics
  • 13 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Freed Palestinian detainee al-Arida expresses gratitude to Al Mayadeen.
Politics

Freed Palestinian detainee Mahmoud al-Arida salutes Al Mayadeen

Prime Minister of Spain Pedro Sánchez gestures as he speaks at the Global Progress Action Summit, in London, Friday, September 26, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Spain to maintain arms embargo on ‘Israel’ despite ceasefire

Israeli excavators work in the Gaza Strip as the sun sets, seen from southern occupied Palestine, Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Palestinian clans condemn chaos in Gaza, back security forces

The sun sets behind buildings destroyed during the Israeli aggression in the northern Gaza Strip, as seen from southern occupied Palestine, Tuesday, October 14, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Israeli regime cuts Gaza aid to 300 trucks, blocks fuel and gas

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