Politics After the fall of Assad: EU states ease Syria sanctions
Following the fall of long-term ruler Bashar al-Assad in Syria, the EU states have decided to gradually ease sanctions.
24.02.2025, 12:49
SDA
Measures in the energy, transport and banking sectors will be lifted in order to support a rapid economic recovery, reconstruction and stabilization of the country, according to a statement. The possibility of suspending further economic sanctions is being examined.
A rebel alliance led by the Islamist group Haiat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) overthrew the long-term ruler in December. A transitional government is now in power in Damascus.
All Syrians should have the opportunity to participate in the reconstruction of their country, the EU states announced. There is also hope in the EU that hundreds of thousands of Syrian refugees will one day be able to return home.
Certain sanctions remain in place
The sanctions that have been lifted include, in particular, measures that affect energy supplies and impede the movement of people and goods. In addition, financial institutions in the member states are allowed to maintain relationships with Syrian banks under certain conditions, for example to facilitate transactions for reconstruction.
At the same time, however, the EU states are maintaining the sanctions lists in relation to the al-Assad regime, the chemical weapons sector and the illegal drugs trade, for example.
The EU imposed sanctions against Syria from 2011 in response to the violent actions of the Assad government against the civilian population. These were also directed against economic sectors from which the power circle around Assad profited.
