Washington is paving the way for transactions necessary for humanitarian purposes, in a move seen as an “important step” towards easing the West’s sanctions regime against the country.
The United States announced it would ease some restrictions on Syria’s transitional government.
The US Treasury issued a six-month general license on Monday evening authorizing certain transactions with the Syrian government, including certain energy sales and ancillary transactions.
The move is aimed at allowing the entry of humanitarian aid following the ouster of Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad last month, the United States said. This suggests some progress in efforts by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the main group that toppled al-Assad and now leads the Syrian transition, to strengthen international relations.
The measure does not remove any sanctions but will ensure they “do not impede activities aimed at meeting basic human needs, including the provision of public services or humanitarian assistance,” the US Treasury said.
Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo said the end of al-Assad’s “brutal and repressive regime, supported by Russia and Iran” provided a unique opportunity for Syria and its people to rebuild.
“During this transition period, Treasury will continue to support humanitarian assistance and responsible governance in Syria.”
A wide range of Western sanctions are weakening Syria’s economy and threatening its recovery from more than 13 years of civil war. The United States, along with the European Union, imposed sanctions against al-Assad and his regime for war crimes and human rights violations.
Despite the removal of Al-Assad, sanctions remain in force. European officials recently said they would not be lifted until Syria’s new leaders demonstrated they would protect minorities and share power.
Syria’s new trade minister warned Monday that Damascus was unable to reach deals to import fuel, wheat or other essential goods due to strict U.S. sanctions, despite the willingness of many countries, including the Gulf Arab States, to do so.
Maher Khalil al-Hasan told the Reuters news agency that Syria’s new administration had managed to gather enough wheat and fuel for a few months, but the country would face a “catastrophe” if sanctions were not lifted. not frozen or risen quickly.
“Important milestone”
“The new administration…wants all these sanctions to be lifted. But this is an important step by the United States because Western sanctions are also in place from the European Union and other Western allied countries, but they believe they are are inspired mainly by the United States,” reported James Bays, diplomatic editor of Al Jazeera. of Damascus, said.
The announcement followed a meeting in Damascus between HTS leader Ahmed al-Sharaa – who was once allied with al-Qaeda – and the top US diplomat for the Middle East, Barbara Leaf.
The United States and United Nations have long designated HTS a terrorist organization. However, the United States has gradually lifted some sanctions since al-Assad’s departure, including granting a $10 million bounty to al-Sharaa.
In another positive development for Syria’s new leaders, international flights to the war-torn country are expected to resume on Tuesday.
No flights had taken off or landed since pro-Assad forces abandoned the Syrian capital’s airport on December 8.
Last Thursday, Qatar Airways announced that it would resume flights to Damascus after almost 13 years, with three flights a week to start.
