EU ends key sanctions on Syria following Assad ouster

The European Union (EU) has suspended several sanctions on Syria, focusing on key economic sectors, during a Monday meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels.

The lifted restrictions primarily affect energy, transport, banking, and reconstruction, with the oil, gas, and electricity industries seeing relief. The decision follows the December overthrow of former President Bashar al-Assad, led by Islamist insurgent group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS).

Additionally, the EU lifted asset freezes on five banks, eased restrictions on the Syrian central bank, and indefinitely extended a humanitarian aid exemption to facilitate assistance to the war-torn nation.

Despite these suspensions, EU states maintained a range of other sanctions targeting Assad’s former administration. These include restrictions on arms trading, dual-use goods with military and civilian applications, surveillance software, and the international trade of Syrian cultural heritage items.

EU officials emphasized that the suspension of sanctions would be closely monitored to ensure they remain appropriate given the evolving situation in Syria.