The US administration officially notified the Congress of its intention to renew exemptions related to sanctions on Syria, whose term is supposed to end on August 8.
The US Congress was also notified not to renew Public License No. “23” under which part of it was suspended part of the sanctions imposed on Syria following the February 6 earthquake.
The US State Department or Congress haven’t issued any statement regarding whether or not to extend the US license, so far.
The US Congress, through several members, including the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee in the House of Representatives, and the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Middle East, North Africa and Central Asia Affairs, sent a letter to US President Joe Biden on July 24, expressing their deep concern.
Some sources said that, the US administration may extend Public License No. 23.
The Congress criticized the license on the one hand that it was formulated in a “too broad” manner, which made it vulnerable to manipulation by the Syrian regime and its allies.
On July 14, the European Union announced, the extension of the “humanitarian exemptions” from its sanctions on Syria, for another six months, until February 24, 2024.
In a statement posted on the official website, it was stated that the Council of the European Union had introduced an additional humanitarian exception in the sanctions regime, given the situation in Syria, to facilitate the rapid delivery of humanitarian aid, in the aftermath of the earthquake.
For its part, Britain also extended the “humanitarian exemptions” from its sanctions on Syria for an indefinite period.
