Wall Street Journal: The United States intends to ease sanctions restrictions on aid coming to Syria
The Wall Street Journal reported, citing officials, that the Biden administration plans to announce, Monday, easing restrictions on humanitarian aid to Syria and speeding up the delivery of basic supplies without lifting sanctions that restrict other aid to the new government.
The decision, approved by the administration earlier this week, authorizes the Treasury Department to issue waivers to relief groups and companies that provide essentials such as water, electricity and other humanitarian supplies, officials told the Wall Street Journal.
Officials explained that the measure would initially be for six months, and would exempt aid suppliers from having to seek permission on a case-by-case basis, but would come with conditions to ensure supplies are not misused.
The Wall Street Journal explained that the decision is a limited step in support of the new administration, and it also confirms the White House’s caution regarding lifting comprehensive sanctions on Syria until “the direction taken by the new government becomes clear,” in light of Biden’s confirmation that his government “evaluates the new Syrian administration based on its actions, not its words”.
A US delegation headed by Barbara Leaf, Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs, met with the leader of the new Syrian administration, Ahmad al Sharaa, on December 20, and discussed with him the lifting of sanctions.
The Syrian caretaker government has called several times for the sanctions to be lifted so that it can revive and rebuild the exhausted country, stressing that the reasons for imposing them have disappeared with the fall of the regime of ousted President Bashar al-Assad.
The decision details, which it will be either expires or extends on July 7, 2025.
License No. 24 for Syria which will allow:
- Dealings with Syrian government institutions
- Transactions for the sale, supply, storage, and donation of energy and petroleum derivatives.
- Transactions related to sending personal remittances to Syria, including through the Central Bank.
The license doesn’t allow:
- Any dealings with institutions/individuals in the military and intelligence sectors.
- Any dealings involving or on behalf of the governments of Russia and Iran.
- Any dealings with classified or sanctioned persons except in relation to paying taxes, collecting licenses and permits, or paying salaries to government employees who aren’t on any lists.
- Any new investments in Syria.
