Is it time to lift international sanctions on Syria?

Key Chapter Title List

1. Turmoil in Syria: A New Order in the Post-Assad Era
2. Overview of International Sanctions Against Syria
3. United Nations Security Council Sanctions Mechanisms
4. European Union Restrictive Measures
5. The U.S. Sanctions System Against Syria
6. Calls for and Progress in Lifting International Sanctions on Syria
7. Economic and Humanitarian Challenges Facing Syria
8. Delisting from the UN Security Council Terrorism List Procedure
9. U.S. Sanctions Relief Measures
10. EU Agrees to Gradually Suspend Sanctions
11. European Parliament's Position and Actions

Document Introduction

This briefing, authored by the European Parliamentary Research Service in February 2025, aims to systematically assess the necessity, feasibility, and related policy debates surrounding the lifting of the complex international sanctions network against Syria following the unexpected fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime in early December 2024. Centered on the geopolitical upheaval of Syria establishing an interim caretaker government led by the armed jihadist group Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the report delves into the critical linkages between sanctions relief and Syria's political transition, economic reconstruction, and the alleviation of the humanitarian crisis.

The report first outlines the evolution of Syria's political and security landscape in the post-Assad era, including measures taken by HTS to maintain governance continuity, the current state of national fragmentation, and the continued intervention of external actors. Subsequently, it provides a detailed analysis of the multi-layered international sanctions system targeting Syria: including the UN Security Council's counter-terrorism sanctions lists targeting ISIL (Da'esh) and Al-Qaeda (under which HTS and its leaders are listed), the extensive economic, financial, and trade restrictive measures implemented by the EU since 2011, and the most comprehensive network of primary and secondary sanctions constructed by the United States based on legislation such as the Caesar Act. The report clearly states that most of these sanctions originated from the Assad regime's crackdown on protests in 2011 and were designed to target the regime, not the Syrian people.

The core section of the report focuses on calls from various parties to lift sanctions, the practical steps already taken, and the existing obstacles. Syria's dire economic situation (GDP less than half of pre-2011 levels, reconstruction costs estimated at a minimum of $250 billion) and profound humanitarian crisis (16.7 million people in need of assistance) constitute the primary drivers for demands to lift sanctions. The international community, including some Arab states, Turkey, UN agencies, and some humanitarian organizations, has called for easing sanctions to support economic recovery, facilitate aid delivery, and promote refugee returns. In response, the United States issued a time-limited general license in January 2025, easing restrictions on transactions related to the provision of essential services and governance functions in Syria; EU foreign ministers also reached a political agreement on January 27, 2025, agreeing to suspend certain sanctions in a gradual and conditional manner.

However, the report also notes that the comprehensive lifting of sanctions, particularly the delisting of HTS from terrorism lists, still faces significant political and legal prerequisites. For the West, sanctions relief remains closely tied to commitments from Syria's new authorities to promote an inclusive political transition, protect the rights of minorities and women, and distance themselves from extremism. The EU's sanctions suspension is temporary and reversible, and it explicitly stated it would follow UN Security Council decisions regarding HTS's terrorist listing. Key U.S. sanctions, particularly those related to Syria's designation as a "State Sponsor of Terrorism," remain in effect. The report concludes by analyzing the European Parliament's position and past resolutions on related issues, emphasizing the need to ensure sanctions are targeted and to address the hindrance to humanitarian aid caused by "over-compliance."

Based on official documents, reports from international organizations, and expert analysis, this briefing provides an authoritative, timely, and in-depth reference for policymakers and researchers to understand the complexity of the Syria sanctions issue and to evaluate policy options and their potential impacts.

Key Chapter Title List

1. Turmoil in Syria: A New Order in the Post-Assad Era
2. Overview of International Sanctions Against Syria
3. United Nations Security Council Sanctions Mechanisms
4. European Union Restrictive Measures
5. The U.S. Sanctions System Against Syria
6. Calls for and Progress in Lifting International Sanctions on Syria
7. Economic and Humanitarian Challenges Facing Syria
8. Delisting from the UN Security Council Terrorism List Procedure
9. U.S. Sanctions Relief Measures
10. EU Agrees to Gradually Suspend Sanctions
11. European Parliament's Position and Actions

Document Introduction

This briefing, authored by the European Parliamentary Research Service in February 2025, aims to systematically assess the necessity, feasibility, and related policy debates surrounding the lifting of the complex international sanctions network against Syria following the unexpected fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime in early December 2024. Centered on the geopolitical upheaval of Syria establishing an interim caretaker government led by the armed jihadist group Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the report delves into the critical linkages between sanctions relief and Syria's political transition, economic reconstruction, and the alleviation of the humanitarian crisis.

The report first outlines the evolution of Syria's political and security landscape in the post-Assad era, including measures taken by HTS to maintain governance continuity, the current state of national fragmentation, and the continued intervention of external actors. Subsequently, it provides a detailed analysis of the multi-layered international sanctions system targeting Syria: including the UN Security Council's counter-terrorism sanctions lists targeting ISIL (Da'esh) and Al-Qaeda (under which HTS and its leaders are listed), the extensive economic, financial, and trade restrictive measures implemented by the EU since 2011, and the most comprehensive network of primary and secondary sanctions constructed by the United States based on legislation such as the Caesar Act. The report clearly states that most of these sanctions originated from the Assad regime's crackdown on protests in 2011 and were designed to target the regime, not the Syrian people.

The core section of the report focuses on calls from various parties to lift sanctions, the practical steps already taken, and the existing obstacles. Syria's dire economic situation (GDP less than half of pre-2011 levels, reconstruction costs estimated at a minimum of $250 billion) and profound humanitarian crisis (16.7 million people in need of assistance) constitute the primary drivers for demands to lift sanctions. The international community, including some Arab states, Turkey, UN agencies, and some humanitarian organizations, has called for easing sanctions to support economic recovery, facilitate aid delivery, and promote refugee returns. In response, the United States issued a time-limited general license in January 2025, easing restrictions on transactions related to the provision of essential services and governance functions in Syria; EU foreign ministers also reached a political agreement on January 27, 2025, agreeing to suspend certain sanctions in a gradual and conditional manner.

However, the report also notes that the comprehensive lifting of sanctions, particularly the delisting of HTS from terrorism lists, still faces significant political and legal prerequisites. For the West, sanctions relief remains closely tied to commitments from Syria's new authorities to promote an inclusive political transition, protect the rights of minorities and women, and distance themselves from extremism. The EU's sanctions suspension is temporary and reversible, and it explicitly stated it would follow UN Security Council decisions regarding HTS's terrorist listing. Key U.S. sanctions, particularly those related to Syria's designation as a "State Sponsor of Terrorism," remain in effect. The report concludes by analyzing the European Parliament's position and past resolutions on related issues, emphasizing the need to ensure sanctions are targeted and to address the hindrance to humanitarian aid caused by "over-compliance."

Based on official documents, reports from international organizations, and expert analysis, this briefing provides an authoritative, timely, and in-depth reference for policymakers and researchers to understand the complexity of the Syria sanctions issue and to evaluate policy options and their potential impacts.