London (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Britain has removed asset freezes on Syria’s defense and interior ministries, as well as several intelligence agencies, reversing sanctions that were put in place during Bashar al-Assad’s presidency.
The West is reconsidering its strategy toward Syria following the insurgent group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham overthrowing Assad in December, ending over 13 years of civil conflict.
Ahmed al-Sharaa, Syria’s Interim President, has frequently urged for the removal of Western sanctions intended to isolate Assad during the civil war. Simultaneously, the European Union has relaxed some restrictions on the Syrian central bank, while still maintaining the sanctions. However, the U.S. has affirmed that its sanctions on the central bank continue to be enforced.
Is the UK rethinking its policy to Syria?
An announcement published by the British finance ministry indicated that the asset freeze has been lifted for 12 entities, including the Syrian Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Defence, and General Intelligence Directorate.
Two months ago, Britain lifted the freeze on Syria’s central bank assets and 23 other entities, which included banks and oil companies, reversing sanctions placed during Bashar al-Assad’s presidency.
“We are lifting asset freezes on 24 Syrian entities that were previously used by the Assad regime to fund the oppression of the Syrian people,”
A foreign office spokesperson said then.
“At the same time, sanctions on members of the Assad regime and those involved in the illicit trade in captagon remain in place.”
Why are sanctions on captagon trade still enforced?
Captagon is an addictive stimulant resembling amphetamines, predominantly manufactured in Syria under Assad’s regime. A notice on the British government website indicated that organizations such as the central bank, the Commercial Bank of Syria, and the Agricultural Cooperative Bank have been removed from the asset freeze list.
The Syrian Foreign Ministry said in a statement that it welcomed the UK’s decision, describing it as a “positive” step that contributes to the country’s economic recovery.
