Biden administration eases sanctions on transitional Syrian government after Assad ouster

The Biden administration has eased sanctions blocking transactions with the transitional Syrian government following the ousting of long-time dictator Bashar al-Assad. 

The move marks outreach between the U.S. and Hay’at Tahrir al Sham (HTS), designated as a terrorist group in the U.S., after the group led the successful overthrow of Assad. The sanctions relief allows for American businesses and NGOs to contribute to Syria’s reconstruction under the transitional government, in particular essential services such as the provision of electricity, energy, water and sanitation. 

“The end of Bashar al-Assad’s brutal and repressive rule, backed by Russia and Iran, provides a unique opportunity for Syria and its people to rebuild,” Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Wally Adeyemo said in a statement on Monday. 

“During this period of transition, Treasury will continue to support humanitarian assistance and responsible governance in Syria.”

The U.S. has called for HTS to carry out the transition to a Syrian government that is inclusive of civil society, in particular minorities and women, as necessary to establish relations.

While the Biden administration has dropped a $10 million bounty on the head of HTS, Ahmed al-Shara, who has taken on the role of Syria’s leader, U.S. officials said they are closely watching how HTS leads the transition process before wide-ranging sanctions are lifted.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken is headed this week to Italy and the Holy See for meetings with European counterparts to advocate for a Syrian-led and Syrian-owned political transition, the State Department said.