Despite sometimes violent violence in the country, the EU fully raises its economic sanctions against Syria. The new transitional government should be given a chance. Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Rubio warns of a new civil war.
The Foreign Minister of the EU countries have decided to fully abolish economic sanctions against Syria. This was announced by EU chief diplomat Kaja Kallas in Brussels. The new Syrian leadership is given an opportunity, said Federal Foreign Minister Johann WadePhul. In return, however, a policy is also expected to include all population groups and religious groups.
Weapons embargo remains
Sanctions against people and organizations with connections to the Assad regime are to be retained. Measures against those responsible for the violent suppression of the Syrian people and for human rights violations also remain. In addition, export restrictions for weapons as well as goods and technologies that are used for internal repression – such as listening and monitoring software – apply for the time being. .
The EU follows the course of US President Donald Trump. This had already announced the cancellation of all US sanctions last week.
US foreign minister warns of civil war
In Syria there were always repeated outbreaks between different population groups. Relatives of the Drusian minority and Sunni militias had fought hard. Kallas explains with a lack of alternatives that the end of the sanctions. You have to help the country stabilize – to avoid a situation like in Afghanistan.
Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio drew a dramatic picture of the situation in Syria. The Syrian government may be faced with a collapse and a civil war “epic dimensions,” said Rubio before the Senate Federal Foreign Committee in Washington.
Gradually loosening since February
The EU countries had already gradually loosened sanctions in February to support rapid economic recovery as well as the reconstruction and stabilization of the country. Measures in the energy, transport and banking sector were initially suspended until June. Among other things, far -reaching restrictions for the central bank initially remained.
The international sanctions against the Arab country were directed against the government of the then Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Islamists plunged the regime in December 2024 after years of civil war. Now Syria is managed by a transitional government.
