The European Union dropped most of its sanctions against Syria as the country transitioned away from the regime of Bashar Assad but decided to add new ones targeting individuals and militia groups believed to be responsible for attacks on civilians in March.
The European Council ratified the decision to lift sanctions and follow up a first halt in February, after the Assad regime was toppled and the formation of a new government headed by Ahmad al-Sharaa in December 2024. Some sanctions still remain in place, particularly those related to the Assad regime. The lift is also conditional on the new government fulfilling its peace promises.
The High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Kaja Kallas, commented that removing sanctions “is simply the right thing to do, at this historic time, for the EU to genuinely support Syria’s recovery and a political transition that fulfils the aspirations of all Syrians.”
However, the EU also added new sanctions to Syria, although targeted only to some individuals and militia groups believed to be behind attacks on civilians. Specifically, the new sanctions target Mohammad Hussein al-Jasim and his militia group, the Sultan Suleiman Shah Brigade; Sayf Boulad Abu Bakr and his militia, the Hamza Division; and the Sultan Murad Division.
The groups are considered behind clashes on the Syrian coast in March after Assad loyalists attacked security forces outside of Latakia. Following the attack, there were indiscriminate revenge killings and violent harassments against civilians part of the Alawite community, a Shia Muslim sect to which Assad is part, regardless of any participation in the insurgency in Latakia. Hundreds were reported dead.
The new Syrian government has promised an investigation into the issue, but no action has been taken so far. Meanwhile, Alawites, a minority of between two and three million in Sunni-dominated Syria, are still denouncing continuous violence against them.
