Syria Needs Easing of Sanctions

NEW YORK, WEDNESDAY — The Syrian interim government must work extra hard to unite the country's people after the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime. International support will encourage a rapid, inclusive, and directed recovery and transition process. One of the international supports expected is the easing of sanctions.

Geir Pedersen, the United Nations Special Envoy for Syria, said on Tuesday (3/25/2025) that a number of steps had been taken by the interim government and supported by the international community. However, he considered that this was not enough.

"We need to see a rapid and broad easing of sanctions in the areas of energy, investment, finance, health and education. Suspensions or suspensions of sanctions can be done in relevant areas, but they must remain targeted," said Pedersen, after giving input to the UN Security Council in New York.

He added that some steps have been taken. However, much more is needed if the country is to recover quickly.

Three months after Syria was taken over by interim president Ahmed Al-Sharaa, the country still faces many challenges. As reported, armed conflict has occurred between government forces and militias loyal to Bashar Al-Assad, the ousted Syrian president.

The clashes then turned into sectarian revenge attacks that killed more than 1,600 civilians from the Alawite minority. Pedersen said that while the situation was relatively calm, his office was still receiving reports of harassment, intimidation of a sectarian nature. Violence also continued in several areas, including Aleppo, eastern Syria and the south.

The situation, which is considered not conducive enough, especially for minority groups, has pushed tens of thousands of Syrians to flee to neighboring countries. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said on Tuesday (3/25/2025) that more than 21,000 Syrians have arrived in northern Lebanon.

According to the UNHCR report, Syrians crossed into Lebanon through an unofficial border crossing on foot. Many refugees arrived in Lebanon exhausted, hungry and traumatized. Currently, according to the UNHCR, more than 390 families are in Lebanon and the number is expected to grow.

Pedersen said that despite the ongoing violence on the ground, the agreement for the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) to join the interim national authority paved the way for national reconciliation. He said the deal opened up hope for humanitarian access for the Syrian people.

In addition to international support, Pedersen said, Syrians are waiting for a more structured and inclusive political transition to ensure long-term stability. “Syrians are waiting for the announcement of a transitional government and legislative assembly that reflects the diversity of the country,” Pedersen said.

Regarding sectarian violence, the Syrian interim government has formed a National Independent Committee. The committee will investigate and collect related facts, investigate and provide recommendations on cases of sectarian violence and killings in Tartus and Latakia provinces. The violence occurred in early March. Currently the investigation process is still ongoing.

The report by the Syrian Human Rights Advocacy Institute (SOHR) said that the deaths of more than 1,600 civilians occurred because the security forces together with several militias under the umbrella of HTS (Hayat Tahrir al-Sham) carried out field executions, forced displacement, and burning of the property of the Alawite minority group. The violence and killings resulted in the death of many families, including women, children, and the elderly.

The independent committee, in its statement on Tuesday (3/25/2025), said that they received dozens of reports and testimonies about the incident. The committee's spokesman, Yasser al-Farhan, said that 93 pieces of digital evidence, 95 direct testimonies and 30 oral and written reports were being investigated by the committee. He said that it was too early for the committee to issue the results of the investigation.

Farhan admitted that so far the committee has not received any threats from anywhere, including loyalists of the Assad regime. However, he said the area that is the center of armed violence is still vulnerable. A number of members of armed groups responsible for crimes against humanity are still in the area.

The committee, Farhan said, has also not been able to move further because the legal basis for the trial process in this case is not strong enough. Several parties are pushing for the establishment of a special national court to try people or groups involved in war crimes and crimes against humanity.

"We are waiting for the passing of the law on transitional justice in Syria," Farhan said.

Regarding sanctions, the United States government has submitted a list of conditions that Damascus must meet if it wants relief. Six Reuters sources familiar with the matter said that US Deputy Secretary of State for Syria Natasha Franceschi gave the list to Foreign Minister Assad al-Shibani when they met on the sidelines of a Syrian donor conference in Brussels, Belgium, on March 18.

Among the conditions demanded by Washington are the destruction of all remaining chemical weapons warehouses in Syria and cooperation in countering terrorism. In addition, Washington also asked that foreign combatants not be placed in policy-making positions in the Syrian government structure. The Syrian interim government is known to have appointed several former foreign combatants, including Uighurs, Jordanians, and Turks, to positions in its defense ministry. This move has worried a number of countries.

Washington also demanded that Syria appoint a liaison to help find Austin Tice, a US journalist who went missing in Syria more than a decade ago. In return, Washington would provide sanctions relief. The US government would also issue a statement supporting Syria's territorial integrity.

The demands are the clearest signal yet from President Donald Trump's administration toward Syria. Statements that have focused more on supporting minority groups and condemning Islamic extremists have raised uncertainty about sanctions and the presence of U.S. troops in Syria.

Reuters reported last month that Israel is lobbying the White House to keep Syria weak and divided. But the US government has not fully supported that, according to Reuters sources. (AFP/Reuters)