U.S. Treasury Issues Temporary Sanctions Relief for Syrian People

On January 6, 2025, the OFAC issued Syria a General License (GL) 24 that will expand authority for several financial transactions & activities in Syria following December 8, 2024.

This move ensures that the United States (U.S.) sanctions don’t hinder activities that are crucial for meeting basic human needs. These needs include humanitarian assistance & provision of public services to the Syrian people.

GL 24 will be implemented for 6 months as the U.S. will closely monitor the evolving situation in Syria during this period.

This new license will support the Syrian people to build a secure & peaceful future and also ensure that the U.S. sanctions don’t become an obstacle for Syrian people to fulfill their basic needs.

However, Syria will remain under some sanctions imposed by OFAC due to the Assad regime’s brutal actions against his own people and his destabilizing activities in the country.

GL 24 authorizes activities that ensure the continuity of essential governance functions that include the provision of energy, electricity, water & sanitation across Syria.

GL 24 expands upon the current authorizations within the Syrian Sanctions Regulations, Global Terrorist Sanctions Regulations, and Foreign Terrorist Organization Sanctions Regulations, including provisions that facilitate the work of international organizations, NGOs, and initiatives focused on humanitarian aid and regional stabilization.

GL 24 doesn’t authorize any financial transfers to any sanctioned entity. However, it does authorize specifically authorized payments to governing organizations and associated service providers in Syria.

The license also doesn’t unblock the interests or property of any entity and individual sanctioned by the U.S., including the government of Syria, the Assad Regime, terrorist groups, and the Central Bank of Syria.

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This action highlights the U.S. government’s commitment to remove the suffering of the Syrian people by maintaining a strong sanctions regime against the Assad regime & its supporters.

The U.S. humanitarian organizations and partners can refer to the “Syria Compliance Communique” to provide humanitarian assistance to Syria. The general license “31 CFR § 542.533” will authorize several commercial events in Northeast & Northwest designated areas of Syria.

According to a Press Release, U.S. individuals are allowed to send personal & non-commercial remittances to close relationships in Syria. This clarification is necessary to provide additional guidance to the U.S. individuals & entities on permissible activities related to Syria.