UK Rolls Back More Sanctions On 12 Syrian Entities, Including Defence And Interior

On April 24, 2025, the UK government announced that 12 Syrian entities would no longer be subject to UK sanctions.

As per the announcement posted online by the British government, Syria’s security agencies, including the Air Force Intelligence Agency, General Intelligence Directorate, and National Security Bureau, have been removed from the UK’s sanction list.

The new HTS-led Syrian administration is attempting to persuade Western capitals that strict international sanctions on Syria should be eased.

The Syrian Interior Ministry, the Ministry of Defence, and Media firms are among the 12 state-linked entities removed from the UK’s sanctions list.

The government also announced the removal of sanctions on Syria’s energy production and financial services, encouraging to rebuilding of Syria’s war-torn economy.

Sanctions on former regime members and those engaged in the illegal Captagon trade will not be lifted, stated the OFSI notice.

Amendments to UK legislation will additionally enable the UK to hold Assad and his allies accountable for their atrocities against the Syrian people, while also allowing the UK to impose future sanctions in the Syrian context if required.

According to Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s official spokeswoman, the actions will “support Syria’s economic recovery following the fall of Assad.”

He mentioned that the sanctions that have been withdrawn “aim to promote regional stability and encourage the return of Syrian refugees,” and they will come into force on April 25.

A month ago, the British government, in an attempt to strengthen ties with Damascus, eased sanctions on 24 Syrian organizations, including energy companies, Syria’s central bank, and Syrian Arab Airlines.

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While the US government, led by President Donald Trump, has yet to acknowledge the new Syrian government established by President Ahmad al-Sharaa, an Islamist former insurgent who led the offensive that overthrew al-Assad.

Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the militant group led by al-Sharaa, remains a US-designated terrorist organization, and the sanctions imposed on Damascus under al-Assad remain in effect.

A six-month general license that permits specific transactions with the Syrian government, such as some energy sales and incidental transactions, was issued by the US Treasury in January.

EU foreign ministers agreed to suspend oil, gas, and energy restrictions, as well as transport bans.