The Syrian financial system will be supported to open up and
rebuild following the fall of Assad, with the UK government
announcing today (24 April) that it is amending its sanctions
regulations on Syria and lifting sanctions on 12
entities.
The amendments will remove UK restrictions on some sectors
including financial services and energy production in
Syria, helping to facilitate essential investment in Syria's
energy infrastructure and supporting the Syrian people to rebuild
their country and economy.
Amendments to UK legislation will also allow the UK to hold Assad
and his associates accountable for their atrocious actions
against the people of Syria, while giving the UK scope to
deploy future sanctions in the Syria context, should that become
necessary.
Additionally, sanctions on 12 entities will be lifted, including
the Syrian Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Interior and media
companies.
Sanctions imposed on members of the former regime and those
involved in the illicit trade in captagon will remain in
place.
These amendments will support Syria's transition to a more stable
and prosperous country, bolstering regional and UK security in
line with the government's Plan for Change.
, Minister for the Middle
East, said:
“The Syrian people deserve the opportunity to rebuild their
country and economy, and a stable Syria is in the UK's national
interest. That's why I'm pleased that today the UK has amended
its Syria sanctions and lifted sanctions on 12 entities to
support them to do just that.”
“The UK is committed to building greater stability in Syria and
the wider region. This also enables us to bolster national
security at home to support the government's Plan for
Change.”
This announcement builds on the decision in March to lift asset freezes on 24
Syrian entities, including the Central Bank of Syria, Syrian
Arab Airlines, and energy companies.
The UK remains committed to working with the Syrian government
and international partners to support an inclusive political
transition in Syria, including the protection of human rights,
unfettered access for humanitarian aid, safe destruction of
chemical weapons stockpiles, and combatting terrorism and
extremism. We will continue to press the Syrian government
to ensure it meets the commitments it has made.
The UK continues to provide life-saving humanitarian assistance
to Syrians inside Syria and across the region, including pledging £160
million to support Syria's recovery and stability in
2025.
Notes to editors:
- The Syria (Sanctions) (EU Exit) (Amendment) Regulations 2025
was laid before Parliament on 24 April 2025. It is available to
read here.
- The 12 entities delisted are:
-
- Ministry of Interior
- Ministry of Defence
- General Intelligence Directorate
- Air Force Intelligence Agency
- Political Security Directorate
- Syrian National Security Bureau
- Military Intelligence Directorate
- Army Supply Bureau
- General Organisation of Radio and TV
- Al Watan
- Cham Press TV
- Sama TV
