EU Agrees to Ease Select Syria Sanctions Following Regime Change

The decision aims to support reconstruction efforts while maintaining conditions for democratic progress under the new leadership.

EU foreign ministers have approved a phased easing of sanctions on Syria to aid reconstruction after the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime.
The new measures will lift restrictions on sectors such as energy, transportation, and banking, while keeping the arms embargo and sanctions on Assad-era figures in place.
The EU emphasized that the easing of sanctions is conditional and can be reversed if the new HTS-led government fails to meet democratic and human rights benchmarks.
Germany and France highlighted potential projects, including the revival of a Siemens power plant, to restore essential infrastructure in Syria.
Concerns remain over human rights abuses under the HTS leadership, with reports of extrajudicial killings and uncertainty about their commitment to inclusive governance.