Overview

• Foreign Secretary David Lammy met interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa in Damascus on July 5 to formalize the UK’s diplomatic renewal with Syria.
• Britain lifted asset freezes on key ministries and removed sanctions on dozens of entities in April to clear the way for renewed engagement.
• London has pledged $129 million in humanitarian and reconstruction assistance to support Syria’s war-devastated infrastructure and host communities.
• The United States has ended many economic sanctions on Syria and is preparing to delist it as a state sponsor of terrorism.
• Officials discussed cooperation on counterterrorism, chemical weapons destruction and pathways for Syria’s reintegration into international banking systems.