UK lifts sanctions on Syria, says country deserves chance to rebuild economy
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The UK government has said it is lifting sanctions against a dozen Syrian entities, including government departments and media outlets, to help the country rebuild after President Bashar al-Assad was toppled in a lightning rebel offensive in December.
The UK had put the sanctions in place against those who supported Assad's repressive rule, helped violently suppress civilians and spread misinformation.
"The Syrian people deserve the opportunity to rebuild their country and economy and a stable Syria is in the UK's national interest," Hamish Falconer, minister for the Middle East, said in a statement.
Syria's new leaders have struggled to begin rebuilding the country's decimated economy and infrastructure after nearly 14 years of civil war.
The new authorities in Damascus have made a push for harsh sanctions imposed by western countries on Assad's government to be lifted, with limited success.
Syrians commemorate the seventh anniversary of a chemical attack in the town of Douma, 7 April, 2025
AP Photo
Financial sanctions and asset freezes were lifted on several government agencies, including the ministries of interior and defence, the UK Foreign Office said.
Sanctions were also dropped against the General Organization of Radio and TV, a state-run agency that allegedly spread propaganda for Assad and incited violence against civilians.
The Foreign Office said it also lifted sanctions against Al Watan, a newspaper, Cham Press TV, and Sama TV, for spreading misinformation.
Sanctions imposed against al-Assad and associates remain in place and legislation was amended to allow the former leader and others to be held accountable for atrocities committed against Syrians.
In March, the UK dropped sanctions against two dozen Syrian businesses, mostly banks and oil companies.
The Trump administration has yet to formally recognise the new Syrian government led by President Ahmad al-Sharaa, an Islamist former insurgent who led the offensive that ousted al-Assad.
Syria's interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa during a press conference in Ankara, 4 February, 2025
AP Photo
The militant group al-Sharaa led, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), remains a US-designated terrorist organisation and the sanctions imposed on Damascus under al-Assad remain in place.
However, Washington has eased some restrictions.
In January, the US Treasury issued a general licence, lasting six months, that authorises certain transactions with the Syrian government, including some energy sales and incidental transactions.
The European Union, meanwhile, has begun to ease some energy and transport sanctions and banking restrictions against Syria, suspending measures targeting oil, gas and electricity as well as transport, including the aviation sector.
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Videos from the scene show a low-flying aircraft trailing flames and descending toward a residential neighbourhood before bursting into orange and black smoke. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the tragedy "heartbreaking beyond words". Meanwhile, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the scenes of a "London-bound plane carrying many British nationals crashing in the Indian city of Ahmedabad are devastating.' The UK Foreign Office has arranged crisis teams in India and the UK, Foreign Secretary David Lammy said. "My thoughts, and I'm sure those of the entire House, are with those who've been affected by the tragic plane crash in India this morning," Lammy told the House of Commons. "We know that British nationals were on board and I can confirm that the FCDO is working urgently with local authorities to support British nationals and their families, and has stood up a crisis team in both Delhi and in London." India's Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu said he was "shocked and devastated" when news of the crash in the Indian state of Gujarat broke. "We are on highest alert. I am personally monitoring the situation and have directed all aviation and emergency response agencies to take swift and coordinated action," Ram Mohan Naidu said. "Rescue teams have been mobilised, and all efforts are being made to ensure medical aid and relief support are being rushed to the site. My thoughts and prayers are with all those on board and their families." The jet was 11 years old. This is the first-ever crash of a Boeing 787 aircraft, which was introduced in 2011, according to the Aviation Safety Network database. Boeing said it was aware of reports and "working to gather more information." Air India's Chairman Natarajan Chandrasekaran said that the company's "primary focus is on supporting all the affected people and their families.' 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On Wednesday, the US State Department announced that it is drawing down the presence of non-essential personnel in the Middle East. The European Commission said its "limited" diplomatic presence on the ground had been "informed" about the Pentagon's plan, but that no evacuation order would be issued to its staff for now. US President Donald Trump has previously said that Israel or Washington could carry out airstrikes targeting Iranian nuclear facilities if negotiations failed. The US and Iran have been holding talks on Tehran's rapidly advancing nuclear program. Oman's foreign minister said earlier Thursday that a sixth round of negotiations will be held in his country on Sunday. The draft resolution makes a direct reference to the US-Iran talks, stressing its 'support for a diplomatic solution to the problems posed by the Iranian nuclear program, including the talks between the United States and Iran, leading to an agreement that addresses all international concerns related to Iran's nuclear activities, encouraging all parties to constructively engage in diplomacy.' This article has been updated to reflect the European Commission's reaction.
