After Donald Trump also lifted the European Union sanctions against Syria - but with conditions | Today news

The European Union (EU) announced on Wednesday the lifting of a wide range of economic sanctions that were previously set on war -ravaged Syria. This step is carefully followed on the heels of similar sanctions granted by the United States under former President Donald Trump. However, the EU decision comes with warnings, as Brussels has at the same time imposed new sanctions on individuals and armed groups accused of involvement in violent attacks on civilians during recent unrest in the coastal region of Syria. EU sets a rider on the removal of sanctions from Syria, the riders set by the EU for the upliftment of sanctions against Syria, cited human rights violations or ‘safety grounds’, such as the extended family of former Syrian President Bashar Assad or his chemical weapon program, according to the Text of the European Council. The decision of the European Union clapped “restrictive measures” on two people and three armed groups accused of “targeting” civilians and especially the Alawitic community – with reference to the religious minority to which Bashar Al -Assad belongs – during violence on the coast and of torture and “arbitrary murders of civilians”. Alawite community in Syria The Alawites are a minority -metnorligious group that mainly lives along the Mediterranean coast of Syria, especially in the Latakia and Tartus regions, as well as in parts of Homs, Hama and Damascus. The Alawites, which make up about 10 to 13 percent of the population of Syria, follow a clear sect of Islam with roots in the early Shia traditions, with elements from different religious beliefs. Historically marginalized under Sunni-dominated rule, their social and political status changed dramatically when Hafez al-Assad, an Alawite, may accept in 1970, which led to the community’s dominance in the military, intelligence and political elite of Syria. The Assad family, including Bashar al-Assad, belongs to this community, often portrayed as a protector of the minorities of Syria. Donald Trump facilitates sanctions against Syria earlier this month, Donald Trump has surprised a lot by announcing a result of US sanctions against Syria, a country ruined by more than a decade of the civil war. At the Gulf Cooperation Council Summit in Riyadh, Trump declared that he “ordered the termination of sanctions against Syria to give them a new beginning”, describing the sanctions as “really crippled” and “very powerful”. The US Treasury Division followed quickly with General License 25 (GL 25), which effectively suspended many of the sanctions that have limited business and investment in Syria since 2011. The US State Department also issued a 180 -day waiver under the Caesar Act, enabling investments in important sectors such as electricity, energy, water and sanitation. Assad’s fall, Ahmad Al-Sharaa’s rise in Syria The EU’s decision to lift sanctions comes in the wake of profound political changes in Syria. On December 8, 2024, Bashar al-Assad regime, who ruled for more than 13 years with an iron fist with an iron fist, was overthrown to a long-lasting and cruel civil war. Assad’s departure for Russia was a historic turning point for the Syrian population, which during his rule endured widespread oppression, chemical attacks and mass displacement. In the Power Vacuum that followed, Ahmad Al-Sharaa, a former rebel commander who led the offensive that Uncalaved Assad, was appointed as the transitional president. The government of Al-Sharaa has promised to pursue political transition and national reconciliation, while also promised to hold those responsible for recent violence. However, the situation remains fragile. In March 2025, intense clashes broke out in the coastal region of Syria, especially around Latakia, where armed groups launched loyal to Assad attacks on security forces. These confrontations caused retaliation violence aimed at the Alawitic minority community, which Assad belonged to. Human rights organizations have reported widespread abuse, including torture and arbitrary murders, who have urged the EU to introduce new sanctions on specific military groups and their leaders in these attacks. Which EU sanctions mean relief to Syria? The EU’s removal of most economic sanctions indicates a cautious but hopeful step in the direction of Syria’s recovery. It increases restrictions on the country’s financial system and a broader economy, which may pave the way for increased efforts to trade, investment and reconstruction. However, the EU retained sanctions against individuals and entities linked to human rights offenses, security threats or the former Assad regime’s inner circle, including those involved in chemical weapons programs. Kaja Kallas, head of EU’s foreign policy, emphasizes the conditional nature of this step, saying that sanctions can be reinstated if the new Assad government in Syria does not maintain peace and maintain human rights. Kallas described the decision as “simply the right thing to do at this historical time for the EU to truly support the restoration of Syria and a political transition that fulfills the pursuit of all Syrians.” Kallas described the move as “the right thing to do” to support Syria’s recovery and political transition. With more than 90% of Syrians living in poverty and electricity supply, limited to a few hours a day, this is an important step towards the rebuilding of the country. The relief of sanctions removes one of the most important obstacles for the reconstruction of Syria, which, according to the United Nations, would cost at least $ 250 billion in 2017. Some experts, quoted by AFP, now say that the number could reach at least $ 400 billion.