US to ease Syria aid restrictions but sanctions remain

• Aid and services to increase
• Biden authorises action
• Signal to Syria’s new rulers

The United States is to announce imminently an easing of restrictions on humanitarian aid and other basic services such as electricity to Syria.

The strict US sanctions regime placed on Syria will remain, according to people briefed on the matter.

The Wall Street Journal reported that the Biden administration approved the easing of restrictions over the weekend.

The move authorises the Treasury Department to issue waivers to aid groups and companies providing essentials such as water, electricity and other humanitarian supplies.

The decision by the outgoing Biden administration will send a signal of goodwill to Syria’s new Islamist rulers, responsible for the dramatic end on December 8 of more than 50 years of Assad family rule after a lightning rebel offensive.

The US move will pave the way for improving tough living conditions in the war-ravaged country while also treading cautiously and keeping US leverage in place.

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US officials have met several times with members of the ruling administration, led by the former Al Qaeda affiliate Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS).

HTS, the faction that led the advance against Assad, has long since renounced its Al Qaeda ties and instead fought the group. But HTS is still designated a terrorist entity by the US. Washington wants HTS to cooperate on priorities such as counterterrorism and forming a government inclusive of all Syrians.