Britain lifts sanctions on institutions, two ministries under Damascus authority

The British Treasury published on its official website a list of 12 Syrian entities that have been removed from the sanctions list. These include the Ministries of Defense and Interior, the “General Intelligence Directorate,” and several other security institutions linked to the Damascus authority.

The ministry did not explain the reasons behind the decision, as the statement lacked any detailed justification for lifting the sanctions on these entities.

However, London affirmed in its statement that sanctions imposed on individuals from the former Baath regime would remain in place.

Among the financial institutions affected by the decision are: the Syrian Real Estate Bank, the Savings Bank, the Agricultural Cooperative Bank, the Central Bank of Syria, the Commercial Bank of Syria, the Industrial Bank, the Popular Credit Bank, and the Syrian Lebanese Commercial Bank.

In the oil and energy sector, the decision includes: Deir Ez-Zor Oil Company, Dijlah Oil Company, Ebla Oil Company, the General Petroleum Corporation, the Foreign Petroleum Trading Company, Pangates International Corporation Ltd., Al-Furat Petroleum Company, Sytrol (Syrian Company for Oil Transport and Trading), Syrian Oil Company, Syrian Petroleum Company, Banias Refinery Company, and Homs Refinery Company.

Additionally, the decision includes the Cotton Marketing Organization, the General Tobacco Corporation, Mahrukat Company (Fuel), and Syrian Arab Airlines.

Since the outbreak of the Syrian crisis in 2011, Britain, alongside its EU allies, has imposed strict sanctions on the Baath regime, targeting government officials, and military and security institutions, due to their involvement in suppressing protests and committing human rights violations.

These sanctions included asset freezes, travel bans, and restrictions on exports and imports, especially concerning weapons and technologies that could be used for internal repression.

Despite leaving the European Union, Britain maintained a significant portion of these sanctions as part of its independent foreign policy.

The decision to lift sanctions on some Syrian entities comes amid ongoing political stagnation surrounding the Syrian issue, raising speculation about a potential shift in London’s approach to the crisis, or diplomatic signals directed at regional and international actors.

A-H

ANHA