EU Weighs Syria Sanctions Relief After Assad's Fall

Facts

• European Union and Middle Eastern diplomats met on Sunday in the Saudi capital of Riyadh to discuss Syria's future. EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas said EU foreign ministers will meet in Brussels later this month to discuss the potential lifting of sanctions on Syria.^[1][2]
• The meeting comes a month after Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) led a rapid offensive that ousted former Syrian Pres. Bashar al-Assad and established a caretaker government.^[1][3]
• Germany's foreign minister Annalena Baerbock announced in Riyadh on Sunday an additional €50M ($51.2M) in aid for food, emergency shelters, and medical care, while advocating for a "smart approach" to sanctions relief.^[4][5]
• The US has already eased some restrictions, issuing a six-month exemption for certain transactions with Syrian government institutions to facilitate humanitarian assistance and energy deals.^[2][3]
• The Syrian civil war, lasting almost 14 years, has resulted in approximately 500K deaths. The conflict reportedly displaced around half of the country's prewar population of 23M.^[2][5]
• The new Syrian administration, led by Ahmad al-Sharaa, formerly known as Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, has promised to hold a national dialogue summit to establish a new political road map leading to elections.^[2]

Sources: ^[1]The Arab Weekly, ^[2]PBS NewsHour, ^[3]Reuters, ^[4]The Times of Israel and ^[5]Associated Press.

Narratives

• Narrative A, as provided by The Times of Israel and Qatar Tribune. The Syrian people have suffered enough. Europe must lift sanctions as soon as possible as sanctions relief is crucial for Syria's recovery and reconstruction efforts. Continuing restrictions will severely hinder the Syrian people's aspirations for development. Western nations must help provide essential goods and services, including energy and sanitation.
• Narrative B, as provided by The Arab Weekly. Sanctions must be lifted gradually and conditionally, requiring the new Syrian administration to demonstrate its commitment to an inclusive political transition that protects minorities and prevents radicalization before any significant relief can be granted.