• The UK has lifted sanctions on Syria's defense, interior ministries, and intelligence agencies.
• Sanctions were initially imposed under Bashar al-Assad's regime for human rights abuses.
• This move is seen as an attempt to normalize relations with Syria's new transitional government.
• Experts indicate that without US cooperation, the impact of these lifted sanctions may be limited.

The United Kingdom has announced the lifting of sanctions on Syria's defense and interior ministries, along with several intelligence agencies, in a significant policy shift aimed at normalizing relations with Syria's new government. This update was made public by the UK Treasury, which confirmed that entities like the General Intelligence Directorate and the Air Force Intelligence Agency are no longer subject to asset freezes, marking a departure from the stringent measures applied during Bashar al-Assad's long governance, according to IndiaTimes and Middle East Eye.

This decision affects 12 Syrian government entities, which includes not only the ministries but also various media organizations linked to the Assad administration, highlighting a shift in Western attitudes towards the country following the recent ousting of Assad. As noted by Al Jazeera, this adjustment has occurred after the transitional government, led by figures formerly aligned with groups involved in the overthrown regime, urged Western countries to lift sanctions for the nation’s recovery and development, according to Al Jazeera.

While this lifting of sanctions is seen as a potential step towards stabilization in Syria, some experts caution that the real impact may be minimal unless the United States decides to follow suit in easing restrictions. Chris Doyle, from the Council for Arab-British Understanding, stated, “It is welcome to see sanctions being eased, but without the US making serious changes, it may not amount to a massive change,” underscoring the interconnected nature of international sanctions and their impact on regional politics, as reported by Middle East Eye and Anadolu Agency.

The lifting of these sanctions coincides with an ongoing discussion about the humanitarian needs of the Syrian people, who, according to a UNDP report, face significant poverty and a lack of essential services. With nine out of ten Syrians living in poverty, officials stress that economic recovery is vital, and sanctions only hinder this process. Abdallah Al Dardari from the UNDP emphasized that “waiting for sanctions to be lifted leads nowhere,” pointing towards a need for immediate action to address the humanitarian crisis in Syria, according to Al Jazeera.