U.S. eases restrictions for regional support to Syria
DAMASCUS, Syria (North Press) – American officials announced on Sunday that U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken recently informed Congress about waiving certain restrictions for countries offering support to the Syrian government.
According to Al-Monitor, the Biden administration has granted a limited exemption from sanctions under the 1961 Foreign Assistance Act.
The exemption applies to regional countries that might face limitations on U.S. aid due to Syria’s designation as a “state sponsor of terrorism.”
The waiver extends to Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, the UAE, and Ukraine, as reported by Al-Monitor.
Earlier on Sunday, U.S. State Department’s Syria Regional Platform Director, Nicholas Granger, said the U.S. is ensuring its sanctions do not hinder the delivery of essential services or humanitarian efforts.
“On January 6, the U.S. Treasury issued General License (GL) 24, allowing certain transactions to support electricity, energy, water, sanitation, and life-saving humanitarian activities,” he noted. “It also permits personal, non-commercial transfers through Syria’s Central Bank.”