Sanctions Blamed for Blocking Stability, Syrian Foreign Minister Tells UN
By Kardo Roj
NEW YORK, United States (North Press) – Syrian Foreign Minister Assad al-Shibani on Tuesday urged the international community to lift sanctions imposed on Syria, calling them the most significant obstacle to achieving stability and launching effective reconstruction in the war-torn country. Speaking before the United Nations General Assembly, Shibani warned that continued economic isolation could reignite violence and deepen the humanitarian crisis.
Shibani described the sanctions—largely imposed by Western countries—as “collective punishment” that hinders the Syrian state’s ability to provide services, reconstruct damaged infrastructure, and restore social cohesion after more than a decade of conflict.
The minister appealed for the “immediate and unconditional” removal of economic sanctions, stating that Syria’s efforts to maintain internal stability would be “insufficient without meaningful economic and political support.” He emphasized the link between improving living conditions and reducing the potential for renewed unrest.
“The way to avoid further escalation lies in improving Syrians’ daily lives and providing them with real hope for recovery,” Shibani told representatives at the UN headquarters in New York.
His remarks come amid growing debate within international policy circles over the efficacy and humanitarian consequences of sanctions regimes. Several humanitarian organizations have echoed concerns that sanctions can compound civilian suffering, particularly when they affect access to medicine, food, and essential services.
Shibani claimed that Damascus has taken “unprecedented steps” toward engagement with international human rights mechanisms, referencing Syria’s recent cooperation with the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW). He also reiterated that Syria “will not be a launching pad for destabilizing any neighboring state, including Israel,” in an appeal framed to reassure regional and international audiences.
The Syrian foreign minister accused Israel of conducting destabilizing activities within Syrian territory and called on the UN to intervene to halt what he described as “violations of Syrian sovereignty.”
While Shibani’s comments reflect longstanding Syrian government positions, his diplomatic overtures at the UN are notable for their emphasis on stability, development, and regional calm—a shift in tone aligned with efforts to rehabilitate Syria’s international standing.
The speech comes amid complex dynamics in northeast Syria, where the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) continues to govern a semi-autonomous region supported by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a key partner in the international coalition against ISIS. The AANES and SDF have focused efforts on maintaining stability, facilitating localized governance, and preventing a resurgence of terrorism.
Experts note that the broader issue of sanctions intersects with the challenges faced by both the central government in Damascus and the administration in the northeast. Economic strain affects infrastructure, aid delivery, and reconstruction efforts across all regions of Syria.
Nevertheless, the SDF—backed by the United States and European allies—has maintained a degree of insulation from some sanctions due to its counterterrorism partnerships and localized governance model. International actors continue to weigh how to provide humanitarian and development assistance without empowering entities accused of rights abuses.
As international diplomacy cautiously re-engages with the Syrian file, Shibani’s remarks reflect a concerted effort by Damascus to reshape the narrative around sanctions and reconstruction. However, key Western nations maintain that sanctions are tied to specific benchmarks, including political transition and accountability for wartime abuses.
The call for lifting sanctions is likely to resonate among some UN member states, particularly those advocating for a more pragmatic approach to the Syrian crisis. However, without significant shifts in Syria’s domestic policies and international posture, a comprehensive rollback of economic restrictions remains unlikely in the near term.
For Syrians on the ground—whether under the administration of Damascus or the AANES—the path to recovery hinges not only on diplomatic rhetoric but also on sustained efforts to secure stability, enable economic revitalization, and build trust across divided communities.