EU renews targeted sanctions on former al-Assad figures, removes entities
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – The Council of the European Union on Tuesday renewed restrictive measures targeting individuals and entities linked to Syria’s former al-Assad regime for another year, extending them until June 1, 2027 following its annual review.
In parallel, the Council removed seven entities from the sanctions list, including Syria’s ministries of defense and interior, in a move it said would support strengthened EU engagement with Syria during its transition period.
The decision comes after the EU lifted all economic sanctions on Syria in May 2025 to support a peaceful and inclusive transition, socio-economic recovery, and reconstruction.
Despite that shift, the bloc maintained targeted measures against individuals and entities associated with the former regime, as well as sanctions based on security grounds.
According to the Council, networks linked to the former al-Assad leadership continue to retain influence and pose risks to the transition process, potentially undermining national reconciliation and accountability efforts.
Those designated under the restrictive measures remain subject to asset freezes, while EU citizens and companies are prohibited from making funds available to them. Listed individuals are also subject to travel bans preventing entry into or transit through EU member states.
The EU first imposed sanctions on Syria in 2011 in response to the violent repression of civilians by the former government led by Bashar al-Assad.
Following the fall of that government, the Council moved on Feb. 24, 2025 to ease several restrictive measures to facilitate engagement with Syria, its population, and private sector.
On May20, 2025, the Council announced a political decision to lift all economic sanctions not tied to security grounds, marking a significant shift in EU policy toward supporting Syria’s post-Assad transition.
More recently, on May 11, 2026, the Council restored the full application of the EU-Syria Cooperation Agreement, which had been partially suspended in 2011 over human rights violations.