Damascus: On April 24, 2025, in London, Britain lifted sanctions on Syria’s Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Interior and several intelligence agencies—reversing measures first imposed under Bashar al-Assad’s presidency and marking a significant policy shift by the UK government.
This move follows the December overthrow of Assad by insurgent forces led by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham after more than 13 years of civil war, prompting Western capitals to reassess their stance toward Syria’s new de facto authorities
A notice published online by the British Finance Ministry listed 12 entities no longer subject to asset freezes but offered no explanation for the delisting. In March, the UK had already unfrozen the assets of Syria’s central bank along with 23 banks and oil companies.
Despite easing these broad sanctions, Britain has emphasized that targeted sanctions on individual members of the former Assad regime remain firmly in place, underscoring a calibrated approach that distinguishes between state bodies and regime figures.
