The EU intends to support Syria with further aid this year and next following the change of power in the country. “The European Union is increasing its pledge for Syrians in the country and the region to nearly 2.5 billion euros for 2025 and 2026,” said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Monday at a donor conference in Brussels. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock announced an additional 300 million euros in aid for Syria. “Syrians need more support, whether they are still abroad or deciding to return home,” the Commission President stated. How exactly the funds from Brussels will be distributed remains unclear.
For the first time, Syrian government representatives attended the annual conference in Brussels. The acting Foreign Minister, Assaad al-Shibani, led the Syrian delegation. Al-Shibani expressed gratitude for the EU’s measures following the power shift in his country, such as the lifting of sanctions, but simultaneously demanded “further steps.”
From their first contacts with Brussels, the new rulers in Damascus made their expectations of the West clear. “All sanctions imposed on Syria must be lifted to enable the return of Syrian refugees to their country,” stated the rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) after its leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, met with British diplomats and UN Special Envoy Geir Pedersen. The Norwegian diplomat also advocated for stabilizing the country.
After former ruler Bashar al-Assad violently crushed the pro-democracy movement in 2011, both the European Union and the United States imposed extensive sanctions against those responsible and against the Assad regime’s financial sources. The UN Security Council designated the HTS militia as a terrorist group linked to Al-Qaeda in 2014. Its leader, Abu Mohammed al-Golani—now using his real name, Al-Sharaa—had already been listed the previous year. The group has since distanced itself from Al-Qaeda and the Nusra Front.
Sanctioned individuals are subject to travel bans, their assets abroad must be frozen, and business transactions with them are prohibited. However, exceptions exist for humanitarian organizations, which were just extended in early December. Talks remain possible, as highlighted in Brussels. Consequently, the EU’s chief delegate for Syria was able to meet with HTS representatives in Damascus. Only the UN Security Council can lift the sanctions.
The economic sanctions primarily target the energy sector, the former Assad regime’s main source of revenue. The EU prohibits the import, transport, and financing of Syrian crude oil and refined products. State-owned companies cannot receive equipment or technology for oil and gas extraction or processing. The same applies to assistance in constructing power plants for electricity generation. Additionally, EU airports are closed to Syrian cargo flights, while mixed passenger and cargo flights are subject to strict controls. Normal business relations with the Syrian central bank are also prohibited. EU banks may not establish branches in Syria or maintain correspondent relationships with Syrian banks. The European Investment Bank had to suspend its loans and technical assistance to Syrian recipients.
Although most regulations include exceptions for humanitarian purposes—which were even expanded after the severe earthquake in February 2023—aid organizations have long complained about significant obstacles to their work. Most banks refuse or delay transfers to Syria due to extensive compliance checks, even when funds are intended for recognized humanitarian organizations.
Just over a week ago, western Syria experienced its most intense fighting since the overthrow of former Syrian ruler Bashar al-Assad by the Islamist HTS militia on December 8. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, at least 1,383 civilians were killed, most of them members of the Alawite religious minority, to which Assad also belonged.
On Monday, the UK pledged 160 million pounds (approximately 190 million euros) in humanitarian aid for Syria. London announced that it would help “provide Syrians with essential water, food, healthcare, and education,” the UK Foreign Office stated on the occasion of the donor conference. Last year’s conference raised 7.5 billion euros in grants and loans for the Syrian population. The total sum for this year was expected to be announced later.
After 14 years of civil war, large parts of Syria remain in ruins. The humanitarian situation in the country remains dire, with an estimated 16.7 million people in need of assistance. The Red Cross warned that without aid for Syria, a new wave of migration would be imminent. As long as there are no schools, hospitals, or access to water and electricity, people are “forced to leave,” said Mirjana Spoljaric, President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), to the AFP news agency.
