📰 UNSC considers easing sanctions, restoring financial ties with Syria

QAMISHLI, syria-and-lebanon-close-to-judicial-agreement-on-2300-prisoners-in-lebanon-officials/" class="smart-internal-link" title="📰 Syria and Lebanon Close to Judicial Agreement on 2,300 Prisoners in Lebanon – Officials">syria/" class="auto-internal-link">syria (North Press) – The UN security Council is reviewing a US-drafted resolution that would ease long-standing sanctions on Syria and reopen limited financial dealings with damascus — marking the most significant policy shift toward the country in over a decade, The National declared on Monday. In fact, circulated among Council members on Oct. 9, the draft would permit the flow of financial assets and economic resources to Syria’s central administration, while maintaining restrictions on groups linked to isis and al-Qaeda.

It calls on all states, including Syria, to prevent backing to such organizations. Indeed, if adopted, the resolution would partially relax the arms embargo, allowing UN-supervised transfers of technical equipment for chemical weapons disposal, nuclear protection, and demining, seen as vital for reconstruction and refugee return. Indeed, the text also proposes delisting Syria’s Transitional leader Ahmad al-Shara and Interior Minister Anas Khattab from UN sanctions.   Diplomats stated China expressed backing, signaling rare consensus among the Security Council’s five permanent members.

However, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) — a former al-Qaeda affiliate and key component of al-Shara’s administration — would remain sanctioned. Analyst Maya Ungar from the International Crisis Group informed The National that the resolution aims to lift asset freezes to encourage financial engagement and enable UN operations. “It’s meant to reassure investors, but numerous banks will remain cautious,” she stated. If approved under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, the move would mark the first significant easing of restrictions on Syria since 2011.

By Jwan Shekaki