BRUSSELS — The European Union has officially lifted its economic sanctions on Syria, following the overthrow of Bashar Assad’s regime in December by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, ending decades of autocratic rule.
The announcement came Tuesday from EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, who posted on X:
“Today, we took the decision to lift our economic sanctions on Syria. We want to help the Syrian people rebuild a new, inclusive and peaceful Syria.”
The move marks a significant shift in European policy toward Syria, signaling a willingness to engage with the country’s new leadership despite lingering unease over the ideology and stability of the post-Assad government.
The EU first discussed lifting sanctions in February, as part of broader talks aimed at supporting Syria’s rapid recovery after more than a decade of devastating civil war that left the economy in ruins and millions displaced.
While the bloc is easing economic pressure, not all sanctions are being lifted. Measures targeting individuals and entities linked to Assad’s regime, as well as those involved in human rights abuses, will remain intact.
Additionally, export bans on weapons and technology that could be used for domestic repression will continue, reflecting Europe’s caution over the new government’s trajectory.
The decision follows a similar announcement by President Donald Trump last week, in which he confirmed the United States would also remove sanctions on Syria to encourage stabilization under the new administration.
Despite the bold policy shift, officials in Brussels voiced concerns over the rise of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) — the Islamist rebel group now in control. The group’s sudden and decisive advance in December brought a dramatic end to Assad’s decades-long rule, but its Islamist ideology and reported internal divisions have raised alarms in European capitals.
“We are giving the Syrian regime a chance,” said German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, while emphasizing the EU expects inclusive governance that protects all ethnic and religious communities.
“I think we don’t have a choice,” added Kallas, acknowledging the region’s shifting power dynamics and the need for engagement despite uncertainty.
Clashes among rival factions within Syria have already been reported in recent weeks, fueling skepticism over whether the HTS-led government can ensure lasting peace and uphold human rights.
The EU’s decision comes amid wider geopolitical shifts and an urgent desire to prevent further instability in the Middle East. Humanitarian groups have cautiously welcomed the economic opening, hoping it can alleviate Syria’s worsening poverty and rebuild essential infrastructure.
