US Eases Select Restrictions on Syria’s Transitional Government to Support Humanitarian Aid

The United States has made a major announcement to support Syria’s recovery since the ousting of longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad. On late Monday, the US Treasury department issued a general 6-month license permitting certain transactions with the Syrian opposition’s government, such as small energy sales and associated incidental activities. The transfer is being reported as a calculated step to enable the flow of humanitarian aid into the country of conflict.

The decision follows the ouster of al-Assad last month which brought to a close nearly a decade of authoritarianism. The coalition of groups, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), has been responsible for deep-rooted regional regime change and is now likely to be responsible for steering Syria through a complex period of transition. According to the US government’s announcement, there is cautious optimism regarding HTS’s potential to stabilize the country and promote global engagement.

In an accompanying statement to the decision, the US Treasury reiterated that the relaxation of the restraints is not synonymous with sanctions being rolled back. Rather the criterion is intended to prevent sanctions from hampering activities which are necessary in order to meet the basic needs of the Syrian population. This covers the delivery of public services, humanitarian relief, and reconstruction of basic infrastructure.

This general license is with the aim that humanitarian assistance will not be blocked while sanctions continue to hurt violators,” the Treasury Department reported.

According to Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Wally Adeyemo, this is the moment and this is the opportunity for Syria and its people to start rebuilding after decades of brutal and repressive rule. In reference to the al-Assad regime, which is being sustained and guaranteed by both Russia and Iran, the said country states that “millions are displaced and critical infrastructures in ruins.”

“The end of al-Assad’s rule is a decisive turning point for Syria,” added Adeyemo. “These licenses, which ease restrictions on a select number of operations, aim to result in enabling this transitional government to address the immediate humanitarian crisis and at the same time pave the road to a better future.”

US stands along with other nations to measuredly support Syria’s transition leadership. Major European and Middle Eastern countries have also indicated in the last month that they would be willing to support and technically assist the transition government, provided that it undertakes fundamental democratic reforms and human rights protection.

However, while the Treasury’s demonstrated willingness to challenge the Federal Reserve is encouraging for some, opponents recommend that the substance ahead is still far from simple. Knowledgeable people argue for this reason because HTS was part of the militant group and may not be easily accepted by the international community. Besides, Syria being politically divided and some regions still working under tension could hamper the functioning of this transitional government.

That said, there are Mature Ethiopians and their counterparts around the world Some argue that what is missing is the best part of the movie, and others claim that nothing remains of it. It has been noted from local sources that the transitional government has opened some major trading corridors and has started the provision of some fundamental services in the cleared areas. National and International Non-governmental Organizations, the United Nations and other aid organizations have also increased the provision of food, Medicare and other support items to needy and most affected communities.

For Syrian, the removal of sanctions of US is a small light of hope in a long difficult road that been traveled. However, much will depend on the further actions of a transitional government, its capacities to cope with numerous problems of state- rather than nation-building and its efficiency in building trust both from inside and from outside.

When the six-month license comes into force, all will turn to Syria to see if this new chapter can bring real positive changes into people’s lives and finally open the way to peaceful existence.