Refugees International Welcomes Syria Sanctions Relief, Creating Pathway for Syria’s Recovery
Refugees International welcomes the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s issuance of General License (GL) No. 25.
Statement from Refugees International Vice President for Programs and Policy Hardin Lang
“After nearly 15 years, this new GL 25 enables humanitarian assistance, reconstruction, and economic stabilization for millions of Syrians who have endured over a decade of conflict, displacement, and economic collapse. Re-engagement with key Syrian institutions—including the Central Bank and state-owned service providers—will be essential for restoring basic services and supporting recovery efforts. This will finally allow humanitarian organizations and private sector actors to receive international donations, rebuild critical supply chains, and stand up their operations without the risk of sanctions penalties.”
Statement from Senior Advocate for the Middle East Jesse Marks:
“This long-awaited measure is a critical step toward facilitating Syria’s recovery by authorizing a broad range of transactions previously restricted under U.S. sanctions. To ensure the license delivers tangible benefits, we urge the U.S. government to provide clear guidance to banks, aid groups, and implementing partners. We also call on the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) to remain responsive to implementation challenges and to continue refining sanctions policy in ways that prioritize the rights and dignity of the Syrian people.”
See more:
- Joint NGO Statement: +55 Syrian and International NGOs Call on Trump Administration to Ease Syria Sanctions
- Refugees International Report: Beyond the Fall: Rebuilding Syria After Assad
For more information or to schedule an interview, contact Etant Dupain at edupain@refugeesinternational.org.