Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani at an international conference on Syria’s future, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, January 12, 2025


UPDATES: Syria — US and EU Easing Aid Restrictions, But Sanctions Remain


UPDATE 1714 GMT:

In a 16-minute interview, Syria’s de facto leader Ahmed al-Sharaa has discussed the campaign to oust the Assad regime, his view of the “new Syria”, and the transitional process.

Analyst H.A. Hellyer assesses:

Hellyer emphasizes in his analysis:

There will be Syrians who will demand the ‘revolution continues’; when Shara’a says it has been completed, he is clearly considering a particular aspect, which is state-building….

This is one of the most key, if not the most key, element of the entire transition: how it is institutionalised. All these concerns expressed about HTS [Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham] and Shara’a (irrespective of which are justified or not) become far less material if there are definitive processes in place.


ORIGINAL ENTRY: Arab and European states, the European Union, and the new Syrian government have met in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia to discuss Syria’s future after the fall of the Assad regime.

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani was joined by counterparts and representatives from nine Arab States; five European countries as well as the EU; the US; Turkey; the UN envoy to Syria; the Arab League and the Gulf Cooperation Council.

The Saudi Foreign Ministry said on Sunday that the meeting discussed steps to support and assist the Syrian people, helping to rebuild Syria as a unified, independent, and secure Arab state for all its citizens. The country will be free from terrorism and from violations of its sovereignty or territorial integrity by any party, the Ministry asserted.

Without giving detail, the statement cited discussions on a political transition safeguarding the rights of Syrians, ensuring diverse participation, and addressing any challenges or concerns through dialogue.

The attendees expressed concerns about the expansion of Israel’s occupation in southwest Syria, stressing the importance of respecting Syria’s unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.

Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan said the meeting hopes to coordinate efforts for the lifting of sanctions that had been imposed on the Assad regime. He welcoming last week’s granting of sanctions-related exemptions by the US.

“A Quick Dividend”

Germany’s Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock was more cautious. She said sanctions against “Assad’s henchmen who committed serious crimes” must remain in place, while called for “a smart approach to sanctions, providing rapid relief for the Syrian population”.

Baerbock alluded to the conditions set out by her and French counterpart Jean-Noël Barrot during their meetings in Damascus, including an inclusive Syrian Government with involvement and respect of all minorities.

“Syrians now need a quick dividend from the transition of power,” Baerbock said. She did not elaborate but announced an additional €50 million ($51.2 million) in German aid for food, emergency shelters, and medical care.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas emphasized participation by religious and ethnic minorities. “We want to see inclusivity of women also in the process, so these are the things that we are going to discuss,” she said.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said it was important to establish “a balance between the expectations of the international community and the realities faced by the new administration in Syria”

He pledged Ankara’s support, especially in combating threats from the Islamic State: “We are ready to do our part to ease the difficult path ahead for the Syrian people.”