US to ease curbs on supplies to Syria but keep sanctions in place
Outgoing Biden administration intends move as goodwill gesture to country’s new rulers, while maintaining leverage to ensure Islamists keep promise to form inclusive government
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The US is set to announce an easing of restrictions on providing humanitarian aid and other basic services such as electricity to Syria, while maintaining its strict sanctions regime, people briefed on the matter told Reuters.
The decision by the outgoing Biden administration will send a signal of goodwill to Syria’s new Islamist rulers.
It aims to pave the way for improving living conditions in the war-ravaged country while keeping US leverage in place.
A spokesperson for the US Treasury did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
US officials have met several times with members of the ruling administration, led by former Al Qaeda affiliate Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, since a lightning rebel offensive brought a sudden end to decades of Assad family rule on Dec. 8.
HTS has renounced its ties with al-Qaeda and fought against the group but the US continues to designate HTS as a terrorist entity.
Washington wants to see HTS cooperate on priorities such as counterterrorism and forming a government inclusive of all Syrians.
The Wall Street Journal reported that the Biden administration approved the easing of aid restrictions over the weekend, saying the move authorizes the Treasury Department to issue waivers to aid groups and companies providing essentials such as water, electricity and other humanitarian supplies.
The Times of Israel Community.