The following is a summarized version of the original press release from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO):

The UK government changed Syria sanctions to help the country rebuild following the fall of the Assad regime.

Here is a simple breakdown of what happened and why:

What changed?

• Easing Restrictions: The UK removed bans on key industries like bankingand energy production. This was done to encourage investment and help get Syria’s infrastructure working again.
• Lifting Sanctions: Specific sanctions have been dropped against 12 major entities, including the Syrian Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Interior, and various media companies. This followed the earlier unfreezing of assets for the Central Bank of Syria and the national airline.

Why did they do this?

• To Help Rebuild: The main goal is to let money flow back into the country so the Syrian people can repair their economy and infrastructure after years of conflict.
• To Support Stability: The UK believes a stable Syria is safer for the region and for the UK itself.

What is staying the same?

• Punishing the Old Regime: Sanctions remain in place against individuals from the former Assad regime and those involved in the illegal drug trade (specifically the synthetic stimulant captagon).
• Accountability: The new rules still allow the UK to punish human rights violations committed by Assad and his associates.

Additional Support

• The UK pledged £160 million in 2025 to help with Syria’s recovery and humanitarian needs.