Syria: Council renews restrictive measures targeting the former al-Assad regime for one year

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Council of the EU | Press release | 18 May 2026 12:20

Syria: Council renews restrictive measures

targeting the former al-Assad regime for one

year and de-lists certain entities

This press release was updated on 19 May 2026 to include the links to the Official

Journal.

The Council today decided to renew the EU’s restrictive measures targeting

individuals and entities linked to the former al-Assad regime in Syria until 1 June

2027. The restrictive measures were prolonged following the Council’s annual review

of the sanctions regime.

In parallel, the Council decided to remove seven entities from the sanctions list,

which include the Ministries of Defence and Interior. This will support the

strengthening of the EU’s engagement with Syria.

In May 2025, all economic sanctions on Syria have been lifted in order to support the

country’s peaceful and inclusive transition, socio-economic recovery, and

reconstruction. At the same time, the EU has maintained targeted restrictive

measures against individuals and entities linked with the former al-Assad

regime, as well as sanctions based on security grounds.

The EU considers that networks linked to the former al-Assad regime continue to

retain influence and pose a risk of undermining the transition process and hindering

efforts towards national reconciliation and accountability.

Those designated are subject to an asset freeze and EU citizens and companies are

prohibited from making funds available to them. Individuals are additionally

subject to a travel ban, which prevents them from entering or transiting through EU

member states.

Background

The EU first introduced restrictive measures in view of the situation in Syria in 2011

in response to the violent repression of the civilian population by the al-Assad

regime. Following the fall of this regime, the Council on 24 February 2025 eased a

number of EU restrictive measures in view of the situation in Syria in order to

facilitate engagement with the country, its people and businesses.

On 20 May 2025, the Council affirmed its continued commitment to supporting the

Syrian people and the peaceful and inclusive transition by announcing the political

decision to lift all economic sanctions (except those based on security grounds),

marking a historic shift toward aiding Syria’s transition and recovery in the post-

Assad era.

More recently, on 11 May 2026, the Council restored the full application of the EU-

Syria Cooperation Agreement, which was partially suspended in 2011 in response to

serious human rights violations by the al-Assad regime.

> Council Decision (CFSP) 2026/1105 of 18 May 2026 amending Decision

2013/255/CFSP concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in

Syria?

> Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1107 of 18 May 2026 implementing

Regulation (EU) No 36/2012 concerning restrictive measures in view of the

situation in Syria 4

> Council Implementing Decision (CFSP) 2026/1106 of 18 May 2026 implementing

Decision 2013/255/CFSP concerning restrictive measures in view of the

situation in Syria (4

> Syria: Council restores full application of EU-Syria Cooperation Agreement

(press release, 11 May 2026)

> Syria: Council approves conclusions (press release, 23 June 2025)

ye a ee ee ee ee a a

> Syria (background information)

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بيان صحفي من مجلس الاتحاد الأوروبي بتجديد العقوبات على نظام الأسد السابق لمدة عام حتى 1 حزيران/ يونيو 2027 وشطب بعض الكيانات.