PNN – Today, the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) issued Syria General Authorization (GL) 24 to extend authorizations for activities and transactions in Syria after December 8, 2024.
According to the report of Pakistan News Network, the US Treasury announced on Monday local time: The US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has issued a Syrian General Authorization to expand operations and transactions in Syria after December 8, 2024. The move underscores America’s commitment to ensuring that sanctions do not impede the ability to meet basic human needs, including the provision of public services or humanitarian assistance. This authorization is for six months while the US government continues to monitor the evolving situation in Syria.
US Deputy Treasury Secretary Governor Adimo said: The end of Bashar al-Assad’s brutal and oppressive regime, which was supported by Russia and Iran, has provided a unique opportunity to rebuild Syria and its people. During this transition period, the US Department of the Treasury will continue to support humanitarian assistance and responsible governance in Syria.
The U.S. Treasury Department has claimed that it is issuing the authorization to ensure that sanctions do not prevent essential services from being provided to the Syrian people.
Before the official announcement by the US Treasury Department, the Wall Street Journal reported that the Biden administration will reduce the restrictions on sending humanitarian aid to Syria today to speed up the delivery of essential goods.
Read more:
The Wall Street Journal: The United States reduces the restrictions on sending aid to Syria
According to this report, this decision of the White House is due to its caution regarding the lifting of extensive sanctions against Syria and clarifying the path taken by its new rulers. And the Treasury Department is allowed to issue exemptions to aid groups and companies providing essential services such as water, electricity and other humanitarian items.
According to US officials, the exemption is initially issued for 6 months and exempts suppliers of relief items from applying for permits on a case-by-case basis. However, this exemption comes with conditions to ensure that Syria will not misuse the equipment.
With only a few weeks left in the Biden administration, it looks like it will fall to President-elect Donald Trump to decide whether to sanction and recognize the opposition-led government.
The United States had previously announced that it would cancel the 10 million dollar reward for Ahmad al-Shara’a, known as Abu Muhammad al-Jolani, the commander of the Tahrir al-Sham armed group, which it had previously announced. This award was announced in 2017 and is related to the leader of Tahrir al-Sham, as the strongest group of rebels against the government of Bashar al-Assad in Syria.
On the page dedicated to this reward, it is stated that the Reward for Justice Program offers a reward of up to $10 million to anyone who can provide information about Mohammad Jolani.
The Tahrir al-Sham editorial board, which is recognized by Washington as a terrorist organization, was formed by merging Jabhat al-Nusra with other groups. Under the leadership of al-Jolani, the Syrian branch of al-Qaeda carried out many terrorist attacks, including the massacre of 20 residents of the Druze village in Idlib province.