US to Ease Restrictions on Humanitarian Aid to Syria Amid New Leadership

The Biden administration is poised to announce an easing of restrictions on providing humanitarian aid to Syria, including essential services like electricity and water. This decision, which maintains the current sanctions regime, is aimed at improving the dire living conditions in the war-torn country while still maintaining US leverage over Syria's new Islamist leadership.

The easing of restrictions, reported by the Wall Street Journal, allows the US Treasury Department to issue waivers to aid groups and companies providing vital humanitarian supplies. These waivers will facilitate the provision of electricity, water, and other essential services to the Syrian population, particularly in areas devastated by years of conflict.

Syria's new leadership, led by Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a former al-Qaeda affiliate, has engaged in multiple discussions with US officials. While HTS has distanced itself from al-Qaeda, it remains designated as a terrorist entity by the US. Washington has expressed its intention to cooperate with HTS on counterterrorism efforts and the establishment of an inclusive government.

The Biden administration's decision comes amidst complex geopolitics, with Syria’s de-facto leader, HTS’s Abu Mohammed al-Julani, pressing the US to exert pressure on Israel regarding its military presence in Syria. Additionally, Rabbi Binyamin Hamra, a prominent figure in the Syrian Jewish community, has appealed to Julani to preserve Syria’s Jewish heritage, including safeguarding historic sites like the Eliyahu Hanavi Synagogue in Jobar.

This move by the US government aims to balance humanitarian relief with strategic considerations, signaling a cautious shift toward engagement with Syria’s new leadership while maintaining its position on terrorism and governance.