Tehran – Syria reportedly provided a written response to US conditions to lift sanctions.
Reuters said in a letter that Syria is working to form a committee to monitor the activities of Palestinian resistance groups within the territory, adding that it is seeking further discussion on the issue.
Over the past week, reports of the Syrian government’s crackdown on Palestinian resistance figures and groups have emerged.
Critics accused the Syrian government of abandoning the Palestinian cause and ongoing genocide in Gaza in order to get relief from Western sanctions.
Experts point out that former Syrian governments have paid a large price to support anti-Israel resistance in Lebanon and Palestine, and may even reject offers to remedy the sanctions.
The previous government refused to comply with the US demands, and as a result, sanctions remained intact.
According to a letter from the new Syrian government revealed by Reuters, “Syria poses no threat to any party, including Israel.”
The letter further stated that “Syria has confirmed that it meets most conditions to ease US sanctions,” and that it “seeks mutual understanding on unresolved issues.”
Regarding the issue of foreign fighter jets in the Syrian army, the new government explained that a “broader consultation session” was needed, but confirmed that “military rank publication has been suspended.”
The US State Department previously outlined a list of conditions for partially lifting US sanctions against Syria.
These sanctions include measures relating to sanctions enacted under the Caesar Act of 2019 and general license 24 that allow limited transactions with the new Syrian government.
According to the report, the additional US requests are:
•Appointment of liaison officers to assist in searching for American journalist Austinteis, detained by the former Syrian government more than a decade ago.
• Complete dismantling of the Institute of Scientific Research.
•A commitment to sever all ties with Palestinian groups, including Hamas and Palestinian Islamic jihad.
• Assurance that foreign fighters will not retain senior government status.
• Officially designated as a terrorist organization of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard (IRGC).
• Public support for US military missions in Syria and recognition of Washington’s rights to target designated individuals within Syrian territory.
• It is responsible for detainees at Alhor camp, which houses more than 15,000 people, including the families of Dash members currently under the control of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).
Meanwhile, Syrian self-proclaimed president Ahmad Alshara has called on the US to lift sanctions.
In an interview with the New York Times, Alshara warned that continuing instability in Syria could threaten not only neighboring countries but also the wider international community.
During the 45-minute conversation, he urged Washington to reconsider the sanctions, claiming that they were originally imposed for crimes committed by previous administrations.
“The sanctions were the response to the crimes of the former regime against the Syrian people,” he argued, vowing under his leadership that Syrian territory would not be used to threaten other countries.
Alshara also revealed continued negotiations between Türkiye and Russia, suggesting the possibility of future military support from both countries.
The New York Times noted that one of Alshara’s biggest challenges is to form a unified national army to consolidate government control across Syria.