Syria’s FM Pleads for Sanction Lift

Rabat – Syria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Assaad Al-Chibani, is seeking sanctions to be lifted in order to benefit the war-torn country.

In recent discussions during his first official visit to Qatar, the chief diplomat pleaded for the lifting of international sanctions imposed on his country, particularly from the US, saying that he considers these measures to be an “impediment to rapid recovery” of his country.

Al-Chibani added that his government is “looking for good relations in the region.”

While Syria is calling on the US and other countries to shift policy in their favor, other countries are already on board.

One such country is Qatar, whose prime minister, Mohammed ben Abdelrahmane al-Thani reiterated his country’s position in favor of Syria’s unity, sovereignty, and independence.

International sanctions were imposed on Syria’s Al-Assad regime following the outbreak of a popular movement across the country in 2011.

Protesters criticized the long reign of the Al-Assad family, demanding the ousting of the regime, and seeking a country where there is respect for human rights.

The over-a-decade civil war claimed nearly 2 million lives, displaced millions of others, and destroyed much of the country. The situation was exacerbated by the oscillation of international interests as well as regional and internal dynamics.

Syrians celebrated their liberation on December 8, 2024, when the rebel coalition, led by the Sunni Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) entered Damascus. Since then, the country has been rebounding from the long war.

Shortly after the fall of Assad’s regime, Morocco expressed hope that developments in Syria should bring a brighter future for the war-torn country, holding onto its position to support the Middle Eastern country’s territorial integrity, national sovereignty, and the unity of its people.

However, developments in Syria are still unclear, given the background of the interim government and some of its recent actions. The government’s education ministry has recently suggested controversial amendments to school curricula, a move that was widely criticized.