The U.S. is easing its restrictions on aid to the rebel groups now governing Syria. It’s a step toward support for the Islamist rebels leading the country.
But it’s also a sign of caution from the U.S. as they wait to see whether the government will keep its promises to protect the rights of women and ethnic minorities.
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The Treasury Department issued waivers on Monday, Jan. 6, allowing electricity, oil and gas into Syria for six months.
The U.S. tightened sanctions on Syria during the country’s 13-year civil war, which ended with last month’s rebel victory.
The Wall Street Journal spoke to a senior U.S. diplomat who said Syria will stay on the state sponsors of terrorism list. The diplomat added that Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the group leading the new government, will also stay on the U.S. list of terrorist organizations.
It echoes what President Joe Biden said about the group after they first toppled President Bashar Assad last month.
“Make no mistake, some of the rebel groups that took down Assad have their own grim record of terrorism and human rights abuses,” President Biden said on Dec. 8. “We’ve taken note of statements by the leaders of these rebel groups in recent days. And they are saying the right things now. But as they take on greater responsibility, we will assess not just their words, but their actions.”
This isn’t the U.S. government’s first move toward easing restrictions on its new Syrian counterpart. The U.S. removed a $10 million bounty on the leader of HTS, which it had issued because of the group’s early links to Al-Qaeda.
