On January 6, 2025, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control issued Syria General License (“GL”) 24 to ensure that U.S. sanctions do not impede Syrian institutions that provide basic human needs, including public or humanitarian services, following the end the Bashar al-Assad regime on December 8, 2024. GL 24, which was issued pursuant to the Syrian Sanctions Regulations (“SySR”), Global Terrorist Sanctions Regulations (“GTSR”), and Foreign Terrorist Organizations Sanctions Regulations (“FTOSR”), temporarily extends authorizations related to transactions with governing institutions in Syria; transactions that facilitate the sale or donation of energy or petroleum products within Syria; and transactions concerning the transfer of noncommercial, personal remittances to Syria, including those made through the Central Bank of Syria. These authorizations expire on July 7, 2025.
OFAC also issued Frequently Asked Questions 1205 through 1212 to clarify the authorizations in GL 24. The FAQs provide a general overview of the purpose of GL 24 (FAQ 1205); clarification regarding which Syrian entities are considered to be “governing institutions” (FAQ 1206); and a discussion on the types of transactions authorized in GL 24 (FAQ 1207). OFAC also confirms that, with certain conditions and exceptions, GL 24 authorizes transactions with governing institutions that are run or led by a designated person (FAQ 1208); confirms that the public can still rely on existing sanctions authorizations for the provision of humanitarian aid (FAQ 1209); and confirms that GL 24 does not remove Syria’s designation as a State Sponsor of Terrorism (SST). OFAC also discusses authorizations in GL 24 that enable the provision of subsidized fuel to Syria (FAQ 1211) and permissions enabling international and nongovernmental organizations to conduct transitional justice activities in Syria (FAQ 1212).
OFAC also amended FAQ 227 to confirm that, following the issuance of GL 24, U.S. persons may continue to send money to family or friends in Syria.
U.S. Department of Treasury Press Release | General License 24 | FAQs 1205-1212 | Amended FAQ 227