ANKARA

The Syrian government faced strict international sanctions due to years of civil war, with many regime leaders being declared "war criminals."

Many individuals involved in the Assad regime's efforts to suppress the civil war, which began in March 2011, faced sanctions, including the Assad family, as well as several ministers and government officials.

These sanctions stemmed from acts, including violence against civilians, human rights violations, war crimes, and support for terrorist organizations.

After the fall of Baath regime on Dec. 8, many, including UN Envoy to Syria Geir Pedersen, called for lifting sanctions, saying it would help stabilize Syria after weeks of turmoil.

Bashar al-Assad, Syria’s leader for nearly 25 years, fled to Russia after anti-regime groups took control of Damascus on Dec. 8, marking the end of the Baath Party’s regime, which had ruled since 1963.

US act holding Syrian government accountable for human rights violations

The Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act, enacted in December 2019, is a US law aimed at holding the Syrian government accountable for human rights violations during the civil war.

It imposes sanctions on individuals, businesses, and foreign entities that support the Assad regime.

The law was named after "Caesar," a Syrian military photographer who defected in 2013 and revealed thousands of photos documenting torture and abuse by the regime.

The list includes Bashar Assad, his wife Asma Assad, his brother and head of the Republican Guard Maher Assad, businessman Rami Makhlouf, and Ali Mamluk, the head of Syria's National Security Bureau, among others.

In addition, the list targets entities from Russia, Iran, and other foreign actors that support the regime’s actions.

The US Treasury Department has sanctioned six individuals, including two cousins of Bashar Assad, for their involvement in drug production and trafficking.

Among those sanctioned are Samer Kamal Assad and Wassim Badi Assad, along with businessman Khalid Kaddur, a close associate of Bashar's brother Maher Assad, who is also a key figure in Syria's drug trade.

Samer Kamal Assad is accused of managing major drug production facilities in Latakia, while Wassim Badi Assad is linked to regional drug trafficking.

Imad Abu Zureyk, a former commander of anti-regime armed groups in southern Syria, is also on the list for his role in the illicit drug trade.

EU sanctions

The European Union has imposed sanctions on Syria since 2011 in response to the regime's violent crackdown on civilians.

As of November 2024, the EU has sanctioned 318 individuals and 86 entities, including Bashar Assad, his brother Maher Assad, and high-ranking officials such as Ali Mamluk.

Recently, three Syrian ministers—Luay Imad Ed-Din El-Muncid, Firas Hasan Kaddur, and Ahmed Muhammed Postacı—were added to the list for their roles in human rights violations.

The sanctions include asset freezes, travel bans, and financial restrictions.

UK sanctions over violence against civilians

The United Kingdom has sanctioned several senior officials in the Assad regime, including former ministers like Bishr Riyad Yazigi (Tourism), Saad Abdel-Salam el-Nayef (Health), and Fehd Casim el-Freyc (Defense), who are accused of being involved in violence against civilians.

Other individuals, including Buseyna Shaban, Assad's political and media adviser, and former Syrian Central Bank governor Duraid Durgham, are also on the list for supporting the regime's activities.

Bashar Assad's wife, Asma, is sanctioned for her close ties to key regime figures, while his sister, Bushra, is listed due to her personal and financial connections with Bashar Assad and her role in regime-related crimes.

Chemical weapons sanctions

Several senior officials are on the sanctions list for their involvement in the regime's chemical weapons use in mass killings.

The Syrian Scientific Studies and Research Center (SSRC), responsible for developing and producing chemical weapons and related missile systems, is also sanctioned.

High-ranking officials, including Colonel Firas Ahmed and Walid Zughaib, are accused of facilitating the transfer and concealment of chemical weapons materials.

*Writing by Beril Canakci in Istanbul