Syria's new political landscape - UPDATES

[Anthea]

US Relaxes Sanctions on Syria

WASHINGTON DC, United States (Kurdistan 24) The U.S. Treasury Department announced on Monday that it was relaxing sanctions on Syria, at least on a temporary basis, initially specifying a six-month period

The announcement follows the sudden overthrow of the brutal Baathist regime of Bashar al-Assad by the Turkish-backed Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) a month ago, on Dec. 8.

The HTS professes an ideology of Islamic extremism, and the U.S. had virtually no dealings with it prior to its takeover in Damascus. Indeed, when one Middle East journalist, expressing a regional conspiracy theory, suggested at a State Department briefing that the U.S. was behind the HTS’s takeover in Syria, the briefer dismissed the suggestion as “absurd.”

Thus, the U.S. is responding cautiously as the HTS consolidates its position in Damascus. The temporary relaxation of sanctions—as opposed to ending them entirely—is one way for Washington to maintain leverage in Syria.

U.S. Diplomat’s Visit to Syria Laid Groundwork

On Dec. 20, just 12 days after the fall of the Assad regime, Barbara Leaf, Assistant Secretary of State for Near East Affairs, led a delegation to Damascus.

That trip marked the first appearance of U.S. diplomats in Syria since 2012, as she told reporters later on Dec. 20.

While in Damascus, she met with members of the new, interim HTS administration, including Ahmed al-Shara’a, who has headed the group since 2017.

Immediately after that meeting, the U.S. announced that it was dropping its designation of al-Shara’a as a terrorist, as well as the $10 million bounty that it had offered for information leading to his arrest.

Leaf also met with members of Syrian civil society, including the White Helmets, as the U.S. pushes for “a Syrian-led and Syrian-owned political process that results in an inclusive and representative government, which respects the rights of all Syrians, including women and Syria’s diverse ethnic and religious communities,” as she told journalists.

Leaf also denounced “five decades of the Assad regime’s tyranny,” as she affirmed that Syrians now “have a rare opportunity to rebuild and reshape their country.”

“I was truly impressed by the resilience and perseverance of the Syrian people we met today,” she continued. “No one understands the challenges ahead better than they do themselves.”

Subsequently, a number of meetings were held between key international parties, both Arab and Western, and the new Syrian authorities. Notably, those meetings did not include the allies of the former Syrian regime, namely Iran and Russia.

On Jan. 1, Syria’s new Foreign Minister, Assad al-Shibani, led a delegation to Saudi Arabia, marking his first foreign trip in his new position.

On Jan. 3, the French and German Foreign Ministers visited Damascus, where they met with al-Shara’a, as well as Shibani.

Subsequently, Shibani announced that he would be visiting Qatar, the UAE, and Jordan.

U.S. Statement on Loosening Sanctions

On Monday, as the normalization of Syria’s foreign ties proceeds, the U.S. Treasury Department issued what it called “Syria General License (GL) 24),” loosening its restrictions on trade with Syria.

“This action underscores the United States’ commitment to ensuring that U.S. sanctions do not impede activities to meet basic human needs, including the provision of public services or humanitarian assistance,” the Treasury Department explained in a written statement.

“This authorization is for six months, as the U.S. government continues to monitor the evolving situation on the ground,” the statement continued.

“The end of Bashar al-Assad’s brutal and repressive rule, backed by Russia and Iran, provides a unique opportunity for Syria and its people to rebuild,” Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Wally Adeyemo said in announcing the sanctions’ relaxation.

“During this period of transition, Treasury will continue to support humanitarian assistance and responsible governance in Syria,” he affirmed.

https://www.kurdistan24.net/en/story/81 ... n-purposes

[Anthea]

Syrian minister pledges inclusivity

in higher education

The higher education minister of Syria’s transitional government on Tuesday expressed openness towards expanding Kurdish studies in universities and stressed the importance of inclusivity in building the country’s education system

Abdulumoneim Abdulhafez told Rudaw that if assessments by scientific councils conclude that the establishment of additional Kurdish studies departments is necessary “we welcome that.”

"Syria includes several components, and all these components have a role in building modern Syria," said Abdulmoneim Abdulhafez, Syria’s higher education minister, emphasizing the need for inclusivity in education.

After a coalition led by Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) overthrew Bashar al-Assad’s regime, they formed a transitional government headed by Ahmad al-Sharaa, better known as Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, who has repeatedly stated that the rights of all components will be protected under the new government.

Successive Syrian regimes categorically denied Kurdish cultural and political rights and suppressed any movements that strived to promote them. Groups who wanted to teach the Kurdish language had to do so in secret for decades. When the Syrian uprising began in 2011, the Kurdish population, primarily controlling the northeastern regions of Syria, was able to establish a degree of autonomy and provide Kurdish education from first grade until graduation from university.

When asked about cooperation with the Kurdish-led administration in northeast Syria, the minister noted that no discussions have taken place.

According to Abdulhafez, the curriculum review process will focus on revising content to align with international standards while removing remnants of the former regime’s ideological influence.

The transitional government has also begun addressing the fractured education system created during the conflict. Universities previously under the rebels operated under different academic systems.

Since the onset of the Syrian civil war in 2011, the country's education system has faced severe disruptions. Over a decade of conflict has led to the displacement of millions, the destruction of educational infrastructure, and significant barriers to accessing education. According to United Nations figures, millions of Syrian children were not attending school due to the civil war lasting over a decade.

"God willing, in the next academic year, we will unify the study method and unify matters for all universities that will be under one study system," Abdulhafez explained.

https://www.rudaw.net/english/middleeas ... /080120253

[Anthea]

New Era for Syrian Arts

Ossama Mohammed's banned 1988 film Stars in Broad Daylight, a satire of Hafez al-Assad's dictatorship, has been restored for global screenings, symbolizing Syria's cultural revival after Bashar al-Assad's fall and decades of artistic repression

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) — Decades after being banned by the Assad regime, the Syrian film Stars in Broad Daylight (Nojoum al-Nahar) has reemerged, restored to its original form and set to screen at international festivals.

The film, a sarcastic critique of dictatorship, presents a poignant commentary on life under Hafez al-Assad’s rule, which muffled artistic expression and suppressed cultural freedoms.

Directed by Ossama Mohammed, Stars in Broad Daylight debuted in 1988 and featured a character uncannily similar to the late Syrian leader Hafez al-Assad.

The protagonist, Khalid, symbolizes the tyranny and psychological exploitation characteristic of authoritarian rule.

Speaking to The New York Times, Mohammed pondered on how dictatorship molded his work: “Assad is the co-writer. He is on your shoulder writing with you. In this film, I took him from my shoulder and placed him inside the frame.”

The film’s only official screening in Syria was an invitation-only premiere at the Al-Assad National Library in Damascus.

Despite this, it earned an underground reputation, passed around through pirated copies and whispered admiration. Mohammed recalled hearing that Hafez al-Assad had privately viewed the film, though this claim remains unconfirmed.

A Regime That Stifled Creativity

Under the Assad regime, the arts encountered insistent censorship. Filmmakers, writers, and artists navigated strict boundaries, knowing that opposition, whether overt or subtle, could result in exile or worse.

Even films critical of societal issues were deemed rebellious if they implied at the regime’s flaws. Mohammed’s film was no exception; its obvious parallels to Hafez al-Assad’s authoritarianism guaranteed it was banned for screening in Syrian theaters.

“The psychological deformity of living under dictatorship permeates the individual,” Mohammed explained. “My interest was not to insult al-Assad but to delve into the twisted mindset that his rule fostered.”

The limitations on Stars in Broad Daylight echoed a broader repression of cultural expression in Syria, where art was forcefully controlled to strengthen state propaganda.

The National Film Organization of Syria, which held rights to the film, declined to engage in restoration efforts.

The film’s rebirth was made possible by the persistence of Cecilia Cenciarelli and the Cineteca di Bologna, in collaboration with the World Cinema Project, led by Martin Scorsese.

A Revival in Post-Assad Syria

Since the fall of Bashar al-Assad in December, there has been a growing renaissance of artistic expression in Syria.

Mohammed, who lived in exile in Paris for over a decade, recently returned to Damascus with his wife, opera singer Noma Omran. “The explosion of imagination and expression is everywhere,” he told the New York Times. “Every day, you hear amazing discoveries.”

Mohammed has been overwhelmed with requests for screenings of Stars in Broad Daylight in Syria, reflecting a new appetite for uncensored art and cinema.

The film’s restoration was no small feat, necessitating extensive detective work to locate a pristine copy after years of neglect and limited international screenings.

Its rediscovery signifies not just a victory for cinema but a reclaiming of artistic heritage denied to Syrians for decades.

Looking Forward

While Mohammed recognizes the challenges ahead, including rebuilding trust and infrastructure in Syria’s cultural landscape, he remains optimistic.

“Walking through the markets, seeing familiar faces — it feels like part of a surreal movie,” he shared. Yet, this surrealism carries the promise of a fresh start for Syrian arts.

As Stars in Broad Daylight makes its way back into public consciousness, it serves as a testament to the resilience of Syrian artists and the enduring power of storytelling. The film, once a symbol of repression, now stands as a beacon of hope in a post-Assad era where creativity can flourish freely.

https://www.kurdistan24.net/en/story/81 ... yrian-arts

[Anthea]

Western Nations Challenge Syria

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – Western nations have issued stern warnings to Syria concerning the inclusion of foreign jihadists in pivotal military roles, as reported by Reuters on Friday

According to Reuters envoys from the U.S., France, and Germany have communicated their apprehensions directly to Ahmed Al-Sharaa, the head of Syria's newly established administration and former commander of the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) forces. The primary concern is the security implications of appointing international jihadists to high-ranking positions within the Syrian military.

A detailed discussion took place at the presidential palace on Wednesday, where U.S. envoy Daniel Rubinstein met with Al-Sharaa. A U.S. official reportedly stated, "These appointments will compromise their standing with the United States."

Furthermore, during a meeting on January 3, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot and his German counterpart Annalena Baerbock also addressed the contentious issue of integrating foreign fighters into the Syrian army's ranks.

Following the HTS-led coup that deposed former President Bashar al-Assad on December 8, Al-Sharaa’s administration has been actively working to dismantle the Assad-era military and rebuild a new force that incorporates fighters from diverse nationalities, including China, Central Asia, Turkey, Egypt, and Jordan.

Syrian officials have defended the inclusion of these foreign fighters, suggesting in local media statements that their contributions to Assad's overthrow were significant and might warrant Syrian citizenship.

In a related development, the U.S. Treasury Department announced a temporary easing of sanctions on Syria, initially for a six-month period, following the dramatic regime change facilitated by HTS just a month prior.

https://www.kurdistan24.net/en/story/81 ... governance

[Anthea]

New Syrian central bank chief
pledges greater independence

Syria's new central bank governor, Maysaa Sabreen faces significant challenges, including stabilizing Syria’s currency, curbing inflation, and revitalizing the financial sector

Syria's new central bank governor, Maysaa Sabreen, has expressed her intention to enhance the institution's independence in monetary policy decisions, Reuters reported Tuesday.

Sabreen, formerly the deputy governor of the Central Bank of Syria, assumed the position in a caretaker capacity following the departure of her predecessor, Mohammed Issam Hazime, late last year.

Her appointment is notable, as she is among the few senior state officials promoted after the swift offensive by Syria's new Islamic rulers led to President Bashar al-Assad's ousting on December 8.

In her first media interview since taking office, Sabreen told Reuters that "the bank is working on preparing draft amendments to the bank's law to enhance its independence, including allowing it more freedom to make decisions regarding monetary policy."

However, she acknowledged that these changes would require approval from Syria's new governing authority, with no clear timeline for implementation.

Central bank independence is essential for achieving long-term macroeconomic and financial stability, economists have noted.

Sabreen also outlined plans to expand Islamic banking in Syria, aiming to attract citizens who have avoided traditional banking services.

"This may include giving banks that provide traditional services the option to open Islamic banking branches," said Sabreen, who has two decades of experience at the institution

She stressed the bank's commitment to avoiding the need to print more Syrian pounds, which could exacerbate inflation.

When asked about the country’s foreign exchange and gold reserves, she declined to provide specifics, noting that a balance sheet review is underway.

However, sources informed Reuters in December that the central bank holds nearly 26 tons of gold, valued at approximately $2.2 billion, along with $200 million in foreign currency reserves and a substantial amount of Syrian pounds.

The Central Bank of Syria and several former governors remain under US sanctions imposed in the wake of anti-government protests in 2011, which escalated into a prolonged war on the country.

Despite these restrictions, Sabreen assured that the central bank has sufficient funds to cover civil servant salaries, even after a 400% wage increase promised by the new administration

Reuters previously reported that Qatar would assist in financing the public sector wage hike, facilitated by a US sanctions waiver granted on January 6, allowing transactions with Syrian governing institutions.

Tackling inflation and currency stabilization

Sabreen faces significant challenges, including stabilizing Syria’s currency, curbing inflation, and revitalizing the financial sector. The Syrian pound has plummeted from around 50 pounds per US dollar in late 2011 to over 13,000 pounds per dollar as of Monday, according to LSEG and central bank data.

A World Bank report from spring 2024 estimated that Syria’s annual inflation surged by nearly 100% year-on-year in 2023. Sabreen stated that the central bank is focusing on restructuring state-owned banks and introducing regulations for money exchange and transfer services, which have become vital sources of foreign currency

During al-Assad's tenure, foreign currency usage was heavily restricted. However, recent US sanctions exemptions for humanitarian aid, energy transactions, and remittances aim to stabilize the country and improve essential services.

Although the central bank itself remains under sanctions, Sabreen welcomed the decision to permit personal remittances from Syrians abroad, expressing hope for the eventual lifting of all restrictions to reconnect Syria’s banks to the global financial system.

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/pol ... dependence