EU eases Syria sanctions, removing security agencies and updating Assad-era listings
The European Council amended its Syria sanctions regime by deleting seven entities from Annex II and updating 11 individual entries. The changes take effect on the day after publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.
BRUSSELS, May 18, 2026 — The Council of the European Union adopted Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1107 to amend Annex II of Regulation (EU) No 36/2012 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Syria.
The measure removes seven entities from the sanctions list and replaces the entries for 11 individuals. The deleted entities are the Political Security Directorate, General Intelligence Directorate, Military Intelligence Directorate, Air Force Intelligence Agency, Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Interior, and Higher Institute for Applied Sciences and Technology.
The updated individual entries cover Mohammed Hamcho, Samir Hassan, Issam Anbouba, Duraid Durgham, Hussam Al Qatarji, Amer Foz, Adel Anwar Al-Olabi, Samer al-Dibis, Osama Ramadan, Bilal al-Naal and Firas al-Akhras. In the revised listings, the Council describes them as businesspeople, former officials or associates linked to and benefiting from or supporting the former al-Assad regime.
The regulation enters into force on the day following its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union. The text was adopted in Brussels on May 18, 2026, and published in the Official Journal on May 19, 2026.
Regulatory Actions
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