Germany is leading a push in the European Union for Brussels to ease sanctions on Syria, which were imposed on the now-ousted regime of Bashar al-Assad following the outbreak of the brutal civil war in 2011.
Berlin is said to be driving for changes to the EU sanctions regime provided that progress on certain social issues by the new Syrian government is met, The Financial Times reported on Tuesday.
Sanctions were placed on the former Syrian regime following Bashar Al-Assad's brutal crackdown on pro-democracy protests, resulting in the outbreak of an armed uprising.
"We are actively discussing ways to provide sanctions relief to the Syrian people in certain sectors," a German foreign ministry source said.
An easing of sanctions would relieve residents in post-Assad Syria of some economic difficulties, as the country undergoes a transitional period following 13 years of a brutal civil war.
Syria, crippled by such restrictions, is also in need of ample humanitarian assistance across several sectors including health, water and electricity, which has reportedly been hampered by the sanctions regime.
Such a move would require a unanimous EU decision and diplomats told Reuters Brussels would seek to agree to lift some sanctions by the time the bloc's 27 foreign ministers meet in Brussels on 27 January.
Two of the diplomats who spoke to the outlet said one objective was to enable financial transactions that allow funds to return to the country, ease air transport, and lessen sanctions targeting the energy sector to improve power supplies. Syria suffers from frequent power cuts, while electricity is only provided on a basis daily.
The decision comes as the US agreed to a six-month allowance for transactions with some government entities in a bid to ease the flow of humanitarian aid and other basic needs to Syria earlier although other strict sanctions on the new government remain.
France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot told radio station France Inter that some Syria-imposed sanctions could be "lifted quickly", but added that this depends on how Syria's new interim government handles the ongoing transition, security issues, and the inclusivity for women and minorities, echoing Germany's earlier statement.
Turkey threatens Kurdish groups in Syria
Turkey, which backs Syria's new interim government and former rebel groups, has threatened to launch a military operation against Kurdish groups in Syria unless they agree to a "bloodless" transition following the fall of the Assad regime.
Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said on Tuesday that Turkey will do what is "necessary" if the likes of the Kurdish-led People's Protection Units (YPG) fail to meet Ankara’s requests.
The YPG, a US-backed armed group and a primary component in the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), was aided by Washington in its defeat of the Islamic State group in northern Syria, which coincided with offensives by Turkish-backed rebel groups and the regime.
The group is accused by Turkey of having links to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), which is outlawed by Ankara and classified as a terror group by Turkey itself, as well as the EU, UK and US.
The PKK, seeking greater autonomy and cultural rights for the Kurdish minority, has been embroiled in a decades-long conflict with Turkey.
Since 2016, Ankara has also routinely carried out ground and air operations against YPG units in northern Syria, in a bid to push Kurdish forces away from its border.
"Those international fighters who came from Turkey, Iran and Iraq must leave Syria immediately. We see neither any preparation nor any intention in this direction right now and we are waiting," Fidan added.
Iran could resume flights to Syria
Following the resumption of flights at Damascus’ International Airport on Tuesday, Iran said it was ready to recommence air travel between Tehran and Syrian cities, according to the state-linked Tasnim agency.
The head of the Iranian Civil Aviation Organisation, Hossein Pourfarzaneh, said such flights would depend on a licence issued by the destination country, adding that Iran is currently waiting for Syria to allow this.
International flights to and from Damascus, as well as Aleppo, were initially suspended following the rapid rebel offensive in 8 December which ousted Assad.
Iran was a primary military and political supporter of the Assad regime.
On December 18, the first flight since Assad's fall 10 days earlier took off from Damascus airport bound for Aleppo in the north.
Iran has found itself in a difficult situation regarding post-Assad Syria, due to its backing of the fallen regime over the years. Assad's collapse has been described as a significant blow to Iran's influence in the region, as part of the so-called Axis of Resistance.
Syria hosts several important Shia Muslim religious sites and is an important destination for pilgrims from Iran.