The lifting of economic sanctions on Syria has raised questions regarding the future direction of the Syrian government and its relations with various communities, particularly the Druze minority. The surprising announcement, which follows an unannounced December meeting between former U.S. President Donald Trump and Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa. Heavy combat ended in late 2017, and Trump soon declared it an “enormous opportunity” for the war-torn nation.
Tensions have recently escalated between the Syrian government and the Druze community, home to some 500,000 people. These strains are a result of the current difficult negotiations over Syria’s future. Still, observers have raised concerns over whether the federal government’s new direction will create stability or deepen the problems that already exist.
In March, Syria witnessed deadly clashes that left over 1,000 people dead, including 754 civilians, highlighting the precarious security situation. Just last month, attackers targeted a security post, killing at least 16 people. They further accompanied their suicide bombings and military offensive with an attack targeting a Druze-majority suburb to southwest Damascus.
Germany’s Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul recently said as much. He cautioned that barring the lifting of these sanctions, Syria could become a perilous landscape like that of Afghanistan. He emphasized the urgency for the Syrian government to stabilize the country, stating, “Syria either needs the possibility to stabilize the country or it won’t be able to.” Wadephul cautioned that the transitional authority would be just weeks away from possible collapse, endangering a return to civil war.
In February, the European Union made moves to reduce the restrictions by distancing their sanctions from Syria’s energy and transport sectors. Other actions consisted of relaxing regulations for four banks and one airline company. This has been challenged by several EU member states who insisted these measures are not enough to address Syria’s destabilizing economy.
Wadephul had stressed that the EU wants to achieve a “new beginning” with Syria. As noted above, he wants a reunification policy that includes consideration of all ethnic and religious segments.
Although measures have been taken to encourage recovery, there is still doubt as to whether the government is serious about changing the status quo. As one EU official put it, “With regards to the [Syrian] government… there are concerns as to whether it’s going [in] the right direction. But I think perhaps we don’t have a choice. We … either provide them the capacity to stabilize the country or we don’t provide that.”
Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas shared her views on the situation, stating, “We want to help the Syrian people rebuild a new, inclusive and peaceful Syria.”