Syria Sanctions

Canada's sanctions against Syria under the Special Economic Measures Act. Total designated: 261 (229 individuals, 32 entities). Earliest listing: 2011-05-24, latest listing: 2026-02-13.

Australia's autonomous sanctions targeting Syria. Total designated: 143 (104 individuals, 39 entities).

On 31 October 2005, the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 1636 (2005) concerning the 2005 terrorist bombing in Beirut, Lebanon, that killed 23 people, including former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri, and caused injury to dozens of people. The Security Council noted with extreme concern that there is converging evidence pointing at the involvement of both Lebanese and Syrian officials in the terrorist act. To assist in the investigation of the crime, the Security Council decided to impose measures against all individuals suspected of involvement in the planning, sponsoring, organizing or perpetrating of the terrorist act. This restrictive measures regime applies also in relation to Lebanon. Adopted by: UN. No persons or entities are currently designated under this regime.

On 27 May 2013, the Council of the EU adopted conclusions in which it condemned the violence and the continued widespread and systematic gross violations of human rights in Syria, the massacres committed by the Syrian armed forces and its militias, all instances of hostage taking of peacekeepers, and the atrocities committed by the Syrian regime. It expressed concern for military operations conducted by the regime and its supporters, as well as the rise of religiously or ethnically motivated violence. In view of the seriousness of the situation, on 31 May 2013, the Council of the EU adopted restrictive measures against Syria in numerous fields. In view of the illegally removed goods belonging to the Syria´s cultural heritage, additional measures were introduced on 13 December 2013. On 12 December 2014, the Council of the EU further imposed a prohibition on export of items that were used by the Assad regime's air force which undertakes indiscriminate air attacks against the civilian population. Since 2014, in view of the deteriorating situation in Syria, and the widespread and systematic violations of human rights and international humanitarian law, including the use of chemical weapons against the civilian population, the Council of the EU has repeatedly added names to the lists of persons and entities who are subject to restrictive measures. The listed persons and entities are mainly those who share responsibility for the Syrian regime's violent repression against the civilian population; provide support to the Syrian regime and the Syrian army; provide benefit from the Syrian regime; assist in the production and development of chemical weapons for the Syrian regime; organize chemical weapons attacks; are senior officers of the Syrian Armed Forces and the Syrian security and intelligence services; and are members of Syrian regime-affiliated militias. On 3 April 2017, the Council of the EU stated in its EU strategy on Syria that the EU would continue to consider further restrictive measures targeting Syrian individuals and entities supporting the regime as long as the repression continues. The restrictive measures contain derogations and exemptions, for instance for the delivery of humanitarian aid. In response to the political transition in Syria, the Council of the EU decided to suspend a number of restrictive measures in key areas of energy, transport and finance on 24 February 2025. This decision is part of the EU’s efforts to support an inclusive political transition in Syria, and its swift economic recovery, reconstruction, and stabilisation. The Council is closely monitoring the situation and will assess whether further economic sanctions could be suspended and whether the suspensions remain appropriate. Listings related to the Al-Assad regime, the chemical weapons sector and illicit drug trade as well as a number of sectoral measures, such as on arms trade, dual-use goods, equipment for internal repression, software for interception and surveillance, and the import/export of Syrian cultural heritage goods remain in place. Adopted by: EU.

The European Commission identifies high-risk third countries having strategic deficiencies in their regime on anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism. In line with EU AML directives, gatekeepers such as banks are obliged to apply increased checks and control measures on business relationships and transactions involving these countries.

Jurisdictions under increased monitoring due to strategic deficiencies in AML/CFT but actively working with FATF on action plans. When the FATF places a jurisdiction under increased monitoring, it means the country has committed to resolve swiftly the identified strategic deficiencies within agreed timeframes and is subject to increased monitoring.

Sanctions targeting Syria. Total designated: 157 individuals, 35 entities.

The PAARSS program maintains U.S. sanctions on Bashar al-Assad and his associates, human rights abusers, Captagon traffickers, persons linked to Syria's past proliferation activities, ISIS and Al-Qa'ida affiliates, and Iran and its proxies. Following the June 30, 2025 Executive Order revoking broad Syria sanctions, the program's focus shifted to targeted accountability measures under E.O. 13894 (as amended) and related authorities, replacing the former comprehensive Syria sanctions program.

Sanctions regime targeting Syria. 353 designated entities (314 individuals, 39 entities). Designations sourced from the UK. Earliest designation: 2023-12-07, latest update: 2025-12-19.

UN-based sanctions regime targeting Isil (Da'esh) and Al-Qaeda. 336 designated entities (248 individuals, 88 entities). Designations sourced from the UN. Earliest designation: 2019-05-01, latest update: 2022-05-31.

Swiss sanctions targeting Syria. Total designated: 466 (370 individuals, 96 entities).

Broad sanctions regime targeting Syria including asset freeze, arms embargo, trade restrictions on luxury goods, oil and gas technology, and interception/monitoring goods and services.

Sanctions regime prohibiting the import, export, supply, delivery, making available or acquisition of illegally removed Syrian cultural property.

HM Treasury advisory notice identifying High Risk Third Countries (HRTCs) as defined in the Money Laundering Regulations 2017. Countries are those listed by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) under two categories: (1) High-Risk Jurisdictions subject to a Call for Action (3 jurisdictions - FATF black list), and (2) Jurisdictions under Increased Monitoring (22 jurisdictions - FATF grey list). UK regulated firms must apply enhanced customer due diligence and enhanced ongoing monitoring on business relationships and transactions involving persons established in these jurisdictions. The notice was last updated on 22 June 2026 reflecting FATF's June 2026 plenary outcomes.

Countries classified as conflict-affected under the World Bank FCS framework