US softens restrictions on Syria despite sanctions
The US on January 6th issued an exemption of sanctions for transactions with governing institutions in Syria for a six month period after the end of Bashar al-Assad’s leadership, in a bid to aid the the flow of humanitarian support.
Known as a general license, the exemption would enable some energy transactions to take place and personal payments to Syria until July 7th. The exemption did not lift any sanctions, according to Reuters.
The country is experiencing extreme power shortages, as state-supplied electricity is only available for two to three hours each day in the majority of areas.
The interim government says it intends to provide electricity for up to eight hours a day within the next couple of months.
Reuters
