U.S. Updates Sanctions Regulations on Syria Since 2011

ARK News.. The U.S. Treasury Department announced a comprehensive and final revision of the regulations governing sanctions imposed on Syria since 2011, stating that the move responds to the changing political reality in Syria following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime and aims to strengthen legal accountability tools against those involved in crimes and violations.

According to media sources, the Treasury Department, through the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), renamed the sanctions regulations as the “Program to Advance Accountability for Assad and Regional Stability” (PAARSS), replacing the previous “Syria Sanctions Regulations.”

The amendments include a complete revision of Part 569 of the Code of Federal Regulations (31 CFR Part 569), in line with presidential orders issued earlier this year, most notably Executive Order 14142, issued on January 15, 2025, which grants the Treasury Department authority to freeze assets of individuals or entities supporting the former regime or exploiting Syrian economic resources.

The update also expanded the sanctions scope to cover Executive Order 14312, issued on June 30, 2025, targeting those involved in money, weapons, or oil smuggling, or any activity that destabilizes the region, whether operating inside Syria or through external networks.

Additionally, the Treasury revised the classification system for names and entities on the U.S. sanctions list, the “Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List” (SDN List), introducing new codes indicating the type of sanction and its legal basis, such as:

[PAARSSR-EO13894] – sanctions under a 2019 executive order against contributors to violence in Syria.

[HRIT-SY] – sanctions related to human rights violations using technology to suppress freedoms.

[SYRIA – CAESAR] – sanctions associated with the 2019 Caesar Act protecting civilians.

The Treasury Department stated that these amendments provide more precise tools to track financial and economic networks linked to the former regime, especially those operating abroad or using front companies.

Keywords: U.S., Syria, Treasury Department, Sanctions, PAARSS, Caesar Act

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