New York – July 21, 2025
By, Issam Khoury
The U.S. sanctions file on Syria has returned to the spotlight through the new draft law H.R.4427, known as the Syria Accountability Act 2025. This bill, currently under discussion in Congress, does not merely extend sanctions but sets strict conditions for their removal or easing, linking any relief to concrete humanitarian measures inside Syria.
Key Features of the Bill
- Review of Financial Exemptions: The bill calls for a reassessment of the exemptions previously granted to the Commercial Bank of Syria, potentially tightening restrictions on official financial transactions.
- Amendments to the Caesar Act: It expands the scope of sanctions under the Caesar Act to include new accountability channels, thereby increasing pressure on the Syrian regime.
- Specific Conditions for Lifting Sanctions:
- Halting airstrikes and attacks on civilians across Syria.
- Releasing political prisoners and prisoners of conscience.
- Ensuring unhindered humanitarian aid delivery to all regions.
- Combating the trafficking of Captagon, which has become a major international security concern.
Sanctions as a Humanitarian Tool
The bill demonstrates that U.S. sanctions are no longer framed solely as a political punishment for the regime but as a means to push for direct humanitarian improvements felt by the Syrian people. This reflects a growing recognition in Washington that ongoing humanitarian suffering undermines the legitimacy of any political process.
The Message to the Syrian Regime
The bill sends a clear message: there will be no comprehensive lifting of sanctions unless concrete steps are taken to end violence and respect human rights. In doing so, it links Syria’s economic and political reintegration to progress on the humanitarian front first.
Potential Implications
- For the regime: Increased financial and political pressure, with a strong incentive to offer humanitarian concessions.
- For the opposition: A political tool to strengthen negotiating power, while also raising expectations for accountability.
- For the international community: The bill could encourage European states to follow a similar path, further isolating the regime unless it complies.
Bill H.R.4427 is not just an extension of previous sanctions; it is a new accountability framework that ties any sanctions relief to tangible humanitarian steps: halting bombings, releasing detainees, opening aid channels, and curbing the Captagon trade. It is a legislative move designed to turn economic pressure into humanitarian leverage, confronting the Syrian regime with a stark choice between continued isolation or conditional reintegration based on reform.
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