US Treasury issues Syria general license to aid relief efforts

The US Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control, which is in charge of sanctions, has issued "Syria General License (GL) 23", which it says will authorise any transactions that are otherwise prohibited by US sanctions on Syria if they are related to earthquake relief.

The sanctions exemption will last for six months, the department said.

“As international allies and humanitarian partners mobilize to help those affected, I want to make very clear that US sanctions in Syria will not stand in the way of life-saving efforts for the Syrian people," Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo said in a statement.

"While US sanctions programs already contain robust exemptions for humanitarian efforts, today Treasury is issuing a blanket General License to authorize earthquake relief efforts so that those providing assistance can focus on what’s needed most: saving lives and rebuilding."

Earlier on Thursday, the State Department doubled down on its refusal to lift sanctions on Syria, insisting they are not impeding humanitarian aid into the country.