ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - The European Union on Monday announced that it has removed seven Syrian entities from its sanctions list, including the defense and interior ministries, while keeping bodies linked to the former Syrian regime on the list until June 1, 2027.

“The Council decided to remove seven entities from the sanctions list, which include the Ministries of Defence and Interior. This will support the strengthening of the EU’s engagement with Syria,” the council said in a statement.

The EU sanctions were first introduced following former Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad’s violent repression of civilians in 2011.

In May 2025, all economic sanctions on Syria were removed to “support the country’s peaceful and inclusive transition, socio-economic recovery, and reconstruction,” it added.

Earlier this month, the council restored the EU-Syria Cooperation Agreement, a 1977 pact for economic and trade relations between the two sides, which was partially suspended during Assad’s rule.

After the fall of Assad, the new authorities in Damascus repeatedly called on the international community, notably the US and European countries to lift sanctions imposed on the former regime, so the country could begin rebuilding across all walks of life, and pave the way for the return of millions of Syria who have sought asylum in neighboring and European countries.

The council also renewed "restrictive measures” targeting entities and individuals linked to the former Assad regime.

Assad was toppled in December 2024 by a group of rebels led by now President Ahmed al-Sharaa, forcing him to flee to Russia.

“The EU considers that networks linked to the former al-Assad regime continue to retain influence and pose a risk of undermining the transition process and hindering efforts towards national reconciliation and accountability,” the council said.