OFAC Issues General License and FAQs on Syria Sanctions

OFAC issued one new General License, published new FAQs and updated an FAQ pertaining to the Syria sanctions program.

General License No. 22 was issued under the Syrian Sanctions Regulations, 31 CFR Part 542, authorizing activities in certain economic sectors in non-regime held areas of northeast and northwest Syria. The authorized economic sectors include: (i) agriculture, (ii) information and telecommunications, (iii) power grid infrastructure, (iv) constructions, (v) finance, (vi) clean energy, (vii) transportation and warehousing, (viii) water and waste management, (ix) health services, (x) education, (xi) manufacturing and (xii) trade.

The new FAQs clarified the overall goal of General License 22, the borders of northeast and northwest Syria, as well as activities permitted under General License 22. The amended FAQ provided further clarification on the potential exposure of non-U.S. persons to secondary sanctions under the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act of 2019 for activity that would be permitted under the Syrian Sanctions Regulations.