The European Union announced the imposition of sanctions on five Syrian figures, including three prominent military leaders of the former Syrian regime, for their involvement in gross human rights violations, most notably the sectarian violence that occurred in the Syrian coastal region in March 2025.
The European Council explained in an official statement that, after the fall of the regime, Maqdad Fatiha, Ghaith Dalla, and Suhail al-Hassan formed armed militias that played a direct role in fueling sectarian tensions and inciting violence, resulting in hundreds of civilian casualties.
The sanctions also included businessmen Mudalal Khoury and Imad Khoury for their role in financing the former regime through external financial and commercial activities, particularly in Russia, including assistance in financing crimes against humanity and the use of chemical weapons.
The measures imposed include a freeze on the financial assets of the five individuals, a prohibition on providing them with any economic or financial resources, directly or indirectly, and a travel ban to EU countries.
These sanctions fall under the global human rights sanctions regime adopted by the European Union in December 2020, targeting individuals and entities implicated in serious violations around the world. The regime currently includes 123 individuals and 36 entities, and has been extended until December 2026.
The names and legal proceedings were published in the Official Journal of the European Union on June 23, pursuant to Decision (CFSP) 2025/1255 and Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/1256.
At the end of its statement, the EU affirmed its readiness to take further steps to hold accountable human rights violators and those contributing to the destabilization of Syria.
Zaman Al Wasl
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