The EU's decision to lift sanctions on Syria in May 2025 came after the fall of which leader's regime?

The European Union's decision to lift sanctions on Syria in May 2025 followed the dramatic collapse of Bashar al-Assad's regime. Assad's authoritarian rule, which had governed Syria for decades, officially ended on December 8, 2024, after a swift offensive by rebel forces that culminated in the fall of Damascus. His departure marked a significant turning point after over a decade of civil war and widespread international condemnation of his government's actions.

Sanctions against Syria were initially imposed by the EU and other international bodies starting in 2011, in response to the Assad regime's violent crackdown on peaceful protests during the Arab Spring. These measures aimed to pressure the government to cease its repression of civilians and to encourage a political settlement to the escalating conflict. The sanctions targeted various sectors of the Syrian economy, as well as individuals and entities associated with the regime, in an effort to limit its resources and influence.

With the fall of the Assad regime, the rationale behind many of these restrictive measures shifted. The EU announced its political decision to lift most economic sanctions on May 20, 2025, with the legal instruments formalizing this action adopted on May 28, 2025. This move was intended to support Syria's recovery and aid in a political transition, allowing for the rebuilding of the war-torn country and addressing the severe humanitarian crisis that had developed over years of conflict. While most economic sanctions were lifted, certain security-related measures, such as an arms embargo, were expected to remain in place to safeguard the Syrian people and prevent further instability.