UK lifts sanctions against Syria's defense ministry and intelligence agencies

PHOTO CAPTION: Illustrative photo — A Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) fighter stands near Kurdish internal security special forces during a security operation in al-Hol camp which holds displaced people and families of Islamic State fighters, in Hasaka governorate, in northeast Syria August 26, 2022. REUTERS/Orhan Qereman

LONDON (Reuters) -Britain on Thursday lifted assets freezes on Syria's defence and interior ministries, and a range of intelligence agencies, reversing sanctions imposed during Bashar al-Assad's presidency.

The West is rethinking its approach to Syria after insurgent forces led by the Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham ousted Assad as president in December after more than 13 years of civil war.

A notice posted online by the British finance ministry said the Syrian Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Defence and General Intelligence Directorate were among 12 entities no longer subject to an asset freeze.

The notice did not set out reasons for the de-listing.

In March, the government unfroze the assets of Syria's central bank and 23 other entities including banks and oil companies.

The British government has previously stressed that sanctions on members of the Assad regime would remain in place.

 (Reporting by Catarina Demony, writing by William James)