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EU Sanctions 11 Syrian Businessmen, 5 Entities

The European Council headquarters in Brussels. (AFP)
The European Council headquarters in Brussels. (AFP)
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EU Sanctions 11 Syrian Businessmen, 5 Entities

The European Council headquarters in Brussels. (AFP)
The European Council headquarters in Brussels. (AFP)

The European Council added eleven prominent businessmen and five entities to the list of those subject to restrictive measures against the Syrian regime and its supporters.

These businessmen and companies are involved in luxury estate development and other regime-backed projects, and as such support or benefit from the Syrian regime, said the Council’s statement on Monday.

The statement named: Anas Talas who is a leading businessperson operating in Syria, with interests and activities in multiple sectors of Syria's economy. He benefits from and supports the Syrian regime. In 2018 the Talas Group, chaired by Anas himself, entered into a SYP 23 billion joint venture with Damascus Cham Holding for the construction of Marota City, a regime-backed luxury residential and commercial development.

Nazir Ahmad Jamal Eddine, who is also a leading businessperson operating in Syria with significant investments in the construction industry, was named in the statement. He holds a controlling 90 percent stake in Apex Development and Projects LLC, which has entered into a $34.8 million joint venture for the construction of Marota. He benefits from and supports the Syrian regime.

Mazin al-Tarazi has significant investments in the construction and aviation sectors. Through his investments and activities, he benefits from and supports the Syrian regime.

Also on the sanctions list, Samer Foz, Khaldoun al-Zoubi, Vice President of Aman Holding, and Aleppo MP Hussam al-Qatirji who supports and benefits from the regime through enabling, and profiting from, trade deals with the regime in relation to oil and wheat.

Bashar Assi is the founding partner of Fly Aman airline and Chairman of the Board of Directors of “Aman Damascus”. In addition to Khaled al-Zubaidi who has significant investments in construction, and owns a 50 percent stake in Zubaidi and Qalei LLC.

Zubaidi and Qalei LLC is constructing the luxury tourist city Grand Town and to which the regime has granted a 45-year agreement in return for 19-21 percent of its revenue.

Hayan Qaddour, and Maen Haykal, both major contributors in Exceed Development and Investment and were named on the list.

The final businessman sanctioned is Nader Qalei who has significant investments in the construction industry and a 50 percent stake in Zubaidi and Qalei LLC.

The statement also identified the following entities: Rawafed Damascus Private Joint Stock Company, Aman Damascus Joint Stock Company, Bunyan Damascus Private Joint Stock Company, Mirza, and Developers Private Joint Stock Company.

With that, the sanctions list now includes 270 persons and 72 entities who are also under restrictive measures such as travel ban and asset freeze.

EU sanctions currently in place against Syria also include an oil embargo, restrictions on certain investments, a freeze of the assets of the Syrian central bank held in the EU, and export restrictions on equipment and technology that might be used for internal repression, as well as on equipment and technology for the monitoring or interception of internet or telephone communications.

Sanctions on Syria were originally imposed in 2011 and are reviewed on an annual basis. The next review is due by June 1.

In its statement, the EU asserted that it remains committed to finding a “lasting and credible political solution to the conflict in Syria as defined in the UN Security Council resolution 2254 and in the 2012 Geneva Communique and as s stated in the EU strategy on Syria adopted in April 2017.”

“The EU believes that there can be no military solution to the conflict and strongly supports the work of the UN Special Envoy and the intra-Syrian talks in Geneva,” the statement concluded.

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Arab World

Hezbollah Responds to Disarmament Efforts with Media Campaign, Political Escalation

Hezbollah’s Liaison and Coordination Official, Wafiq Safa, speaking to the media earlier... at the site of the assassination of Hezbollah's Secretary-General, Hassan Nasrallah, in southern Beirut's suburbs (EPA)
Hezbollah’s Liaison and Coordination Official, Wafiq Safa, speaking to the media earlier... at the site of the assassination of Hezbollah's Secretary-General, Hassan Nasrallah, in southern Beirut's suburbs (EPA)
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Hezbollah Responds to Disarmament Efforts with Media Campaign, Political Escalation

Hezbollah’s Liaison and Coordination Official, Wafiq Safa, speaking to the media earlier... at the site of the assassination of Hezbollah's Secretary-General, Hassan Nasrallah, in southern Beirut's suburbs (EPA)
Hezbollah’s Liaison and Coordination Official, Wafiq Safa, speaking to the media earlier... at the site of the assassination of Hezbollah's Secretary-General, Hassan Nasrallah, in southern Beirut's suburbs (EPA)

Amid ongoing Lebanese and international efforts to centralize weaponry under the control of the Lebanese state and enforce UN Resolution 1701, statements and campaigns launched by Hezbollah officials threaten to disrupt a path that had been clearly outlined by President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam.

Both leaders remain committed to dialogue in pursuit of an internal understanding, steering clear of any internal conflicts.

Recently, Hezbollah officials have made noteworthy statements following the President's announcement that 2025 will be the year to consolidate weapons under state authority.

Aoun reaffirmed that communication between the presidency and Hezbollah remains active, with tangible results on the ground.

He also highlighted that he and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri are in agreement on all matters, particularly the goal of placing weapons solely under the control of the state.

After Hezbollah's Deputy Political Council Head, Mahmoud Qamati, threatened to sever any hand that reaches for “the resistance's weapons,” he later clarified that his remarks were aimed at those launching campaigns against him and calling for the disarmament of Hezbollah.

Meanwhile, the party's liaison and coordination official, Wafiq Safa, told Al-Nour Radio, a Hezbollah-affiliated station, that the term “disarmament” only exists on social media and among instigators.

He emphasized that discussions on a defense strategy would only take place after Israel’s withdrawal and cessation of its attacks, asserting that the strategy begins with equipping the army.

Addressing the resistance's supporters, Safa advised, “Do not be influenced by all the false narratives you hear. No force can disarm us.”

He further urged them to trust Hezbollah and its leadership, as they had trusted the late Secretary-General, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah.

On Thursday, MP Hassan Fadlallah launched a scathing attack on the Lebanese state, accusing it of failing to fulfill its duties in confronting external aggressions. He linked any dialogue about a “defense strategy” to the conditions of ending attacks, liberating land, freeing prisoners, and rebuilding.
“When these issues are resolved, and when the state fully assumes its responsibilities, ensuring our people's blood is no longer spilled, our land is no longer occupied, and our homes are no longer destroyed, we will discuss other matters, including the defense strategy.”

As Fadlallah denounced a “psychological war” against the resistance, it was notable that Hezbollah launched an advertising campaign with posters bearing the slogan:

“Your weapon is your steed... Protect it, and it will protect you,” signaling the group's firm stance on retaining its weapons. One poster also featured an image of the group's former media official, Mohammad Afif, with the inscription: “Hezbollah is a nation, and nations do not die.”

Hezbollah’s recent media messages, primarily revolving around the party's weaponry and defense strategy, are seen by Lebanese ministerial sources as “directed more at the party’s base than at the Lebanese state or the international community.”

These sources believe that the decision has already been made, and the process of centralizing weapons under the state's control has begun. They describe these statements as part of “domestic consumption” aimed at preparing the party's supporters for the changes unfolding, sending a message to the internal audience that “we are still here.”

The sources characterize the positions as “unrealistic,” noting that no Lebanese official has suggested disarming Hezbollah by force.

Instead, President Aoun, the government, and its leadership have emphasized dialogue on limiting weapons to the state and pursuing a defense strategy, while focusing on maintaining civil peace and avoiding sectarian conflict. These points are also underscored by international communications.

The sources further recall what they consider to be “established principles” that were clearly outlined in the President's inaugural speech and in the government’s ministerial statement, which was approved by Hezbollah and its parliamentary bloc.

They also note that the ceasefire agreement, approved by Hezbollah and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, was reached in the previous government in which Hezbollah participated.

Political analyst Ali Amin argues that some Hezbollah officials' statements about disarming the party reflect internal confusion within the group's leadership and an attempt to raise the negotiating stakes, both with Iran vis-à-vis Washington and with Lebanon's official authorities.

“Some of the media campaigns and statements by Hezbollah officials reflect this internal struggle more than they signal a firm stance on the issue of placing weapons solely under the state's control,” he told Asharq Al-Awsat.

“Hezbollah, both in its Lebanese leadership and Iranian reference, understands that avoiding a solution to the issue of illegal weapons is no longer possible after the consequences of the 'support war' and the fall of the Assad regime in Syria, with near-unanimous Lebanese agreement on the need to centralize arms in the state,” he explained.

“Adding to this is the ongoing Israeli aggression against Lebanon, with no response from Hezbollah or any capability for retaliation, confirming that the party is in no position to continue opposing these new realities that did not exist before the war.”

“The only remaining function for weapons not aimed at Israel is an internal one—engaging in an internal war, which is unlikely to occur given the ongoing regional and international support for Lebanon,” Amin concluded, adding that “this support has played a crucial role in reorganizing constitutional institutions and pushing for urgent financial reforms.”

He believes the confusion and failure to grasp the ongoing transformations reflect internal party dynamics more than a broader conflict between Hezbollah and external forces.