Britain Committed to Syria Sanctions after Brexit

A woman walks past a poster depicting Syria's president Bashar Assad in Damascus, Syria, March 5, 2020. (Reuters)
A woman walks past a poster depicting Syria's president Bashar Assad in Damascus, Syria, March 5, 2020. (Reuters)
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Britain Committed to Syria Sanctions after Brexit

A woman walks past a poster depicting Syria's president Bashar Assad in Damascus, Syria, March 5, 2020. (Reuters)
A woman walks past a poster depicting Syria's president Bashar Assad in Damascus, Syria, March 5, 2020. (Reuters)

Britain’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office announced on Friday that it was committed to holding to account officials responsible for war crimes in Syria.

As Brexit came into effect, the office issued a statement explaining that sanctions it used to impose through the European Union against president Bashar Assad's regime and its enablers will now be implemented autonomously, through UK regulations.

As a result, the Syria (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 came fully into force on December 31, 2020, it said.

They are intended to ensure that certain sanctions measures relating to Syria continue to operate effectively.

This sanctions regime “is aimed at encouraging the government of Syria to refrain from actions, policies or activities which repress the civilian population in Syria and participate in negotiations in good faith to reach a negotiated political settlement to bring about a peaceful solution to the conflict in Syria.”



Jordan Army Says It Thwarts Border Infiltration across Syria, One Killed

In this May 23, 2021, file photo, the Syria national flag is displayed at a gathering at Omayyid Square in the Syrian capital Damascus, Syria. (AP)
In this May 23, 2021, file photo, the Syria national flag is displayed at a gathering at Omayyid Square in the Syrian capital Damascus, Syria. (AP)
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Jordan Army Says It Thwarts Border Infiltration across Syria, One Killed

In this May 23, 2021, file photo, the Syria national flag is displayed at a gathering at Omayyid Square in the Syrian capital Damascus, Syria. (AP)
In this May 23, 2021, file photo, the Syria national flag is displayed at a gathering at Omayyid Square in the Syrian capital Damascus, Syria. (AP)

The Jordanian army said on Sunday it had killed one person and arrested six others who tried to cross the border from Syria.

Officials say there has been a spike in such attempts in recent weeks by drug and arms smugglers linked to pro-Iranian militias who hold sway in southern Syria.

The army says they have also used drones in their operations.

Damascus denies any complicity and says it tries to curb rampant drug and arms smuggling across the border with Jordan.