Urooj Nazir
The economy of Syria has been severely impacted by international sanctions that were put in place to put pressure on President Bashar al-Assad’s government. Sanctions have harmed regular Syrians even if they were meant to hold the government accountable for abuses of human rights. Reconstruction efforts have been hindered, foreign financial transactions have been prohibited, and access to necessities has been restricted. This article examines the dispute around the effects of sanctions and how they have influenced Syria’s economy.
The Intent of Sanctions
Following the government’s brutal suppression of protests during the Arab Spring, sanctions were imposed on Syria in 2011. Wide-ranging sanctions targeting important areas of the Syrian economy were enforced by the US, the EU, and other countries. By severing key sources of income, including oil exports and international investments, these sanctions were intended to erode Assad’s regime.
Individuals in Assad’s inner circle were also the focus of several restrictions, which prohibited them from travelling abroad and frozen their assets. Isolating the regime and pressuring it to engage in political talks were the goals of these actions. Critics counter that sanctions haven’t succeeded in achieving these objectives.
Economic Impact on Ordinary Syrians
Ordinary individuals have been disproportionately affected of the sanctions’ impacts, which have spread throughout Syria’s economy. There are now acute shortages of food, medicine, and fuel as a result of import restrictions. Nowadays, basic items are either out of reach or too costly.
For the majority of Syrians, hyperinflation has made living intolerable. Since the conflict began, the value of the Syrian pound has dropped by over 90%. Once accessible to all, a loaf of bread today accounts for a sizeable amount of a family’s daily income. Millions of people now lack access to life-saving therapies due to the skyrocketing cost of medications.
Small enterprises, meanwhile, find it difficult to function. Due to banking constraints, many people are unable to access raw materials or carry out foreign transactions. More families are living in poverty as a result of the skyrocketing unemployment rate.
Impact on Reconstruction Efforts
Syria’s post-conflict reconstruction has also been hampered by sanctions. After years of fighting, the nation’s infrastructure—from roads to hospitals—lies in ruins. Sanctions prevent the importation of materials and international investments needed to rebuild these facilities.
Even humanitarian endeavors encounter obstacles. Aid groups report that sending money to Syria and importing equipment is challenging. Rebuilding hospitals, schools, and homes for displaced families is slowed significantly as a result.
Sanctions, according to critics, are ineffective in this situation. They contend that blocking reconstruction merely makes everyday Syrians’ misery worse while the dictatorship seeks other means of surviving.
How the Regime Adapts
Assad’s regime has managed to stay in power in spite of the sanctions. Allies like Russia and Iran, who get under international sanctions to give the regime financial and military backing, are crucial to its survival.
Black market and smuggling operations have also exploded. Weapons and oil, among other banned items, are still getting into the nation illegally. Corruption has spread widely, and elites with ties to the dictatorship profit from these illegal networks.
In Syria, this dynamic exacerbates inequity even further. The mass of Syrians are suffering more and more, while a select few wealthy people prosper.
The Debate Over Sanctions
It’s still debatable if the sanctions on Syria are effective. Supporters contend that they are required to force Assad’s government to engage in peace talks and to hold him responsible for violations of human rights. They contend that removing the sanctions will benefit the government without bringing about political reform.
Opponents, however, argue that sanctions hurt people more than they hurt the regime. They highlight how sanctions are powerless to compel Assad to make concessions and the terrible economic effects on regular Syrians. Humanitarian organizations have demanded that sanctions be loosened to permit the importation of necessities.
Concerns have also been voiced by the UN. According to recent reports, UN authorities advised penalizing nations to make sure that their actions do not impede humanitarian aid.
Global Perspectives and Future Outlook
The topic continues to divide the international community. Sanctions are still strictly enforced by Western countries, especially the US and the EU. China and Russia, however, have pressed for their expulsion, claiming that they worsen the humanitarian situation in Syria.
The question of whether sanctions should be maintained looms big as Syria’s economy continues to worsen. Instead of sweeping policies that hurt the entire populace, critics stress the necessity for tailored sanctions that target regime elites.
The economy of Syria has been severely damaged as a result of sanctions. Even while their goal was to put pressure on Assad’s regime, it is impossible to overlook how they affected regular people. Hunger, poverty, and lack of access to basic services have all increased for Syrians.
The international community needs to reconsider its strategy as the humanitarian catastrophe deepens. A more successful approach might be provided by targeted sanctions in conjunction with diplomatic initiatives. Millions of people’s suffering might be lessened at the same time by relaxing limits on reconstruction and humanitarian relief. Ensuring that sanctions accomplish their intended purpose without causing needless harm must be the ultimate goal.
