Washington opened the way for deals needed for humanitarian purposes, a move seen as an “important step” in easing Western sanctions regimes on the country.

The United States announced the easing of certain restrictions on Syria’s transitional government.

The U.S. Treasury Department late Monday issued a six-month general license authorizing certain transactions with the Syrian government, including some energy sales and incidental transactions.

The United States said the move was aimed at allowing humanitarian aid in after Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad was ousted last month. This shows that our efforts have made some progress Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS)The main group that ousted Assad is now leading Syria’s transition to strengthen international relations.

This operation will not delete any sanctions But it will ensure they “do not impede activities that meet basic human needs, including the provision of public services or humanitarian assistance,” the Treasury Department said.

U.S. Treasury Undersecretary Wally Adeyemo said the end of Assad’s “brutal and repressive rule backed by Russia and Iran” provides a unique opportunity for Syria and its people to rebuild.

“Treasury will continue to support humanitarian assistance and responsible governance in Syria during this transition period.”

A series of Western sanctions are crippling Syria’s economy and threatening its recovery after more than 13 years of civil war. USAand EU sanctions against Assad and his regime for war crimes and human rights violations.

However, despite Assad’s overthrow, sanctions remain in place. European officials recently said the restrictions would not be lifted unless Syria’s new rulers took a stand They will protect minorities and share power.

Syria’s new trade minister warned on Monday that Damascus would be unable to strike deals to import fuel, wheat or other key commodities because of tough U.S. sanctions, even though many countries, including Gulf Arab states, want to do so.

Maher Khalil Hassan told Reuters that Syria’s new ruling government had managed to raise enough wheat and fuel for several months but that the country would face a “catastrophe” if sanctions were not frozen or lifted soon.

“An important step”

“The new government… wants to lift all these sanctions. But this is an important step for the United States – because the EU and other Western allies also impose Western sanctions, but they see themselves mainly under the leadership of the United States,” Al Jazeera Diplomacy Editor James Bays reported from Damascus.

The announcement came after a meeting in Damascus between HTS leader Ahmed Sala, who has been allied with al-Qaeda, and top US diplomat in the Middle East Barbara Leaf.

The United States and the United Nations have long listed HTS as a terrorist organization. However, since Assad’s ouster, the United States has gradually lifted some penalties, including lifting the $10 million bounty on Salad.

Another positive development for Syria’s new rulers is a reduction in international flights to the war-torn country. Set to restore Tuesday.

No flights have taken off or landed since pro-Assad forces abandoned the Syrian capital’s airport on December 8.

Last Thursday, Qatar Airways announced that it would resume flights to Damascus after nearly 13 years, with three flights per week.