Editor’s Note: A series of synchronized explosions targeting pagers used by Hezbollah has left both Lebanon and Syria grappling with the aftermath of a sophisticated and devastating attack. With at least nine lives lost and thousands injured, this incident underscores
‘Rule of law has been decimated,’ says law prof Alex Neve of Canadians detained in northeast Syria
Local officials want international help repatriating prisoners, say humanitarian delegation members
Refugees Reluctant to Return to Syria
Isabel Debre for the Associated Press reports that, as countries in the Middle East begin to restore relations with Syrian President Bashar Assad, many Syrian refugees who fled violence fear they will be forced to return to their homeland.
EU ups controls in an attempt to halt Salmonella outbreak
The European Commission has stepped in to try to stop a multi-year, multi-country Salmonella outbreak associated with sesame-based products. Several patients from the United States have been confirmed.
An increased level of official controls will be applied to tahini and
Army Special Forces soldiers vs Russian mercenaries in Syria
Explosions flashed in the fog hanging over the Euphrates River like a coming summer storm.
The continuous thunder of Russian guns pounded the American positions in a burned-out natural gas refinery in eastern Syria. Tracers crisscrossed the Syrian sky. The
UPDATED: OFAC Issues General License Authorizing Earthquake Relief Efforts in Syria – Provides Compliance Guidance
On February 10, 2023, the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) issued Syria General License (GL) 23 that authorizes until August 8, 2023 all transactions related to earthquake relief efforts in Syria that would otherwise be
BIS Announces Expedited Licensing Review for Exports to Turkey and Syria to Assist with Earthquake Relief Efforts
On February 17, 2023, the Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) issued a statement indicating that it will expedite the processing of export license applications for items needed to assist in ongoing relief efforts in Turkey and
OFAC and OFSI Issue Licenses for Humanitarian Aid in Syria and Turkey
On February 6, 2023, two massive earthquakes of 7.8 and 7.6 magnitude struck Turkey and Syria, resulting in substantial physical damage and tremendous loss of life with over 40,000 deaths as of February 14, 2023. Non-governmental organizations, the United Nations,
OFSI and ECJU Issue General Licences for Earthquake Relief in Syria
On February 15, 2023, HM Treasury’s Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (“OFSI”) issued General Licence INT/2023/2711256 (“GL”) in relation to humanitarian activity associated with earthquake relief efforts in Syria and Turkey. OFSI’s action follows a similar move by OFAC last
OFAC Issues General License for Earthquake Relief in Syria
Recognizing the importance of humanitarian aid to support rescue and recovery efforts in Syria, the US Department of the Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”) issued a new General License on February 9, 2023 focused on the Syrian earthquake.