Qatar Funds Syrian Salaries Amid U.S. Sanctions Exemption

Syria's Finance Minister, Mohammed Barnieh, announced Qatar will be making a monthly grant of $29 million, for three months, to pay public sector salaries in health, education, and social affairs, and non-military pensions. The arrangement extends on a month-to-month basis and falls under no U.S. sanctions. The mechanism will manage to stabilize wage payments, which will be facilitated through the United Nations. Barnieh thanked Qatar and the U.S. Treasury for creating the exemption.

The interim Syrian government that was established as a result of Bashar al-Assad's overthrow in December, has pursued international sanctions relief to respond to impending economic collapse. Barnieh said he was hopeful that the grant would build confidence and lead to additional lifting of restrictions. Barnieh reported that he was continuing the financial reforms necessary to strengthen the country's fiscal system, but reiterated that U.S. sanctions still depended on the country's counter-terrorism success.

Qatar and Turkey have been important supporters of Syria's interim authorities. Qatar's role fits with its regionally based influence, while the U.S. maintained sanctions placing similar responsibility on the action taken against terrorism. France's President Emmanuel Macron, during a visit by Syrian President Ahmed al Sharaa, said the EU could consider a "gradual lifting" of its sanctions and will consider it if the government can stabilize the country.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) will manage the Qatari funds, which represent approximately 20% of current public sector salaries. This route is designed to provide transparency and sanctions compliance and address concerns of aid diversion.