Taking Additional Steps With Respect to the Situation in Syria

This executive order amends Executive Order 13894 to remove specific references to Turkey's 2019 military offensive in northeast Syria and broadens the sanctions criteria to target persons who assist or are controlled by blocked individuals. It narrows certain geographic and actor-specific provisions while expanding the scope of secondary sanctions-style designations.

Federal Register Open PDF 90 FR 6709

Key directives

Strike Turkey military offensive language from EO 13894 second paragraph
Replace subsections (1)(a)(i)(B)-(F) with new material support and ownership/control criteria
Strike subsection 8(f) of EO 13894

Timeline

Immediate

Removal of Turkey-specific language from sanctions authorities
Expanded blocking criteria take effect for material support and ownership/control

Near term (90d)

Treasury/State Department implementation of revised designation criteria
Potential redesignations or delistings based on amended standards

Long term

Shift in U.S. sanctions posture toward Syria reflecting 'changing circumstances on the ground'
Potential recalibration of Turkey-U.S. relations regarding Syria policy

Risks & tensions

Vague 'changing circumstances on the ground' justification without specification—may reflect post-Assad transition or regional realignment
Removal of Turkey-specific language could signal diplomatic thaw or reduced accountability for 2019 offensive, but text does not specify intent
Broadened 'material support' and 'owned or controlled' criteria risk overbroad application affecting humanitarian actors
No stated transition period or guidance for existing designations under removed provisions