Authored by Dave DeCamp by way of AntiWar.com,

The State Division on the began of this week reaffirmed its opposition to international locations upgrading their ties with the federal government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, even whether it is an effort to assist Syria’s earthquake reduction.

“Our place on the Assad regime has not modified. Now is just not the time for normalization. Now is just not the time to improve relations with the Assad regime,” State Division spokesman Ned Worth mentioned in response to the information of Egypt’s overseas minister visiting Syria and Turkey.

“We imagine we will fulfill and that international locations all over the world can fulfill each of those imperatives, addressing the humanitarian wants of the Turkish individuals, addressing the humanitarian wants of the Syrian individuals, with out altering or upgrading their relationship with the Assad regime,” Worth added.

The dying toll from the earthquake stands at over 5,900 individuals in Syria and over 44,000 in Turkey, however the numbers are anticipated to rise. When the earthquake first hit, Worth mentioned the US wouldn’t work with Assad’s authorities on the reduction effort, saying it will be “counterproductive.”

Because it’s grow to be clear that the US-backed regime change effort in opposition to Assad has failed, extra international locations within the area have been participating along with his authorities. Engagement with Assad has stepped up because the earthquake as Syria’s neighbors need to assist out.

The US has issued a 180-day exemption for its sanctions on Syria that applies to transactions associated to earthquake reduction.

However UN consultants say the exemption isn’t sufficient and are calling for the US to completely carry the sanctions, that are particularly designed to stop Syria’s reconstruction.

#Syria
Arab Parliamentary Delegation Meets Syria President

Numerous parliament audio system of Arab states visited #Damascus in an unprecedented transfer over the past 12 years aiming at exhibiting help for Syria and held talks with Bashar al-Assad.

Element: https://t.co/CiWXmRM4wG pic.twitter.com/g5X1I09gfU

— IWN (@A7_Mirza) February 28, 2023

US sanctions on Syria have had a devastating affect on the Syrian individuals, as lately detailed by Alena Douhan, a UN particular rapporteur on unilateral coercive measures, who visited the nation within the fall.