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Official Journal EN
of the European Union L series
2024/380 22.1.2024
COUNCIL IMPLEMENTING DECISION (CFSP) 2024/380
of 22 January 2024
implementing Decision 2013/255/CFSP concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in
Syria
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Article 31(2) thereof,
Having regard to Council Decision 2013/255/CFSP of 31 May 2013 concerning restrictive measures in view of the
situation in Syria(1)and in particular Article 30(1) thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy,
Whereas:
(1) On 31 May 2013, the Council adopted Decision 2013/255/CFSP.
(2) The Council remains deeply concerned about the situation in Syria. After more than a decade, the conflict in Syria is
far from over and remains a source of suffering and instability.
(3) The Council notes that the Syrian regime continues to pursue its policy of repression and considers it necessary to
maintain and ensure the effectiveness of the restrictive measures in place, by further developing them while
maintaining their targeted and differentiated approach and bearing in mind the humanitarian conditions of the
Syrian population. The Council considers that certain categories of persons and entities are of particular relevance
for the effectiveness of these restrictive measures, given the specific context prevailing in Syria.
(4) In view of the gravity of the situation, the Council considers that six individuals and five entities should be added to
the list of natural and legal persons, entities or bodies subject to restrictive measures set out in Annex I to
Decision 2013/255/CFSP.
(5) Decision 2013/255/CFSP should therefore be amended accordingly,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
Article 1
Annex I to Decision 2013/255/CFSP is amended as set out in the Annex to this Decision.
Article 2
This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.
Done at Brussels, 22 January 2024.
For the Council
The President
J. BORRELL FONTELLES
(1) OJ L 147, 1.6.2013, p. 14.
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ANNEX
Annex I to Decision 2013/255/CFSP is amended as follows:
(1) the following entries are added to the list set out in section ‘A. Persons’ of Annex I to Decision 2013/255/CFSP:
Name Identifying information Reasons Date of listing
‘353. Mahmoud al-Dj Date of birth: 26.7.1983; Mahmoud al-Dj is a leading businessperson operating in Syria, who owns several 22.1.2024
companies active in different sectors such as logistics and tourism. He facilitates illicit
Place of birth: Tell Rifaat, Aleppo,
transactions between regime-affiliated persons and entities in Syria and Eastern Libya,
Syria;
including in relation to narcotics, and the shipments of arms and mercenaries. His
Nationality: Syrian/Libyan; position is enabled through his close ties with the Syrian regime, from which he and his
businesses are benefitting. His activities, on the other hand, support the Syrian regime
Gender: male
and enable it to access illicit revenues. He is therefore benefiting from, and providing
support to, the Syrian regime.
354. Yasser Hussein Ibrahim Date of birth: 9.4.1983; Yasser Ibrahim is an economic advisor to Bashar al-Assad and acts in the economic 22.1.2024
council run by Asma al-Assad. Together with Ali Najib Ibrahim he operates a number
Place of birth: Damascus, Syria;
of shell companies, and acts as a front for business activities of Bashar Al-Assad and
Nationality: Syrian; Asma Al-Assad. Therefore, Yasser Ibrahim is benefiting and supporting the Syrian
regime.
Gender: male
355. Bilal al-Naal Date of birth:14.4.1975; Bilal al-Naal is a founder and partner of multiple trading and investment companies in 22.1.2024
Syria.
(a.k.a. al-Na’al) Place of birth: Damascus, Syria;
He is a member of the Syrian-Russian Business Council making him instrumental in
Nationality: Syrian;
the economic ties between Russia and the Syrian regime. Al-Naal is also a member of
Gender: male the Syrian parliament and former member of the Damascus governorate council.
Therefore, Bilal al-Naal is a leading business person in Syria, who is in this capacity
supporting and benefiting from the Syrian regime. He is also associated with Fadi Saqr,
Cham Holding and Bishr Al-Sabban.
356. Fahad Darwish Date of birth:1955; Fahd Darwish is President of the Joint Syrian-Iranian Chamber of Commerce. In 22.1.2024
addition, Darwish owns and runs multiple businesses in Syria active in different sectors
(a.k.a. Fahd/Fahed) Place of birth: Damascus, Syria;
such as trading and pharmaceuticals.
Nationality: Syrian/Iranian;
Therefore, Darwish is a leading businessperson operating in Syria, who is, in this
Gender: male capacity, supporting and benefitting from the Syrian regime.
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Name Identifying information Reasons Date of listing
357. Mohannad al-Dabbagh Date of birth: 6.3.1967; Mohannad al-Dabbagh is a cousin of Asma al-Assad. He co-owns Takamol LLC, a 22.1.2024
company responsible for managing the electronic “smart card program” used since
Nationality: Syrian/Iranian;
2014 to distribute subsidised food and other products in Syria under the umbrella of
Gender: male the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Protection. In particular, Takamol LLC
earns a fee for every transaction operated through the smart card.
Mohannad al-Dabbagh is therefore benefitting from and supporting the Syrian regime.
358. Firas al-Akhras Date of birth: 1.3.1978; Firas al-Akhras is the brother of Asma al-Assad. He is co-owner of the Takamol LLC 22.1.2024’
company responsible for managing the electronic “smart card program” used since
Place of birth: London, United
2014 to distribute subsidised food and other products in Syria, under the umbrella of
Kingdom;
the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Protection. In particular, Takamol LLC
Nationality: Syrian; earns a fee for every transaction operated through the smart card.
Gender: male Firas al-Akhras is therefore benefitting from and supporting the Syrian regime.
(2) the following entries are added to the list set out in section ‘B. Entities’ of Annex I to Decision 2013/255/CFSP:
Name Identifying information Reasons Date of listing
‘91. Al-Dj Group Place of registration: Damascus, Al-Dj Group is a Syrian business entity, owned and managed by Mahmoud al-Dj. As a 22.1.2024
Syria; holding company it owns and operates the Freebird Travel Agency, an agent for Cham
(a.k.a ALDJ)
Wings Airlines, which is conducting frequent flights between Syria and Libya,
Principal place of business: Syria
smuggling mercenaries, and narcotics. Al-Dj Group is further associated with Al-Tair
Company, which is also owned by Mahmoud al-Dj.
Through this scheme of business relations, in which Al-Dj Group plays a central role,
cargo shipping and flights are used for illicit transactions between regime-affiliated
persons and entities in Syria and Eastern Libya, including narcotics.
Al-Dj Group’s activities benefit the Syrian regime and support it in accessing illicit
revenues.
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Name Identifying information Reasons Date of listing
92. Cham Wings Place of registration: Damascus, Cham Wings Airlines is a Syrian business entity which is owned by Muhammad Issam 22.1.2024
Syria; Shammout.
Principal place of business: Also, Cham Wings uses its flights to engage in the transfer of Syrian mercenaries, arms
Damascus, Syria trade, narcotics trafficking, and money laundering, which supports the activities of the
Syrian regime. As the only private airline in Syria, Cham Wings is therefore benefiting
from, and providing support to the Syrian regime.
93. Freebird Travel Agency Place of registration: Syria, Dubai; The Freebird Travel Agency is a Syrian business entity owned and operated by Al-Dj 22.1.2024
Group, which in turn is owned and managed by Mahmoud al-Dj.
Principal place of business:
Damascus, Syria Freebird serves as principal agent for Cham Wings Airlines. and, thereby benefits from
and provides support to the regime.
94. Iloma Investment Private Place of registration: Damascus, Iloma Investment Private JSC has been established at the beginning of 2023 to take 22.1.2024
JSC Syria; over almost half of the ownership of Damascus airport.
(a.k.a. Eloma) Date of registration: 2023; Iloma is a front for the Assad family and part of the regime’s efforts to personally gain
from manipulation of the economy. Therefore, Iloma is supporting and benefiting
Principal place of business:
from the Syrian regime.
Damascus, Syria
95. Al-Aqila Company Place of registration: Damascus, Al-Aqila Company entered into a joint venture with the Iranian Alborz Insurance 22.1.2024’
Syria; Company, in a move arranged between the two regimes to strengthen Iran’s position in
(a.k.a. al-Akila/Al-Aqeela
the Syrian economy.
Insurance Company) Date of registration: 2007;
In the current Syrian business environment, such a joint venture requires the support
Principal place of business: Syria
of the Syrian Regime. Therefore, the Al-Aqila Company is supporting and benefitting
from the Syrian regime.
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