End the Sanctions on Syria

A building destroyed by the Syria earthquake. csi

The sanctions imposed on Syria by the United States and its allies have contributed to one of the worst humanitarian disasters of our time. CSI advocates for the lifting of sanctions.

For 13 years, the United States and its allies have waged a hybrid war to undermine or overthrow the government of Syria. In this struggle, they not only subjected the people of Syria to a devastating sanctions regime, but also backed a wide array of armed rebel groups – including jihadist group Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). Now the Syrian regime has fallen and HTS has assumed power.

CSI recommits itself to solidarity with the Christians of Syria and with all the people of Syria. We will continue to advocate for their protection, and to support humanitarian aid and development projects in Syria.

How you can help

Sign the Global Network for Syria petition to end the sanctions!

Campaign news

Suleiman Khalil and his wife, Eva. csi

Syria: U.S. Congressmen ask Ambassador Barrack to help Suleiman Khalil

Congressman Gus Bilirakis, Jamie Baird, and Ryan Mackenzie call on U.S. Syria envoy to help free imprisoned Christian mayor.

Natalie Khalil at the State Department, 15-9-2026

CSI brings daughter of Syrian Christian prisoner to Washington DC

Suleiman Khalil, 52, has been detained by the new Syrian government for 19 months. His daughter, Natalie, was in Washington DC this week to raise her father's case with members of Congress and the State Department.

A mosque in Aleppo. csi.

Syria: Attacks on Religious Minorities – June 2026

Alawites, Druzes, Shi'ites and Christians in Syria are at heightened risk of being abducted or killed extrajudicially. This monthly update highlights known or suspected attacks against religious minorities in Syria, as an indicator of the ongoing threats to religious minorities in the country.

20260312_Oral statement for Suleiman Khalil_UN

من داخل الأمم المتحدة، منظمة التضامن المسيحي الدولي تُدين استمرار اعتقال سليمان خليل

سلّطت منظمة التضامن المسيحي الدولي الضوءَ على استمرار احتجاز رئيس بلدية صدد السابق سليمان خليل، وذلك من خلال مداخلة رسمية أمام مجلس حقوق الإنسان في جنيف.

20260312_Oral statement for Suleiman Khalil_UN

At UN, CSI condemns Syria’s continued detention of Suleiman Khalil

Christian Solidarity International (CSI) has highlighted the continued detention of former Syrian mayor Suleiman Khalil in an intervention at the Human Rights Council in Geneva.

Nadine Maenza, a human rights expert, called Suleiman Khalil's imprisonment a case of "arbitrary detention."

سوريا: قضية سليمان خليل تُعرض أمام لجنة الشؤون الخارجية في مجلس النواب الأمريكي

في شهادة مكتوبة حول أوضاع المسيحيين في سوريا، سلّطت خبيرة حقوق الإنسان نادين ماينزا الضوء على احتجاز سليمان خليل "دون السماح له بالتواصل مع أسرته ودون توجيه أي تهم إليه."

Nadine Maenza, a human rights expert, called Suleiman Khalil's imprisonment a case of "arbitrary detention."

Syria: Suleiman Khalil’s case brought before House Foreign Affairs Committee

In written testimony about the situation for Christians in Syria, human rights expert Nadine Maenza highlights Khalil's detention "incommunicado and without charges."

Suleiman Khalil, former mayor of Sadad, has been held incommunicado since February 8.

Human rights groups make joint appeal for Suleiman Khalil’s release from prison in Syria

In Defense of Christians and Christian Solidarity International have issued a joint statement on the one-year anniversary of Khalil’s detention.

Syria expert Fabrice Balanche

Fabrice Balanche: Syria is developing into an authoritarian Islamic republic

Syria expert Fabrice Balanche talks about the tense situation in Syria in an interview with CSI-Germany. He says that the new ruler, Ahmed al-Sharaa, is leading an Islamist regime that will persecute minorities and introduce Sharia law.