Request to Reconsider Syrian Account Restrictions in Light of Recent U.S. Sanctions Changes #159352
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Select Topic AreaQuestion BodyDear GitHub Support Team, I hope this message finds you well. I am writing on behalf of a growing community of Syrian software developers who rely heavily on GitHub for access to educational resources, collaboration on open-source projects, and career opportunities in the global tech industry. Recently, former U.S. President Donald Trump publicly announced that all sanctions on Syria have been lifted. While we understand that GitHub must comply with official U.S. regulations as administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), we kindly ask that you review whether this change may allow GitHub to revise its current restrictions on Syrian accounts. We believe open-source collaboration should remain accessible to developers worldwide, especially those in conflict-affected regions who seek peaceful and constructive engagement through technology. We respectfully request that GitHub investigate the implications of these reported changes and consider restoring access for Syrian developers, or at the very least, provide a clear official position regarding this matter. We are hopeful that GitHub, as a leader in the global open-source community, will continue to support inclusion and opportunity regardless of geography. Sincerely, |
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Replies: 6 comments 8 replies
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Thank you @abdulmalekDery very much for sharing your thoughts and the feelings of the Syrian developer community. Your words are important and greatly appreciated by us. We fully understand the importance of the news you mentioned regarding the sanctions, and the hope it holds for your developers. As you know, official and legal matters usually take their own course and time. Announcements may be a first step, but practical implementation on the ground may require further procedures and clarifications. Over the years, our approach at GitHub has always been to support and advocate for access for developers from all over the world, as far as laws and regulations allow. This is a fundamental principle for us, and it is reflected in our policies, details of which can be found at https://github.com/about/developer-policy/. We are closely following developments, and any potential policy changes based on legal updates will certainly be seriously considered. We still have more work to do. We want every developer to be able to collaborate on GitHub within the bounds of the law. Stay tuned. We appreciate your patience and understanding. We are always interested in hearing from you and staying in touch to better understand the challenges and aspirations. Our heartfelt wishes to you and all the wonderful programmers in Syria for all the best and success. |
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Hello Mike Thanks for the detailed reply and clarification. Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) issued [Syria General License (GL) 25] Treasury Issues Immediate Sanctions Relief for Syria Thanks in advance. |
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Hello Mike, I have these sanction restrictions on my account. Not very long ago US put sanctions on Russian companies and government organisations. I'm just a student that has no connection to government organisations or companies under US sanctions. I just want to build software with my friends on hachatons and GitHub is the main and best tool for collaborative development. How can I remove these restrictions? I've submitted a form in Airtable but I've no response. GitHub support is not answering my tickets for months. Please, help me, thank you for your time |
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Dear GitHub Team, On May 23, 2025, the U.S. Treasury issued General License 25, which allows transactions with Syria’s interim government, central bank, and state enterprises and permits new investments and export of services to Syria Right now, many Syrian developers cannot fully use GitHub because of country restrictions. But GL 25 shows that most sanctions have been lifted. Unblocking Syrian accounts will let talented developers learn, share code, and work with others around the world. This can bring hope and new skills to communities still recovering from war. Please update GitHub’s policy to reflect GL 25 and restore access for Syrian developers. By doing this, GitHub will help rebuild lives in Syria and strengthen the open‑source community everywhere. Many Thanks. |
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Dear GitHub Support Team @mlinksva , I hope this message finds you well. My name is Kenan Wahbeh, and I am a student currently studying Business Administration in Univesity Of The People. I’m writing to express my full support for the message recently shared by Eng.Abdul Malek Dery @abdulmalekDery on behalf of the Syrian developer community. Like many young students and aspiring developers here, I believe deeply in the power of open-source collaboration and the opportunities it brings for learning, growth, and meaningful global engagement. Being a student in Syria, I rely heavily on platforms like GitHub to access valuable educational resources, contribute to open-source projects, and develop the skills necessary to become a successful developer. These tools are not just about coding — they represent a bridge to knowledge, innovation, and international cooperation. We understand that GitHub must comply with U.S. export regulations and legal requirements. However, we respectfully ask that GitHub consider the potential impact of recent developments regarding sanctions on Syria, and whether these changes could allow for expanded access to GitHub services for students and developers in our country. We come from a peaceful and welcoming community that seeks progress through technology, education, and collaboration. Our goal is to grow as developers, contribute to the global tech ecosystem, and help advance fields such as medicine and data science through unbiased, transparent research and development. Allowing us to fully participate in the GitHub community would not only empower our personal growth but also enrich the diversity and inclusiveness that make open-source development so powerful. Thank you very much for your time and understanding. We truly appreciate GitHub’s ongoing efforts to support developers around the world, and we remain hopeful for a future where geography does not limit opportunity. Wishing you all the best, |
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Is there any update on this? I just got my account banned. Please HELP @mlinksva |
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I just got my account back, Thank you so much. |
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Hey. How did you manage to get your account back? Mine was restricted ~3 months ago. I went to the UAE, submitted an appeal and It's been 2 months almost and I haven't heard back. I even opened a ticket. Their staff are extremely unresponsive. |
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didnt do anything other than commenting here. |
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can you please help me with my account @mlinksva it's also banned |
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still banned here :( |
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Hey @mlinksva, I also lost access to all my private repos after accessing GitHub from Syria without a VPN. Is there anything you can do to help restore access? |
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@mlinksva same with me, I have left syria now and I urgently need access to my repositories! Please help :( I submitted an appeal already but would really appreciate a quick review! |
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Same here, visiting syria and my account is fully restricted now |
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Thank you @abdulmalekDery very much for sharing your thoughts and the feelings of the Syrian developer community. Your words are important and greatly appreciated by us.
We fully understand the importance of the news you mentioned regarding the sanctions, and the hope it holds for your developers. As you know, official and legal matters usually take their own course and time. Announcements may be a first step, but practical implementation on the ground may require further procedures and clarifications.
Over the years, our approach at GitHub has always been to support and advocate for access for developers from all over the world, as far as laws and regulations allow. This is a fundamental…