The authorization comes after rebels toppled the Syrian government last month and is intended to allow humanitarian groups to operate more freely without running afoul of U.S. sanctions.

The Biden administration is set to offer limited sanctions relief to Syria to boost the flow of humanitarian aid in the aftermath of President Bashar al-Assad’s downfall, people familiar with the matter said.

The decision by the outgoing Biden administration will send a signal of goodwill to Syria's new Islamist rulers.