Damascus, May 14: US President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that the United States would lift sanctions on Syria, a move that is expected to aid the country’s reconstruction efforts after years of civil war. The decision comes ahead of a meeting between Trump and Syria’s interim president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, in Saudi Arabia, as part of his ongoing Middle East tour.
The sanctions, which had previously blocked foreign financing and aid, were originally imposed to pressure the government of Bashar al-Assad. However, with the fall of Assad’s regime in December, Syria has been pushing for the lifting of these restrictions to rebuild the war-torn country. Trump’s announcement was met with celebratory gunfire and cheers in Damascus, signaling widespread support for the policy shift.
In a statement at an investment forum in Riyadh, Trump framed the decision as an opportunity for Syria to “shine,” offering the nation “a chance at greatness.” He added, “It’s their time to shine.”
Syria’s Foreign Minister, Asaad al-Shaibani, called the lifting of sanctions a “pivotal turning point for the country.” In an interview with the state news agency Sana, al-Shaibani expressed optimism about Syria’s future, saying the nation was poised for “stability, self-sufficiency, and genuine reconstruction after years of destructive war.”
Syria’s new government has long advocated for the end of sanctions, which have kept 90 percent of its population living below the poverty line. The sanctions were initially imposed to punish Assad’s regime, but with his overthrow, the current administration views them as an unnecessary barrier to recovery.
Ahmed al-Sharaa, who assumed leadership after the fall of Assad, reiterated the call for lifting sanctions in interviews with foreign media, including a BBC broadcast in late 2024. He also called for the de-listing of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a group formerly aligned with al-Qaeda, which played a role in Assad’s ousting. Al-Sharaa insists that the regime responsible for the previous crimes is no longer in power, adding weight to his appeal for a more favorable international stance toward Syria.
Despite these calls for reconciliation, tensions remain, especially after violent clashes in March between Syrian security forces and Assad loyalists. These clashes, along with ongoing strife between rebel factions and religious minorities, have left many communities fearful about Syria’s future stability.
The US decision to lift sanctions marks a shift in its foreign policy approach, which had previously conditioned the easing of sanctions on improvements in minority rights within Syria. Trump stated that the move followed requests from Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman and Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, adding, “Oh, what I do for the Crown Prince,” indicating his close relationship with the Saudi leader.
Robert Ford, a former US ambassador to Syria under President Obama, praised the lifting of sanctions, highlighting the need for foreign capital to help Syria rebuild.
“The country is devastated after the 13-year civil war. It needs reconstruction, it needs foreign financing to do that,” Ford said in a BBC interview.
Trump’s visit to the Arab Gulf states will continue with stops in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, further cementing the strategic partnerships in the region.
