US President Donald Trump has announced that he will be removing sanctions from Syria. The statement came just a few days ahead of a scheduled meeting with the Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa. The two presidents are likely to meet on Wednesday during Trump’s Middle East visit in Saudi Arabia.
There were celebrations in Damascus shortly after the news broke. People crowded the streets, dancing and shooting guns into the air. The development was a radical change in US policy towards Syria.
Sanctions Blocked Aid and Investment
Syria has been designated a State Sponsor of Terrorism since December 1979. Due to the very reason, US imposed sanctions on the country, originally to punish Bashar al-Assad’s regime, with the aim to deprive it of resources that would hinder violence and terrorism but ultimately crippled its economy. Ninety percent of the population lived below the poverty line by the time Assad was overthrown in December.
Now, Syria hopes the change will open the door to rebuilding. “It’s a pivotal turning point,” said Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani. “We’re moving toward stability and self-reliance.”
Al-Sharaa Urges Global Legitimacy
Al-Sharaa, who rose to power following Assad’s fall, has consistently requested an end to the sanctions. He contends that Syria is no longer a threat. He has also urged the global community to lift the terrorist tag from Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the Islamist movement that contributed to the toppling of Assad.
HTS, previously associated with al-Qaeda, still appears on the US, UN, and EU terror lists. Al-Sharaa again reiterated his argument in a recent press conference meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron.
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Minority Tensions Remain High
Even though there have been assurances of protection for minorities, recent bloodshed has stoked fears. Hundreds of Alawites were killed in western Syria in clashes in March. These massacres have further exacerbated fears among other minority groups, particularly the Druze. There is occasional fighting in these areas.
Trump’s Move Backed by Allies
Trump declared the move was made after negotiations with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. “I like him too much,” Trump replied about the crown prince.
Former U.S. Ambassador to Syria Robert Ford lauded the move. “Syria needs money to rebuild. Sanctions had to go,” he added.
What’s Next?
Trump will proceed with his tour with stops in Qatar and the UAE. For Syria, sanctions relief could open the door to billions of dollars in aid and investment. But human rights and ethnic tensions issues remain unresolved.
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