The US Treasury said in a statement that Trump’s decree on Monday provides sanctions relief to “entities crucial to Syria’s development, the operation of its government, and the rebuilding of the country’s social fabric.”
Prior to the start of the Syrian civil war in 2011, the Syrian government has been subject to severe US financial penalties.
The country’s reconstruction efforts have been hampered by the sprawling sanction program, which included provisions relating to the former government’s human rights violations. Additionally, it has contributed to al-Assad’s regime’s economic collapse.
Trump made the promise to ease sanctions against Syria during his May Middle East visit.
In a statement released on Monday, the US president said, “The United States is committed to supporting a Syria that is stable, unified, and at peace with itself and its neighbors.”
Regional security and prosperity will be supported by a united Syria that doesn’t provide a safe haven for terrorist organizations and protects the security of its ethnic and religious minorities.
Iran and its allies, ISIL, and al-Assad’s associates will continue to be subject to sanctions, according to the US administration.
Some Syria sanctions may not be revoked right away, even though the US Treasury claimed to have already removed 518 Syrian individuals and organizations from its list of sanctions.
For instance, Trump orders US agencies to check whether the requirements for the Caesar Act, which forbade the Syrian economy from pleading guilty to alleged war crimes against civilians, are met.
A bill that would legalize sanctions on Syria and provide long-term relief had been introduced earlier this week by Democratic US Congresswoman Ilhan Omar and Republican lawmaker Anna Paulina Luna.
Some laws must be repealed in order for the Syrian people to truly find solace.
The sanctions are permanently lifted by my bill and @RepLuna give Syria post-Assad a chance to fight. https://t.co/gExbLiKS7z
Secretary of State Marco Rubio was given the order by Trump to review the designation of interim Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa as a “Specially Designated Global Terrorist.”
Additionally, the US president ordered a review of al-Sharaa’s organization, al-Nusra Front, which is now Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) as a designated “foreign terrorist” organization. Al-Nusra was al-Qaeda’s Syrian affiliate, but al-Sharaa cut ties with it in 2016.
Al-Nusra later merged with HTS and became known as Jabhat Fath al-Sham before becoming known as that name.
Before leading the offensive that overthrew al-Assad in December 2024, Al-Sharaa was the de facto ruler of a rebel-enclave in northwest Syria.
Trump praised the Syrian president as “attractive” and “tough” after meeting with him in Saudi Arabia in May.
The interim Syrian president, known as Abu Mohammed al-Julani, previously maintained his nom de guerre and promised to address all concerns over his prior ties to al-Qaeda.
Some rights advocates are concerned about the violence and kidnappings of Al-Assad’s sect members by former rebel fighters in recent months.
