Donald Trump, US president, has confirmed that the United States will lift longstanding sanctions on Syria, in what he described as a “chance at greatness” for the war-torn country following the fall of the Assad regime.
The announcement came after Trump held an historic meeting with Ahmed al-Sharaa, Syria’s new interim president on the sidelines of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) summit in Riyadh. The two leaders met for over 30 minutes — the highest-level contact yet between Washington and the new Syrian government since Bashar al-Assad was ousted during the Biden administration in December.
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A turning point for syria
In a statement released on Tuesday, Syria’s foreign ministry welcomed the decision, calling it “a pivotal turning point for the Syrian people, as we seek to emerge from a long and painful chapter of war.”
“The removal of those sanctions offers a vital opportunity for Syria to pursue stability, self-sufficiency, and meaningful national reconstruction, led by and for the Syrian people,” the ministry added.
The United Nations’ special envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, also praised the move, saying it would allow vital services like healthcare and education to resume and aid in economic recovery.
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Diplomatic shift with backing from regional powers
Trump stated that he made the decision after consultations with Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman and Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Addressing a Saudi investment forum, Trump said: “Syria, they’ve had their share of travesty, war, killing in many years. That’s why my administration has already taken the first steps toward restoring normal relations between the United States and Syria for the first time in more than a decade.”
He described the sanctions as “brutal and crippling,” but said the time had come to turn the page. “Now it’s their time to shine,” he said. “So, I say, ‘Good luck, Syria.’ Show us something very special.”
Despite the announcement, the US has not yet formally re-established diplomatic ties with Damascus, nor officially recognised the new Syrian government. However, sources close to the administration confirm that lower-level engagement has already begun.
Al-sharaa’s background under scrutiny amid new chapter
President al-Sharaa’s rise to power has drawn scrutiny. He was previously a founder of Jabhat al-Nusra — a militant group which pledged allegiance to al Qaeda — though he broke ties with the group in 2016, according to the US Center for Naval Analyses.
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Despite his controversial past, regional and international stakeholders have expressed cautious optimism about his leadership. Syria’s foreign minister, Asaad al-Shaibani, posted on X that the end of sanctions marked “a new beginning on the path to reconstruction,” and extended thanks to Saudi Arabia and other Arab states for their support.
Celebrations erupt across syria
Scenes of jubilation unfolded across major Syrian cities following the announcement. In Homs, thousands took to the streets waving Syrian and Saudi flags, chanting praises for Saudi Arabia and king Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. Fireworks lit up the night sky as music filled the air.
In Damascus’s Umayyad Square, crowds gathered in celebration. “My joy is great,” said Huda Qassar, a 33-year-old English teacher who spoke with Al Jazeera. “This decision will definitely affect the entire country positively. Construction will return, the displaced will return, and prices will go down.”
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Similar sentiments were echoed in the northern province of Idlib, where 39-year-old Bassam al-Ahmed who spoke with Al Jazeera said: “It is the right of the Syrian people, after 14 years of war and 50 years of the Assads’ oppression, to live through stability and safety.”
End of an era
The lifting of US sanctions marks the end of more than a decade of economic isolation that followed the brutal Syrian civil war and Assad’s repressive rule. These sanctions had severely hampered the country’s recovery, blocking international investment and financial assistance.
The move follows partial sanctions relief earlier this year by the United Kingdom and the European Union. Now, with the United States following suit, Syria appears poised to re-enter the international fold — a development that could reshape regional dynamics in the years to com
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