Washington, DC – In a historic policy shift, United States President Donald Trump has officially signed an executive order to lift long-standing sanctions on Syria, potentially paving the way for foreign investments and reconstruction projects across the war-torn nation.
The US Department of the Treasury announced on Monday that it has removed 518 Syrian individuals and entities from its sanctions list following Trump’s decree. This significant action comes more than six months after the overthrow of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, whose regime had been under sweeping US financial penalties for years.
According to the Treasury’s statement, the executive order provides broad sanctions relief to “entities critical to Syria’s development, the operation of its government, and the rebuilding of the country’s social fabric.”
Syrian Officials Welcome Sanctions Relief
Syrian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani quickly welcomed the decision in a statement shared on X (formerly Twitter), describing the move as a long-awaited breakthrough:
“This decision will pave the way for long-awaited reconstruction and development, remove barriers to economic recovery, and help reintegrate the country into the international community.”
The extensive US sanctions programme previously targeted Syria over human rights abuses and corruption tied to the Assad government. These restrictions severely limited foreign investment and contributed to the near-collapse of the Syrian economy.
A Promise Fulfilled
Trump had first hinted at ending Syria sanctions during his visit to the Middle East in May, where he pledged to prioritize stability and economic recovery in the region.
Reaffirming that commitment, he said on Monday:
“The United States remains committed to supporting a stable, unified Syria—one that is at peace internally and with its neighbors. A Syria free from terrorist safe havens and protective of its religious and ethnic minorities will be a cornerstone of regional stability and prosperity.”
What Lifting Sanctions Means for Syria
Experts believe lifting these sanctions could unlock billions in frozen assets and attract much-needed investments in infrastructure, healthcare, and education. The decision is expected to speed up Syria’s reconstruction and reintegrate the country into the global economy after more than a decade of isolation.
However, critics warn that removing sanctions without robust accountability measures could risk entrenching corruption and benefiting individuals linked to past abuses.
