Trump signs executive order lifting sanctions on Syria

WASHINGTON,— U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order Monday ending a U.S. sanctions program targeting Syria.

This move marks a significant step toward lifting the country’s long-standing isolation from the global financial system and aligns with Washington’s stated goal of supporting Syria’s post-war reconstruction.

According to White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt, while the sanctions program ends, the U.S. will continue to target former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, his close associates, human rights violators, drug traffickers, individuals linked to chemical weapons, and terrorist groups including Islamic State affiliates and Iran-backed proxies.

Assad was removed from power in December 2024 following a swift campaign by Islamist-led rebel forces. Since then, Syria has taken initial steps to re-engage with the international community.

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani described the sanction program’s termination on social media platform X as an “opening door for long-awaited reconstruction and development.”

He added that the move would remove a major barrier to economic recovery and reintegration with global partners.

U.S. President Donald Trump shakes hands with Syria’s interim president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, also known as Abu Mohammed al-Golani, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, May 14, 2025. Saudi Press Agency/SPA

In May, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa met with Trump in Riyadh, where Trump unexpectedly announced plans to lift U.S. sanctions on Syria, signaling a major policy change.

Since then, Washington has eased its measures significantly. Some U.S. lawmakers are calling for the sanctions to be fully repealed, while Europe has already ended its own sanctions against Syria.

U.S. Special Envoy for Syria Thomas Barrack told reporters Monday the decision represents “the culmination of a very tedious, detailed, excruciating process” to carefully unwind the sanctions.

The White House released a fact sheet stating the executive order directs the Secretary of State to review Syria’s terrorism designations, including those against Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, a rebel group with ties to al Qaeda that Syria’s interim president Sharaa once led. It also calls for reexamining Syria’s designation as a state sponsor of terrorism.

Ahmed al-Sharaa, also known as Abu Mohammed al-Golani, has a history that includes involvement with al-Qaeda and ISIS before he founded the al-Nusra Front—a group originally linked to al-Qaeda that later rebranded as Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS).

The administration will continue monitoring Syria’s progress on key issues such as normalizing relations with Israel, counterterrorism efforts, and deportation of “Palestinian” terrorists, according to the fact sheet.

A recent Reuters investigation found Syrian government forces were involved in the killing of more than 1,500 Syrian Alawites during a March massacre along the Mediterranean coast. The Trump administration declined to comment on the report, and it remains unclear if any sanctions will be lifted on groups linked to those events.

The easing of sanctions is expected to facilitate increased humanitarian aid, encourage foreign investment, and boost trade as Syria works to rebuild.

Following Trump’s announcement in May, the U.S. Treasury Department issued a general license permitting transactions with Syria’s interim government, central bank, and state-owned companies.

However, U.S. sanctions against Syria remain layered and include legislation such as the Caesar Act. Removing these restrictions is crucial for attracting long-term investment without fear of penalties.

A senior administration official told Reuters, “We are now, pursuant to the executive order, going to look at suspension criteria for the Caesar Act.”

Most U.S. sanctions date back to 2011 when the civil war began and targeted Assad’s government and key figures.

The executive order signed Monday also ends a national emergency declared in 2004 and cancels related executive orders. It includes further directives on waivers for export controls and other restrictions. The full termination takes effect Tuesday.

(With files from Reuters)