United States(US) President Donald Trump has signed an executive order to dismantle a web of sanctions against Syria, a move that will likely unlock investments in the country more than six months after the overthrow of President Bashar al-Assad.
The US Treasury said the decree offers sanction relief to “entities critical to Syria’s development, the operation of its government, and the rebuilding of the country’s social fabric”.
According to the US Treasury, 518 Syrian individuals and entities have been removed from the list of sanctions. Trump’s order lifts sanctions on Syria while maintaining sanctions on former dictator Bashar al-Assad, his associates, human rights abusers, drug traffickers, persons linked to chemical weapons activities, ISIS or its affiliates, and Iranian proxies. The move aims to support Syria’s “path to stability and peace”.
Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Al Shaibani welcomed the decision, saying it “will open the door of long-awaited reconstruction and development” and “lift the obstacle against economic recovery and open the country to the international community”. The sprawling sanction program had derailed reconstruction efforts in the country and contributed to driving the Syrian economy under al-Assad to the verge of collapse.
Trump promised sanctions relief for Syria during his visit to the Middle East in May, stating, “The United States is committed to supporting a Syria that is stable, unified, and at peace with itself and its neighbors”. He added, “A united Syria that does not offer a safe haven for terrorist organizations and ensures the security of its religious and ethnic minorities will support regional security and prosperity”.
Mike Hanna described the “wide-ranging” coverage of the sanctions relief as “significant moves” by the Trump administration, saying, “This is a significant step towards the rebuilding of Syria”. While some Syria penalties may not be revoked immediately, the US president ordered Secretary of State Marco Rubio to review the designation of interim Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa as a “Specially Designated Global Terrorist”.
The interim Syrian president has promised inclusive governance to allay concerns about his past ties to al-Qaeda. However, violence and kidnappings against members of al-Assad’s Alawite sect by former rebel fighters have raised concerns among some rights advocates. Al-Sharaa has also pledged that Syria would not pose a threat to its neighbors, including Israel.