U.S. President Donald Trump announced the lifting of long-standing sanctions on Syria, ahead of an anticipated meeting with the country’s interim leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa. The move, part of Trump’s ongoing tour of Arab Gulf states, signals a dramatic change in the United States’ stance toward the war-torn nation.
The meeting is expected to take place in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, following Trump’s visit to Riyadh where he also signed a $142 billion arms deal with Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman. Trump cited personal rapport with the Crown Prince and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as influential factors behind the decision. “Oh, what I do for the Crown Prince,” Trump joked, adding, “I like him too much.”
In Damascus, news of the sanctions being lifted was met with widespread celebration, including street gatherings, dancing, and celebratory gunfire. Syria’s Foreign Minister, Asaad al-Shaibani, hailed the announcement as a “pivotal turning point” for the country, expressing hope for stability and reconstruction after years of brutal conflict.
The sanctions, imposed during Bashar al-Assad’s rule, had severely restricted foreign aid and investment, contributing to Syria’s economic collapse. Assad’s regime was overthrown in December by a coalition led by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which remains classified as a terrorist organization by the U.S., UN, and EU.
Al-Sharaa, who emerged as the interim president after Assad’s ouster, has urged international recognition and aid, claiming that the new administration seeks peace and protection for all Syrian communities. However, recent violent clashes involving minorities, particularly the Alawites and Druze, have raised concerns about the new regime’s ability to ensure security for all citizens.
Former U.S. ambassador to Syria, Robert Ford, supported the move, stating, “The country is devastated. It needs reconstruction and lifting sanctions is a critical first step to allow that to happen.”
Trump’s tour will continue with visits to Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, as the administration seeks deeper ties in the Gulf and reshapes its Middle East strategy.
