On June 30, US President Donald Trump signed an order to lift sanctions against Syria, which were introduced in 2004, starting from July 1. The document was published on the White House website. However, the lifting of some sanctions must be approved by Congress.
“The United States is committed to supporting a stable, unified Syria, living in peace with itself and its neighbors. A unified Syria that does not provide sanctuary to terrorist organizations and ensures the safety of its religious and ethnic minorities will contribute to regional security and prosperity,” the statement said.
The circumstances that led to the measures against the former regime of Bashar al-Assad have changed as a result of events over the past six months, including positive actions taken by the new Syrian government led by President Ahmed al-Sharaa, according to the Trump administration. However, restrictions against former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, his associates, human rights violators, and individuals associated with ISIS* remain in force.
The order, among other things, lifts the freeze on state assets and some Syrian officials, as well as eases export controls.
Trump also instructed US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to review Syria's status as a state sponsor of terrorism, the decision to recognize “Hayat Tahrir al-Sham” as a terrorist organization, and the interim President of Syria Ahmed al-Sharaa as a particularly dangerous international terrorist.
Meanwhile, Reuters reports at least one and a half thousand killed as a result of the Assad supporters' rebellion in March this year. According to the agency, about 1500 Syrian Alawites were killed, and dozens went missing during and after clashes with the new government forces.
Western countries imposed sanctions against Syria when Bashar al-Assad was the country's president. In December 2024, he was overthrown and fled to Russia. Former Islamist rebels from the group “Hayat Tahrir al-Sham” came to power in the country, promising that Syria would be a democratic state.
At the end of May, the EU lifted sanctions from Syria.
* Recognized as a terrorist organization in Russia.
Photo: AP