The decision arrives amid hopes for reconstruction in Syria following years of civil war, but raises concerns over sectarian tensions and minority rights.
**Trump to Lift Sanctions on Syria Ahead of Meeting with New Interim Leader**
**Trump to Lift Sanctions on Syria Ahead of Meeting with New Interim Leader**
US President Donald Trump announces lifting of sanctions on Syria, expecting a meeting with interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa.
US President Donald Trump has recently announced his intention to lift sanctions placed on Syria, coinciding with a planned meeting with the nation’s interim leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, in Saudi Arabia. The White House has confirmed that Trump will "say hello" to al-Sharaa during his Middle Eastern tour on Wednesday.
This announcement has sparked celebrations in Damascus, where residents have been seen dancing and firing celebratory gunshots into the air. The sanctions that are being lifted had previously obstructed foreign funding and humanitarian aid intended for a nation ravaged by civil war under former President Bashar al-Assad, whose regime was ousted in December after thirteen years of conflict.
In a statement from the investment forum in Riyadh, Trump declared this policy shift as an opportunity for Syria to "shine" once more. Syria’s Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani deemed the sanction lift a "pivotal turning point" for the country and expressed hopes for "stability, self-sufficiency, and genuine reconstruction" following the war.
At the heart of this policy change is the recognition that ninety percent of the Syrian populace live below the poverty line, emphasizing a desperate need for economic revival. The interim president has previously argued for lifting sanctions, claiming that the new regime poses no threat, and he has suggested that the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) should be removed from the terrorist list. However, the group remains classified as such by several international bodies, which complicates the discourse surrounding Syria’s reconstruction.
During his recent appearance alongside French President Emmanuel Macron, al-Sharaa reiterated calls to alleviate sanctions, which he argues were enforced strictly due to the actions of Assad's former regime. The new leader has pledged to safeguard minority communities amid tensions following the rebel offensive that removed Assad from power, yet reports of deadly violence involving Alawite civilians have heightened fears.
The lifting of sanctions represents a transformative shift in US foreign policy, diverging from previous stances that linked the removal of sanctions to progress in addressing minority rights. Trump's announcement appears to coincide with a request from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman and Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, with Trump humorously acknowledging the Crown Prince’s influence.
Former US ambassador to Syria Robert Ford commented favorably on the administration's decision, arguing it is crucial for Syria’s reconstruction. He noted the devastation witnessed during his recent visit and emphasized the necessity for foreign investment to aid Syria's recovery.
As Trump continues his tour of the Gulf States, which also includes visits to Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, the broader implications of the sanctions lift and its impact on regional stability remain under scrutiny.
