US President Donald Trump has officially ended decades-long trade and economic sanctions imposed by the United States on Syria. The decision came through an executive order signed by Trump, with the White House confirming that the United States will assist in guiding Syria toward peace and stability.
The White House, however, clarified that the United States will continue to closely monitor the new Syrian government. Surveillance of Syria’s ties with Israel, its stance on terrorism, and its relationship with Palestinian organizations will persist. Additionally, sanctions will remain in place against former President Bashar al-Assad, his inner circle, the Islamic State, and Iran-backed proxy groups operating in the region.
Syria’s new Foreign Minister Asad al-Shaibani welcomed the move, stating that the lifting of sanctions would help spur economic progress and reintegrate Syria into the international community.
President Trump had earlier pledged to lift US sanctions contingent on a regime change in Syria. He maintained that the previous sanctions had weakened Syria and expressed confidence that the country should now prove its intent to follow a new path. During a visit to the Middle East in May, Trump met with Syria’s new President Ahmed al-Sharaa and commended his leadership. Trump also assured regional leaders during a speech in Riyadh that the sanctions dating back to 1979 would be lifted, reportedly at the request of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Ahmed al-Sharaa, a former leader of the Syrian rebel group Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), was once designated a terrorist by the United States due to his links with al-Qaeda. A $10 million reward had been offered for information on him. However, the US softened its position after al-Sharaa assumed the role of interim president.
Fall of Damascus Marks End of Assad Era After Decade-Long Civil War
Syrian rebel forces captured the capital city of Damascus in December 2024 following an extended military campaign. President Bashar al-Assad fled the country and reportedly sought asylum in Russia. Assad, who had ruled Syria for nearly a decade with the support of Russia, lost control as opposition groups seized major cities across the country. His rule is widely remembered for widespread displacement, repression, and international isolation.
The Assad regime, dominated by the Syrian Ba’ath Party, had relied heavily on military and political support from Iran and Russia, along with assistance from the Lebanese militia Hezbollah and other pro-regime groups like the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, General Command (PFLP-GC). Since September 30, 2015, Russia had been openly involved in Syria’s conflict, launching extensive airstrikes against anti-government forces at Assad’s request. The US and its allies had consistently criticized Russia’s military involvement in Syria.
In contrast, the Syrian opposition, represented politically by the Syrian National Coalition, received substantial financial, logistical, and political support from US-allied Sunni powers including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Turkey. Western countries such as the United States, France, and the United Kingdom also extended political and military support to various rebel factions opposed to the Assad regime.
On December 8, 2024, the Assad government officially collapsed following a large-scale offensive by opposition forces. The operation was led by HTS and heavily supported by the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army. The offensive marked a pivotal moment in the Syrian civil war, which began with the 2011 Arab Spring. The fall of Damascus brought an end to the Assad family’s five-decade-long rule over Syria.
