Trump Announces Lifting of U.S. Sanctions on Syria, Signals Support for Transitional Government

 Riyadh, May 14 – U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that the United States will lift long-standing economic sanctions on Syria, marking a significant shift in Washington’s approach to the war-torn nation and expressing support for the country’s new transitional government led by Ahmed al-Sharaa.

Speaking at an investment forum in the Saudi capital, Trump said the policy reversal aims to provide an opportunity for stability and reconstruction in Syria after years of conflict. “There’s a new government that will hopefully succeed in stabilizing the country and keeping peace,” he stated. “I will be ordering the cessation of sanctions against Syria in order to give them a chance at greatness.”

In a remark that underscored his optimism, the president added, “It’s their time to shine. We’re taking them all off. Good luck, Syria—show us something very special.”

President Trump is expected to meet with Prime Minister Al-Sharaa in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday. The Syrian transitional leadership has welcomed Washington’s overture. In comments to Reuters, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani said the two nations now had an opportunity to reset relations. “We stand ready to foster a relationship with the United States rooted in mutual respect, trust, and shared interests,” he said, adding that Trump “could achieve a historic peace deal and a strategic victory for U.S. interests in Syria.”

Al-Sharaa, who met with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris last week, has argued that maintaining sanctions would only hinder Syria’s recovery from nearly 15 years of devastating civil war. “There is no justification for continuing measures that punish ordinary Syrians and delay reconstruction,” he said.

The policy shift follows recent international discussions around the humanitarian consequences of sanctions. During a February visit to Qatar, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov called for the unconditional lifting of U.S. sanctions, saying they “primarily harm the Syrian people.”

Syria’s descent into civil war began in 2011 with a popular uprising against the rule of Bashar al-Assad. The conflict quickly morphed into a multi-faceted war, drawing in foreign powers and extremist factions. Under President Barack Obama, the United States supported moderate rebel groups, although many fighters later joined jihadist movements. During his first term, Trump authorized airstrikes against Syrian military targets in response to reported chemical weapons use.

The new government in Damascus, led by Al-Sharaa—formerly associated with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a group with historical ties to Al-Qaeda—faces the daunting task of uniting a fractured country. The recent opposition-led capture of Damascus was accompanied by reports of sectarian violence, including targeted killings of Alawites, Christians, and former regime loyalists.

Earlier this year, the United Nations and international human rights organizations raised alarms over escalating clashes between former pro-government militias and members of Syria’s Druze community, highlighting the fragile security environment post-Assad.

As Syria begins a tentative transition, international observers will be closely monitoring whether the lifting of sanctions will translate into genuine stability, inclusive governance, and justice for communities that endured over a decade of war.