The administration of US President Donald Trump issued orders on May 23 that effectively lift sanctions against Syria.
Points of attention
- The lifting of US sanctions on Syria creates new opportunities for private sector investment and cooperation in the country.
- President Trump has set conditions for the Syrian government, including the departure of foreign fighters and cooperation in fighting terrorism.
- The move could contribute to peace, stability, and alleviate the humanitarian situation in Syria.
US lifts sanctions on Syria
The US Treasury Department has issued a general license that allows for transactions involving the Syrian interim government led by President Ahmed al-Sharaa, as well as the country's central bank and state-owned enterprises.
The general license, known as GL25, allows for transactions prohibited by the Syria Sanctions Regulation, effectively lifting sanctions on the country, the US Treasury Department said in a statement.
GL25 will enable new investment and private sector activity in line with the President's "America First" strategy.
In addition, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has issued a 180-day waiver under the Caesar Act to ensure that restrictions do not hinder investment and facilitate the provision of electricity, energy, water and sanitation, and humanitarian efforts.
Today's actions are the first step in realizing the President's vision for a new relationship between Syria and the United States.
Marco Rubio
US Secretary of State
He added that Trump has made it clear that he expects sanctions relief to be accompanied by action from the Syrian government.
The White House said after Trump met with al-Sharaa last week that the US leader had asked Syria to meet several conditions in exchange for sanctions relief, including a request for all foreign fighters to leave Syria, the deportation of those Trump described as Palestinian terrorists, and assistance to the United States in preventing the resurgence of ISIS.
President Trump is giving the Syrian government a chance to promote peace and stability both within Syria and in Syria's relations with its neighbors, Rubio said.
It is noted that the general license also listed Syrian Arab Airlines, the Central Bank of Syria and a number of other banks, several state-owned oil and gas companies, and the Four Seasons Damascus hotel.
Syria welcomed the lifting of US sanctions on the morning of May 24. The country's Foreign Ministry called it "a positive step in the right direction to alleviate the country's humanitarian and economic suffering."
Most of the US sanctions against Syria were imposed on the government of ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and key figures in 2011 after the country's civil war began.
