WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump signed an order ending US sanctions on Syria. Trump had announced the lifting of sanctions on Syria during a visit to the Middle East in May. During the visit, Trump also held talks with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa. However, the US sanctions on former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad will continue.
For months, Syria has been pleading with the US to lift sanctions following the downfall of the brutal Assad regime. On Tuesday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Claire Leavitt announced the news, saying that President Trump had indeed kept his promise.
The Treasury Department last month eased restrictions on Syrian banks, airlines and President al-Sharaa, and issued guidelines for authorised transactions, including those related to infrastructure development. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the move was aimed at encouraging investment and economic recovery in the war-torn country.
The European Union also lifted all remaining sanctions on Syria, meanwhile, US allies Turkey and Saudi Arabia expressed interest in restoring ties with Syria's new government.