President Donald Trump has signed an executive order removing many U.S. sanctions levied against Syria, months after he promised the war-torn country’s new leader that he would lift the “brutal and crippling” punitive measures.
The United States has hit Syria with a slew of sanctions over the decades, especially targeting the former reign of dictator president Bashar al-Assad for his civil war and repression of his own people.
The sanctions relief announced Monday removes punitive economic measures from Syria while maintaining those that apply to al-Assad, his associates, human rights abusers, drug traffickers, individuals linked to chemical weapons activities and members of terrorist organisations and Iranian proxy militias.
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“President Trump is committed to supporting a Syria that is stable, unified and at peace with itself and its neighbors,” the White House said in a statement.
The announcement follows Trump’s meeting with his Syrian counterpart, transitional leader President Ahmed al-Sharaa, in mid-May in Riyadh, where the American president vowed to lift the sanctions.
“The sanctions were brutal and crippling and served as an important — really, an important function — nevertheless, at the time,” Trump said. “But now, it’s time to shine.”