US Congress Lifts Sanctions on Syria

The US Congress has approved the permanent lifting of sanctions imposed on Syria under the so-called Caesar Act, marking a major shift in US policy and paving the way for renewed foreign investment in a country devastated by more than a decade of war.

The repeal of the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act, which was enacted in 2019 during President Donald Trump’s first term and imposed sweeping economic restrictions on Damascus, was included in the US National Defense Strategy approved by the Senate on Wednesday. The measure passed by a vote of 77 to 20.

The House of Representatives approved the legislation last week, and it now awaits the president’s signature to become law. The US administration had previously signalled its support for repealing the sanctions.

The Caesar Act sanctions had already been suspended twice for six-month periods following President Trump’s announcement in May that the United States would lift sanctions on Syria as part of a broader move to normalise relations between the two countries.

The law had imposed strict US sanctions on the Syrian government under former president Bashar al-Assad, effectively cutting Syria off from the international banking system and preventing transactions in US dollars. While the sanctions had been suspended, many US officials argued that unless the law was fully repealed, its chilling effect on investor confidence would continue.

Damascus welcomed the congressional decision. Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani said in a post on X that Syria expressed its thanks and appreciation to the US Senate for supporting the Syrian people and voting to repeal the Caesar Act. He described the move as a positive development that opens new horizons for cooperation and partnership between Syria and the international community.

In November, President Trump received Syria’s transitional president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, at the White House, the first visit by a Syrian leader since the country gained independence in 1946. The meeting marked a significant diplomatic milestone for the former jihadist leader, who has overseen Syria’s exit from international isolation less than a year after taking office.

Trump had previously met Sharaa during a Gulf tour in May, when he announced the lifting of US sanctions on Syria.

After 13 years of war, Syria is seeking funding for reconstruction efforts that could cost more than $216 billion, according to the World Bank.

Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen welcomed the permanent repeal of the sanctions, saying that ending the Caesar Act is a decisive step toward giving the Syrian people a genuine opportunity to rebuild their country after decades of suffering.

The decision represents one of the most significant changes in US-Syria relations in years and could have far-reaching implications for regional diplomacy and economic recovery efforts.