Turkey welcomes the American decision to abolish sanctions against Syria.
The United States has announced a significant shift in its policy towards Syria, with President Donald Trump rescinding the majority of economic sanctions that have been in place for decades. This move, aimed at supporting the transitional Syrian government and giving the country a chance for recovery after years of conflict, was made official on June 30, 2025 [2][4].
While targeted sanctions remain on individuals and entities linked to former President Bashar al-Assad, human rights abuses, chemical weapons, terrorism, and the drug trade, the lifting of most sanctions marks a significant change in the U.S.-Syria relationship since the fall of the Assad regime in late 2024.
The U.S. is now working more closely with the new Syrian authorities on issues such as combating ISIS remnants, recovering missing American citizens, and shaping Syria’s political landscape [1]. U.S. officials have held direct talks with both the transitional government and, in some cases, members of former opposition groups, including Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham, to address humanitarian and security concerns [1].
The U.S. is also recalibrating its military presence in Syria, with announcements to reduce troop numbers as part of a broader strategic reassessment since early June 2025 [3]. However, American forces remain engaged in counterterrorism operations, particularly against ISIL, and continue to support local partners like the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) [3].
Diplomatically, the U.S. is mediating preliminary discussions between Syria and Israel for a potential security agreement, though normalization of relations is not yet on the table [2][3]. The U.S. favours a gradual, trust-building approach to regional diplomacy, while Israel seeks assurances that any talks will ultimately lead to full peace and normalization [2].
In response to the U.S.'s decision, Turkey has welcomed the move and expressed its intention to contribute to Syria's reconstruction through both public and private sectors [1]. The Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman, Oncu Keceli, made a statement regarding the U.S. decision on Tuesday, hailing the strong resolve of the U.S. administration to normalize relations with the Syrian government [5].
President Donald Trump made this announcement at an investment forum in Riyadh, marking the first meeting between U.S. and Syrian leaders in 25 years. The meeting between Trump and Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa was a landmark event, signalling a new era in U.S.-Syria relations [6].
In summary, U.S.-Syria relations are currently characterized by increased collaboration between the U.S. and Syria’s transitional government on security and political issues, a reduced but continued U.S. military presence focused on counterterrorism, preliminary U.S.-mediated talks between Syria and Israel on security and potential peace arrangements, and the lifting of most economic sanctions on Syria, except for those targeting Assad-linked figures and illicit activities [1][2][3][4]. This approach reflects a shift towards engagement with the new Syrian government and a desire to promote stability in the region.
- The shift in the United States' policy towards Syria, characterized by the lifting of most economic sanctions and increased collaboration on security and political issues, is a significant development in the realm of policy-and-legislation and general-news, indicating a change in the U.S.-Syria relationship.
- The U.S. political landscape, as demonstrated by the announcement to rescind economic sanctions and engage more closely with the transitional Syrian government, is currently being reshaped by domestic and foreign policy decisions, a development of interest in the realm of politics and general-news.
