United States move to soften Assad-era sanctions accepted warmly by Syria as a 'progressive action'
Syria Hails U.S. Sanctions Easing as Positive Step Toward Alleviating Suffering
DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) - Syria has lauded the move by the Trump administration to ease sanctions on the war-torn country, viewing it as a "positive step" to alleviate humanitarian and economic hardship, as declared by the foreign ministry on Saturday.
In a statement, the ministry extended Syria's cooperation hand to any nation eager to work with Damascus, on the condition that there is no intervention in the country's internal affairs.
The announcement followed the Trump administration's recent decision to grant Syria extensive exemptions from sanctions on Friday, marking the beginning of fulfilling the president's pledge to lift half a century of punitive measures on a country ravaged by 14 years of civil war.
Thomas Barrack, the U.S. ambassador to Turkey who has also been designated as special envoy for Syria, met with Syria's president and foreign minister during their visit to Turkey on Saturday. The president, Ahmad al-Sharaa, reportedly welcomed the U.S.'s swift action in easing sanctions. Barrack stated, "President Trump's goal is to enable the new government to create the conditions for the Syrian people to not only survive but thrive."
Barrack emphasized that the cessation of sanctions would preserve the integrity "of our primary objective - the enduring defeat of" the Islamic State group, also known as IS or ISIS. The decision to ease sanctions is anticipated to provide Syrians with the opportunity for a better future, Barrack said.
On Friday, the State Department granted a six-month waiver to a stringent set of sanctions imposed by Congress in 2019. The Treasury Department also suspended penalties against entities doing business with a range of Syrian individuals and entities, including Syria's central bank.
The 2019 congressional sanctions, dubbed the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act, aimed to isolate Syria's previous rulers by expelling those conducting business with them from the global financial system. Their post-war reconstruction was thus blocked, but while the sanctions can be waived for 180 days by executive order, investors are likely to hesitate due to the potential for sanctions to be reinstated after six months.
The Trump administration's actions on Friday were touted as "just one part of a broader U.S. government effort to remove the full architecture of sanctions." Initially imposed due to concerns about the Assad regime's support for Iranian-backed militias, chemical weapons program, and human rights violations, the easing of sanctions could help stabilize the interim government in Syria and pave the way for reconstruction efforts, although challenges remain due to the temporary nature of the relief.
A Damascus resident, Nael Kaddah, expressed optimism, stating that the easing of sanctions would allow the country to flourish again. He noted that, unlike in the past, Syrians will now be able to transfer money freely, rather than being under the control of monopolistic companies that charged large commissions on transfers. The Syrian foreign ministry expressed support for dialogue and diplomacy as the best means to foster balanced relationships that improve conditions for the people, promote regional security, and contribute to Syria's restoration to its original standing.
- The Syrian foreign ministry extended its cooperation hand to any nation willing to work with Damascus, provided there is no interference in the country's internal affairs, similar to the recent cooperation with the United States government.
- In Seattle, a local business owner expressed enthusiasm over the news from Syria, believing that the easing of sanctions could stimulate economic growth and help hospitals provide better services to the Syrian people.
- The government is evaluating the impact of the altered policy-and-legislation surrounding Syria, particularly in terms of the re-entry of businesses into Syria and the potential contribution to general news stories involving war-and-conflicts and humanitarian aid.
- As politics in Washington continue to evolve, it remains to be seen if the easing of sanctions on Syria will manifest in more substantial, long-term relief or if it will merely signal a temporary respite in the ongoing war-torn country.
