Trump Lifts Sanctions on Syria: A New Chapter in US-Syria Relations

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – In a significant development, US President Donald Trump announced the immediate lifting of long-standing US sanctions against Syria. The announcement, made during his speech at the Saudi-U.S. Investment Forum on May 13, 2025, marks a dramatic shift in US policy towards Syria. President Trump stated, "I will be ordering the cessation of sanctions against Syria in order to give them a chance at greatness." This decision comes after discussions with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The sanctions, imposed during the rule of President Bashar al-Assad, had been widely criticized for their harsh economic impact on the Syrian people. The lifting of these sanctions is expected to have far-reaching consequences for Syria's economy and its relations with the United States and its allies. The move has been met with mixed reactions, with some praising it as a step towards peace and stability, while others express concerns about its potential impact on human rights and regional security. The long-term effects of this decision remain to be seen, but it undoubtedly represents a turning point in US-Syria relations. This event, captured on video by Al Jazeera English, highlights the evolving dynamics of Middle Eastern geopolitics and the ongoing efforts to address the Syrian conflict.