US President Donald Trump moves forward with an executive order that provides sanctions relief for Syria by the US Departments of State and Treasury.
Jpost
The Trump administration is moving forward with support for the new Syrian government. A major part of that initiative is sanctions relief and giving Syria the chance to get new investment and rebuild after 14 years of civil war.
Towards that end, the US has moved quickly after a May meeting between US President Donald Trump and Syrian President Ahmed al-Shara’a.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on June 30 that ‘in accordance with President Trump’s Executive Order ‘Providing for the Revocation of Syria Sanctions,’ the US is taking further actions to support a Syria that is stable, unified, and at peace with itself and its neighbors. US sanctions will not be an impediment to Syria’s future.’
The Executive Order noted that ‘the United States is committed to supporting a Syria that is stable, unified, and at peace with itself and its neighbors. A united Syria that does not offer a safe haven for terrorist organizations and ensures the security of its religious and ethnic minorities will support regional security and prosperity.
The Secretary of State and the Secretary of the Treasury have taken initial steps towards this goal through the issuance on May 23, 2025, of General License 25 and a waiver of sanctions under the Caesar Act.’
The order also noted the ‘positive actions taken by the new Syrian government under President Ahmed al-Sharaa. This order supports United States national security and foreign policy goals by directing additional actions.’
Trump signed an executive order removing the sanctions on Syria
The US Department of State also put out a notice on the same day. It noted that Trump had signed an historic Executive Order ‘Providing for the Revocation of Syria Sanctions.’ The statement from the State Department noted that some sanctions will remain in place targeting former Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad and his ‘cronies.’
However, sanctions were removed from a number of entities. The ‘Secretary of State certified that it is in the national security interests of the United States to waive the application of sanctions for certain individuals and entities.’ These overturned entities are targeted under the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act of 2019.
Among the entities that are no longer sanctioned are the fourth and first divisions of the Syrian army. The Syrian army has been reformed and changed since the fall of Assad in December 2024.
The US Department of the Treasury is also moving forward based on the executive order. Treasury put out a statement noted ‘concurrent with the E.O.’s issuance, OFAC removed 518 individuals and entities from the List of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons (SDN List) sanctioned under the Syria sanctions program, lifting sanctions on individuals and entities critical to Syria’s development, the operation of its government, and the rebuilding of the country’s social fabric.
OFAC also designated 139 individuals and entities affiliated with the previous regime under E.O. 13894, as further amended, as well as other Iran and Counter Terrorism authorities, ensuring continued accountability for the former al-Assad regime and its abuses.’
Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent said, ‘In line with President Trump’s promise to deliver sanctions relief for Syria, today’s actions will help provide the country the opportunity to reestablish ties to global commerce and build international confidence.’
He added, ‘As we continue to monitor progress on the ground, we remain focused on preventing Assad, his cronies, terrorists, and other illicit actors from attempting to destabilize Syria and the region.’
The newly appointed US Envoy to Syria, Tom Barrack, congratulated Trump and Rubio on the decision. He said it is important ‘as they continue to boldly weave an important Syrian thread in the new tapestry of peace and prosperity in the Middle East.’ Barrack has played a key role over the last month and a half in re-shaping US policy on Syria and meeting with key leaders throughout the region to enable the new policy to be effective.
I have mixed feelings, as the “new government” is western-backed Al’Qada, wearing different clothes