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Published : 24 May 2025, 09:59 AM
The Trump administration issued orders on Friday that it said would effectively lift sanctions on Syria, following President Donald Trump’s pledge earlier this month to ease restrictions and support the country’s reconstruction after a devastating civil war.
The US Treasury Department issued a general licence authorising transactions involving the interim Syrian government led by President Ahmed al-Sharaa, as well as the Central Bank and various state-owned enterprises.
The general licence, known as GL25, “authorises transactions prohibited by the Syrian Sanctions Regulations, effectively lifting sanctions on Syria,” the Treasury said in a statement.
“GL25 will enable new investment and private sector activity consistent with the President’s America First strategy,” the statement added.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also issued a 180-day waiver under the Caesar Act to ensure sanctions do not obstruct investment and to facilitate the provision of electricity, energy, water and sanitation, while enabling humanitarian operations.
“Today’s actions represent the first step in delivering on the President’s vision of a new relationship between Syria and the United States,” Rubio said, adding that Trump had made clear his expectation that sanctions relief would be followed by concrete steps from the Syrian government.
According to the White House, during a meeting last week, Trump asked President Sharaa to meet several conditions in exchange for sanctions relief. These included the expulsion of all foreign militants from Syrian territory, the deportation of individuals described by the US as Palestinian terrorists, and cooperation with US efforts to prevent a resurgence of ISIS.
“President Trump is providing the Syrian government with the chance to promote peace and stability, both within Syria and in Syria’s relations with its neighbours,” Rubio said.
'POSITIVE STEP'
Syria welcomed the sanctions waiver early on Saturday, with the Foreign Ministry calling it “a positive step in the right direction to alleviate the country’s humanitarian and economic suffering.”
The ministry stated that Syria is committed to cooperating with other nations “on the basis of mutual respect and non-interference in internal affairs”, and believes that “dialogue and diplomacy are the best path to building balanced relations”.
Most US sanctions on Syria were imposed on the government of former President Bashar al-Assad and key individuals following the outbreak of civil war in 2011. Sharaa, who led militias that overthrew Assad in December, now heads the interim government.
The general licence names Sharaa – previously sanctioned under the name Abu Muhammad al-Jawlani – among the individuals and entities with whom transactions are now authorised. Also included are Syrian Arab Airlines, the Central Bank of Syria, several state oil and gas companies, a number of Syrian banks, and the Four Seasons Damascus hotel.
Trump had unexpectedly announced the decision to lift sanctions last week, reportedly at the request of Saudi Arabia’s crown prince, marking a significant shift in US policy. He met briefly with Sharaa in Riyadh shortly after the announcement.
The easing of sanctions is expected to pave the way for greater engagement by humanitarian organisations, encourage foreign investment, and promote trade as Syria seeks to rebuild. However, given the layered and longstanding nature of US sanctions – which include restrictions on banking and imports – analysts warn that uncertainty around potential reimposition could deter private sector involvement.
The US first designated Syria a state sponsor of terrorism in 1979, with successive administrations imposing further sanctions, including multiple rounds following the country’s 2011 uprising against Assad.
