Trump set to lift US sanctions on Syria in major policy shift

Washington: US President Donald Trump is expected to sign an executive order on Monday to end American sanctions on Syria, marking a significant shift in US foreign policy and fulfilling a long-standing promise to ease restrictions on the war-torn nation.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the move, saying it aims to “promote and support the country's path to stability and peace.” However, she noted that sanctions would remain in place against former President Bashar Assad, his associates, and others linked to past abuses.

In May, the US had already granted sweeping exemptions from sanctions—seen as the first step toward lifting the broader penalties that have been in place for nearly five decades. The sanctions relief comes as Syria continues to recover from 13 years of civil war.

The announcement follows Trump’s meeting with Syria’s interim leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, in Saudi Arabia earlier this year, where he pledged to lift sanctions and pursue a normalisation of relations—a major departure from previous US policy.

“This is another promise made and promise kept,” Leavitt said.

The European Union has also moved in tandem, recently lifting nearly all remaining sanctions on Syria.