Explained: Why US imposed sanctions on Syria — why they just ended and what Trump wants in return

Dubai: US President Donald Trump lifted sanctions on Syria to offer it a chance for “greatness” after Bashar Al Assad’s fall, as he cast himself as a peacemaker in the Middle East.

On a state visit to Saudi Arabia, the president took aim both at the US left and right who he said had intervened in the region in the guise of “nation builders” but “wrecked far more nations than they built”.

In his most significant announcement, Trump said he would end sweeping US sanctions on Syria, in place for decades and ramped up dramatically during the iron-fisted rule of Assad, who was overthrown by Islamist-led forces in December.

“I will be ordering the cessation of sanctions against Syria in order to give them a chance at greatness,” Trump said in a speech in Riyadh.

“The sanctions were brutal and crippling,” he said. “But now it’s their time to shine.”

Rabha Seif Allam of the Al Ahram Centre for Political and Strategic Studies in Cairo said easing US sanctions would help reintegrate Syria with the global economy by allowing bank transfers from investors and from millions of Syrians who fled during the civil war.

"Lifting sanctions will give Syria a real opportunity to receive the funding needed to revive the economy, impose central state authority and launch reconstruction projects with clear Gulf support," she said.

The United States designated Syria a State Sponsor of Terrorism in December 1979 due to its support for militant groups.

Over time, additional sanctions were layered on, most notably under the Syria Accountability and Lebanese Sovereignty Restoration Act (SAA) in 2004, which penalised Syria for its occupation of Lebanon and support for terrorism, according to the US State Department site on Syria sanctions.

However, the major wave of sanctions began in 2011, when President Assad’s regime violently cracked down on peaceful protests during the Arab Spring.

These actions triggered a bloody civil war. In response, the US issued a series of Executive Orders — notably E.O. 13572, 13573, and 13582 — blocking the property of Syrian officials, banning US investment, and targeting Syria’s oil sector and financial system.

More Executive Orders (such as 13606 and 13608) followed in 2012, targeting human rights abuses facilitated through technology and attempts by foreign actors to evade US sanctions. These measures isolated Syria economically and diplomatically, cutting it off from global finance and trade.

Syria’s economy collapsed under the weight of 14 years of war and sanctions. Over 90% of the population lives in poverty, housing and infrastructure are devastated, and even basic services like electricity and internet are unrelia-ble. Sanctions restricted Syria’s ability to access international banking systems, foreign investment, and reconstruc-tion funds.

The surprise move came after the rise of a new Islamist-led government in Damascus, which pledged to bring sta-bility and peace after years of civil war. According to former President Donald Trump, who made the announcement during a visit to Saudi Arabia, the decision was made to “give them a chance at greatness.”

Trump said: “There’s a new government that will hopefully succeed in stabilising the country and keeping peace.”

US previously handed Syria a 12-point list of conditions, including:

Protection of religious minorities, particularly after reports of revenge killings in northwest Syria;

Allowing US forces to strike terrorist targets within Syrian territory;

Steps toward a democratic political transition

and accountability for past human rights abuses

The lifting of sanctions is seen as a test of goodwill — with the US expecting Syria’s new leader-ship to respect human rights, preserve minority rights, and cooperate in counterterrorism efforts.

Syria still faces numerous challenges threatening its recovery.

"The procedure for lifting sanctions is quite long, even with the presence of political willingness," said Syrian economic expert Karam Shaar.

"It would still take months for these sanctions to be lifted because you're talking also about sanctions legislation, some of them are under acts as opposed to executive orders," he added.

While executive orders can be reversed easily, acts require congressional action.

Sanctions relief is also but one step in the lengthy reconstruction path for Syria, which the UN estimates could cost more than $400 billion.

The United Nations estimates rebuilding Syria could cost more than $400 billion.

Around 1.87 million Syrians have returned to their home regions since Assad's fall, according to International Organisation for Migration, but the UN body says lack of jobs and services is holding back wider returns.

The move was met with jubilation in Damascus, with Syrians taking to the streets in celebration. Syrian state media hailed it as a “pivotal turning point” and a chance to begin national recon-struction.

Saudi Arabia also praised the move, calling it a step toward regional stability. However, Israel voiced concerns over the Islamist-led government and vowed to prevent Syrian troops from de-ploying near its borders.

While the legal and logistical process of lifting sanctions will take time, Syria hopes to rejoin the international economy, attract foreign investment, and rebuild its infrastructure. However, the path forward will depend on whether the new government lives up to US and international expec-tations, particularly on human rights and counterterrorism.