There is a sense of hope in Syria as optimism abounds following the unexpected decision by United States President Donald Trump to lift sanctions on the country. The announcement, made in Riyadh on Tuesday, was a relief for Syrians who are hopeful that this move will help reintegrate Syria into the global economy and attract much-needed investment to a country that has been struggling to recover from decades of dynastic family rule and a long-lasting war.
Trump’s statement, in which he expressed that this decision would give Syria “a chance at greatness” after the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad in December, had an immediate impact as the Syrian pound strengthened against the US dollar by about 25 percent, providing a much-needed boost to the country’s economy.
Experts like economist Ibrahim Nafi Qushji have described the lifting of sanctions as a fundamental turning point for the Syrian economy, potentially reshaping trade and investment relations with more developed economies.
Complex sanctions
While the removal of sanctions is expected to bring some progress, there are still challenges ahead, according to analysts. The history of US sanctions on Syria dates back to 1979 and includes various measures targeting the regime and individuals associated with both the government and the opposition.
There are layers of sanctions, including export controls, executive orders, and legislation passed by the US Congress, making the process of lifting them complex and technical. Some sanctions could be removed through executive orders, while others may require more intricate procedures.
Experts caution that the timeline for sanctions relief is uncertain, and it may take up to a year before tangible results are seen. Additionally, Syria will need to undergo banking reforms and gain trust from international investors to fully benefit from the lifting of sanctions.
Trump meets al-Sharaa
After months of calls for sanctions relief from various stakeholders, Trump’s decision to lift sanctions on Syria came as a surprise to many. The US had previously maintained a firm stance against President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s government due to concerns over ties to violence and armed groups.
While regional powers like Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Turkiye have shown support for the new Syrian government, the US has been cautious in its approach since the fall of the Assad regime. Trump’s meeting with al-Sharaa, alongside Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Turkiye’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, marked a significant shift in US policy towards Syria.
Despite the challenges ahead, the lifting of sanctions is seen as a crucial first step towards rebuilding the Syrian economy and fostering global economic integration, paving the way for a sustainable recovery.
Mereka menyertakan beberapa tuntutan terdahulu AS terhadap Suriah, seperti menangani pejuang asing dan kerjasama “kontraterorisme”. Tetapi Trump juga menyebutkan Suriah mengakui Israel, serta mengambil alih pusat tahanan ISIL di Suriah utara.
“Ini sepertinya bukan syarat mutlak, tapi bisa memperlambat penghapusan sanksi,” Natasha Hall, seorang peneliti senior dengan Program Timur Tengah di Pusat Studi Strategis dan Internasional, mengatakan kepada Al Jazeera.
Orang-orang merayakan di Lapangan Umayyad Damaskus setelah keputusan Presiden AS Donald Trump untuk menghapus sanksi di Suriah, pada 13 Mei 2025 [Abdulaziz Ketaz/AFP]