Executive Order Effective Since May 2004 Revoked
Effective Starting July 1
President Alshara's Positive Actions Recognized
The United States has officially lifted sanctions on Syria for the first time in 21 years. This move is seen as both formalizing the possibility of restoring relations with Syria, a former adversary, and considering Syria’s potential participation in the Abraham Accords.
On June 30 (local time), U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order stating, “I am ending the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13338 (which froze the assets of certain individuals in Syria and prohibited the export of certain goods), effective since May 11, 2004, and hereby revoke that order.” Along with this, all additional sanctions on Syria have also been lifted. This measure will take effect starting July 1, local time.
President Trump explained that the background for lifting the sanctions was due to the positive actions taken by the new government led by President Ahmed Alshara, following the collapse of the Bashar al-Assad dictatorship, as well as Syria’s constructive changes over the past six months.
He stated, “The United States supports Syria in becoming a stable and unified country that coexists peacefully with itself and its neighbors,” and added, “A Syria that does not provide safe haven to terrorist organizations and ensures the safety of religious and ethnic minorities will contribute to regional security and prosperity.”
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Besant also commented, “Today’s measure will allow the Syrian economy to reconnect with the global economic network and provide opportunities to rebuild national infrastructure,” and added, “We hope this measure will help the Syrian people and give the country a chance to succeed.”
This action by President Trump fulfills the promise he made during his Middle East tour last month to lift sanctions on Syria. At that time, President Trump met with interim Syrian President Alshara for the first time and held talks. President Trump described President Alshara as a “strong figure,” a “fighter,” and “someone with a powerful track record.”
Previously, on June 23, the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Department of State issued General License (GL) 25 for Syria and announced measures to suspend sanctions under the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act (Caesar Act) for 180 days.
The Financial Times (FT) of the United Kingdom reported, “This easing of sanctions aligns with the Trump administration’s broader goals in the Middle East,” and added, “The United States hopes that, in the long term, Syria will be able to participate in the Abraham Accords, which center on normalizing relations with Israel.”
President Trump is working to expand the Abraham Accords, which focus on normalizing diplomatic relations between Israel and Arab countries. The Abraham Accords are considered a key diplomatic achievement of Trump’s first administration.
In the executive order issued by President Trump, sanctions remain in place against former regime officials, including former President al-Assad, who fled to Russia before the regime collapsed late last year.
Additionally, individuals associated with ISIS (the U.S. military’s designation for the “Islamic State”), other terrorist organizations, human rights abusers, and those involved in chemical weapons or chemical weapons proliferation activities are also excluded from relief measures.
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