US lifts Caesar Act restrictions on Syria after years of blockade
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa (Photo: Getty Images)
The US Senate voted to lift the sanctions imposed on Syria under the so-called Caesar Act. This paves the way for the country to restore economic and diplomatic ties after years of isolation, according to TRT World.
This decision marks the first significant shift away from the policy of isolating the Syrian government, which had been in place since 2020.
The Caesar sanctions were aimed at pressuring the Damascus government by restricting financial and trade channels for Syrian state institutions and allied companies.
Republican Senator Joe Wilson, who actively lobbied for this decision alongside the Syrian-American Alliance, stated that the sanctions had become outdated and only worsened the humanitarian crisis.
“These very severe sanctions were imposed on a regime which, thankfully, no longer exists. Syria’s success now depends on FULL & TOTAL repeal,” Wilson said.
Removing the main obstacle to Syria’s revival
The Syrian government, led by President Ahmed al-Sharaa, has already called the US decision historic. Syrian Information Minister Hamza al-Mustafa stated that a key barrier on the path to development, prosperity, and stability has been removed.
In Damascus, officials noted that diplomatic efforts by the Syrian diaspora and intermediary contacts through regional players played a significant role in the policy shift.
Turkish factor and shifting regional dynamics
Notably, the Senate vote took place shortly after Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan openly called on the international community to lift sanctions on Syria. He emphasized that the restrictions primarily harmed ordinary Syrians and hindered the political settlement process and the return of refugees.
Trump gives the green light
As early as June, US President Donald Trump publicly announced his intention to review the sanctions policy toward Syria, which revived diplomatic contacts between Washington, Damascus, and several Middle Eastern capitals.
The lifting of sanctions could mark the start of a new geopolitical phase, with Syria returning to regional forums, resuming trade, and potentially attracting investment for post-war reconstruction.
The Syrian Ministry of Justice issued an arrest warrant for former President Bashar al-Assad, who fled to Russia after the opposition’s victory in December 2024.
Following the change of power in Syria, US President Donald Trump lifted sanctions that had been in place since 2004.
Recently, Ukraine and Syria also restored diplomatic relations, which had been severed in 2022 after the Assad regime supported Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.
