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Trump ends Syria sanctions ahead of meeting with new regime

May 13, 2025
Riley Callanan
​Syrians set off fireworks during celebrations in Clock Square in the center of Idlib city, after US President Donald Trump's decision to lift sanctions on Syria.

Syrians set off fireworks during celebrations in Clock Square in the center of Idlib city, after US President Donald Trump's decision to lift sanctions on Syria.

DPA / Picture Alliance

US President Donald Trump announced that he will lift sanctions on Damascus ahead of his meeting with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa on Wednesday, to help the country “move forward” from its devastating civil war.

Turning a new leaf: Deposed dictator Bashar al-Assad had long been sanctioned for terrorism and human rights abuses. Syria’s new leadership has pushed for those restrictions to end, as they further crippled the Levantine country’s war-ravaged economy.

Why it matters: Trump’s decision paves the way for other Western countries to follow suit.

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