**US Lifts Sanctions on Syria, Citing Need for Humanitarian Aid**
The United States has taken a significant step towards easing its sanctions on Syria. In a move that is being seen as a major breakthrough, the US Treasury Department and State Department announced on May 23 that immediate sanctions relief would be granted to the war-torn country.
This decision comes after President Donald Trump called for a complete end to sanctions on Syria. The sanctions were imposed due to the abuses of the Bashar al-Assad regime, but the new move aims to support the country’s recovery and reconstruction efforts.
**A Step Towards Humanitarian Aid**
According to a statement from Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the goal of the sanctions relief is to “advance Syria’s recovery and reconstruction efforts” and enable a more effective humanitarian response across the country. This means that the US is now willing to provide aid in areas such as electricity, energy, water, and sanitation.
The Syrian government has welcomed this decision, calling it a “positive step” towards relieving the country’s humanitarian and economic suffering. In a statement issued by its foreign ministry on May 24, Syria expressed its willingness to cooperate with international partners.
**A Broader Effort**
This move is part of a broader US government effort to remove all sanctions imposed on Syria due to the abuses of the Assad regime. The US Treasury Department has announced that the decision to roll back sanctions is “just one part” of this effort.
However, it’s worth noting that the sanctions relief does not allow for transactions that benefit Russia, Iran, or North Korea—key supporters of the former Assad regime. This suggests that while the US is willing to ease sanctions on Syria, it will still maintain restrictions on countries that have supported the Assad regime in the past.
**A New Chapter for Syria**
The Syrian government has been seeking to reverse its geopolitical isolation and years of crippling international sanctions after more than a decade of war. The ouster of dictator Bashar al-Assad in December 2024 marked a new chapter for the country, and this move by the US is seen as a critical step on “the path to economic recovery”.
As Syria looks towards rebuilding its economy and providing aid to its people, the international community will be closely watching these developments. While there are still many challenges ahead, this decision marks an important shift in the US’s approach to Syria.
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