US President Donald Trump’s move to ease sanctions on Syria could mark a turning point for the war-scarred country, potentially opening the door to long-awaited reconstruction and economic revival.The announcement came after Trump met interim Syrian PresidentAhmed al-Sharaa in Riyadh, marking the first meeting between a US leader and a Syrian head of state in 25 years. Trump praised Sharaa as a “tough guy” with a “very strong past”, a striking remark given the Syrian leader’s former ties to jihadist groups and his inclusion on a US terrorism list as recently as 2013.CNN reported that Sharaa, once known as Abu Mohammed al-Jolani and leader of al-Qaeda’s affiliate in Syria, had a $10 million US bounty on his head before seizing power and expelling Iran-backed militias from Syria. His rapid rise to leadership and rebranding as a national figurehead has prompted mixed reactions globally, with some Arab nations embracing his legitimacy and others, like Israel, remaining deeply sceptical.While in Riyadh, Trump sat down with Sharaa and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, joined by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan via video link. Trump told reporters that he had encouraged Syria to join the Abraham Accords and normalise ties with Israel. Although no formal commitment was made, he said Sharaa had responded positively.Trump also said he had urged Sharaa to expel foreign militants and assume control over detention camps holding Islamic State fighters — a task currently managed by Kurdish forces backed by the US but opposed by Turkey. “They have a lot of work to do,” Trump added, noting that sanctions had left Syria in dire straits. He called the punitive measures “crippling” and said lifting them would give Syria a “strong chance” at rebuilding.The response in Syria was immediate. Celebrations broke out in major cities, with residents hoping the end of sanctions would reverse years of economic devastation. A soap factory owner in Aleppo told reporters the decision would “boost the economy and encourage people to return”.According to CNN and other experts cited, US sanctions have been in place for decades, with three main regimes: the 1979 designation of Syria as a state sponsor of terrorism, the 2003 Syria Accountability Act, and the 2019 Caesar Act. These measures have severely restricted financial transactions, humanitarian operations, and everyday commerce, pushing 90% of Syrians below the poverty line.Syrian economist Karam Shaar told CNN that the effects of lifting sanctions wouldn’t be immediate. “Sanctions aren’t a switch,” he said, cautioning that only a full rollback of overlapping restrictions would make a difference. However, even the symbolic gesture has already caused Syria’s currency to rise by 60%, signalling market optimism.Humanitarian organisations say the announcement could be transformative. “It marks a potentially transformative moment for millions of Syrians who have endured more than 13 years of economic hardship, conflict, and displacement,” said Mathieu Rouquette, Syria country director for Mercy Corps.
