US Treasury announces the removal of 518 Syrian entities and individuals from its sanctions list following a recent presidential decree.
Washington, DC – In a significant policy shift, President Donald Trump has enacted an executive order aimed at easing the sanctions imposed on Syria. This decision comes more than six months after the removal of President Bashar al-Assad and is poised to facilitate foreign investments in the country.
The executive order, issued on Monday, aims to provide relief for “entities crucial to Syria’s development, governmental functions, and the restoration of the nation’s social stability,” according to the US Treasury’s official statement.
Syria has faced stringent financial restrictions imposed by the US, which have been in place since before the civil war erupted in 2011.
The extensive sanctions, which included measures against human rights violations by the previous administration, have severely hindered reconstruction efforts and pushed Syria’s economy to the brink of collapse under al-Assad’s regime.
During a diplomatic visit to the Middle East in May, Trump pledged to ease sanctions for Syria.
“The United States is dedicated to fostering a Syria that is stable, unified, and at peace with itself and its neighbors,” the President stated on Monday.
“A united Syria that does not offer sanctuary to terrorist groups and protects its diverse religious and ethnic communities will bolster regional security and prosperity.”
The US government clarified that sanctions related to Assad and his supporters, ISIS, as well as Iran and its affiliates, will remain intact.
While the Treasury confirmed the removal of 518 Syrian entities and individuals from its sanctions list, some restrictions may still remain in effect for the time being.
For instance, Trump has tasked US agencies with assessing whether the conditions for lifting sanctions under the Caesar Act—which enforces heavy penalties due to alleged war crimes—are met.
In a collaborative effort, Democratic Congresswoman Ilhan Omar and Republican Representative Anna Paulina Luna introduced a bill earlier this week aimed at permanently lifting sanctions on Syria to provide long-term support.
For the Syrian people to receive genuine relief, certain laws must be repealed.
My bill with @RepLuna aims to eliminate sanctions and give the post-Assad Syria a fighting chance.
— Rep. Ilhan Omar (@Ilhan) June 30, 2025
As part of Trump’s directive, he has instructed Secretary of State Marco Rubio to reassess the designation of interim Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa as a “Specially Designated Global Terrorist”.
Additionally, the President has called for a review of the al-Nusra Front – now known as Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) – regarding its classification as a “foreign terrorist” organization. Although al-Nusra was initially an affiliate of al-Qaeda in Syria, al-Sharaa cut ties with the group in 2016.
Al-Nusra subsequently rebranded as Jabhat Fath al-Sham before merging with other factions to form HTS.
Al-Sharaa was the de facto leader of a rebel stronghold in Idlib for several years and led the campaign that resulted in Assad’s ousting in December 2024.
Trump praised al-Sharaa during their May meeting in Saudi Arabia, describing him as “charming” and “resilient”.
Previously known by his nom de guerre Abu Mohammed al-Julani, the interim president has vowed to ensure inclusive governance and allay concerns over past associations with al-Qaeda.
However, ongoing violence and kidnappings targeting members of Assad’s Alawite sect by former rebel fighters have drawn caution from some human rights advocates.
Al-Sharaa has committed to ensuring Syria does not pose a threat to neighboring countries, including Israel, which has continued its operations in Syrian territory beyond the Golan Heights.