Trump said it was Syrians’ “time to shine” and that easing sanctions would “give them a chance at greatness”.

The Syrian foreign ministry called Trump’s decision a “pivotal turning point” that would help bring stability, draw in investment and reintegrate the country into the global economy.

Finance Minister Mohammed Barnieh said Trump’s lifting of sanctions “will help Syria in building its institutions, providing essential services to the people and will create great opportunities to attract investment and restore confidence in Syria’s future”.

The United States imposed sweeping restrictions on financial transactions with Syria during the brutal civil war that began in 2011, targeting the ousted president, his family members and key government and economic figures.

In 2020, new sanctions came into effect under a US law known as the Caesar Act, punishing any companies linked to Assad in efforts to force accountability for human rights abuses and to encourage a political solution.

“These sanctions only ever hurt the Syrian people, not the regime,” 63-year-old Taqi al-Din Najjar told AFP from Aleppo.

In Damascus, dozens more gathered in the capital’s iconic Umayyad Square, chanting and singing in joy.

“My joy is great. This decision will definitely affect the entire country positively. Construction will return, the displaced will return, and prices will go down,” said Hiba Qassar, a 33-year-old English teacher.

Ahmed Asma, 34, expressed hopes that “now that the sanctions are lifted we can live as we did before, or even better”.

“We hope this is the start of a new era for Syria,” he told AFP as he drove through the square.

© 2025 AFP