Trump announces historic removal of Syria from US sanctions list

United States President Donald Trump has announced that Syria will be removed from the US terrorism sanctions list, ending more than 40 years of financial restrictions on the country.

Trump made the announcement during a visit to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on May 13, 2025. The decision came after discussions with leaders from Saudi Arabia and Turkey about Syria’s future following the fall of former President Bashar al-Assad’s government.

The move became official through an Executive Order signed by Trump on June 30, 2025, and took effect on July 1.

As part of the order, six previous executive orders that formed the basis of US sanctions on Syria were cancelled.

The US Treasury Department also removed 518 individuals and organisations from its sanctions list. This means many Syrian businesses and citizens can now access international financial services without the restrictions that previously limited their activities.

However, sanctions against former President Bashar al-Assad and some of his close associates remain in place.

The United States also reviewed sanctions linked to Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a group that has been involved in discussions about Syria’s transition after Assad. Following the review, HTS leader Ahmed al-Sharaa and several others were removed from some sanctions lists by the end of 2025.

The policy change has also affected the cryptocurrency sector. Cryptocurrency exchange Binance has lifted restrictions on users in Syria, allowing them to trade digital currencies, including Bitcoin.

The development is expected to help many Syrians gain access to digital financial services after years of relying mainly on cash transactions because of the country’s long civil war and international isolation.

For years, Syria’s economy faced heavy restrictions under several US sanctions, including the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act of 2019. These measures limited access to international banking services, payment platforms and digital asset markets, as many financial institutions avoided doing business with Syria due to legal and regulatory concerns.

The latest decision is expected to open new economic opportunities for Syrian businesses and citizens while supporting the country’s efforts to reconnect with the global financial system.