US sanctions lifted on Syria, Trump recalls securing Golan rights for Israel

US sanctions lifted on Syria after Congress votes to repeal the Caesar Act, with the US President highlighting the economic value of the Golan Heights for Israel.

The US Congress voted by a wide majority to fully lift the sanctions imposed on Syria since 2019, ending the enforcement of the “Caesar Act,” which had been one of the main tools of economic pressure on Damascus. The decision also received broad support in both the Senate and the House of Representatives, paving the way for the return of investments and reconstruction projects in Syria, which could exceed $216 billion according to World Bank estimates.

The United States had previously suspended the application of the sanctions twice for six-month periods following an earlier partial lifting, as part of a path toward normalization with Syria. The Caesar Act had imposed strict restrictions on Damascus, preventing the country from accessing the international banking system and conducting transactions in US dollars. US officials said that fully lifting the sanctions aims to restore investor confidence.

In separate remarks, US President Donald Trump said that his decision to transfer the rights of the Golan Heights to Israel was provided at no cost to Tel Aviv, noting the significant economic value of this step. This development coincides with Syria’s efforts to secure funding necessary for reconstruction after a war that lasted 14 years.

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