US Congressman Brian Mast Signals Support for Lifting Sanctions on Syria with Conditions
Republican Congressman Brian Mast, who chairs the House Foreign Affairs Committee, has announced a significant shift in his stance regarding sanctions imposed on Syria, eliciting notable responses from Syrian communities.
On Friday, Mast, a representative from Florida, stated, "I support the lifting of comprehensive sanctions against Syria." However, he added a crucial condition for this support, saying, "I want to introduce a provision that would impose sanctions if the government in Damascus fails to meet certain requirements," as reported by the U.S. publication "The Hill."
This announcement aligns with U.S. government policies, as Mast emphasized that "his position does not contradict the stance of President Donald Trump’s administration, which supports the complete lifting of sanctions." He also addressed legal complexities, stating, "Trump only has the authority to suspend sanctions for six months at a time, but any complete lifting must include mechanisms that allow for sanctions to be reinstated if certain conditions are not met." Nevertheless, he clarified that "the lifting would be comprehensive."
This development marks a notable change in Mast's career, as he was previously regarded as one of the most prominent opponents of fully lifting sanctions against Syria.
It is important to note that numerous diplomatic and political efforts have been made to advance the process of fully lifting sanctions, involving Syrian President Ahmad al-Shara, his allies in Congress, and activists from both American and Syrian civil societies, as well as the Syrian community in the United States. These efforts gained momentum after al-Shara's regime was overthrown in December 2024.
Proponents of lifting the sanctions argue that "without a complete lifting of sanctions, American companies and others worldwide, including in the Arab region, will hesitate to invest in Syria for fear of violating U.S. sanctions."
Supporters of this position also highlighted humanitarian concerns, expressing "worries that the Caesar sanctions have made it difficult to ascertain the fate of Americans who went missing in Syria during the war."
