U.S. Congressman Brian Mast Supports Conditional Lifting of Sanctions on Syria
Republican Congressman Brian Mast, who chairs the House Foreign Affairs Committee, has announced a notable change in his position on the sanctions imposed on Syria, eliciting varied responses within Syrian communities.
On Friday, Mast, representing Florida, stated: "I will support lifting the broad sanctions on Syria." However, he emphasized that this support comes with important conditions, declaring: "I want to establish a framework that reinstates sanctions if the Damascus government fails to meet specific criteria," as reported by The Hill.
Mast's statement aligns with current trends within the U.S. administration. He noted that his position is consistent with the previous stance of President Donald Trump's administration, which advocated for a complete lifting of sanctions. He elaborated on the legal complexities, stating: "Trump can only suspend sanctions for six months at a time, but a complete lifting must include mechanisms to reinstate sanctions if certain conditions are not fulfilled." He reiterated, however, that "the lifting will be complete."
This announcement marks a significant development for Mast, who has been regarded as a leading opponent of fully lifting sanctions on Syria.
Numerous diplomatic and political initiatives have been undertaken to advocate for the complete lifting of sanctions, involving Syrian President Ahmad al-Shara, his congressional allies, and activists from both American and Syrian civil societies. These efforts gained traction following Shara's successful overthrow of the Assad regime in December 2024.
Proponents of lifting the sanctions argue that without full removal, American and international businesses will be reluctant to invest in Syria due to concerns about violating U.S. sanctions.
Additionally, advocates have raised humanitarian concerns, noting that Caesar's sanctions have complicated efforts to determine the status of missing Americans in Syria amid the ongoing conflict.
