U.S. Senate Committee Backs Lifting Sanctions on Syria

The U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee has voiced its support for lifting sanctions imposed on Syria under the Caesar Act, a move seen as a notable shift in U.S. policy towards Damascus after years of economic and political isolation.

This stance was articulated in a statement released on Tuesday following a meeting between Committee Chairman Jim Risch and Senator Jeanne Shaheen with Syrian President Ahmad al-Shara during his recent visit to Washington. The statement emphasized the goal of achieving a "prosperous and stable Syria," which could potentially be facilitated by easing economic sanctions.

The statement also highlighted the new Syrian government's commitment to combatting the Islamic State and addressing remnants of chemical weapons and narcotics left by the regime of Bashar al-Assad, asserting that continued progress in these areas would bolster investor and international decision-maker confidence in the country's future.

This development comes just days after the U.S. Treasury Department announced a partial easing of Caesar Act sanctions for a period of 180 days, described as a "signal of Washington's willingness to reduce sanctions" contingent on ongoing Syrian cooperation.

It is important to note that the Caesar Act was enacted in 2019 to penalize figures from the previous regime for war crimes against civilians, but it has also resulted in severe economic restrictions that have adversely affected the Syrian population and critical sectors such as energy, construction, and banking.