A momentous week as Syria celebrates lifting U.S. sanctions and a year without Assad

"The U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday voted to repeal sanctions related to the Caesar Act, passed in 2019 as more evidence emerged of killings and torture by the Assad regime. The Syrian Foreign Ministry called it a "pivotal moment" that would restore opportunities denied to the Syrian people for years. The U.S. Senate is expected to approve the repeal of the sweeping sanctions next week."

"Their removal would pave the way for billions of dollars in spending on infrastructure and humanitarian needs, hampered partly by other countries' adherence to U.S. financial sanctions. But it is also expected to be a major boost to local business. "After the removal of these sanctions, we will be able to deal with Visa and Mastercard," the payment method preferred by most tourists, says Yasser Homsi, owner of Sham Services, a Syrian travel company."

The U.S. House of Representatives voted to repeal sanctions related to the Caesar Act, originally passed in 2019 amid evidence of killings and torture by the Assad regime. The U.S. Senate is expected to approve the repeal next week. Removal of the sanctions would clear the way for billions of dollars for infrastructure and humanitarian spending, which had been hampered by other countries' adherence to U.S. financial restrictions. The Syrian Foreign Ministry described the move as pivotal for restoring opportunities. Local businesses anticipate benefits including acceptance of Visa and Mastercard and simplified transfers previously routed through third countries. Assad was ousted on Dec. 8, 2024, and remains exiled in Russia; public celebrations marked the anniversary with fireworks, prayers, chants and street festivities.

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