May 12, 2025
Washington, D.C. — Citizens for a Secure and Safe America (C4SSA) welcomes President Donald Trump’s statement today expressing openness to easing U.S. sanctions on Syria. His remarks mark an important and long overdue acknowledgment that the Syrian people deserve a real opportunity to rebuild their country after over a decade of devastating conflict.
Speaking to reporters earlier today, President Trump said, “We may take them off of Syria, because we want to give them a fresh start,” and noted that sanctions, as currently applied, make it difficult for Syria to recover and reconnect with the global economy. C4SSA echoes this concern and commends the President for recognizing the urgent need to reassess U.S. policy toward Syria, particularly as the country enters a post-conflict phase under new national leadership committed to reform, stability, and regional reintegration.
“U.S. sanctions are no longer needed following Assad, Hezbollah and other maligned actors’ defeat in Syria,” said Dr. Muhammad Bakr Ghbeis, President of C4SSA. “The United States is invested in supporting peace, stability and accountability, which should be naturally followed by also supporting reconstruction in Syria, and this must begin by lifting barriers that prevent economic recovery and further humanitarian access.”
C4SSA looks forward for the U.S. administration to follow through on this critical shift by working with Syrian civil society, international partners, and the new government in Damascus to craft a targeted and responsible sanctions rollback. Relief from these measures can empower the Syrian people to rebuild their institutions, restore basic services, and reintegrate with the global community.
Now is the time for the United States to support a strategy that shifts to progress and help Syrians take charge of their country’s future.
