Syria
UN envoy to Syria, Geir Pedersen (left) and SDF chief Mazloum Abdi (right). Photos: AFP. Graphic: Rudaw
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The commander of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) Mazloum Abdi and United Nations Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen on Tuesday lauded US President Donald Trump’s decision to lift sanctions on Syria, hailing it as a positive step toward the country’s recovery and stability.
In a post on X, Abdi wrote, “We thank US President Donald Trump for his decision to lift sanctions imposed on Syria for what they will have a positive impact on the country.”
The SDF chief further hoped “this step will be benefited from in a way that would support stability and reconstruction in a way that ensures a better future for all Syrians,” adding, “Syria always deserves the best.”
The statement followed President Trump’s announcement earlier that day, made during a speech in Saudi Arabia - the first stop on his regional tour, which also includes the United Arab Emirates and Qatar.
"I will be ordering the cessation of sanctions against Syria in order to give them a chance at greatness," Trump declared, signaling a broader shift in US policy toward the new leadership in Damascus.
A senior White House official, speaking on background to reporters including Rudaw’s correspondent, confirmed that Trump “has agreed to say hello” to Syria’s interim president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, during his stay in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday. No additional details were provided.
On December 8, a coalition of opposition groups led by Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) - then under the command of Sharaa - ousted the regime of long-time Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad. Sharaa was named interim president in late January.
Though HTS remains designated a terrorist organization by the US, Washington dropped a $10 million reward for Sharaa’s capture in late December.
A face-to-face meeting between Trump and Sharaa would represent a major diplomatic boost for Syria’s new leaders.
Trump’s remarks follow similar comments made Monday, where he floated the idea of easing sanctions to give Damascus a “fresh start.”
“We’re going to have to make a decision on the sanctions, which we may very well relieve. We may take them off of Syria because we want to give them a fresh start,” he said, noting that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and “many people” had urged him to do so.
“The way we have them sanctioned, it doesn’t really give them much of a start. So we want to see if we can help them out. We’ll make that determination.”
The United Nations Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen also welcomed Trump’s announcement.
In a post on X, Pedersen wrote, “I welcome the statements made by the President of the United States regarding the suspension of sanctions imposed on Syria.” He added that the move “is in line with my ongoing call for concrete action in this regard.”
“Throughout Syria and in the diaspora, Syrians overwhelmingly demand expanded and accelerated sanctions relief,” Pedersen emphasized.
Since coming to power, Syria’s interim government has consistently urged the international community to lift sanctions imposed on Damascus during the Assad rule, arguing they obstruct economic recovery and reconstruction efforts.
In March, Washington presented Damascus with a list of eight conditions for potential sanctions relief. These included the destruction of any remaining Assad-era chemical weapons and guarantees that no foreign nationals would hold senior positions in the new government.
Speaking to Rudaw on Saturday, Syrian Economy Minister Mohammed Nidal al-Shaar expressed optimism, stating that the sanctions issue “will be resolved in the near future.”
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