Will the lifting of sanctions usher in a new beginning for the Syrian people?

Arab News

2 days ago

LONDON: When news broke that Western sanctions on Syria would be lifted, Marwah Morhly finally allowed herself to imagine something she had not dared to in years: a stable life in her hometown of Damascus.
A Syrian writer and editor now living in Turkiye, Morhly once navigated a precarious existence back home — trying to earn a remote income in a country cut off from global banking systems and mired in uncertainty.
Returning to Damascus always felt like a distant dream — too risky and too complicated. But with sanctions easing, that dream is beginning to look attainable.
'It's a different kind of freedom — the freedom to dream,' she told Arab News.
'As someone who works remotely, the lifting of sanctions lets me imagine a future where I can work from my home in Damascus, receive my salary through a bank transfer directly to my account there, without any form of danger or exploitation.'
Under sanctions, she said, Syrians working with foreign clients had to operate in secrecy.
'We were working in the shadows … like ghosts,' she said. 'We weren't allowed to be visible, like unknown soldiers, because the moment it became clear (to employers abroad) that the work was happening inside Syria, it could jeopardize our livelihoods.'
The breakthrough came on May 13, when US President Donald Trump, during a visit to Riyadh, announced the lifting of sanctions on Syria. He framed the move as a historic opportunity for economic recovery and political stabilization.
Ten days later, the US Treasury Department issued General License 25, authorizing transactions with Syria's new transitional government, led by President Ahmad Al-Sharaa. In parallel, the State Department suspended the Caesar Act sanctions for 180 days, signaling a pivot toward reconstruction and humanitarian relief.
The EU soon followed suit, announcing the end of its own economic sanctions in a coordinated effort to support a nation fractured by more than a decade of civil war.
On Saturday, Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud announced from Damascus a joint effort with Qatar to fund salary support for Syria's state employees.
The move built on the two countries' decision earlier in May to pay off the $15.5 million debt Syria owed to the International Development Association, a World Bank fund that provides zero- or low-interest loans and grants to the world's poorest countries.
This policy shift did not happen in a vacuum. Ibrahim Al-Assil, a senior fellow at the Middle East Institute, said years of grassroots advocacy were pivotal.
'Of course, the Saudi role was huge, and many Syrians appreciate that, and same for the Turkish role,' Al-Assil told CNN.
'But also, many Syrians have been working on that — from students to academics to activists to business leaders and journalists writing and talking about this and pushing more and more towards lifting sanctions.'
The impact of these efforts goes beyond international politics. 'Why? Because it allows Syrians to breathe again,' he said, adding that sanctions are often viewed only on a macro level as something that affects an entire country. In reality, they have a serious impact on daily life.
'We forget that they affect the lives of the individuals on the tiny details — from medicine to connectivity and being able to check their email normally … also to what industries they can have, where they can travel, what kind of machines they can buy for their factories.'
For ordinary Syrians, these limitations posed immense challenges. Now, Al-Assil said, the situation is changing.
'It's still challenging, but the major obstacle seems to have been moved out of the way for Syrians, allowing them to move ahead and rebuild their country.'
Beyond basic needs, the lifting of sanctions opens new possibilities for professionals still living in Syria — many of whom have endured years of isolation, limited access to technology, and restricted earning potential.
Salma Saleh, a graphic designer based in Damascus, says she has spent 13 years building her career under the weight of sanctions, along with the years before that dedicated to her education.
'The challenges have been endless,' she told Arab News. 'We struggled to access most technologies and tools. Often, we had to use workarounds just to get hold of banned software or platforms.'
Freelancing is no easier. 'Syrians are blocked from PayPal and most global payment platforms used by freelancing platforms,' she said.
'Even sites essential for our work like Shutterstock, Freepik, and Envato are inaccessible. We can't even purchase courses on Coursera or Udemy, nor the software we work with, such as Adobe programs.
'We can't promote our work on social media platforms due to the ban on paid advertisements in Syria. Clients are afraid to work with Syrian freelancers because of the difficulty with payment methods and fears of being accused of funding terrorism.'
Electricity outages posed further challenges. 'My heart nearly stopped every time the power cut while I was rendering a video on my laptop,' said Saleh.
'It happened so many times we eventually got used to it. Syrian designers have become the most resilient professionals out there.'
Syria's electricity sector has all but collapsed owing to infrastructure damage, fuel shortages, and economic sanctions. Once relatively stable, the system now delivers just a few hours of electricity per day. In some areas, that is as little as 30 minutes.
'We had to jump through hoops just to keep up with the rest of the world,' said Saleh. 'We gave it everything. I consider the Syrian designer a super designer — and rightfully so.'
For Syrians across the diaspora, the developments mark a fragile but significant turning point. Cautious optimism is beginning to take root — even as the country remains divided and the road to recovery is long.
Lama Beddawi, a Syrian-American DevOps environment analyst based in the US, echoed that sentiment. 'The recent decision to lift sanctions on Syria marks a pivotal turning point, and I am hopeful that it signals a move in the right direction,' she told Arab News.
'This development brings a sense of optimism that the country's long-strained economy may begin to recover, opening the door for increased stability and renewed international investment,' she said.
'With fewer restrictions, Syria has the potential to rebuild its infrastructure, strengthen its institutions, and create opportunities for its people, paving the way for a more sustainable and prosperous future.'
Still, the benefits remain largely theoretical for now. On the ground, daily challenges persist, and progress will take time.
'Everyone understands this isn't a magic fix — the effects will take time to show,' said Morhly. 'As one man from central Damascus put it: 'For now, we'll take a hit from the dollar rate, but in a couple of months, more people will actually be able to afford meat again.''
There is also cautious optimism that basic services might begin to improve. 'There's hope the electricity situation might improve — which is the second biggest concern after water, especially with summer approaching and the heat already setting in,' she added.
From an economic perspective, the lifting of sanctions presents both opportunities and challenges.
Mohamed Ghazal, managing director of Startup Syria, a community-led initiative supporting Syrian entrepreneurs, believes translating sanctions relief into concrete gains such as jobs, investment, and basic services 'will be a complex and gradual process.'
He remains optimistic about certain sectors. 'Quicker gains are possible in transport and trade,' Ghazal told Arab News.
However, critical areas like general business development and startups are experiencing slower momentum. 'Lifting sanctions can take months,' said Ghazal. 'Capital flow issues persist due to a crippled banking system.
'Syria's banks lack access to SWIFT (Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication), suffer low liquidity, and operate under opaque regulations.
'Attracting foreign capital requires a modern investment law, clear property rights, business licensing frameworks, and financial repatriation mechanisms.
'The speed of progress depends on comprehensive reforms, institutional rebuilding, international investment, and continued humanitarian support.
'The lifting of sanctions is expected to open up channels like new funding, banking, or investment channels for Syrian startups.'
Diaspora and foreign investors could offer the capital injection needed to get the economy off its knees.
There are 'positive signs from the Syrian diaspora and potential foreign direct investment, especially from GCC countries and Turkiye,' said Ghazal. 'Interest from impact investors seeking financial returns and social and environmental impact.'
He identified several immediate priorities for revitalizing the economy, including restoring access to SWIFT, enacting a modern investment law with clear legal protections, and easing import restrictions on essential technology to enable the use of software, cloud services, and digital tools.
The SWIFT system is a global messaging network that enables financial institutions to exchange transaction details — like money transfer instructions — quickly, securely, and accurately across borders.
Before Lebanon's 2019 financial collapse, many Syrians used its banking system to bypass sanctions, parking billions in assets and accessing US dollars and trade channels. When the system froze, transfers stopped, savings were locked, and Syrians lost access to critical funds.
The Syrian pound then collapsed, inflation surged, and the economy worsened. While some estimates once placed Syrian deposits as high as $40 billion, remaining deposits in 2025 were estimated at just $3 to $4 billion, according to the Karam Shaar Advisory consultancy.
Some experts believe sanctions relief could signal a path forward. Ghassan Ibrahim, a London-based Syria analyst and founder of the Global Arab Network, believes sanctions relief could unlock trade and investment.
'Lifting Western sanctions removes long-standing barriers to Syria joining the global market,' he told Arab News. 'It restores credibility and sends a message that Syria is on the right path.'
Investor interest is already growing. 'Next week, a few American investors are heading to Damascus. We're also seeing engagement from GCC countries and Chinese firms already operating there.
'Any relief, especially from the US, will help get Syria back on track. It boosts the government's legitimacy and strengthens its diplomatic hand.'
The broader economic and political impact cannot be understated. 'President Al-Sharaa will be able to travel more freely, engage in diplomacy, and attract serious development partnerships,' said Ibrahim. 'That's critical for reconstruction.
'Ultimately, this shift could improve quality of life, create jobs, and drive long-term growth.'
Still, Syria's path to recovery remains long. Nearly six months after the fall of Bashar Assad, the country is still plagued by deep sectarian divisions, persistent violence, and political fragmentation.
In March 2025 alone, more than 1,100 people were killed in attacks targeting the Alawite minority following coordinated assaults on government forces. Survivors remain fearful of further violence, and many perpetrators have not been brought to justice.
Foreign threats compound internal instability. Israel has launched multiple airstrikes, including one near the presidential palace, citing threats to the Druze minority. Syria's new leadership condemned the attacks, highlighting the fragility of foreign relations.
Internally, law and order remains weak. Women and minorities still face abuse, rights protections are unevenly enforced, and extremist groups continue to assert control in some regions, several news agencies have reported.
The humanitarian crisis also endures. Around 16.7 million Syrians rely on aid, while millions remain displaced. Israel maintains a military presence, and Turkiye has voiced opposition to any settlement between Damascus and Kurdish factions — complicating efforts toward national unity.
Though US, EU, and UK sanctions relief is meant to support Syria's transition, the UN warns of 'real dangers of renewed conflict.'
Meanwhile, the interim government faces the daunting task of rebuilding a country where 90 percent of the population lives in poverty and millions remain displaced.
The door may be open, but walking through it will require more than hope. It will take time, trust, and tangible change.