Latest news with #Assad-era
Business Recorder
24-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
US formally lifts sanctions on Syria: Treasury Dept
WASHINGTON: The United States lifted comprehensive economic sanctions on Syria on Friday, marking a dramatic policy shift following the end of Bashar al-Assad's regime and opening the door for new investment in the war-torn country. Syria must 'continue to work towards becoming a stable country that is at peace, and today's actions will hopefully put the country on a path to a bright, prosperous and stable future,' Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a statement. The move formalized a decision announced by President Donald Trump last week. During a Middle East tour, Trump unexpectedly announced that he was lifting 'brutal and crippling' Assad-era sanctions on Syria in response to demands from Turkiye and Saudi Arabia. The sanctions relief extends to Syria's new government with conditions that the country not provide safe haven for terrorist organizations and ensure security for religious and ethnic minorities, the Treasury said. The State Department simultaneously issued a waiver enabling foreign partners and allies to participate in Syria's reconstruction, giving companies the green light to do business in the country. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement Friday the waiver would 'facilitate the provision of electricity, energy, water and sanitation, and enable a more effective humanitarian response across Syria.' The authorization covers new investment in Syria, provision of financial services, and transactions involving Syrian petroleum products. 'Today's actions represent the first step on delivering on the president's vision of a new relationship between Syria and the United States,' Rubio said. The United States had imposed sweeping restrictions on financial transactions with Syria during the country's 14-year civil war and made clear it would use sanctions to punish anyone involved in reconstruction as long as Assad remained in power. After an Islamist-led campaign last year that toppled Assad, Syria's new government has been looking to rebuild relations with Western governments and roll back punishing sanctions.
The Sun
24-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
US formally lifts sanctions on Syria: Treasury Dept
WASHINGTON: The United States lifted comprehensive economic sanctions on Syria on Friday, marking a dramatic policy shift following the end of Bashar al-Assad's regime and opening the door for new investment in the war-torn country. Syria must 'continue to work towards becoming a stable country that is at peace, and today's actions will hopefully put the country on a path to a bright, prosperous and stable future,' Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a statement. The move formalized a decision announced by President Donald Trump last week. During a Middle East tour, Trump unexpectedly announced that he was lifting 'brutal and crippling' Assad-era sanctions on Syria in response to demands from Turkey and Saudi Arabia. The sanctions relief extends to Syria's new government with conditions that the country not provide safe haven for terrorist organizations and ensure security for religious and ethnic minorities, the Treasury said. The State Department simultaneously issued a waiver enabling foreign partners and allies to participate in Syria's reconstruction, giving companies the green light to do business in the country. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement Friday the waiver would 'facilitate the provision of electricity, energy, water and sanitation, and enable a more effective humanitarian response across Syria.' The authorization covers new investment in Syria, provision of financial services, and transactions involving Syrian petroleum products. 'Today's actions represent the first step on delivering on the president's vision of a new relationship between Syria and the United States,' Rubio said. The United States had imposed sweeping restrictions on financial transactions with Syria during the country's 14-year civil war and made clear it would use sanctions to punish anyone involved in reconstruction as long as Assad remained in power. After an Islamist-led campaign last year that toppled Assad, Syria's new government has been looking to rebuild relations with Western governments and roll back punishing sanctions.
Daily Tribune
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Tribune
Syria weeks away from ‘full-scale civil war': Rubio
AFP | Washington US Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned Tuesday that Syria could be weeks away from a fresh civil war of 'epic proportions,' as he called for support to the transitional leadership. 'It is our assessment that, frankly, the transitional authority, given the challenges they're facing, are maybe weeks -- not many months -- away from potential collapse and a full-scale civil war of epic proportions, basically the country splitting up,' Rubio told a US Senate hearing. The top US diplomat spoke after a series of bloody attacks on the Alawite and Druze minorities in Syria, where Islamist-led fighters in December toppled Bashar al-Assad in a lightning offensive after a brutal civil war that began in 2011. US President Donald Trump last week on a visit to Saudi Arabia announced a lifting of Assad-era sanctions and met with the guerrilla leader who is now Syria's transitional president, Ahmed al-Sharaa. Sharaa, clad in a suit and complimented by Trump as a 'young, attractive guy,' was until recently on a US wanted list over jihadist connections. Rubio quipped: 'The transitional authority figures, they didn't pass their background check with the FBI.' But he added: 'If we engage them, it may work out, it may not work out. If we did not engage them, it was guaranteed to not work out.'
Leaders
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Leaders
Syria on Brink of Full-Scale Civil War, Warns Rubio
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a stark warning on Tuesday, cautioning that Syria could be mere weeks away from a fresh civil war. Rubio described the potential conflict as one of 'epic proportions.' He urged support for the transitional leadership during a US Senate hearing. Rubio emphasized the transitional authority's challenges and potential collapse, stating, 'They are maybe weeks, not many months, away from potential collapse.' This collapse could lead to a full-scale civil war and the country splitting up. Rubio's warning follows a series of bloody attacks on Syria's Alawite and Druze minorities, after the toppling of Bashar Assad by Islamist-led fighters in December. The brutal civil war began in 2011 and has left deep scars on the nation. Last week, US President Donald Trump visited Saudi Arabia, where he announced the lifting of Assad-era sanctions. Trump also met with Ahmed Al-Sharaa, the jihadist leader turned transitional president, who was once on a US wanted list, was complimented by Trump as a 'young, attractive guy'. The Transitional Authority's Challenges Rubio acknowledged the transitional authority's questionable background. He quipped, 'The transitional authority figures, they didn't pass their background check with the FBI.' Despite this, he argued for engagement. 'If we engage them, it may work out, it may not work out. If we did not engage them, it was guaranteed to not work out,' Rubio said. Rubio also met with Syria's foreign minister in Turkiye on Thursday, where he blamed the renewed violence on Assad's legacy. Assad, a largely secular leader from the Alawite sect, deliberately pitted groups against each other, leading to deep internal distrust in Syria. The situation in Syria remains precarious, with the transitional authority faces significant challenges. International support and engagement could be crucial in preventing a full-scale civil war. The coming weeks will be critical in determining Syria's future. Short link : Post Views: 8
Roya News
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Roya News
Rubio says Syria could be weeks away from 'full-scale civil war'
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned Tuesday that Syria could be weeks away from a fresh civil war of "epic proportions," as he called for support to the transitional leadership. "It is our assessment that, frankly, the transitional authority, given the challenges they're facing, are maybe weeks -- not many months -- away from potential collapse and a full-scale civil war of epic proportions, basically the country splitting up," Rubio told a US Senate hearing. US President Donald Trump last week on a visit to Saudi Arabia announced a lifting of Assad-era sanctions and met with the guerrilla leader who is now Syria's transitional president, Ahmed al-Sharaa. Sharaa, clad in a suit and complimented by Trump as a "young, attractive guy," was until recently on a US wanted list. Rubio quipped: "The transitional authority figures, they didn't pass their background check with the FBI." But he added: "If we engage them, it may work out, it may not work out. If we did not engage them, it was guaranteed to not work out." Rubio, who also met with Syria's foreign minister in Turkey on Thursday, blamed the renewed violence on the legacy of Assad, a largely secular leader who hailed from the Alawite sect.
