Latest news with #Syrians'
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Rubio warns Syria could be weeks away from 'full-scale civil war'
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has called for Syria's transitional authorities to be supported, warning that the country could be only weeks away from "potential collapse and a full-scale civil war of epic proportions". At a hearing of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, he defended President Donald Trump's decision last week to lift sanctions on Syria before meeting President Ahmed al-Sharaa, a former al-Qaeda commander who led the rebel offensive that overthrew Bashar al-Assad in December. Trump's rationale was that other countries wanted to help Sharaa's administration and send aid but were afraid of the sanctions, Rubio explained. There was no immediate comment from Syrian officials. 'I'm overjoyed to be back': Syrians face daunting rebuild after years of war Trump's meeting with Sharaa, unthinkable just months ago, boosts Syrians' hopes Syrian security forces monitored armed civilians who killed Alawites, accused man says The US imposed sanctions on Syria in response to atrocities committed by forces loyal to Assad during the country's devastating 13-year civil war, in which more than 600,000 people were killed and 12 million others were forced from their homes. The State Department had previously insisted on several conditions being met before they were lifted, including protecting religious and ethnic minorities. Although Sharaa has promised to do that, the country has been rocked by two waves of deadly sectarian violence in recent months. In March, almost 900 civilians, mainly members of Assad's Alawite sect, were killed by pro-government forces across the western coastal region during fighting between security forces and former regime loyalists, according to one monitoring group. The loyalists reportedly killed almost 450 civilians and 170 security personnel. And at the start of May, more than 100 people were reportedly killed in clashes between gunmen from the Druze religious minority, the new security forces and allied Sunni Islamist fighters in two suburbs of the capital Damascus and the southern province of Suweida. Even before the violence, many members of minority communities were worried about the new transitional authorities, which are dominated by Sharaa's Sunni Islamist group, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). It is a former al-Qaeda affiliate still designated as a terrorist organisation by the UN, the US, the EU and the UK. Sharaa himself also continues to be listed by the US as a "specially designated global terrorist", although the Biden administration announced in December that the US would scrap the $10m (£7.5m) bounty offered for his arrest. Despite Sharaa's past, Trump took the opportunity to meet him while attending a summit of Gulf leaders in Saudi Arabia last week. Afterwards, the US president told reporters that he was a "young, attractive guy", adding: "Tough guy. Strong past. Very strong past. Fighter." "He's got a real shot at pulling it [Syria] together," he said, adding, "it's a torn-up country". Sharaa meanwhile said Trump's decision to lift the sanctions on Syria "was a historic and courageous decision, which alleviates the suffering of the people, contributes to their rebirth and lays the foundations for stability in the region". Speaking to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in Washington DC on Tuesday, Rubio quipped that "the bad news is that the transitional authority figures... didn't pass their background check with the FBI". "But on the flip side of it is, 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," he added. "In fact, 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." He did not elaborate but said Syria's minorities were "dealing with deep internal distrust... because Assad deliberately pitted these groups against each other". He said the Trump decided to lift the sanctions quickly because "nations in the region want to get aid in, want to start helping them. And they can't because they are afraid of our sanctions". As Rubio spoke, European Union foreign ministers agreed to also lift economic sanctions on Syria. "We want to help the Syrian people rebuild a new, inclusive and peaceful Syria," the bloc's foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas wrote on X. "The EU has always stood by Syrians throughout the last 14 years - and will keep doing so." The Syrian foreign ministry said the decision marked "the beginning of a new chapter in Syrian-European relations built on shared prosperity and mutual respect".
Iraqi News
14-05-2025
- Business
- Iraqi News
Syrians hail lifting of US sanctions as start of ‘new era'
Aleppo – The sound of fireworks and applause rang out in Syria's major cities overnight, as Syrians celebrated US President Donald Trump's decision to lift sanctions on the devastated country. In Syria's second city Aleppo, dozens of men, women and children took to the central Saadallah al-Jabiri Square, waving the new Syrian flag and singing. Hours earlier in Riyadh, Trump announced he would lift sanctions on Syria, as the country seeks to rebuild after the December ouster of longtime president Bashar al-Assad. Soap factory owner Zain al-Jabali, 54, rushed to the square as soon as she heard the news. 'These sanctions were imposed on Assad, but… now that Syria has been liberated, there will be a positive impact on industry, it'll boost the economy and encourage people to return,' she told AFP. Amid the sound of cars honking in celebration, 26-year-old Ghaith Anbi described the news as 'the second joy since the fall of Assad'. 'Lifting the sanctions on the Syrian people will have a very positive impact on reconstruction and rebuilding infrastructure, especially in Aleppo as an economic city,' the civil engineer told AFP. 'There will be great economic prosperity for the Syrian people,' he said. – 'Turning point' – In the Saudi capital on Tuesday, Trump announced he was lifting the 'brutal and crippling' Assad-era sanctions, in response to demands from new Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa's allies in Turkey and Saudi Arabia. Trump said it was Syrians' 'time to shine' and that easing sanctions would 'give them a chance at greatness'. The Syrian foreign ministry called Trump's decision a 'pivotal turning point' that would help bring stability, draw in investment and reintegrate the country into the global economy. Finance Minister Mohammed Barnieh said Trump's lifting of sanctions 'will help Syria in building its institutions, providing essential services to the people and will create great opportunities to attract investment and restore confidence in Syria's future'. The United States imposed sweeping restrictions on financial transactions with Syria during the brutal civil war that began in 2011, targeting the ousted president, his family members and key government and economic figures. In 2020, new sanctions came into effect under a US law known as the Caesar Act, punishing any companies linked to Assad in efforts to force accountability for human rights abuses and to encourage a political solution. 'These sanctions only ever hurt the Syrian people, not the regime,' 63-year-old Taqi al-Din Najjar told AFP from Aleppo. In Damascus, dozens more gathered in the capital's iconic Umayyad Square, chanting and singing in joy. 'My joy is great. This decision will definitely affect the entire country positively. Construction will return, the displaced will return, and prices will go down,' said Hiba Qassar, a 33-year-old English teacher. Ahmed Asma, 34, expressed hopes that 'now that the sanctions are lifted we can live as we did before, or even better'. 'We hope this is the start of a new era for Syria,' he told AFP as he drove through the square.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Syrians hail lifting of US sanctions as start of 'new era'
The sound of fireworks and applause rang out in Syria's major cities overnight, as Syrians celebrated US President Donald Trump's decision to lift sanctions on the devastated country. In Syria's second city Aleppo, dozens of men, women and children took to the central Saadallah al-Jabiri Square, waving the new Syrian flag and singing. Hours earlier in Riyadh, Trump announced he would lift sanctions on Syria, as the country seeks to rebuild after the December ouster of longtime president Bashar al-Assad. Soap factory owner Zain al-Jabali, 54, rushed to the square as soon as she heard the news. "These sanctions were imposed on Assad, but... now that Syria has been liberated, there will be a positive impact on industry, it'll boost the economy and encourage people to return," she told AFP. Amid the sound of cars honking in celebration, 26-year-old Ghaith Anbi described the news as "the second joy since the fall of Assad". "Lifting the sanctions on the Syrian people will have a very positive impact on reconstruction and rebuilding infrastructure, especially in Aleppo as an economic city," the civil engineer told AFP. "There will be great economic prosperity for the Syrian people," he said. - 'Turning point' - In the Saudi capital on Tuesday, Trump announced he was lifting the "brutal and crippling" Assad-era sanctions, in response to demands from new Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa's allies in Turkey and Saudi Arabia. Trump said it was Syrians' "time to shine" and that easing sanctions would "give them a chance at greatness". The Syrian foreign ministry called Trump's decision a "pivotal turning point" that would help bring stability, draw in investment and reintegrate the country into the global economy. Finance Minister Mohammed Barnieh said Trump's lifting of sanctions "will help Syria in building its institutions, providing essential services to the people and will create great opportunities to attract investment and restore confidence in Syria's future". The United States imposed sweeping restrictions on financial transactions with Syria during the brutal civil war that began in 2011, targeting the ousted president, his family members and key government and economic figures. In 2020, new sanctions came into effect under a US law known as the Caesar Act, punishing any companies linked to Assad in efforts to force accountability for human rights abuses and to encourage a political solution. "These sanctions only ever hurt the Syrian people, not the regime," 63-year-old Taqi al-Din Najjar told AFP from Aleppo. In Damascus, dozens more gathered in the capital's iconic Umayyad Square, chanting and singing in joy. "My joy is great. This decision will definitely affect the entire country positively. Construction will return, the displaced will return, and prices will go down," said Hiba Qassar, a 33-year-old English teacher. Ahmed Asma, 34, expressed hopes that "now that the sanctions are lifted we can live as we did before, or even better". "We hope this is the start of a new era for Syria," he told AFP as he drove through the square. bur-lk/bha/jsa
France 24
14-05-2025
- Business
- France 24
Syrians hail lifting of US sanctions as start of 'new era'
In Syria's second city Aleppo, dozens of men, women and children took to the central Saadallah al-Jabiri Square, waving the new Syrian flag and singing. Hours earlier in Riyadh, Trump announced he would lift sanctions on Syria, as the country seeks to rebuild after the December ouster of longtime president Bashar al-Assad. Soap factory owner Zain al-Jabali, 54, rushed to the square as soon as she heard the news. "These sanctions were imposed on Assad, but... now that Syria has been liberated, there will be a positive impact on industry, it'll boost the economy and encourage people to return," she told AFP. Amid the sound of cars honking in celebration, 26-year-old Ghaith Anbi described the news as "the second joy since the fall of Assad". "Lifting the sanctions on the Syrian people will have a very positive impact on reconstruction and rebuilding infrastructure, especially in Aleppo as an economic city," the civil engineer told AFP. "There will be great economic prosperity for the Syrian people," he said. 'Turning point' In the Saudi capital on Tuesday, Trump announced he was lifting the "brutal and crippling" Assad-era sanctions, in response to demands from new Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa's allies in Turkey and Saudi Arabia. Trump said it was Syrians' "time to shine" and that easing sanctions would "give them a chance at greatness". The Syrian foreign ministry called Trump's decision a "pivotal turning point" that would help bring stability, draw in investment and reintegrate the country into the global economy. Finance Minister Mohammed Barnieh said Trump's lifting of sanctions "will help Syria in building its institutions, providing essential services to the people and will create great opportunities to attract investment and restore confidence in Syria's future". The United States imposed sweeping restrictions on financial transactions with Syria during the brutal civil war that began in 2011, targeting the ousted president, his family members and key government and economic figures. In 2020, new sanctions came into effect under a US law known as the Caesar Act, punishing any companies linked to Assad in efforts to force accountability for human rights abuses and to encourage a political solution. "These sanctions only ever hurt the Syrian people, not the regime," 63-year-old Taqi al-Din Najjar told AFP from Aleppo. In Damascus, dozens more gathered in the capital's iconic Umayyad Square, chanting and singing in joy. "My joy is great. This decision will definitely affect the entire country positively. Construction will return, the displaced will return, and prices will go down," said Hiba Qassar, a 33-year-old English teacher. Ahmed Asma, 34, expressed hopes that "now that the sanctions are lifted we can live as we did before, or even better". "We hope this is the start of a new era for Syria," he told AFP as he drove through the square. © 2025 AFP
RTÉ News
14-05-2025
- Business
- RTÉ News
Syrians hail lifting of US sanctions as start of new era
The sound of fireworks and applause rang out in Syria's major cities overnight, as Syrians celebrated US President Donald Trump's decision to lift sanctions on the devastated country. In Syria's second city Aleppo, dozens of men, women and children took to the central Saadallah al-Jabiri Square, waving the new Syrian flag and singing. Hours earlier in Riyadh, Mr Trump announced he would lift sanctions on Syria, as the country seeks to rebuild after the December ouster of longtime president Bashar al-Assad. Soap factory owner Zain al-Jabali, 54, rushed to the square as soon as she heard the news. "These sanctions were imposed on Assad, but... now that Syria has been liberated, there will be a positive impact on industry, it'll boost the economy and encourage people to return," she said. Amid the sound of cars honking in celebration, 26-year-old Ghaith Anbi described the news as "the second joy since the fall of Assad". "Lifting the sanctions on the Syrian people will have a very positive impact on reconstruction and rebuilding infrastructure, especially in Aleppo as an economic city," the civil engineer said. "There will be great economic prosperity for the Syrian people," he said. 'Turning point' In the Saudi capital yesterday, Mr Trump announced he was lifting the "brutal and crippling" Assad-era sanctions, in response to demands from new Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa's allies in Turkey and Saudi Arabia. Mr Trump said it was Syrians' "time to shine" and that easing sanctions would "give them a chance at greatness". The Syrian foreign ministry called Mr Trump's decision a "pivotal turning point" that would help bring stability, draw in investment and reintegrate the country into the global economy. Syria's Finance Minister Mohammed Barnieh said Mr Trump's lifting of sanctions "will help Syria in building its institutions, providing essential services to the people and will create great opportunities to attract investment and restore confidence in Syria's future". The United States imposed sweeping restrictions on financial transactions with Syria during the brutal civil war that began in 2011, targeting the ousted president, his family members and key government and economic figures. In 2020, new sanctions came into effect under a US law known as the Caesar Act, punishing any companies linked to Assad in efforts to force accountability for human rights abuses and to encourage a political solution. "These sanctions only ever hurt the Syrian people, not the regime," 63-year-old Taqi al-Din Najjar said in Aleppo. In Damascus, dozens more gathered in the capital's iconic Umayyad Square, chanting and singing in joy. "My joy is great. This decision will definitely affect the entire country positively. Construction will return, the displaced will return, and prices will go down," said Hiba Qassar, a 33-year-old English teacher. Ahmed Asma, 34, expressed hopes that "now that the sanctions are lifted we can live as we did before, or even better".
