Washington, D.C. – Syrian Christians USA calls on the Trump Administration to initiate a comprehensive reassessment of U.S. sanctions that continue to obstruct Syria’s ability to rebuild and pause most U.S. sanctions on Syria for two years.
Previously the United States had imposed sweeping economic sanctions and export controls, which effectively amounted to an embargo on Syria, in response to the Assad regime’s brutal war against the Syrian people. However, with Bashar al-Assad’s departure from power in December 2024, Syria has entered a new phase—one focused on national recovery after 14 years of devastation wrought by Assad and his Russian and Iranian allies.
The maintenance of U.S. sanctions on Syria at this time hurts first and foremost the Syrian people, including Syrian Christians. Despite this historic turning point, U.S. sanctions are hampering efforts by regional partners and members of the Syrian diaspora to invest in Syria’s reconstruction. These restrictions are stifling initiatives that are critical for restoring stability, rebuilding infrastructure, and revitalizing local communities. Syrian Christians looking to remain in their homeland, like all Syrian citizens, require stability and job opportunities, both of which necessitate lifting or suspending sanctions on Syria.
Mirna Barq, President of Syrian Christians USA, emphasized the vital need for economic as well as political empowerment for Syria’s Christian communities: “I have visited Syria and spoken with Christian families desperate to rebuild their neighborhoods and churches. Young Syrian Christian professionals are seeking to immigrate so they can find meaningful jobs. They are losing hope the longer U.S. sanctions remain in place and Syria’s economy stagnates. Again and again, they told me that without an influx of investments—something that sanctions deter and which the new government cannot yet provide—they cannot restore their lives,” said Barq.
While diplomatic engagement between Washington and Damascus remains limited, a recalibration of sanctions would send a powerful signal of American goodwill and support for the Syrian people and a peaceful, stable Syria. Pausing sanctions for two years would give the Syrian government a chance to prove itself and would support Syria’s reconstruction and economic recovery. This will have positive dividends on all Syrians, and particularly Syrian Christians and other vulnerable minorities: economic growth facilitates stability and security, and disincentivizes violence and radicalization.
Recently, a bipartisan group of top lawmakers sent a letter urging the Administration to “quickly reduce the sanctions risk for critical sectors such as agriculture, energy, power grid infrastructure, finance, telecommunications, and education.” The lawmakers asked the Administration “to consider expanding [general] licenses to provide more time and geographic flexibility to those on the ground [and] consider short-term sanctions relief.” Syrian Christians USA strongly supports this initiative as the bare minimum that the Administration should do on Syria, and calls on it to act swiftly on this request as the first step toward a broader rollback of all sanctions on Syria.
The United States now has an opportunity to help Syria recover from the wreckage of war. With Assad gone, the rationale for maintaining crippling economic sanctions is no longer valid. We urge the Administration and Congress not to miss this historic moment—to take meaningful steps that will give all Syrians, including Syrian Christians, a real chance at a prosperous, peaceful and dignified future.
