A Syrian prays in Damascus near a billboard showing Syria's interim president, Ahmad el-Chareh, and U.S. President Donald Trump with a slogan thanking Saudi Arabia and the United States, on May 14, 2025. (Credit: Louai Beshara/AFP)
Abou Hassan spread his palms as if embracing news that had fallen from the sky. On Tuesday evening, his small furn (bakery) on 29 May Avenue in downtown Damascus was filled with a joyful crowd celebrating a surprise announcement from Riyadh: the upcoming lifting of all U.S. economic sanctions “to give Syria a chance,” said President Donald Trump, praised by his Saudi host, Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman.The U.S. embargo, which has tightened since the start of Syria’s Civil War in 2011, has crippled the country’s economy for 15 years — blocking all exports, freezing government assets and banning American investment."We didn’t expect it at all, it was a big surprise," Abou Hassan said. Read more How Lebanon could benefit from the lifting of Caesar Act sanctions The announcement sparked celebrations across Syria, evoking...
Abou Hassan spread his palms as if embracing news that had fallen from the sky. On Tuesday evening, his small furn (bakery) on 29 May Avenue in downtown Damascus was filled with a joyful crowd celebrating a surprise announcement from Riyadh: the upcoming lifting of all U.S. economic sanctions “to give Syria a chance,” said President Donald Trump, praised by his Saudi host, Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman.The U.S. embargo, which has tightened since the start of Syria’s Civil War in 2011, has crippled the country’s economy for 15 years — blocking all exports, freezing government assets and banning American investment."We didn’t expect it at all, it was a big surprise," Abou Hassan said. Read more How Lebanon could benefit from the lifting of Caesar Act sanctions The announcement sparked celebrations across Syria,...
