UN approves US-backed effort to lift sanctions on Syria’s president

The U.N. Security Council voted Thursday to remove sanctions on Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa and members of his administration, just days before his unprecedented visit to the White House. The resolution passed with overwhelming support, as 14 members voted in favor, with only China abstaining.

“With the adoption of this text, the council is sending a strong political signal that recognizes Syria is in a new era since Assad and his associates were toppled in December 2024,” said Mike Waltz, the U.S. ambassador to the U.N., highlighting the dramatic shift in Syria’s political landscape following the fall of longtime dictator Bashar Assad.

The resolution specifically lifts U.N. sanctions against al-Sharaa and Interior Minister Anas Hasan Khattab that had been imposed due to their previous connections to al-Qaida. U.S. officials pushed for the resolution’s passage ahead of Monday’s historic meeting between President Donald Trump and al-Sharaa, which will mark the first visit by a Syrian president to Washington since Syria gained independence in 1946.

Syria’s foreign ministry celebrated the decision, claiming it “reflects the growing confidence in President al-Sharaa’s leadership” and “represents a victory for Syrian diplomacy, which has succeeded in restoring international recognition of Syria’s status and its pivotal role in the region.”

China, the sole abstaining nation, expressed reservations about the resolution. Fu Cong, Chinese ambassador to the U.N., stated that while Beijing supports the Syrian people, the U.S. proposal failed to adequately address “the legitimate concerns of all parties” regarding counterterrorism and security issues in Syria.

“The sponsor did not fully heed the views of all members and forced the council to take action even when there were huge differences among council members in an attempt to serve its own political agenda,” Fu added, suggesting the resolution was rushed to align with American diplomatic objectives.

During al-Sharaa’s upcoming Washington visit, Syria is expected to join the U.S.-led anti-Islamic State coalition, a group of approximately 80 countries working to prevent the resurgence of ISIS. This partnership represents a remarkable turnaround in U.S.-Syrian relations following the end of the Assad family’s five-decade rule.

Al-Sharaa came to power in December 2024 after leading a rapid offensive that toppled the Assad regime, effectively ending nearly 14 years of devastating civil war. Since assuming leadership, he has actively worked to rebuild Syria’s diplomatic relationships with Arab nations and Western powers, despite initial wariness regarding his former ties to extremist groups.

The rebel organization he previously led, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, had been designated as a terrorist group by the United States. However, attitudes have shifted dramatically, with Trump meeting al-Sharaa in Saudi Arabia this May and subsequently fulfilling a promise to lift or waive decades of sanctions against Syria.

Nevertheless, significant hurdles remain. The most severe sanctions were imposed by Congress under the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act in 2019 and will require congressional approval for permanent removal. In a promising sign of bipartisan cooperation, the top Democrat and Republican on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee issued a joint statement welcoming the U.N.’s action.

Senators Jim Risch and Jeanne Shaheen stated they “are actively working with the administration and our colleagues in Congress to repeal Caesar sanctions,” adding, “It’s time to prioritize reconstruction, stability, and a path forward rather than isolation that only deepens hardship for Syrians.”

Syria faces an enormous reconstruction challenge after a conflict that erupted in early 2011, resulting in approximately 500,000 deaths and forcing millions from their homes. The extensive destruction throughout the country means Syria will require tens of billions of dollars to rebuild its infrastructure and economy.

The rapid international rehabilitation of al-Sharaa represents a remarkable diplomatic shift, particularly given his controversial past. His upcoming White House visit signals a new chapter in Syrian history and potentially opens avenues for the country’s reintegration into the global community after years of isolation and conflict.