Turning point for Syria on path to reintegration
Positive signs are emerging in Syria, most notably the announcement of the US that it will lift sanctions against the Middle Eastern country. This is considered a significant turning point that will facilitate Syria’s reintegration into the international community, support post-war reconstruction after 14 years of civil conflict, and reshape the political landscape in the Middle East.
Recently, the Syrian government and DP World, a logistics group from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), signed a memorandum of understanding worth 800 million USD to develop the port of Tartus in Syria.
Meanwhile, the European Union (EU) has proposed further easing sanctions on Syria, allowing financial assistance in the areas of reconstruction and migration.
These are encouraging developments for Syria as the country seeks to attract foreign investment to revitalise an economy devastated by years of warfare and conflict.
Syria’s door to international reintegration is opening wider following the US decision to lift sanctions. Syrian authorities have described the move as a “decisive turning point” for Damascus.
The removal of sanctions will help Syria reconnect with the global financial system, enable humanitarian organisations to expand their operations, and attract greater investment to support national reconstruction efforts.
During a mid-May 2025 visit to Saudi Arabia, US President Donald Trump met with Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa. This marked the first meeting between leaders of the two countries in 25 years and was seen as a major breakthrough for the new Syrian government, which is seeking international support and recognition.
Experts believe that the US-Syria leadership meeting signals a shift in Washington’s Middle East strategy, indicating cautious support for Syria’s reform process.
In fact, the easing of sanctions by the US, EU, and the UK is the result of recent positive developments in Syria.
The interim government has made commendable efforts toward national dialogue, reconstruction, and international cooperation. The Syrian authorities recently announced the integration of several armed groups into the Ministry of Defence — a move hailed as the result of months of coordination aimed at unifying military factions within the country.
Meanwhile, five months after the ousting of former President Bashar al-Assad, Syrian state television has officially resumed broadcasting. The Syrian government hopes that the station will serve as a bridge between the state and its people, helping to rebuild public trust.
Despite notable progress in national reconstruction, the new government still faces a host of challenges — most prominently a severely weakened economy.
According to the World Bank, Syria’s economy shrank by more than half between 2010 and 2020. As of 2022, poverty had affected 69% of the population.
Another major challenge lies in the divisions among religious and ethnic groups, as well as competing interests, which continue to hinder the establishment of a stable political foundation.
The recent wave of violence in southern Syria underscores the fragility of the country's political transition. Clashes first broke out in the town of Jaramana, on the outskirts of Damascus, before spreading to nearby Ashrafiyat Sahnaya and Sweida province in the south, home to a large Druze population.
The lifting of sanctions presents a major opportunity for Syria to rebuild. However, in a country long plagued by fragmentation, finding a political solution that reconciles the interests of all parties while reviving a deeply depressed economy remains an immense challenge.
The interim government still has much work to do in terms of political reform and ensuring security, both of which are essential to boosting public confidence in governance — a key factor in attracting foreign investment to Syria.\
NDO
