U.S. Lifts Arms Export Ban on Syria Amid Moves Toward New Damascus Regime

The State Department published a notice in the Federal Register indicating that Syria has been taken off the U.S. arms export denial list, so requests for weapons will now be considered on their merits. This policy shift is part of a months-long strategy to relax sanctions on the Damascus administration that replaced Bashar Assad two years ago. President Donald Trump previously reduced economic sanctions, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio removed Syria’s designation as a state sponsor of terrorism in August.

Washington also intends to reopen its embassy in Damascus after a 14-year closure. With Syria’s removal, only Belarus, China, Cuba, Iran, Myanmar, North Korea and Venezuela remain barred. The interim president, former rebel commander Ahmad al-Sharaa, has pursued reforms that have earned U.S. approval, raising hopes for stability after years of civil war and ISIS activity.