Syrian president hails Erdoğan’s role in sanctions relief
Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa has credited President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Saudi Arabia with helping persuade U.S. President Donald Trump to lift Caesar Act sanctions on Syria last year.
“Saudi Arabia mediated last year, and President Erdoğan intervened with the United States and President Trump to lift the sanctions on Syria,” al-Sharaa said in an interview with Al Jazeera broadcast on July 26.
“President Trump was convinced and lifted the Caesar Act sanctions,” he added.
Al-Sharaa said Syria’s continued designation as a state sponsor of terrorism was the main remaining U.S. restriction, arguing that earlier sanctions relief would have limited effect until the designation was removed. Syria has been on the list since 1979.
