Mazloum Abdi, the commander-in-chief of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), has welcomed US President Donald Trump’s announcement on 13 May to lift all American sanctions on Syria. In a statement shared on social media, Abdi thanked President Trump, saying, “We thank the President of the United States of America, Donald Trump, for the decision to lift the sanctions imposed on Syria.” He stressed that this move will have a positive impact on the country, contributing to its stability and reconstruction efforts.
نشكر رئيس الولايات المتحدة الأميركية دونالد ترامب @POTUS على قرار وقف العقوبات المفروضة على سوريا، لما له من أثر إيجابي على البلاد.
نأمل أن تُستثمر هذه الخطوة في دعم الاستقرار وإعادة البناء، بما يضمن مستقبل أفضل لكافة السوريين.
سوريا تستحق الأفضل دائماً.— Mazloum Abdî مظلوم عبدي (@MazloumAbdi) May 13, 2025
Abdi further expressed hope that this decision would ensure a better future for all Syrians. He concluded his message by saying, “Syria always deserves the best”.
The decision to lift sanctions marks a significant shift in US foreign policy towards Syria. President Trump announced the move during a speech in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, saying, “It’s their time to shine, we’re taking them all off. Good luck Syria, show us something special.” This policy shift follows discussions with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who have encouraged the US to engage with Syria’s new leadership.
The lifting of sanctions is expected to facilitate Syria’s post-civil war recovery by easing economic restrictions and encouraging foreign investment. Syrian officials have welcomed the move, seeing it as a crucial turning point towards stability and self-sufficiency.
Abdi’s statement underlines the widespread hope that the lifting of sanctions will not only support Syria’s recovery, but also promote long-term peace, stability and prosperity for all of Syria’s people.
