Damascus, Syria – Syrians are observing a momentous week as they mark one full year since the ousting of President Bashar al-Assad's regime, a watershed moment indicative of drastic change after more than a decade of conflict and repression. Simultaneously, the country is preparing for what many view as a pivotal transformation: the anticipated lifting of broad economic sanctions imposed by the United States.
These U.S. sanctions, notably those under the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act (commonly known as the Caesar Act), were enacted in 2019 amidst increasing global condemnation of the Assad regime’s documented human rights abuses, including killings and torture during the Syrian civil war. The U.S. House of Representatives recently voted to repeal these measures, signaling strong prospects for Senate approval in the near future, which will formally remove the economic penalties.
The Syrian Foreign Ministry has described the sanctions’ removal as a "pivotal moment" poised to restore opportunities previously denied to the Syrian people. The appeal of sanction relief is substantial; it is expected to unlock access to billions of dollars for reconstruction and humanitarian initiatives. Crucially, the easing of restrictions will facilitate more robust commercial activity as nations and businesses, previously deterred by U.S. financial sanctions, can reengage with Syria’s market.
Business owners and entrepreneurs across Syria express optimism about an economic revival. Yaser Homsi, proprietor of Sham Services, a travel company, detailed the persistent challenges posed by sanctions: "After the removal of these sanctions, we will be able to deal with Visa and Mastercard," underscoring the significance of reinstating common payment processes crucial to tourism and commerce alike. Currently, his company must abstract financial transactions through a UK-based entity due to the sanctions barring operations through Syrian banking accounts.
Amid this backdrop, Syrians nationwide have been engaging in exuberant celebrations recalling the exact day Assad departed Damascus under Russian escort on December 8, 2024. The festivities spanned several days, culminating in displays of fireworks, waving flags, and protracted honking through city streets well into the night.
At a prominent Damascus mosque in the Midan district, early morning prayers were followed by worshippers chanting traditional expressions like "Allahu akbar!" and ululations from women — all part of the collective release of years of repression. The fence surrounding the mosque showcased hundreds of photographs of individuals killed during the regime's violent crackdown between 2011 and 2012, many young men along with children, a somber testament amidst the jubilations.
Residents like Lutifa Muyadin express a renewed sentiment of freedom and gratitude. She credits the sacrifices made to depose Assad alongside appreciation for the United States’ move toward lifting sanctions, naming former President Trump and his administration for their support. 46
Further symbolic of Syria’s changing landscape, President Ahmed al-Sharaa, an individual with a complex history including past affiliations with militant groups whom he now disavows, addressed the nation. He pledged dedicated efforts toward national reconstruction and governance based on trust restored after years of oppression. His message emphasized "honesty" as a guiding principle for rebuilding.
Mouaz Moustafa, Syrian-American activist and founder of the Syria Emergency Task Force, shared perspectives from the streets where celebrations reveal profound relief and hope. He likened Assad’s fall to monumental historical events such as the Berlin Wall's collapse, underscoring how rare it is for systemic evil to be overcome.
Despite these advances, the ongoing aftermath of Assad’s 13-year rule is marked by persistent challenges. His regime, backed by allies Iran and Russia, waged a brutal civil war resulting in an estimated half a million deaths, countless disappearances, mass graves, and an enduring refugee crisis. In rural areas near Damascus alone, excavations have revealed mass burial sites with thousands of bodies, stark evidence of the war’s human toll.
While many Syrians now experience greater freedoms, insecurity remains a palpable concern. New security forces have included former militants accused of retaliatory violence against minority groups such as the Alawite and Druze communities. Additionally, acts of violence such as a suicide bombing at a Christian church have increased fears among minority populations.
Economic and infrastructural developments are cautiously emerging, symbolized by ventures such as 77 Auto, a company importing electric taxis from China. Previously unable to introduce new vehicles due to sanctions, the company now envisions ease in activating vehicle software through Syrian registrations once sanctions are lifted. CEO Afraa Sharif notes the prior inability to utilize the dollar symbol in business accounting, a sign of the regime’s economic restrictions and arbitrary control.
The broader economic context remains challenging; poverty and destruction linger widely. Yet, there is a prevailing sense of cautious hope. Bilal Falaha, earning a modest income working at a secondhand clothing shop, voices a forward-looking perspective on recovery that depends on cooperative efforts between citizens and state institutions.
As Syria progresses through this critical juncture—marked by the combination of political transition and sanction relief—the trajectory ahead encompasses both promising opportunities for revival and intricate risks intrinsic to a post-conflict society striving toward peace and stability.