AhlulBayt News Agency: US President Donald Trump has announced that Washington will lift all sanctions against Syria following reports that the new administration in the Arab country has proposed making “peace” with Israel, the US’s closest regional ally.
Trump made the announcement in Riyadh on Tuesday during his ongoing visit to Saudi Arabia. He stated, "Now it is their time to shine. We are taking them (the sanctions) all off. Good luck Syria. Show us something very special."
The comments followed reports that the head of the administration led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group, which took control of Syria late last year, had proposed “peace” with Tel Aviv.
Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, the leader of HTS, also suggested constructing a “Trump Tower” in Damascus as part of his overtures toward the West.
HTS, formerly an al-Qaeda affiliate, seized control of Syria in December last year amid intense Israeli airstrikes targeting the country’s civilian and military infrastructure.
Before the takeover, HTS had waged a prolonged and deadly armed campaign against Syria’s former democratically-elected government, which had maintained a strong anti-Israeli stance.
Following the takeover, Jolani and HTS began efforts to reshape their image, with observers noting their attempts to formally engage with Western states such as France.
Trump further explained that the pending sanction relief was aimed at "giving them a chance."
Historically, the US has withheld such relief from Syria’s previous anti-Israeli governments while simultaneously increasing economic and political pressure on the country.
On Tuesday, Trump was asked whether he planned to meet with Jolani in Riyadh on Thursday, to which he responded, "Yes, I think so."
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