Two US Congresswomen Introduce Bill to Lift Sanctions on Syria

Two American congresswomen, Ilhan Omar (Democrat) and Anna Paulina Luna (Republican), introduced a bill to the US House of Representatives aimed at lifting economic sanctions on Syria, in a move described by the congresswomen as a "historic opportunity" to support stability in the region.

Omar stated in a release on the House's website: "The radical change in Syria, and the fall of the Assad regime dictatorship after decades of oppression, open the door to new opportunities for cooperation to improve the conditions of Syrians. It is time to end these sanctions."

The Democratic congresswoman emphasized in her statement: "Sanctions are not a legitimate tool to punish peoples by starving them or destroying their economies. If we are sincere in our pursuit of peace and stability, this sterile economic war must stop." She pointed out that the goal of the bill is to give Syria "an opportunity to recover and rebuild."

In turn, Republican congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna focused on the "strategic vision" of the bill, saying: "This law will help Syria build a sustainable and just society, especially after its government committed to the path of peace and respect for freedoms." Expressing her hope to "enhance US-Syrian relations to achieve common interests."

The bill proposes to lift all current US sanctions on Syria, including related legislation, officially ending the comprehensive ban imposed by Congress on various Syrian sectors.

It is worth noting that this step comes months after US President Donald Trump announced during his visit to Riyadh last May his intention to lift sanctions on Syria as a first step towards normalizing relations between the two countries.