US Congress moves to repeal Syria's Caesar Act sanctions in defense bill

The United States Congress is poised to repeal the stringent Caesar Act sanctions targeting Syria, according to legislative text in the draft Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The proposed provision would formally rescind the 2019 law that imposed crippling secondary sanctions on entities doing business with the Syrian government, a move signaling a potential major shift in US policy towards Damascus.

Details of the Proposed Repeal

The draft NDAA document explicitly states, "The Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act of 2019...is hereby repealed." This legislation was originally enacted to penalize the regime of Bashar al-Assad for widespread human rights violations and the use of chemical weapons during the Syrian conflict. Its repeal would remove a primary legal barrier to international engagement with Syria's government and reconstruction efforts.

Legislative Process and Original Sanctions Design

For the repeal to become law, the broader defense bill containing this provision must be approved by the House of Representatives and subsequently signed by the President. The Caesar Act, named after a Syrian military photographer who documented atrocities, represented one of Washington's most powerful economic tools against Damascus, blocking both US and foreign companies from participating in Syria's economy.

Regional Implications and Context

This development occurs amid a changing political landscape in Syria, following the ouster of Bashar al-Assad and the formation of a transitional administration under President Ahmad al-Sharaa. The potential lifting of sanctions could have significant ramifications for regional stability, economic recovery, and the diplomatic calculations of neighboring states, including Türkiye, which maintains a critical interest in Syria's future and the return of refugees.