US Moves to Ease Sanctions on Syria After Trump Met New Leader

US President Donald Trump, left, with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, center, and Ahmed al-Sharaa, front right, attend a meeting in Riyadh on May 14.Source: Saudi Press Agency/Handout/Xinhua/Getty Images

The US has taken a major step toward easing severe sanctions on Syria imposed during the Assad dictatorship, which was overthrown by rebels last December after a nearly 14-year civil war.

The “immediate sanctions relief” was announced by the Treasury Department on Friday, more than a week after President Donald Trump met the nation’s new leader, Ahmed Al-Sharaa, in Saudi Arabia.