Rubio highlights Syria’s progress on first anniversary of Assad’s fall
The Republican and Democratic leaders of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee also welcomed the repeal of Assad-era sanctions incorporated into the annual defense bill. In a joint statement, Committee Chairman Jim Risch and Ranking Member Jeanne Shaheen said, “The strength and resiliency of Syrians in the face of Assad’s repression—assisted by U.S. sanctions, Russia’s reduced ability to support Assad and Israel’s shared opposition to Iranian proxies—created the conditions for the regime’s collapse and a better future for the Syrian people.” They added, “We applaud the repeal of Assad-era Caesar Act sanctions included in the annual defense bill and look forward to its swift passage. On this hopeful anniversary, we remain committed to a stable, representative and prosperous Syria for all.”
The senators noted that Syria’s new authorities have shown a “serious commitment” to joint counterterrorism efforts, offering “a prospect for peace that was unthinkable just a year ago.”
However, they warned that the country still faces challenges, urging Damascus to prevent a return to arbitrary detentions and sectarian violence, limit Russian and Iranian influence, destroy illicit drug and chemical weapons stockpiles, and assist in locating missing Americans, including journalist Austin Tice.
The remarks coincide with Congress finalizing the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which fully repeals the 2019 Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act. Named after a pseudonymous Syrian whistleblower known as Caesar, the law originally documented serious human rights abuses under the Assad regime. While the Trump administration had previously suspended most sanctions enforcement via waivers, it had advocated for their permanent removal.
Bashar al-Assad, who led Syria for nearly 25 years, fled to Russia on Dec. 8, 2024, bringing an end to the Baath Party’s rule that began in 1963. Ahmed Al-Sharaa, leader of the anti-regime forces, was appointed president for a transitional period in late January.
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