U.S. Congress to Vote on Lifting “Caesar Act” Sanctions on Syria as Washington Sets Strict Conditions

ARK News.. The U.S. Congress is set to vote today, Wednesday, 10 December 2025, on the final version of the addendum repealing the Caesar Act, paving the way for the legislation to be signed into law and permanently lifting U.S. sanctions on Syria before Christmas.

The draft specifies that the repeal is conditional on periodic reviews of the Syrian government’s performance. Under the provisions, U.S. President Donald Trump must submit an initial report to Congress within 90 days, followed by semiannual reports over a period of four years.

The document obliges Syria to take a series of concrete steps, including combating terrorist organizations, respecting minority rights, refraining from unilateral military action against neighboring states, combating money laundering and terrorism financing, prosecuting crimes against humanity committed under the former regime, and addressing drug production and trafficking—according to the addendum attached to the National Defense Authorization Act.

The legislation also states that sanctions could be reinstated if Damascus fails to meet these conditions in two consecutive reporting periods.

On 10 November, the U.S. Department of the Treasury announced a 180-day suspension of the sanctions imposed under the Caesar Act.

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