U.S. senators urge caution on lifting Syria sanctions
DAMASCUS, Syria (North Press) – Bipartisan members of the U.S. Senate emphasized on Friday that it is premature to consider lifting sanctions on Syria following the ousting of President Bashar al-Assad.
Senator Chris Murphy, chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on the Middle East, stated in a phone interview with Reuters that it is far too early to think about lifting sanctions on Syria.
Murphy stressed the importance of engaging with Syria’s new leadership at a time when global powers are vying for influence in the country.
“I do not think the United States should lock ourselves out of a room that everyone else is in,” he noted, “I don’t think we should be shy about opening lines of communications.”
Senator Jim Risch, the ranking Republican on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, expressed satisfaction with Assad’s departure, remarking, “We’re all really happy that Assad is gone.”
“We worked at it for a long, long time, and the job is done,” he said. “The problem is, what comes next?”
However, Risch and others in Congress cautioned against immediate steps, citing significant risks. Concerns remain over whether opposition factions will respect human rights, ensure freedom of expression and belief, and protect minority groups from harm.
Prominent Democrats echoed these warnings. Senator Ben Cardin, chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, stated during a press conference that it is too early to assess whether the incoming regime will demonstrate a meaningful shift in governance.
The debate reflects bipartisan consensus on maintaining a cautious approach to Syria’s uncertain political future.