U.S. President Extends National Emergency on Syria for One More Year
By Kardo Roj
WASHINGTON, U.S. (North Press) – The United States announced on Friday the extension of the national emergency status concerning Syria for an additional year, citing persistent threats stemming from the actions of the Syrian government.
In an official notice to Congress, President Donald Trump confirmed that the national emergency originally declared in 2004 under Executive Order 13338 would remain in effect beyond May 11, 2025, pursuant to the National Emergencies Act.
Continued Threats to U.S. Interests
President Trump stated that Syria’s structural weakness in governance, failure to control chemical weapons, and inability to effectively combat terrorist organizations continue to pose an “unusual and extraordinary threat” to the national security, foreign policy, and economic interests of the United States.
“These extraordinary circumstances require the continuation of the national emergency after its scheduled expiration,” the President wrote in the notification dated May 7.
The national emergency, first declared by President George W. Bush in 2004 in response to Syria’s support for terrorism, occupation of Lebanon, and pursuit of weapons of mass destruction, has been amended and expanded through successive executive orders issued by multiple administrations.
These include Executive Orders 13399, 13460, 13572, 13573, 13582, 13606, and 13608, addressing various developments in Syria’s conduct and the evolving threat assessment.
A Policy Under Review
The White House emphasized that the decision to maintain the emergency status remains under continuous review and could change in response to shifts in Syria’s domestic and foreign policies.
“The United States will consider changes in policies and actions of Syria in determining whether to continue or terminate this national emergency in the future,” the notice reads.
Although the United States does not currently maintain a diplomatic mission in Syria, it has imposed sweeping sanctions on Syrian government officials, institutions, and entities since 2011, when mass protests escalated into civil war.
Legal Basis and Historical Background
The continuation was issued under the authority of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and the Syria Accountability and Lebanese Sovereignty Restoration Act of 2003. The measures were initially designed to curb Syria’s destabilizing regional activities and its suppression of internal dissent.
Friday’s announcement was officially registered in the Federal Register under document number 2025-08310 (90 FR 19619), and was transmitted to Congress in compliance with statutory requirements.
The Syrian government has yet to issue a response to the U.S. decision, but in past years has dismissed such extensions as politically motivated and illegitimate.