United Nations Security Council (UN SC) members voted in a remarkable demonstration of international diplomacy on 6 November 2025 to lift sanctions imposed against Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa and Interior Minister Anas Khattab, by adopting Resolution 2025-32. Fourteen members supported this measure while China abstained. Al Jazeera +2 The Independent are reporting this news.
As reported by Reuters, al-Sharaa will visit the White House next week for historic talks with President Donald Trump – marking their first formal encounter since Syria achieved independence in 1946.
Why the Sanctions Were Lifted
These sanctions had been put in place as al-Sharaa and Khattab were previously associated with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), an Islamist group affiliated with al-Qaida that is subject to United Nations restrictions such as asset freezes and travel bans. According to The Independent, their former association led them to incur UN restrictions such as asset freezes and travel bans.
Diplomats claim the U.S.-drafted resolution recognises Syria has entered a “new era” under al-Sharaa’s leadership since Bashar al-Assad was ousted from power in December 2024. AP News *
What it Means
This decision marks an attempt by the U.S. and its allies to establish normal relations with Syria – to bring Damascus back into global diplomatic and economic frameworks as well as integrate it with efforts such as fighting Islamic State (IS). Le Monde.fr reported.
Al-Sharaa welcomed the lifting of sanctions as “a step in the right direction”, ahead of his Washington visit, noting that Syria now had an opportunity to rebuild and fully participate in international affairs. Anadolu Ajansi reported this story.
Reservations and Caveats
Although China generally supported the resolution, China abstained in protest over how insufficiently it addressed counterterrorism and security issues in Syria — specifically foreign terrorist fighters operating there.
According to ynetglobal.com
Critics contend that Syria’s sanctions relief may only be symbolic; many had already been lifted for travel purposes and the real test will be whether Syria meets its commitments regarding terrorism, human rights and reconstruction.
In addition, even after UN sanctions have been lifted, significant U.S. and other unilateral measures remain in place, such as those under the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act and will need further legislative action to unwind them. (Wikipedia +1).
Implications going forward Al-Sharaa’s visit to the White House marks an important diplomatic milestone, opening up opportunities for deeper U.S.-Syria engagement ranging from reconstruction aid and regional security cooperation, while for Syria itself offering an opportunity to reverse years of war, sanctions and destruction.

Damascus will be closely scrutinized by both regional and global communities to see how it reacts; whether they adhere to international norms, combat extremist groups, allow humanitarian access, engage transparently in reconstruction efforts and whether any liberalisation marks lasting changes or simply temporary adjustments in geopolitics.