US Department of State to Asharq Al-Awsat: No Leniency in Enforcing ‘Caesar Act’

US Department of State sign - Reuters
US Department of State sign - Reuters
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US Department of State to Asharq Al-Awsat: No Leniency in Enforcing ‘Caesar Act’

US Department of State sign - Reuters
US Department of State sign - Reuters

The Biden administration is yet to reveal its policy on dealing with the Syrian crisis, but many believe that Washington will continue to implement the Caesar Act, which is US legislation that sanctions the Syrian government, until matters become more clear.

“No leniency will be shown in enforcing the Caesar Act,” a Department of State spokesperson told Asharq Al-Awsat, adding that Washington will maintain diplomacy in working to facilitate humanitarian relief in Syria and finding a solution for peace in the war-torn Levantine country.

In 2019, the Caesar Act was passed under the Trump administration and was voted in by both the House of Representatives and Senate.

The new administration under President Joe Biden has taken upon itself commitment to applying the legislation without targeting trade or humanitarian aid work in Syria.

“Lebanon’s people and economy will not be targeted,” the spokesperson confirmed, quelling concerns of the sanctions affecting Syria’s neighbor.

“Certainly, the Caesar Act targets persons or entities that support the Assad regime and impede a peaceful political solution to the conflict, as called for by Security Council Resolution 2254,” they explained.

The spokesperson did not comment on the new appointments made at the Department of State. Media outlets have reported that David Brownstein will replace the former deputy Syria envoy under the Donald Trump administration, William Roebuck.

It is noteworthy that the Biden administration has also confirmed that it would not withdraw from Syria anytime soon, even for moral reasons.

Separately, State Department Spokesman Ned Price held his first press conference on Tuesday.

“When it comes to Syria, look, we will renew efforts to promote a political settlement to end Syria’s civil war in close consultations with our allies, our partners in the UN,” said Price.

“A political settlement must address the underlying causes that led to nearly a decade of civil war,” he explained.

“We will use the tools at our disposal including economic pressure to push for meaningful reform and accountability, and we’ll continue to support the UN’s role in negotiating a political settlement in line with UNSC resolution 2254.”

“We will also restore US leadership in providing humanitarian aid,” added Price.

“Syria is a humanitarian catastrophe, and we must do more to aid vulnerable Syrians displaced within Syria as well as refugees who have fled abroad,” he concluded.



Syrians Rejoice during First Eid after Assad's Fall

Hundreds of Syrian Muslims perform Eid al-Fitr prayers at the Grand Mosque in Maarat al-Numan in Idlib, Syria, 31 March 2025.  EPA/BILAL AL HAMMOUD
Hundreds of Syrian Muslims perform Eid al-Fitr prayers at the Grand Mosque in Maarat al-Numan in Idlib, Syria, 31 March 2025. EPA/BILAL AL HAMMOUD
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Syrians Rejoice during First Eid after Assad's Fall

Hundreds of Syrian Muslims perform Eid al-Fitr prayers at the Grand Mosque in Maarat al-Numan in Idlib, Syria, 31 March 2025.  EPA/BILAL AL HAMMOUD
Hundreds of Syrian Muslims perform Eid al-Fitr prayers at the Grand Mosque in Maarat al-Numan in Idlib, Syria, 31 March 2025. EPA/BILAL AL HAMMOUD

Eid al-Fitr in Syria was charged with newfound joy this year, as thousands freely celebrated the holiday for the first time after the fall of Bashar al-Assad.

From the early morning hours, crowds of men, women and children flocked to pray at Damascus's historic Umayyad Mosque in the Old City.

"This is the first time we truly feel the joy of Eid, after getting rid of Assad's tyrannical regime," Fatima Othman told AFP.

Following prayer, worshippers exchanged Eid greetings while street vendors sold colorful balloons and toys to children posing for photos with their parents.

"Our celebration is doubled after Assad's fall," said Ghassan Youssef, a resident of the capital.

A few kilometers (miles) away, on the slopes of Mount Qasyun overlooking Damascus -- a site previously off-limits to Syrians until Assad was deposed on December 8 -- a few thousand people gathered at Unknown Soldier Square for an open-air prayer.

Among them were members of the security forces and the army, dressed in uniform and armed. The road leading to the square was packed, according to an AFP photographer.

Some worshippers distributed sweets to celebrate, while the three-star Syrian flag, adopted by the new authorities, waved in the air.

Under the previous government, access to the Unknown Soldier monument was typically restricted to Assad and his close associates, who would lay wreaths there during national ceremonies.

'Celebration of celebrations!'
The memorial, where a giant screen broadcast the Eid prayer, is near the presidential palace.

There, interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa prayed alongside Syria's new mufti Osama al-Rifai and several cabinet ministers in the presence of a large crowd.

He later delivered a speech emphasizing the country faced "a long and arduous road to reconstruction but possesses all the resources needed to recover".

This came two days after the formation of a new government, which faces daunting challenges in a country devastated by 14 years of civil war.

Wael Hamamiya, who had been in Sweden since the early days of the conflict, returned to Damascus to celebrate Eid with his family.

"This is my first Eid here in nearly 15 years. I truly feel the celebration in its full meaning," he told AFP, beaming.

"Everyone who has come is over the moon. This is the celebration of celebrations!"

The occasion was more somber for some Syrians, who were able to visit the graves of loved ones that had been off-limits during Assad reign, especially in former opposition strongholds.

At al-Rawda Cafe in Damascus, 36-year-old Amer Hallaq chatted with friends after returning from exile in Berlin where he ended up after dodging compulsory military service in 2014.

"For years, I thought I'd never see my family again or celebrate Eid with them," Hallaq said.

"The joy of liberation and victory is immense, but there's still a lot of work ahead. This is only the beginning of the road."