ISTANBUL

The UN on Tuesday welcomed a US decision to rescind economic sanctions on Syria.

"I can tell you that we very much welcome this measure taken by the United States," spokesperson Stephane Dujarric told reporters.

Dujarric stressed the importance of ensuring sanctions relief is fully utilized alongside financial support and resources. He emphasized that a transparent and inclusive political transition, combined with security and protection of all Syrians, remains essential for lasting stability.

Increased humanitarian aid

Dujarric reported significant increases in humanitarian aid delivery to Syria while highlighting continued civilian casualties from explosive ordnance contamination.

He said UN Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator for Syria Adam Abdelmoula completed a three-day trip to the Aleppo and Idlib governorates to assess the needs. The team met with authorities, displaced communities and returnees.

Cross-border aid delivery from Türkiye has dramatically increased, with more than 1,400 truck crossings into Syria as of Monday, Dujarric reported. It represents five times the number compared to the same period last year, he underlined.

Since January, more than 1.6 million Syrians have received food, health care, shelter and other support, said the spokesperson.

Despite the humanitarian progress, Dujarric noted that explosive ordnance contamination continues to cause civilian casualties. He said more than 390 civilians have been killed in Syria since early 2025, including more than 100 children, with over 500 civilians injured, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

Dujarric's comments followed US President Donald Trump's decision Monday to end Washington's sanctions program on Syria. Trump said the US is committed to supporting a Syria that is "stable, unified, and at peace with itself and its neighbors."

Trump announced at an investment forum in Riyadh last month that he would lift the “brutal and crippling” sanctions.

One day later, he held a landmark meeting with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa in Saudi Arabia -- the first between US and Syrian leaders in 25 years.