FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DECEMBER 17, 2025
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Syrian Emergency Task Force (SETF) welcomes today’s passage of the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) by the United States Senate, which includes the full and unconditional repeal of the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act, with no “snapback” provisions.
The Senate’s decision follows the House of Representatives passage of the NDAA and confirms that all efforts to preserve the Caesar sanctions have failed. The NDAA now awaits signature by President Donald Trump which must be done within ten days, marking the formal end of a sanctions regime that was designed to constrain the Assad dictatorship and is no longer applicable following the regime’s collapse.
“SETF is proud to have helped put in place the Caesar sanctions that strangled the Assad regime, and we are even prouder that today, after the tyrant has fallen, SETF led the way to lift the Caesar sanctions unconditionally, without snapback provisions, and forever,” said Mouaz Moustafa, Executive Director of the Syrian Emergency Task Force. “The Caesar Act is no more. It now awaits President Trump’s signature and gives Syria a real chance at recovery, rebuilding, and ultimately greatness.”
The bill’s passage clears the way for renewed international engagement, supports efforts to locate and return missing American citizens in Syria, and further enables a political transition that can deliver long-term stability for Syria and the wider region.
For inquiries, please contact:
Maria Cure, Director of Communications
[email protected] www.setf.ngo
