The United States Senate has greenlit a $914 billion defense budget for fiscal year 2026 that includes $130 million in funding for Syrian opposition forces and marks a significant policy shift by lifting economic sanctions imposed on Syria since 2020.
According to Syrian news outlet Enab Baladi, the defense authorization bill passed with bipartisan support, receiving 77 votes in favor and 22 against. The legislation allocates funds to both the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the Free Syria Army (FSA), groups Washington considers essential partners in combating the Islamic State in the region.
The $130 million allocation represents a continued decline in U.S. financial support for Syrian forces. Funding dropped from $156 million in 2024 to $147 million in 2025, and now to $130 million for the upcoming fiscal year. Despite the reduction, the Pentagon reaffirmed America's commitment to ensuring the "enduring defeat" of ISIS.
In a July 5 statement, the Department of Defense emphasized that the Islamic State's resurgence would threaten U.S. national interests and destabilize Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, and global security. The group continues conducting attacks, primarily targeting SDF positions in eastern Syria, despite losing its territorial control in Deir Ezzor in 2019.
The SDF maintains control over much of northeastern Syria, including most of al-Hasakah and Raqqa provinces, portions of Deir Ezzor, and several villages in eastern Aleppo. The force commands an estimated 100,000 fighters. Meanwhile, the Free Syria Army operates from the al-Tanf desert in eastern Homs province, near a U.S. military base, where it receives logistical equipment, security training, and salary support from Washington.
In a major policy reversal, the defense bill also cancels the Caesar Act sanctions that have crippled Syria's economy for five years. Mohammed Alaa Ghanem, a member of the Syrian American Council, confirmed on social media platform X that the Senate approved the clause removing the sanctions.
However, the legislation includes non-binding conditions requiring the Syrian government to meet specific benchmarks. If these conditions are not satisfied, sanctions would automatically be reinstated. Congress also reserved the right to reimpose restrictions if no progress occurs within 12 consecutive months.
The bill mandates that the U.S. administration submit a report detailing efforts to reopen the American embassy in Damascus and develop diplomatic relations with Syria's current government.
U.S. Representative Joe Wilson welcomed the Senate's decision, stating on X: "These harsh sanctions were imposed on a regime that fortunately no longer exists. Syria's success now depends on lifting them entirely."
The Caesar Act, enacted in June 2020, imposed sweeping financial sanctions on Syrian officials, businessmen, and foreign entities conducting business with Damascus. It froze reconstruction assistance and banned financial and technological support to the Syrian government.
The dual approach of maintaining military support for opposition forces while lifting economic sanctions signals a complex recalibration of U.S. policy toward Syria as the country enters a new political phase following years of civil conflict.
Photo: Al Jazeera