Spontaneous celebrations erupted in Damascus this week as President Donald Trump announced the full lifting of U.S. sanctions on Syria, marking a dramatic shift in America’s Middle East policy—and igniting chants of “We love you, Trump!” across the war-torn country.

Thousands gathered in Umayyad Square Tuesday night, waving flags, honking horns, and setting off fireworks after hearing that American sanctions, many in place for decades, would finally end. Electronic billboards lit up the square with giant images of Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, under the words: “Thank you, Saudi Arabia, United States of America.”

This historic announcement came after Trump met in Riyadh with Syria’s new interim leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, a former jihadist commander and the man now tasked with holding together a shattered country after the fall of dictator Bashar al-Assad. Assad fled to Russia in December following his military defeat by Sharaa’s HTS forces, an al-Qaeda offshoot that surprisingly found itself welcomed by regional powers for breaking with Iran and Hezbollah.

Sharaa pledged to dismantle his former terrorist network, promising eventual elections and the formation of an inclusive government. While many in the international community remain skeptical, Trump described Sharaa after their meeting as a “fighter” and “real leader,” adding, “He’s got a real shot at holding it together.”

Trump said the decision to lift sanctions wasn’t about condoning Syria’s past but about giving the country a rare opportunity to rebuild. “I want them to succeed,” he said. “I want them to end up being a great country, frankly, but they can’t do that under the weight of endless sanctions. And I think this gives them a good strong chance.”

In Damascus, the mood was euphoric. Posters of Trump and Mohammed bin Salman were carried through the streets, a surreal scene in a country where “Death to America” had once been official policy. One taxi driver, Mohamed Dibou, told The National that it reminded him of the night Assad was overthrown. “President Trump is very humane,” he said. “We love him.”

Trump hinted that Syria, if stabilized, could eventually join the Abraham Accords—his first-term peace initiative that normalized relations between Israel and several Muslim nations. “I told him, ‘I hope you’re going to join when it’s straightened out,’” Trump said. “He said, ‘Yes.’ But they have a lot of work to do.”

Sharaa responded with high praise for Trump during a national address Wednesday night, calling the lifting of sanctions “a courageous and historic decision” that would help alleviate suffering and lay the groundwork for peace.

While critics in Washington are already raising concerns about legitimizing a former jihadist, conservatives are applauding Trump’s bold strategy, arguing that his willingness to negotiate where others imposed endless sanctions could bring long-awaited stability to a brutalized region.

The contrast with past foreign policy is striking. Where previous administrations offered empty condemnations and status-quo sanctions, Trump took decisive action—and the response on the ground was immediate. Syrians poured into the streets not to protest, but to thank the United States.

For Trump, the moment is yet another reminder of his unique ability to shift global dynamics—earning applause not just at home, but from former enemies halfway across the world. Whether this gamble pays off long-term remains to be seen, but for now, in the heart of Damascus, it’s Trump’s name echoing in celebration.