The Trump administration is granting Syria a waiver from one crippling set of sanctions as well as easing restrictions on businesses as a first step in its pledge to end a half-century of penalties.

The developments come five months after a rebel offensive led by Ahmad al-Sharaa, now Syria’s interim president, ousted Bashar al-Assad following more than 13 years of brutal war.

Iraq has welcomed US President Donald Trump’s announcement to lift sanctions on Syria, expressing hope that the move will contribute to regional stability and ease the humanitarian crisis in the war-torn country.