US Removes Syria From State Sponsors of Terrorism List After 47 Years
The United States has removed Syria from its list of state sponsors of terrorism after 47 years, a move the State Department said would remove major barriers to private investment and Syria’s reintegration into the global economy.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the decision came after what he described as the Syrian government’s “positive actions” to fully distance itself from international terrorism. He described the step as part of a shift in Washington’s approach toward Damascus.
As part of this change, the administration of current US President Donald Trump has welcomed Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa. Al-Sharaa was previously a leader of an al Qaeda branch and had a US bounty on his head.
At the same time, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) has also been removed from the US list of global terrorist organizations. The group, formerly known as Jabhat al-Nusra and linked to al Qaeda, said in 2016 that it had severed ties with the network.
Hayat Tahrir al-Sham led a rebel offensive in late 2024 that resulted in the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad. The group now dominates the transitional government led by Ahmad al-Sharaa.
US officials say the move could open the way to greater prosperity and stability for Syria. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent also said increased investment would help the country’s political and economic stability.
In response, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani called the decision a historic step and said Damascus would continue efforts to end Syria’s isolation on the basis of transparency and mutual interests.
With this decision, only Cuba, North Korea and Iran remain on the US list of state sponsors of terrorism. The list typically brings restrictions in the financial sector, foreign aid and defense exports.
