US removes Syria from state sponsors of terrorism list
The United States has formally removed Syria from its list of State Sponsors of Terrorism, ending a designation that had remained in place for nearly five decades.
The U.S. State Department announced the decision on Monday, August 24, following the completion of a mandatory 45-day congressional review period. Syria had been on the list since 1979.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the decision reflects the Syrian government’s efforts under President Ahmed al-Sharaa to distance the country from international terrorism and move towards greater stability.
The delisting removes several restrictions associated with the terrorism designation, including limits affecting foreign assistance, defence exports and certain financial transactions. The move is expected to make it easier for international companies and financial institutions to engage with Syria as the country seeks to rebuild after years of civil war.
The United States also revoked its designation of the Nusrah Front, now known as Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), as a global terrorist organisation, as part of the broader policy shift.
Syria welcomed the decision, describing it as a significant step towards economic recovery and reintegration into the international financial system.
However, the delisting does not mean all U.S. sanctions on Syria have disappeared. Washington maintains other sanctions and restrictions, while the U.S. State Department continues to advise Americans against travelling to Syria because of terrorism, kidnapping, armed conflict and civil unrest.
The decision marks a major change in U.S.-Syrian relations following the fall of former President Bashar al-Assad in 2024 and the emergence of the new Syrian government.
For Damascus, the immediate challenge will be translating the diplomatic shift into increased investment, reconstruction and economic recovery after more than a decade of devastating conflict.
