US removes Syria from state sponsor of terrorism list

The US has removed Syria from its state sponsor of terrorism list. This move rescinds decades-old economic restrictions and is expected to foster investment in Syria to promote political and economic stability, according to US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, as reported by Channel News Asia.

The decision was made after a congressional review, which found that the Syrian government under President Ahmed al-Sharaa had taken significant steps to counter terrorism and distance itself from acts of international terrorism, as stated by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, according to Newsweek and Middle East Eye.

The removal of Syria from the list follows an Israeli strike on a Syrian military base, which escalated tensions between Washington and Damascus. The move unlocks export restrictions and allows for the US to supply military aid to the country. The governor of Syria's central bank hailed the decision, calling it a "historic step", as reported by Le Monde English.

Brief written by urgent.news from Punch, Channel News Asia, Middle East Eye, Le Monde English, Newsweek — 5 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.