US removes Syria from ‘state sponsor of terrorism’ list

The United States officially removed Syria from its list of state sponsors of terrorism on Monday, ending a lengthy designation that imposed significant economic restrictions. This decision comes as the two nations work to mend diplomatic relations, which have been strained by decades of conflict and political differences.

In a related move, the Treasury Department revoked its designation of the al-Nusra Front, a jihadist group that later became known as Hay at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), as a global terrorist organization. This change removed the final major barrier for private sector investment in Syria and opened the door to the country's economic recovery and reintegration into the global economy.

The delisting and sanctions relief are seen as a positive development for Syria, which has been economically devastated by more than a decade of civil war. The Syrian government welcomed the move, with foreign minister Assad al-Shaibani calling it a "historic milestone" and finance minister Mohammed Barnieh describing it as a "success for Syrian diplomacy."

The delisting also opens a significant opportunity for the country to strengthen its integration into the global economic and financial system, attracting investment and modern technologies.