US removes Syria's designation as State Sponsor of Terrorism list

On Monday, the United States removed Syria from its list of state sponsors of terrorism, ending a decades-long designation that hindered investment in the country. The State Department also revoked al-Nusrah Front's, or Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), designation as a global terrorist organization. As a result, only Cuba, Iran, and North Korea remain on the list.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated that the decision would promote political and economic stability in Syria. The move aligns with President Trump's promise to provide sanctions relief to Syria. However, the agency emphasized that removing the restrictions does not change its commitment to countering global terrorism and holding accountable those involved in terrorist activities in Syria.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio called the decision a "historic step" as a result of the positive actions and commitments by the Syrian government under President Ahmed al-Sharaa to distance the country from terrorism. The governor of Syria's central bank hailed the removal from the state sponsor list as a "historic step" that restores Syria to its natural place in the global economic system. Safwat Raslan added that the bank was working to build a modern and reliable financial system.

HTS, previously known as al-Nusra Front, was a branch of al-Qaeda in Syria. The group broke ties with al-Qaeda in 2016 and sought to present a softer image. The United States announced its intent to delist Syria as a state sponsor of terrorism in July, following a meeting between Trump and Sharaa at a NATO summit in Turkey. Sharaa, a former jihadist, has sought to become a unifying figure since the fall of the Assad family, which ruled Syria with an iron fist for half a century.

Syria has been on the list since 1979 due to accusations that the government under Hafez al-Assad supported militant groups. The designation endured throughout the rule of Assad's son, Bashar al-Assad. The US praised the cooperation of Sharaa's government against the Islamic State and stated that easing restrictions would give Syria a chance to stabilize, attract investment, and rebuild.