US removes Syria from list of state sponsors of terrorism

In a significant diplomatic shift, the United States has removed Syria from its list of state sponsors of terrorism after a 47-year designation. This action, announced by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, eliminates what officials described as the "final major barriers" for private sector investment in the country and its reintegration into the global economy.

The decision reflects the Syrian government's commitment to distancing itself from acts of international terrorism, a stance supported by the new Syrian President, Ahmed al-Sharaa. Al-Sharaa, a former militant with a bounty on his head, now leads an al-Qaeda offshoot known as Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which was recently removed from the US list of global terrorist organizations.

HTS, formerly the al-Nusra Front, played a pivotal role in overthrowing former President Bashar al-Assad in late 2024 and currently dominates al-Sharaa's transitional administration.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent emphasized that this move will facilitate additional investment in Syria, aiming to promote political and economic stability. Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani hailed the development as a "historic step," vowing to work towards removing the effects of isolation and establishing an environment based on transparency, mutual interests, and respect.

With Syria's removal from the US list, only Cuba, North Korea, and Iran remain on that list. The designation, which has been in place since 1979, carries stringent financial sanctions, restrictions on US foreign aid and defense exports, and penalties on individuals and entities trading with the sanctioned state. The US hopes to integrate Syria into its broader diplomatic and economic interests, though challenges persist due to ongoing insecurity and the absence of a representative government. The move also triggers tensions between Syria and its neighbors, Israel and Turkey.