US Officially Removes Syria From State Sponsor of Terrorism List

The United States has officially removed Syria from its list of State Sponsors of Terrorism, according to an announcement by the US Treasury. A statement released on Monday confirmed the revocation of the decades-old designation that had been placed on the country during the rule of the ousted Assad regime, following an initial revelation last month.

This decision also revoked the designation of al-Nusrah Front—the group formerly led by the now-President Ahmed al-Sharaa, also known as Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS)—as a global terrorist organisation. The move, first announced earlier this year pending a review by Congress, removes a critical impediment to investment in Syria as the nation seeks to reestablish itself in the international community and markets.

The action represents a further vote of confidence in al-Sharaa, who has launched a diplomatic charm offensive aimed at Western powers, including meetings with US President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated in a release that the action will help foster additional investment to promote political and economic stability, aligning with President Trump’s promise to deliver sanctions relief to Syria.

After lifting sanctions on Syria in June 2025 alongside the European Union, the US announced its decision in July to delist Syria from its terror list, citing efforts by al-Sharaa to unify the country. HTS was once al-Qaeda’s official branch in Syria and was led by al-Sharaa, under whose leadership the group removed former President Bashar al-Assad in December 2024 following a lightning offensive.

Because the state designation carried restrictions on US foreign assistance, defence exports, and financial transactions, Syria's removal is being celebrated locally, particularly by financial officials. Safwat Raslan, the governor of Syria’s central bank, stated on X that this is a historic step restoring the country to its natural place in the global economic system, adding that the bank is working to build a modern and reliable financial system.

Syrian Finance Minister Mohammed Barnieh described Washington’s move as a major and historic success for Syrian diplomacy, noting it opens doors to strengthening Syria’s integration into the global economic and financial system, attracting investment and modern technologies, and supporting development opportunities. US envoy to Syria Tom Barrack called the end of the designation a decisive step in Syria’s journey from isolation to partnership and from a source of terrorism to a committed partner in the global fight against it.