The United States removed Syria from its list of state sponsors of terrorism on August 24, ending a designation that lasted 47 years and lifting major financial sanctions and trade restrictions [1, 2, 3]. The move follows the rise of President Ahmed al-Sharaa, who took power after a 2024 rebellion led by Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) ousted Bashar al-Assad [1, 4, 5].
The US also revoked the terrorist designation of al-Nusrah Front, also known as HTS, which cut ties with al-Qaeda in 2016 and became the leading group in the Assad regime's overthrow [1, 6, 7]. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the actions recognize "positive actions taken and further commitments by the Syrian government under President Ahmed al-Sharaa to fully distance Syria from acts of international terrorism" [1].
The removal lifts restrictions on US foreign aid, defense exports, and penalties on trade with Syria. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the changes "will help foster additional investment in Syria to promote political and economic stability" [1]. Rubio added, "This removal clears the last major barriers for private sector investment in Syria and promotes economic recovery and reintegration" [8].
Despite lifting broad sanctions, the Treasury Department emphasized that it will maintain a firm stance on countering global terrorism and holding accountable bad actors in Syria [9]. Some targeted sanctions on individuals and groups remain in place [2].
Syria’s foreign minister Asaad al-Shaibani called the US move a "historic milestone" and a step toward ending Syria's isolation and fostering cooperation [1]. President Ahmad al-Sharaa said, "Today, Syria is shedding a dark stain from its shoulders and tearing up with its own hands a page from its painful past, to move into a new space of development, reconstruction and building," thanking former President Donald Trump for the decision [5].
Syrian Central Bank Governor Safwat Raslan called the delisting "a historic step that restores the country to its natural place in the global economic system," adding that they are working to build a modern financial system [4].
The US announcement came after a 45-day congressional review following Trump’s formal notification to Congress on July 8, 2026, of his intent to remove Syria from the list [2]. With Syria removed, only Cuba, Iran, and North Korea remain on the US state sponsors of terrorism list [1, 9].
The Treasury also revoked General License 25, which allowed certain transactions involving HTS and the Syrian government, as it is no longer necessary [10]. The US hopes to strengthen ties with Syria and pull it closer to the Western orbit amid ongoing regional instability [1].
