U.S. removes Syria from terror sponsor list

WASHINGTON (AFP) — The United States on Monday removed Syria from its list of state sponsors of terrorism, lifting a decades-old designation that imposed severe economic restrictions.

The State Department also revoked the terrorist designation of al-Nusra Front, later known as Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS. The Treasury Department announced related sanctions relief.

The move marks another step in improving US-Syrian ties after HTS-led rebels ousted longtime President Bashar al-Assad in December 2024.

"Today’s action will help foster additional investment in Syria to promote political and economic stability,” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said.

Treasury said the changes fulfill President Donald Trump’s pledge to ease sanctions on Syria while stressing that the United States would continue countering terrorism and holding “bad actors in Syria accountable.”

Warming ties

The United States had announced in July that it planned to remove Syria from the terrorism list, a move seen as support for President Ahmed al-Sharaa.

Trump met Sharaa on the sidelines of a NATO summit in Turkey as the Syrian leader sought to rebuild the country after more than 13 years of civil war.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the move gives Syrians “a path to prosperity.”

Syrian officials welcomed the decision, saying it could help attract investment and support economic recovery after years of war.

Syrian Foreign Minister Assad al-Shaibani called the move a “historic milestone” and said it reflected “the new Syrian state’s commitment to international peace and security.”