US Removes Syria From State Sponsor of Terrorism List After Nearly 50 Years

The United States has formally removed Syria from its list of state sponsors of terrorism, ending a designation that had been in place for nearly five decades. The decision, announced on Monday, also revoked the terrorist designation for Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the group that now leads Syria's interim government.

The US Department of State said the move is intended to ease restrictions on Syria and encourage international investment. The Treasury Department, which enforces sanctions, followed through with corresponding relief.

“Today's action will help foster additional investment in Syria to promote political and economic stability,” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a statement. He added that the step was “in line with President Trump's promise to deliver sanctions relief to Syria.”

However, the Treasury Department stressed that the removal of restrictions does not change America's broader stance on countering terrorism. “It does not change Treasury's posture with regards to countering global terrorism and our commitment to hold bad actors in Syria accountable,” the agency said.

Syria was first designated as a state sponsor of terrorism in 1979 under the administration of President Jimmy Carter. The designation subjected Syria to severe economic and military restrictions, including bans on most foreign aid and arms sales.

The delisting comes after Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa met with President Trump on the sidelines of a NATO summit in Turkey. Sharaa, who once had ties to extremist networks, has sought to present himself as a unifying figure following the toppling of the Assad family in 2024 after more than 50 years of authoritarian rule.

HTS, the group now at the centre of Syria's political transition, traces its origins to the al-Nusra Front, which was the Syrian branch of al-Qaeda. The group broke formal ties with al-Qaeda in 2016 and has since attempted to moderate its public image. Its removal from the US terrorist list is a significant step in its efforts to gain international legitimacy.

The initial intention to delist Syria was announced in July, a move many analysts viewed as a sign of support for Sharaa's interim government. The formal action on Monday signals a further shift in US policy toward the conflict-torn country.

While the decision opens new diplomatic and economic possibilities for Syria, it also carries risks. Some regional governments and human rights organisations have expressed concern that sanctions relief could be premature given the continued presence of armed groups and unresolved questions about political inclusion.

Observers note that the US action is largely symbolic at this stage, as many international investors are likely to wait for a clearer picture of Syria's political and security trajectory. The lifting of US sanctions removes one major obstacle, but other restrictions, including those by the European Union and other countries, remain in place.

The White House described the decision as part of a broader effort to stabilise the Middle East. Officials say the move is designed to give Syria's new leadership a chance to distance itself from its past and build a more peaceful future.

The Trump administration has framed the delisting as a diplomatic achievement, while acknowledging that much more work lies ahead in rebuilding Syria's fractured economy and political institutions.