US Removes Syria from Terror Sponsor List After Nearly Five Decades

Damascus has welcomed the United States' announcement that it will remove Syria from its list of state sponsors of terrorism, a designation that had been in place for nearly 50 years. The Syrian foreign ministry described the decision as an important development in bilateral relations, based on dialogue and mutual respect.

The delisting, announced by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday, will take effect in 45 days unless Congress intervenes, a scenario considered unlikely. The move comes amid ongoing diplomatic engagements, including a meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa on the sidelines of a NATO summit in Turkey.

Economists and officials say the change removes a major barrier to Syria's economic recovery. Finance Minister Mohammed Barnieh stated that it paves the way for increased investment and reintegration into the global economy. Academic Ziad Arbash called it a pivotal shift, noting that even after the U.S. began lifting sanctions a year ago, financial transactions remained cumbersome, with transfers from Europe taking up to three weeks due to risk perceptions. Syrians also faced restricted access to U.S. software and platforms.

The blacklist, established in 1979, had severely limited foreign investment and economic activity in Syria. Central bank governor Mohamad Safwat Raslan said the delisting sends a positive message to the Syrian people and the international economic community. Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani declared that a dark page in Syria's history has been turned.

The United States had designated Syria a state sponsor of terrorism for its alleged support of militant groups. The removal follows a gradual easing of sanctions initiated by the Trump administration over the past year. Analysts caution that while the delisting is a significant step, full economic normalization will require further regulatory changes and rebuilding of international trust.