US removes Syria from state terror sponsors list

The U.S. State Department has removed Syria from its list of state sponsors of terrorism and revoked the designation of al-Nusrah Front (Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham) as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist organization. These actions followed the expiration of a 45-day congressional review period after President Donald Trump notified Congress in July of his intention to rescind Syria’s designation. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated on Monday that these decisions recognize “the positive actions taken and further commitments by the Syrian government under President Ahmed al-Sharaa to fully distance Syria from acts of international terrorism.” Tom Barrack, U.S. Ambassador to Turkey, added, “For too long, this designation was another wall separating the Syrian people from the investment, enterprise and opportunity necessary to rebuild their nation.” The U.S. Department of the Treasury also removed HTS from its list of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons. These changes signify a major shift in U.S. policy after the December 2024 ouster of Bashar Assad and the rise of Al-Sharaa, a former HTS leader, to the presidency of the transitional government.