USA – .The United States has formally removed Syria from its list of state sponsors of terrorism, a move welcomed by Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa as a major step toward reconstruction and economic recovery.
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa has thanked US President Donald Trump after Washington formally removed Syria from its list of state sponsors of terrorism.
In a statement on Monday, al-Sharaa expressed gratitude on behalf of the Syrian people to Trump and countries that have supported Syria, saying the country was leaving its “painful past” behind and entering an era of development, reconstruction and nation-building.
According to Al Jazeera, Trump had recommended on July 8 that Syria be removed from the US list. Under US law, the decision became final after a mandatory 45-day review period.
Syria was first placed on the State Sponsors of Terrorism list in 1979, during the presidency of Hafez al-Assad. The country remained on the list throughout the 24-year rule of his son, Bashar al-Assad, who became president in 2000.
Bashar al-Assad was ousted in a lightning offensive in 2024 and is currently living in Russia with his family.
Being designated a state sponsor of terrorism subjected Syria to extensive US restrictions, including limits on foreign assistance, defence-related transactions, certain dual-use goods and international financial dealings. The designation also posed a major obstacle to foreign investment in the country.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the decision recognised al-Sharaa’s “specific commitments and positive steps” to keep Syria fully removed from international terrorism.
The removal marks a significant shift in Washington’s policy toward Syria and could help improve the country’s prospects for economic recovery, reconstruction and international investment.
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