US removes Syria from list of state sponsors of terrorism

Hamoon Tue Aug 2026 1 month ago 407

Marco Rubio, the U.S. Secretary of State, said the decision follows commitments by the government of Ahmad Sharaa to sever ties with international terrorism. Asaad al-Shibani, Syria's Foreign Minister, had previously stated that removing Syria from this list could eliminate major obstacles to trade, investment, and the revival of the country's economy.


Syria had been on the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism since 1979—initially due to accusations that the Hafez al-Assad regime supported armed groups, and later during the era of Bashar al-Assad. Following the fall of Bashar al-Assad's government in November 2024 to armed opposition forces led by Ahmad Sharaa, Washington began the process of lifting restrictions against Syria. The United States has also removed Jabhat al-Nusra—which later operated under the name of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham—from certain terrorist and sanctions lists.


With Syria's removal, Iran, North Korea, and Cuba remain the only countries still designated by the U.S. government as state sponsors of terrorism. Being on this list imposes restrictions on foreign aid, exports of military equipment, dual-use goods, and financial transactions, and even after the partial lifting of sanctions on Syria, it had hindered the operations of foreign banks and investors in the country.


The Trump administration lifted a significant portion of Syria's sanctions in July 2025; however, restrictions remain in place against Bashar al-Assad and his inner circle, human rights violators, drug traffickers, ISIS, al-Qaeda-linked groups, and Iranian proxies. Syria requires billions of dollars in investment for reconstruction after nearly 14 years of war, and in recent months, a number of foreign banks and companies, including Mastercard, have expressed readiness to operate in the country.



The U.S. State Department announced on Monday that Syria has been removed from the list of state sponsors of terrorism. This decision is part of the Donald Trump administration's policy to ease restrictions against Damascus, and Syrian officials view it as a major step toward reintegrating their country into the global financial system and attracting foreign investment.

Hamoon Khamoosh

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