US Removes Syria from State Sponsors of Terrorism List
The United States has officially removed Syria from its list of state sponsors of terrorism, lifting a label that had been in place for decades and was accompanied by severe economic restrictions on the country. The US State Department also revoked the designation of al-Nusra Front—now known as Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS)—as a global terrorist organisation on Monday (24/8/2026). HTS overthrew the Bashar al-Assad regime in December 2024 and took power.
The US Treasury Department subsequently followed up by easing economic sanctions. “Today’s action will help encourage additional investment in Syria to improve political and economic stability,” said US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in a statement. The Treasury Department said the move was in line with President Donald Trump’s promise to provide sanctions relief to Syria.
Nevertheless, the agency stressed that lifting restrictions on Syria does not change the Treasury Department’s firm stance in combating global terrorism or its commitment to holding accountable those who commit crimes in Syria. HTS was previously known as al-Nusra Front and was once an al-Qaeda affiliate in Syria. The group has severed ties with the jihadist organisation since 2016.
The US government had announced in July that it intended to remove Syria from the state sponsors of terrorism list. The move was seen as a sign of confidence in Ahmed al-Sharaa, the HTS leader who rose to power after Assad’s fall and brought an end to a 13-year civil war. Trump met with Sharaa on the sidelines of the NATO Summit in Turkey. The former jihadist group member is now seeking to build an image as a unifying figure after toppling the Assad family dynasty, which had ruled with an iron fist for half a century.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the removal of the designation gives the Syrian people a path to prosperity. The move, Rubio said, removes the last major barrier to private sector investment in Syria, while encouraging the country’s economic recovery and its reintegration into the global economy. Syria’s central bank governor also welcomed Washington’s decision. “Ending Syria’s designation as a state sponsor of terrorism is a historic step that returns the country to its natural position in the global economic system,” said Safwat Raslan via his X account. He added that the Syrian central bank is currently working to build a modern and trustworthy financial system.