The United States has formally removed Syria from its list of State Sponsors of Terrorism, ending a designation that had been in place since 1979.
The decision took effect on August 24 after the completion of a mandatory 45-day congressional review period, marking a major shift in Washington's relationship with the new government in Damascus. Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaahailed the move as a historic step that could help the country rebuild after nearly 14 years of civil war.
Being designated a State Sponsor of Terrorism brought significant restrictions on a country, including limits on US foreign assistance, defence exports, certain dual-use items and financial transactions.
Although the Trump administration had already terminated broader US sanctions on Syria in July 2025 while retaining targeted sanctions against individuals and groups including Bashar al-Assad and his associates, the terrorism designation continued to create legal and compliance concerns for banks and companies considering investments in the country.
With the designation now removed, Syria could find it easier to attract foreign investment and reconnect with the global financial system as it seeks to rebuild its economy and infrastructure.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the decision recognised steps taken by the Syrian government under al-Sharaa.
Rubio said the action was taken in recognition of the Syrian government's efforts and commitments to:
“fully distance Syria from acts of international terrorism”.
The US Treasury Department also announced changes to sanctions-related listings connected to the decision.
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa welcomed Washington's move and thanked US President Donald Trump.
In a statement shared on X, al-Sharaa said Syria was turning away from its troubled past and moving towards:
“development, reconstruction, and building”.
Syria's Foreign Ministry described the US decision as an important shift that could open a new chapter in the country's international relations and support economic recovery and reconstruction.
Syrian Finance Minister Mohammed Barnieh also called the move a major diplomatic success, saying it could help strengthen Syria's integration into the global economic and financial system and attract investment and technology.
Syria was first added to the US list of State Sponsors of Terrorism in 1979, during the rule of former President Hafez al-Assad.
The designation remained in place throughout the rule of his son, Bashar al-Assad, who was ousted in December 2024 by rebel forces led by Ahmed al-Sharaa.
The removal is therefore a significant diplomatic milestone for Syria's post-Assad government, which has spent months attempting to end the country's international isolation and encourage foreign governments and companies to re-engage with Damascus.
Alongside Syria's removal from the State Sponsors of Terrorism list, Washington also revoked the Specially Designated Global Terrorist designation of Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), formerly known as the al-Nusrah Front.
HTS was previously led by al-Sharaa and was once affiliated with al-Qaeda before breaking ties with the global network in 2016.
The decision leaves Cuba, Iran and North Korea as the three countries currently designated by Washington as State Sponsors of Terrorism.
For Damascus, the removal could be particularly important for attracting the billions of dollars in investment needed to rebuild a country devastated by years of war.
Reuters reported that the terrorism designation had remained a major obstacle for banks and investors even after broader US sanctions were lifted. American financial institutions have since been permitted to provide certain services involving Syria, subject to restrictions concerning sanctioned parties.
The move also signals increasingly warmer relations between Washington and Damascus. The decision followed months of engagement between the two governments and meetings between Trump and al-Sharaa.
US officials have framed the policy shift as part of an effort to help Syria stabilise, rebuild its economy and attract investment after more than a decade of conflict.