Key facts
- The Trump administration has initiated the process to remove Syria from the State Sponsors of Terrorism list.
- This designation was originally placed on Syria in 1979.
- The decision requires a 45-day review period by the US Congress.
- Removing the designation could facilitate foreign aid and lift export restrictions on defense items.
- Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa reportedly provided assurances against supporting international terrorism.
The Trump administration has formally begun the process of removing Syria from the U.S. list of State Sponsors of Terrorism (SST), a designation that has been in place since 1979. The administration has notified Congress, which will now undertake a 45-day review period before a final decision is made.
This move is seen by supporters as a significant step towards Syria's economic recovery and reintegration into the international community. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that lifting sanctions would unlock international trade and investment, allowing Syria to rebuild after years of civil war. The designation's removal could also permit the U.S. to deliver more foreign aid, potentially including support for Syrian security forces.
Natasha Hall, an associate fellow at Chatham House, described the potential impact as "earth-shifting" for Syria, noting that the designation was a major barrier to its economic recovery. The Syrian American Council, which actively lobbied for the de-listing, expressed gratitude and called it a strategic win for U.S. national security. Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Elizabeth Warren had also previously urged President Trump to remove Syria from the SST list, citing it as a primary impediment to reconstruction.
President Trump met with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa on the sidelines of a NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, where he praised him as "fantastic" and "highly respected." Rubio also stated he received formal assurances from al-Sharaa that Syria would not support future acts of international terrorism.