US removes Syria from state sponsor of terrorism list

WASHINGTON: The United States on Monday (Aug 24) removed Syria from its list of state sponsors of terrorism, rescinding a decades-old designation that came with severe economic restrictions and marking another step in warming ties between the countries.

The US Department of State also revoked its designation of al-Nusra Front – latterly known as Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) – as a global terrorist organisation. The Treasury Department announced corresponding sanctions relief. 

Rebels led by HTS overthrew long-time Syrian ruler Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, with the group’s leader Ahmed al-Sharaa taking over as president as the country rebuilds after more than 13 years of civil war.

“Today’s action will help foster additional investment in Syria to promote political and economic stability,” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a statement.

Treasury said the moves were “in line with President (Donald) Trump’s promise to deliver sanctions relief to Syria.”

But the agency stressed that its removal of restrictions on Syria “does not change Treasury’s posture with regards to countering global terrorism and our commitment to hold bad actors in Syria accountable.”