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Syria removed from US "State Sponsor of Terrorism" list after 47 years
🇴🇲 Oman /Conflict & Security

Syria removed from US "State Sponsor of Terrorism" list after 47 years

From Times of Oman · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Outcome reported
  • The United States has formally removed Syria from its "State Sponsor of Terrorism" list after 47 years.
  • The move aims to remove barriers to private-sector investment and facilitate Syria's economic reintegration.
  • Syria welcomed the decision as a "historic milestone" and a reflection of its transformation.

The United States has officially rescinded Syria's designation as a "State Sponsor of Terrorism," ending a 47-year classification that Washington said hindered private-sector investment and Syria's economic reintegration. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio authorized the rescission after a mandatory 45-day Congressional notification period.

These actions represent another historic step by President Trump to give the Syrian people a path to prosperity

— Marco RubioU.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio commented on the significance of removing Syria from the terrorism list.

Rubio stated that the decision followed steps taken by the Syrian government under President Ahmed al-Sharaa to distance the country from international terrorism. He noted Syria's formal joining of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS in November and its operations against groups like ISIS, al-Qaida, Hezbollah, and Iran-aligned forces. The U.S. also removed "Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham's" designation as a "Specially Designated Global Terrorist."

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani hailed the move as a "historic milestone" for the Syrian people. He described the designation as never being the choice of the Syrian people and not befitting Syria's history. Al-Shaibani attributed the decision to the transformation brought about by the Syrian people and the new Syrian state's commitment to international peace and security. He expressed gratitude to U.S. President Donald Trump, Secretary of State Rubio, Ambassador Thomas Barrack, the U.S. administration, and members of Congress.

We congratulate the Syrian people on this historic milestone: the removal of Syria from the list of State Sponsors of Terrorism after 47 years under a designation associated with the policies and practices of the former regime

— Asaad al-ShaibaniSyrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani welcomed the U.S. decision.

President Trump later reposted al-Shaibani's message on Truth Social, thanking the U.S. for the removal. In a July 9 post, al-Shaibani had previously stated that Syria had "closed a dark chapter" with the lifting of the 1979 classification, thanking the U.S. leadership and various officials for their support.

All thanks and appreciation to the United States under the leadership of President Trump for this decision, and to my friend Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and to the dear Ambassador Tom Barrack, and to everyone who stood by Syria's side

— Asaad al-ShaibaniSyrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani expressed gratitude for the U.S. decision.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Times of Oman. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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