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US removes Syria from list of state sponsors of terrorism
🇬🇷 Greece /Conflict & Security

US removes Syria from list of state sponsors of terrorism

From Ta Nea · () Greek

Translated from Greek, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Outcome reported
  • The United States has removed Syria from its list of state sponsors of terrorism, a move Damascus calls the "last major obstacle" to attracting investment.
  • The decision, effective after a 45-day congressional review, follows Syria's government commitments to distance itself from international terrorism.
  • Syria was on the list since 1979, and its removal, along with Al Nusra Front, leaves only Cuba, Iran, and North Korea on Washington's terror list.

The United States has removed Syria from its list of state sponsors of terrorism, a significant decision that Damascus hails as the "last major obstacle" to attracting investment. This move by Washington aims to strengthen ties with the new Syrian government.

The decision, posted on the U.S. Treasury website, took effect after a 45-day congressional review period. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that these actions were taken in recognition of "positive steps and further commitments by the Syrian government under President Ahmed al-Sarah to fully distance Syria from acts of international terrorism."

Syrian Foreign Minister Assad al-Shibani told Reuters that the government hopes lifting this "last obstacle" will facilitate Syria's reconnection with the global financial and economic system, thereby boosting investment. "There is no longer any obstacle to investment, entrepreneurship, and the reconstruction of economic life in Syria," he remarked.

positive steps and further commitments by the Syrian government under President Ahmed al-Sarah to fully distance Syria from acts of international terrorism.

— Marco RubioU.S. Secretary of State, explaining the rationale behind removing Syria from the terror list.

Syria had been on the list since 1979, initially accused by Washington of supporting armed groups under the government of Hafez al-Assad. The designation remained throughout the tenure of his son, Bashar al-Assad, who was overthrown by rebels led by the current President Ahmed al-Sarah in December 2024.

This development also saw the removal of the designation of the Al Nusra Front as a Global Terrorist Organization. Consequently, only Cuba, Iran, and North Korea remain on Washington's list of state sponsors of terrorism. The removal of Syria's designation is expected to ease restrictions on U.S. foreign aid, defense equipment sales, dual-use goods, and financial transactions, which had previously deterred banks and investors.

There is no longer any obstacle to investment, entrepreneurship, and the reconstruction of economic life in Syria.

— Assad al-ShibaniSyrian Foreign Minister, expressing optimism about economic recovery following the U.S. decision.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Ta Nea in Greek. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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