The U.S. State Department has removed Syria from its list of state sponsors of terrorism and revoked the designation of al-Nusrah Front, also known as Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham, as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist organization.
The moves followed the expiration of a 45-day congressional review period that began after U.S. President Donald Trump notified Congress in July of his intention to rescind Syria’s designation.
“These actions represent another historic step by President Trump to give the Syrian people a path to prosperity,” U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated on Monday.
Rubio added that the decisions recognized “the positive actions taken and further commitments by the Syrian government under President Ahmed al-Sharaa to fully distance Syria from acts of international terrorism.”
He cited Syria’s efforts to combat terrorism, its participation in the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS and operations against ISIS, al-Qaida, Hezbollah and Iran-aligned groups.
“Rescinding Syria’s designation as an SST and HTS’ designation as an SDGT eliminates the final major barriers for private sector investment in Syria and promotes Syria’s economic recovery and reintegration into the global economy,” Rubio said.
The U.S. Department of the Treasury simultaneously removed HTS from its list of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons, meaning the group is no longer subject to blocking sanctions under the Global Terrorism Sanctions Regulations or Executive Order 13224.
Tom Barrack, U.S. Ambassador to Turkey and special presidential envoy for Syria and Iraq, called the move “another historic milestone” in Trump’s “vision to give Syria a chance.”
“For too long, this designation was another wall separating the Syrian people from the investment, enterprise and opportunity necessary to rebuild their nation,” Barrack said. “Today, another wall comes down. Capital can replace conflict, enterprise can replace isolation and commerce can continue to triumph over chaos.”
The moves mark a significant shift in U.S. policy toward Syria following the December 2024 ouster of longtime President Bashar Assad. Al-Sharaa, a former HTS leader, became president of the transitional government.
The United States designated Syria a state sponsor of terrorism in 1979. The designation imposed restrictions on foreign assistance, defense-related exports and certain financial transactions.
