US officially removes Syria’s designation as a State Sponsor of Terrorism

The US officially removed Syria’s designation as a State Sponsor of Terrorism, the Treasury Department announced on Monday.

The State Department also revoked the designation of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) as a terror group. “Accordingly, Syria is no longer subject to prohibitions under the Terrorism List Governments Sanctions Department Regulations, 31 CFR part 596 (TLGSR), or 22 USC 7205(a)(1),” Treasury said in a statement.

“Treasury is following through on President Trump’s promise to give the Syrian people a chance at greatness,” Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent said. “Today’s action will help foster additional investment in Syria to promote political and economic stability.”

US President Donald Trump informed Congress in July of his administration’s intent to rescind Syria’s designation.

US envoy for Syria Tom Barrack said the designation has long been a wall separating the Syrian people from investment necessary to rebuild their country. “Today, another wall comes down. Capital can replace conflict, enterprise can replace isolation, and commerce can continue to triumph over chaos,” he said in a post on X.

The removal of the designation will further unlock international trade and investment, give Syria a chance to rebuild, and open up a new chapter for the Syrian people, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said earlier this summer. ”A stable, unified Syria at peace with itself and its neighbors benefits not only the region, but the entire world,” he added.

Trump issued an executive order last summer after a trip to Saudi Arabia, directing sanctions relief for Syria. He cited positive changes and counterterrorism efforts by the government under Ahmed al-Sharaa. The Syrian president, a former militant himself who had previously been a designated terrorist by Washington, vowed to never support terrorism in the future.