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US removal of Syria from terrorism sponsor list
Overview
The United States has officially removed Syria from its list of state sponsors of terrorism, ending a designation in place since 1979. Announced on August 24, 2026, the decision followed a 45-day congressional review initiated by President Donald Trump in July 2026. This policy shift included revoking the designation of Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist organization and followed the late 2025 repeal of the Caesar Act. Secretary of State Marco Rubio noted that the move aims to ‘remove barriers to private sector investment and facilitate Syria’s reintegration into the global economy.’ The removal of HTS is particularly significant as the group is led by Syria’s new president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, who broke ties with Al-Qaeda in 2016. Following the lifting of international sanctions and the Arab League’s removal of political and economic restrictions in September 2026, President al-Sharaa described the nation as undergoing a ‘new birth.’ Speaking at the Arab Media Summit in Dubai, he characterized Syria as transitioning from a source of regional instability to a ‘great opportunity’ for the Middle East. Economic indicators show growth from approximately $20 billion in late 2024 to $32 billion in 2025, with projections reaching $50 billion this year. Al-Sharaa highlighted the role of early investment initiatives, such as Dubai Ports World’s involvement in the Port of Tartus, and emphasized Syria’s agricultural potential to feed between 70 million and 100 million people. The government continues to focus on rebuilding state institutions and attracting Gulf and European investments. On September 16, 2026, the United States lifted the final two remaining arms-related sanctions on Syria imposed under the Chemical and Biological Weapons Control and Warfare Elimination Act of 1991. According to a U.S.
Entities
Syria · Donald Trump · Ahmed al-Sharaa · United States · Ahmad al-Sharaa
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 51 SOURCES] The United States formally removed Syria from its list of state sponsors of terrorism.
- [● 46 SOURCES] Syria had held the state sponsor of terrorism designation since 1979.
- [● 34 SOURCES] Secretary of State Marco Rubio authorized the revocation following a mandatory 45-day Congressional notification period.
- [● 27 SOURCES] President Ahmed al-Sharaa performed the first Visa transaction by paying for coffee in Damascus.
- [● 26 SOURCES] The United States revoked the designation of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) as a global terrorist organization.
- [● 19 SOURCES] The Governor of the Central Bank of Syria described the transaction as a beginning of a new era for the national payments ecosystem.
- [● 15 SOURCES] Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated the move aims to foster investment and promote stability in Syria.
- [● 14 SOURCES] The policy shift follows the collapse of the Bashar al-Assad regime in December 2024 and the rise of Ahmed al-Sharaa.
- [● 9 SOURCES] Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani stated the decision removes obstacles to economic reconstruction and investment
Timeline
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[INTERNATIONAL] 5 sourcesUnited States removes Syria from arms export ban
The U.S. State Department is removing Syria from its arms export ban, allowing weapon sale requests to be considered on a case-by-case basis as diplomatic relations with the new Damascus government improve.
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[POLITICS] 2 sourcesUnited States lifts final arms sanctions on Syria
The United States has lifted the final two arms-related sanctions on Syria, removing restrictions on defense sales and foreign military financing as part of a broader easing of sanctions.
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[POLITICS] 2 sourcesSyria enters new era of stability and investment following sanctions removal
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa declared a ‘new birth’ for the nation as sanctions are lifted, citing economic growth and significant potential for regional stability and foreign investment.
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[INTERNATIONAL] 2 sourcesU.S. removes Abdullah al-Muhaysini and HTS from sanctions list
The U.S. Treasury has removed Abdullah al-Muhaysini and Hayat Tahrir al-Sham from its SDN sanctions list, reflecting a shift in Syrian policy as Al-Qaeda's regional affiliates remain strong.
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[INTERNATIONAL] 2 sourcesUnited States removes Syria from State Sponsors of Terrorism list
The United States has removed Syria from its State Sponsors of Terrorism list, signaling a major shift in policy to encourage normalization with Israel and a reduction in Russian influence in the region.
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[INTERNATIONAL] 2 sourcesSyria enters reconstruction phase following U.S. sanctions relief
Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa announced a new era of reconstruction following the U.S. removal of Syria from the state sponsors of terrorism list and the lifting of sanctions.
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[BUSINESS] 42 sourcesSyria re-enters global financial system after US terror list removal
Following Syria's removal from the US terror sponsor list, President Ahmed al-Sharaa and international networks Visa and Mastercard have successfully processed the first live digital transactions in Damascus.
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[INTERNATIONAL] 177 sourcesSyria removed from US state sponsors of terrorism list
The United States has officially removed Syria from its state sponsors of terrorism list after 47 years, a move intended to facilitate economic reconstruction and international investment.
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[INTERNATIONAL] 44 sourcesSyria removed from US state sponsor of terrorism list
The US has officially removed Syria from its state sponsor of terrorism list, ending a 47-year designation. The move also revokes the terrorist designation for Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham to promote economic recovery
Sources
15min.lt · aerotime.aero · aftabnews.ir · agenpress.it · agerpres.ro · aijourn.com · akhbarona.com · al-monitor.com · alalam.ma · albiladpress.com · alhayatp.net · alhurra.com · aljazeera.com · alkuwaitnews.net · allegrini.it · almahriah.net · almanar.com.lb · alrasheedmedia.com · alsaudi.news · alwakeelnews.com · amigoearuba.com · anlatilaninotesi.com.tr · anninhthudo.vn · arabic.cnn.com · arabic.euronews.com · arabnews.jp · arabnews.pk · arbresh.info · arkcity.net · arknews.net · assamtribune.com · aviation.direct · b2b-sy.com · bamada.net · baotintuc.vn · beritaharian.sg · bhaskarhindi.com · biznis.ba · boldmedya.com · brasil247.com · bursahakimiyet.com.tr · businessdaily.gr · ca.sports.yahoo.com · capital.gr · capital.pe · ch23.com · clovermedia.jp · contrapodernews.com
This summary has been updated 18 times: see revision history