The US has removed Syria from its list of state sponsors of terrorism after 47 years, a move that is expected to lift major barriers for private sector investment in the country and its reintegration into the global economy. This decision was made in recognition of the Syrian government’s positive actions to fully distance itself from acts of international terrorism, according to US Secretary Of State Marco Rubio. The Trump administration has been working closely with Syria’s new president, Ahmed al-Sharaa.
The removal of Syria from the list is seen as a significant step towards bringing the country into the US orbit, rather than that of Russia or China. However, the risks remain significant, with Syria still far from secure and lacking representative government. The US hopes that this move will give Syria a path to prosperity, as stated by Secretary Rubio.
- Syria was removed from the US list of state sponsors of terrorism after 47 years.
- The move is expected to lift major barriers for private sector investment in the country.
- The US also revoked the designation of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation.
- Syria’s removal leaves just three remaining countries on the list: Cuba, North Korea, and Iran.
Syrian Government Response
Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani greeted the news as a
