Syria Removed from US Terror List: Al-Sharaa Celebrates

Ahmad al-Sharaa, the Syrian leader better known by his nom de guerre Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, released a celebratory video message to the Syrian people following a major diplomatic breakthrough. Al-Sharaa described President Donald Trump's decision to remove Syria from the US list of state sponsors of terrorism as marking "the beginning of a new day." The announcement came after the White House and State Department formally confirmed Syria's removal from the designation late Monday.

In his remarks, al-Sharaa praised Trump's decision and thanked the American president on behalf of the Syrian people, calling the move "the tearing of an ugly page from Syrian history."

Al Sharaa's announcement (Photo: Syrian Presidential office)

"I congratulate the Syrian people on the official removal of Syria's name from the list of states sponsoring terrorism, and express gratitude to His Excellency President Donald Trump for this historic decision, and to all the brothers and friends who stood by Syria and the Syrians," al-Sharaa declared in his emotional statement.

Removal from the State Department's terrorism sponsor list opens numerous pathways for al-Sharaa's government, including access to financial instruments for developing Syria's economy, loans from the International Monetary Fund, and a range of other development opportunities.

These relaxed restrictions are expected to ease the new administration's efforts to rebuild the war-torn country. The delisting also opens doors previously closed to Damascus, including access to international funds that could potentially allow Syria to redirect increased resources toward military development, should the government choose to do so now or in the future.