U.S. Removes Syria from State Sponsors of Terrorism List

The United States has officially removed Syria from its list of state sponsors of terrorism, according to an announcement Monday evening by the U.S. Treasury Department. The decision represents a major policy reversal toward Damascus after years in which Syria was designated as a nation supporting terrorist organizations.

The move followed a review by the U.S. Congress, as announced earlier this year. Removing Syria from the list could pave the way for improved relations between Washington and Damascus, and may enable economic and diplomatic engagement that had been blocked by the designation.

Background on the Designation

Syria had been classified as a state sponsor of terrorism for decades, primarily due to its support for groups including Hezbollah and Hamas, and its close ties with Iran. The designation imposed heavy economic sanctions on Damascus and restricted its ability to receive international aid and conduct commercial relations with Western nations.

The shift in American policy comes amid regional developments, including diplomatic contacts between Israel and Syria and attempts to reach agreements regarding Israeli withdrawal from territories captured following the fall of the Assad regime. Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani recently stated that Damascus seeks a diplomatic arrangement with Israel, though he claimed Israel has "evaded" implementing agreements that were reached.

Israeli fighters inside Syrian territory (IDF Spokesperson)

Regional Implications

Syria's removal from the terrorism list could affect the balance of power in the Middle East. The decision comes as the United States intensifies sanctions against Iran in what has been termed an "economic D-Day," imposing restrictions on dozens of entities linked to Tehran.

Meanwhile, Israel continues to operate inside Syrian territory, as evidenced by a recent strike on the Syrian air force base at Abu al-Duhur. According to reports, Mossad chief Ronen Bar met with the Syrian foreign minister in an effort to ease tensions, though significant gaps between the positions remain.

The change in U.S. policy toward Syria reflects an attempt by the Trump administration to reshape the geopolitical map of the Middle East, focusing on Iran as the primary threat while opening diplomatic possibilities with other actors in the region.