US President Donald Trump meets with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa at the White House, Washington, DC, US, Nov. 10, 2025. Photo: Screenshot

Trump Removes Syria From State Sponsors of Terrorism List Following Meeting With al-Sharaa

The United States has moved to remove Syria from its list of state sponsors of terrorism, marking a major shift in Washington’s policy toward Damascus as bilateral ties continue to improve and the administration pledges support for the country’s reconstruction efforts.

After meeting with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa on the sidelines of a NATO summit in Turkey, U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday sent him a letter announcing his decision to remove Syria from the U.S. list of designated state sponsors of terrorism.

“I promised to remove all barriers stopping you from rebuilding your country, and very soon, you will finally be able to do so,” Trump wrote in the letter.

“We have U.S. companies ready to invest in Syria and help make your country greater and more prosperous than ever before,” he continued.

Last year, al-Sharaa became Syria’s official president after leading the rebel campaign that ousted longtime Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad, whose Iran-backed rule had strained ties with the Arab world throughout the nearly 14-year Syrian war. The offensive was spearheaded by al-Sharaa’s Islamist group, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a former al-Qaeda affiliate.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio formally notified Congress this week of the administration’s decision to lift Syria’s designation as a state sponsor of terrorism, with the change set to take effect after 45 days unless lawmakers move to block the measure.

“This is yet another historic step by President Trump to give the Syrian people a chance at greatness,” Rubio said in a statement. “Lifting sanctions on Syria will unlock international trade and investment, give Syria a chance to rebuild, and open up a new chapter for the Syrian people. A stable, unified Syria at peace with itself and its neighbors benefits not only the region, but the entire world.”

The United States designated Syria a state sponsor of terrorism in 1979, a designation that carries sweeping U.S. sanctions and restrictions — including limits on foreign assistance, financial transactions, and economic engagement — for countries Washington determines have provided support to terrorist organizations.

Since the fall of Assad’s regime in 2024, U.S.-Syrian relations have gradually improved, as Damascus seeks international support and assistance to rebuild the country and establish itself as a credible and stable partner on the global stage.

Trump had repeatedly praised al-Sharaa’s leadership, highlighting his efforts to bring stability to Syria and presenting him as a key partner in the country’s transition following decades of Assad rule.

“He’s respected by everybody, including me. He’s doing an unbelievable job in unifying Syria,” Trump said during the NATO summit. “Syria was a mess with what happened with the previous government.”

Although al-Sharaa has repeatedly pledged to unify Syria’s armed forces and restore stability after years of civil war, the new leadership continues to face major hurdles in convincing the international community of its commitment to peace.

Incidents of sectarian violence — including the mass killing of pro-Assad Alawites — have deepened fears among minority groups about the rise of Islamist factions and drawn condemnation from global powers currently engaged in discussions on sanctions relief and humanitarian aid.

Earlier this year, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced that the European Union would provide Syria with around 620 million euros ($722 million) over this year and next to support post-war recovery efforts, bilateral programs, and humanitarian assistance.

As Damascus seeks to gain greater international support and rebuild diplomatic ties, many experts have urged caution, warning that the new government’s extensive links to jihadist groups, including al-Qaeda, remain a major concern.

Although the U.S. had previously urged Syria to make peace with Israel, Washington moved forward with the delisting decision as negotiations between the two sides continue but have yet to produce any major breakthroughs.

Following the fall of al-Assad in late 2024, Israel deployed troops into a buffer zone along the Syrian border to establish a military position aimed at preventing terrorists from launching attacks against the Jewish state.

The previously demilitarized zone in the Golan Heights was established under the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement between Damascus and Jerusalem that ended the Yom Kippur War. However, Israel considered the agreement void after the collapse of Assad’s regime.

Since then, Israel has ramped up its military operations in southern Syria, with officials asserting that the strikes are aimed at targeting Islamist militant groups.