- Syrian officials welcomed the decisions as historic milestones.
The United States on Monday formally rescinded Syria’s designation as a “State Sponsor of Terrorism” (SST), ending a 47-year-old classification that Washington said had created major obstacles to private-sector investment and Syria’s economic reintegration.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio authorised the removal after the mandatory 45-day notification period to Congress was completed.
The United States also removed Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham’s (HTS) designation as a “Specially Designated Global Terrorist” (SDGT).
“These actions represent another historic step by President Trump to give the Syrian people a path to prosperity,” Rubio said.
US Cites Syria’s Counterterrorism Steps
Rubio said the decision followed measures undertaken by the Syrian government under President Ahmed al-Sharaa to “fully distance Syria from acts of international terrorism.”
According to Rubio, Syria formally joined the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS in November and has carried out operations against networks linked to ISIS, al-Qaida, Hizballah and Iran-aligned groups.
The US secretary of state said the removal of both designations would have implications for Syria’s economy and its international reintegration.
“Rescinding Syria’s designation as an SST and HTS’ designation as an SDGT eliminates the final major barriers for private sector investment in Syria and promotes Syria’s economic recovery and reintegration into the global economy,” Rubio said.
ALSO READ: Did Iran Try To Assassinate Netanyahu’s Son? Israeli PM Makes Massive Claim Amid War
Syria Welcomes US Decision
Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani welcomed Washington’s decision in a post on X, describing the removal as a “historic milestone” for the Syrian people.
“We congratulate the Syrian people on this historic milestone: the removal of Syria from the list of State Sponsors of Terrorism after 47 years under a designation associated with the policies and practices of the former regime,” al-Shaibani said.
He said the designation “was never the choice of the Syrian people, nor was it befitting of Syria and its history.”
According to al-Shaibani, the decision reflected the “transformation brought about by the Syrian people” and the new Syrian state’s commitment to international peace and security.
ضمن توجيهات فخامة رئيس الجمهورية أحمد الشرع، أغلقنا صفحة سوداء في تاريخ سوريا برفع التصنيف الذي فرض عليها بسبب سياسات النظام البائد 1979
كل الشكر والتقدير للولايات المتحدة بقيادة الرئيس ترامب على هذا القرار، ولصديقي وزير الخارجية ماركو روبيو وللسفير العزيز توم باراك ولكل من وقف… pic.twitter.com/yhaEUXSenR
— أسعد حسن الشيباني (@AsaadHShaibani) July 8, 2026
He also thanked US President Donald Trump, Rubio, US Ambassador Thomas Barrack, the US administration and members of Congress for their role in the decision.
ALSO READ: ‘Where And How To Kill Barron’: Iran State TV Targets Trump’s Son, Claims $10 Million Bounty
Trump Welcomes Removal
Trump later reposted al-Shaibani’s message on Truth Social, thanking the United States for removing Syria from the “State Sponsor of Terrorism” list.
The Syrian foreign minister had also addressed the issue in a July 9 post on X, saying Syria had “closed a dark chapter” in its history with the lifting of the 1979 classification.
“All thanks and appreciation to the United States under the leadership of President Trump for this decision, and to my friend Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and to the dear Ambassador Tom Barrack, and to everyone who stood by Syria’s side,” he said.
YOGI VS RAHUL: UP CM Launches Fresh Attack on Congress Leader in Raebareli
