WEB DESK: The United States has removed Syria from its list of State Sponsors of Terrorism, ending nearly 47 years of its designation, according to a notification issued by the US State Department on Monday.
Syria was first placed on the list in 1979 during the rule of Hafez al-Assad, father of Bashar al-Assad. Washington accused the Syrian government of supporting militant groups in the Middle East, resulting in economic and diplomatic restrictions.
Syria remained on the list for nearly five decades despite changes in the regional and international landscape.
The situation changed significantly after Bashar al-Assad’s government fell in December 2024 following years of civil war. The political transition prompted Washington to reassess its policy towards Syria.
In 2025, the United States began easing several broad sanctions on Syria and increased engagement with the country’s new authorities.
The removal from the State Sponsors of Terrorism list marks another significant step in Washington’s changing approach towards Damascus.
The decision means Syria is no longer subject to the specific restrictions associated with the State Sponsors of Terrorism designation, which had remained in place since 1979.
The move comes after major political changes in Syria and reflects the broader shift in US policy towards the country.
