Trump commits to remove Syria from state sponsor of terrorism list
Trump Pledges Syria's Removal From Terrorism Sponsor Designation
A Historic Step Toward Regional Stability
Trump commits to remove Syria - President Donald Trump announced his intention on Wednesday to take Syria off the state sponsor of terrorism list, marking one of the final obstacles preventing the nation from reintegrating into global affairs. This commitment signals a significant shift in American foreign policy toward the war-torn country and opens doors for renewed diplomatic and economic engagement.
The announcement came during a bilateral meeting between Trump and Syrian interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa, held on the sidelines of the NATO summit taking place in Ankara, Turkey. During their conversation, the American president commended al-Sharaa for his efforts in restoring stability to Syria following the dramatic fall of longtime dictator Bashar Assad in December 2024.
When asked directly by a journalist whether he would proceed with removing Syria from the designation, Trump responded affirmatively:
“I think I will, yea,”
Official Notification and Diplomatic Response
Following the president's public statement, Secretary of State Marco Rubio released an official communication confirming that Congress had been formally notified of Trump's intention to lift the terrorism designation. This notification came after the required 45-day pre-notification period, allowing lawmakers time to review and potentially respond to the proposed change.
Rubio emphasized the broader implications of this decision in his 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.”
The Secretary of State further noted that
“A stable, unified Syria at peace with itself and its neighbors benefits not only the region, but the entire world.”
Rubio concluded his remarks by highlighting the significance of this moment:
“Today marks a significant milestone in the revived U.S.-Syria bilateral relationship and in Syria's history as a nation. We commend the government of Syria for charting a new course and look forward to enhancing our partnership with Syria and its people.”
Bipartisan Support and Ongoing Challenges
Earlier this month, a bipartisan group of three lawmakers sent a letter to President Trump advocating for Syria's removal from the terrorism list. The legislators—Sens. Jeanne Shaheen representing New Hampshire, Elizabeth Warren from Massachusetts, and Rep. Joe Wilson of South Carolina—largely based their recommendation on al-Sharaa's collaborative efforts with American forces on counterterrorism operations within Syrian territory.
While expressing support, the lawmakers acknowledged that al-Sharaa's administration still has work to accomplish. They noted the need for greater progress in ensuring equal representation for women and minority groups throughout Syria, as well as maintaining robust security measures. Despite these remaining challenges, they characterized the progress made so far as encouraging.
The letter also referenced a recent security incident in Damascus, where an explosion occurred on Tuesday while al-Sharaa was hosting French President Emmanuel Macron. This event underscored the ongoing difficulties Syria faces even as it moves toward international reintegration.
Economic Realities and Reconstruction Needs
The lawmakers argued that removing Syria from the terrorism designation would provide crucial access to international financial institutions and global markets. Currently, an estimated 90 percent of Syrians live below the poverty line, and experts project that reconstruction efforts following more than ten years of civil conflict could require approximately $216 billion.
In their correspondence, the legislators wrote:
“While Syria does need to make more progress in a variety of areas, discussed further below, the grounds for the SST designation in U.S. law no longer apply and the listing remains a significant barrier to achieving the Administration and congressional priority of giving Syria a chance to succeed.”
Al-Sharaa's Journey and Legislative Progress
Ahmad al-Sharaa, who himself was previously designated as a terrorist by the United States, spearheaded the movement that toppled the Assad regime in 2024. Since assuming leadership, he has made appeals to both American and regional nations to collaborate on Syria's rehabilitation and to move away from decades of instability, armed conflict, and terrorism.
On the legislative front, Congress recently approved the repeal of comprehensive sanctions contained within the Caesar Syrian Civilian Protection Act. President Trump signed this repeal into law during December, creating substantial opportunities for Syrian businesses to engage with regional and American commercial partners. However, the terrorism designation continues to prevent Syria from receiving significant levels of U.S. assistance, making its removal an important next step in the country's recovery journey.