Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa has welcomed the United States’ decision to remove Syria from its list of state sponsors of terrorism. He said Tuesday that the decision frees Syria from a “stain” it had carried for many years, opening a new path toward the country’s development and reconstruction, according to news agency AFP.
In a speech, al-Sharaa said: “Today, Syria has shed a stain and left behind a painful chapter of its past, setting out on the path of development, reconstruction and rebuilding.”
Washington withdrew the decades-old designation on Monday, paving the way for an easing of the harsh economic restrictions imposed on the country. It marks another significant step in the warming of relations between the United States and Syria since longtime Syrian ruler Bashar al-Assad was ousted from power in 2024.
The US Treasury Department has also announced steps to ease related sanctions.
Al-Sharaa said: “I extend my sincere thanks to US President Donald Trump and to all the friendly and allied nations that have stood by us.”
The US State Department has also withdrawn the global terrorist organization designation for the al-Nusra Front, which later became known as Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS).
Al-Sharaa once led that organization. HTS played a significant role in the rapid military campaign that ousted Bashar al-Assad from power in 2024.
Al-Nusra Front had previously operated as al-Qaeda’s branch in Syria, but the organization severed ties with al-Qaeda in 2016.
Syria’s new government is seeking to attract foreign investment to help revive the country’s economy and rebuild its infrastructure. A large portion of the country’s infrastructure was extensively damaged during more than a decade of civil war.
The United States had already signaled its plan to remove Syria from the state sponsors of terrorism list back in July. That move was seen at the time as an expression of confidence in al-Sharaa’s government.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio described Monday’s decision as a “path to prosperity” for Syria.
He said the move would remove the last major obstacles to private-sector investment in Syria and advance the country’s economic recovery and reintegration into the global economy.
Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani described Washington’s decision to remove Syria from the list as a “historic milestone.” He said the decision reflects “the new Syrian state’s commitment to international peace and security.”
State news agency SANA reported that Finance Minister Mohammed Barnieh described the move as “a success for Syrian diplomacy.”
He said the move “has opened a long-awaited major door to more closely integrating Syria with the global economic and financial system, attracting investment and modern technology, and expanding development opportunities.”
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