US removes Syria from state sponsors of terrorism list after 47 years

Syria is no longer on America’s list of state sponsors of terrorism. After nearly half a century on the designation, a period spanning the entire Assad dynasty and a devastating civil war, the US officially removed Syria on August 24, 2026. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed the move following a 45-day congressional notification window that began on July 8 during a NATO summit meeting. Alongside the delisting, the US also removed Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) from its roster of Specially Designated Global Terrorist organizations. What the designation actually meant Syria was first added to the State Sponsor of Terrorism list on December 29, 1979, under Hafez al-Assad. The designation outlasted the Cold War, the rise and fall of ISIS, and the entire reign of Bashar al-Assad. Being on the list isn’t just a diplomatic scarlet letter. It triggers a cascade of practical restrictions: limits on US foreign assistance, bans on defense exports, constraints on financial transactions, and a general chilling effect on any company or investor thinking about doing business in the country. The list currently includes Cuba, Iran, and North Korea. Syria’s removal leaves just three countries car...