Trump admin removes Syria from State Sponsor of Terrorism list

The State Department officially removed Syria on Monday from its list of State Sponsors of Terrorism, now that its mandatory 45-day pre-notification period for Congress is complete.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio notified Congress of its intention to remove the country last month, citing positive changes and counterterrorism actions taken by the Syrian government under President Ahmed al-Sharaa.

The removal now unlocks international trade and investment opportunities for Syria, which will allow it to rebuild.  

"These actions represent another historic step by President Trump to give the Syrian people a path to prosperity," Rubio said in a statement. "Rescinding Syria’s designation as an SST ... 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 he is also delisting Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham’s designation as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist. 

Syria was first placed on the list in December 1979 over its regime's support for terrorist groups such as Hezbollah. President Donald Trump ordered a review of Syria’s designation last year and sanctions relief because of al-Sharaa's work to improve the country. 

Three other countries remain on the U.S.' State Sponsor of Terrorism list: Cuba, Iran and North Korea.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.