US drops Syria from terrorism list after 47 years
Why it matters: The move removes a major legal hurdle for banks and investors as Syria seeks billions for postwar rebuilding.
The United States removed Syria from its list of state sponsors of terrorism on Aug. 24, ending a designation that had been in place since 1979 and lifting a major barrier to investment in the war-ravaged country. The move took effect after a 45-day congressional review that began when President Donald Trump notified Congress in July. Washington also revoked the terrorist designation for Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham, the group led by Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa that helped topple Bashar al-Assad in December 2024. The Trump administration had already ended broad sanctions on Syria in July 2025, while keeping targeted measures on Assad allies, rights abusers, Islamic State, al Qaeda affiliates and Iranian proxies.