Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa said in a video message that Syria is ‘shaking off a dark burden’ (File photo)
The move, which followed a 45-day congressional review, marks a further step in Washington’s efforts to deepen ties with Syria’s new government under President Ahmed al-Sharaa. The Treasury Department announced corresponding sanctions relief. The country’s finance ministry has held discussions with Bank of America executives, while Mastercard has announced work with QNB Group and Syria’s central bank to develop infrastructure for international card payments.
The US also revoked the designation of the Nusrah Front, later known as Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist organisation. Syrian officials have also been pursuing closer links with international financial institutions and companies.
The US designation had been imposed in 1979, when Washington accused the government of then-President Hafez al-Assad of supporting militant groups. It continued under his son Bashar al-Assad, who was overthrown by rebels led by Sharaa in December 2024.
“These actions were all taken in recognition of the positive actions taken and further commitments by the Syrian government under President Ahmed al-Sharaa to fully distance Syria from acts of international terrorism,” US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement. The Treasury said the changes were “in line with President (Donald) Trump’s promise to deliver sanctions relief to Syria”. Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani had earlier called the terrorism designation the “last obstacle” to rebuilding economic ties. “There is no longer any obstacle to investment, doing business and rebuilding economic life in Syria,” he said.
It added that the removal of the restrictions “does not change Treasury’s posture with regards to countering global terrorism and our commitment to hold bad actors in Syria accountable. The latest decision follows a broader rapprochement between Washington and Damascus. US President Donald Trump has backed sanctions relief for Syria and met Sharaa during a visit to Turkey, as the new Syrian government seeks international support for economic reconstruction.