US Officially Removes Syria from State Sponsors of Terrorism List

The U.S. administration is finalizing the rollback of sanctions that have restricted Syria for decades. The U.S. Department of State has removed Syria from its list of State Sponsors of Terrorism, where the country had been designated for nearly half a century. Additionally, sanctions targeting Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the group that assumed power following the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime, have been lifted.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent emphasized that the decision aligns with President Donald Trump's pledge to give the Syrian people an opportunity to rebuild political and economic stability. According to Washington officials, this move is expected to pave the way for increased foreign investment into the Syrian economy.

Syria's transitional government hailed the development as a milestone for national diplomacy. Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani and Finance Minister Mohammed Barnieh stated that Washington's decision will significantly boost Syria's reintegration into the global financial system and help the nation overcome decades of isolation.

However, while relations with the United States are normalizing, tensions between Syria and neighboring Israel remain high. Despite recent talks in Jordan aimed at de-escalating the situation, Israel has continued to launch airstrikes against Syrian airfields. Furthermore, territorial disputes over the Golan Heights and the potential expansion of Turkish military influence in the region keep the broader Middle Eastern landscape volatile.