The United States has officially removed Syria from its list of state sponsors of terrorism, a move that Türkiye’s Ambassador to Damascus, Nuh Yilmaz, says will foster a "brighter future" and improve regional stability. Yilmaz stated on X on Monday that the decision eliminates the final barrier to Syria's global integration, noting that the development is vital for the nation's normalization and long-term development.
Following the decision, the US Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control confirmed that Syria is no longer subject to the prohibitions outlined in the Terrorism List Governments Sanctions Regulations. The country had been on this list since 1979, a status it previously shared with Cuba, Iran, and North Korea. This designation had historically imposed significant restrictions on foreign investment, financial transactions, and security assistance.
Yilmaz expressed his congratulations to all parties involved in the decision, stating his hope that it would bring tangible benefits to the Syrian state and its people. This shift in status comes after a period of significant diplomatic movement. In May 2025, President Ahmad al Sharaa met with US President Donald Trump in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, shortly before Washington lifted the Caesar sanctions. This was followed by a historic visit by President al Sharaa to the White House last November, marking the first such trip by a Syrian leader since the country's independence in 1946.
