On Monday, the United States officially took Syria off its list of State Sponsors of Terrorism, a decision initially announced earlier this year and subject to congressional review. This marks a significant shift in US policy after nearly five decades.
Syria was first added to this list in 1979 during the rule of Hafez al-Assad, father of current President Bashar al-Assad. At that time, the US accused the Syrian government of backing militant groups across the Middle East, leading to a series of economic and diplomatic sanctions.
For almost 47 years, Syria remained designated as a state sponsor of terrorism, facing numerous restrictions as a result. However, the country’s political landscape underwent dramatic changes in recent years.
In December 2024, Bashar al-Assad’s government collapsed after a prolonged civil war, ushering in a new political era. Subsequently, the United States began to adjust its approach toward Syria.
By 2025, Washington started lifting many broad sanctions and initiated engagement with the new Syrian authorities. This gradual policy shift culminated in the 2026 removal of Syria from the terrorism list.
In a significant development, the US has now formally ended Syria’s nearly 47-year designation as a state sponsor of terrorism, reflecting the profound political transformations within the country and a recalibration of American foreign policy.
