President says Syria ‘shakes off’ past with removal from U.S. terror list
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa has welcomed the U.S. decision to remove Syria from its state sponsors of terrorism list. The move follows the 2024 ouster of Bashar al-Assad and is intended to facilitate economic reconstruction.
Why it matters
This represents a major geopolitical shift in the Middle East, signaling a potential normalization of relations and economic recovery for Syria.
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa hailed on Tuesday (August 25, 2026) the United States' removal of his country from the state sponsors of terror list, a major sanctions relief step for a country aiming to boost post-war reconstruction.
"Today, Syria shakes off a dark stain and tears away a painful chapter of its past to embark on a path of development, reconstruction and rebuilding," Mr. Sharaa said in a speech.
Washington's decision on Monday (August 24) rescinded a decades-old designation that came with severe economic restrictions, marking another step in warming ties between the countries following the 2024 ouster of longtime Syrian ruler Bashar al-Assad.
Mr. Sharaa expressed his "many thanks to the President of the United States of America, Donald Trump, and to all the friendly and supportive nations that stood by us".
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