Syria marks a new milestone: off the list of state sponsors of terrorism
Syria’s Interior Minister, Anas Khattab, has highlighted the fundamental role that the new government has played in the fight against terrorism. This commitment has been decisive for the United States to remove the Arab nation from its list of state sponsors of terrorism, a designation that had weighed on the country since 1979.
Through an official statement, Jatab emphasized that the joint efforts of the Ministry of Interior and General Intelligence have been effective in dismantling radical organizations, strengthening the rule of law, and consolidating security institutions focused on the integrity and protection of Syrian citizens.
Syria is marching with steady steps toward a new future. Today we mark a new stage in the process of recovering our status, following serious work to rebuild state institutions and strengthen the security of our society.
Anas Khattab, Minister of Interior of Syria.
A historic turn in foreign policy
The current Syrian Executive, which assumed power after the fall of Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, is led by Ahmed al-Sharaa. The Syrian president, formerly known as Abu Muhammad al-Julani, formally thanked Washington’s decision, which comes after a diplomatic normalization process initiated in 2025.
- Background: Syria remained under sanctions and international isolation for decades due to its inclusion on the U.S. list.
- Change of course: Following the insurgent offensive led by Al Sharaa from Idlib, the new Government actively sought a rapprochement with the West.
- Normalization: A turning point was Al Sharaa’s visit to the White House in November 2025, where he was received by President Donald Trump, marking the end of years of diplomatic hostility.
The exit from this blacklist is seen by Syrian authorities as a key opportunity to revive the economy, attract foreign investment, and fully reintegrate the country into the international arena. For its part, the U.S. administration has justified this decision based on concrete progress made by the Al Sharaa government regarding security and its cooperation in the fight against extremist groups.
With this step, Syria closes a chapter marked by isolation and prepares for a stage of state reconstruction, seeking to consolidate its internal stability under the new political order established after the end of the Assad era.
