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Delisting Syria begins
The United States moved to remove Syria from the State Sponsors of Terrorism list after President Donald Trump met Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa on the sidelines of a NATO summit in Turkey, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the intent would be effective in 45 days unless lawmakers block it.
“Trump says he'll remove Syria as state sponsor of terrorism for the first time since 1979 It's a remarkable turnaround for al-Sharaa, who once led an al-Qaeda affiliate”
ABC News reported Trump told reporters he would remove Syria from the list, saying, "Yeah, I will," and Rubio said Trump alerted Congress of the administration’s intent following a 45-day period required for congressional review.
Al Jazeera said Rubio framed the step as "yet another historic step by President Trump to give the Syrian people a chance at greatness," and it described the move as a vote of confidence in al-Sharaa after the 2024 toppling of the al-Assad family.
The designation has been in place since 1979, and ABC News said it has been the longest such designation on the list, while Al Jazeera said only three countries would remain on the terrorism blacklist when Syria is removed: Iran, North Korea and Cuba.
Rubio and Trump praise
Rubio’s statement tied the delisting to “formal assurances” from al-Sharaa that Syria will not support acts of international terrorism in the future, and ABC News said Rubio referenced requirements for delisting including “positive changes and counterterrorism actions” and assurances from al-Sharaa.
Al Jazeera quoted Rubio saying, "Lifting sanctions on Syria will unlock international trade and investment, give Syria a chance to rebuild, and open up a new chapter for the Syrian people," while ABC News reported Trump praised al-Sharaa as having "unified the country in a very short period of time."
During the NATO-summit meeting, Trump told reporters, "He's done a really fantastic job as president," and Al Jazeera described al-Sharaa as a former rebel seeking to recast himself as a unifying figure after the 2024 toppling of the al-Assad family.
Al Jazeera also said Trump’s embrace of al-Sharaa came despite misgivings from Israel, which has repeatedly launched air strikes in Syria, and it described Syria as seeking economic support to rebuild after years of war that helped give rise to the ISIL (ISIS) armed group and generated a major refugee crisis.
What changes next
ABC News said lifting the state sponsor designation would mark one of the final obstacles blocking Syria from fully rejoining the international financial system, after the U.S. designated Syria in 1979 and after Congress approved repealing comprehensive sanctions under the Caesar Syrian Civilian Protection Act.
Al Jazeera said the delisting would end the decades-old label that “severely impeded investment,” and it described the move as following Rubio’s claim that the decision came after “formal assurances” from al-Sharaa that Syria will not support international terrorism in the future.
The ABC News report said Trump’s commitment could facilitate investments in oil, banking, technology, and real estate, while Al Jazeera said the delisting would come after a 45-day review unless lawmakers take the unlikely step of blocking it.
In the background of the renewed relationship, ABC News said the United Nations Security Council formally adopted a U.S.-led resolution lifting sanctions on al-Sharaa so he could travel to the U.S. to meet Trump in the Oval office, the first official visit by a Syrian president.
