US removes Syria from State Sponsors of Terrorism list after nearly 47 years

WEB DESK: The United States (US) on Monday removed Syria from its list of State Sponsors of Terrorism, a move that was first announced earlier this year pending a review by Congress, according to a notification from the US State Department.

The story of Syria being on this list with the US, however, goes back almost 47 years.

In 1979, the US placed Syria on its State Sponsors of Terrorism list. At that time, Syria was ruled by Hafez al-Assad, the father of Bashar al-Assad.

The US accused the Syrian government of supporting militant groups in the Middle East. Because of these allegations, Washington placed Syria on the list, bringing with it various economic and diplomatic restrictions.

For nearly five decades, Syria remained on the list.

Then, Syria’s political situation changed dramatically.

In December 2024, Bashar al-Assad’s government fell after years of civil war. A new political situation emerged in Syria, and the United States began changing its policy toward the country.

In 2025, Washington started easing many of its broad sanctions on Syria and began engaging with the new authorities.

And now, in 2026, the United States has taken another major step by removing Syria from the State Sponsors of Terrorism list.

Syria was put on the US terrorism list in 1979 because Washington accused its government of supporting militant groups. After almost 47 years, and following major political changes in Syria, the US has now removed the country from that list.