US to remove Syria from terror list as Trump backs Sharaa’s rebuilding efforts

ANKARA: United States President Donald Trump has officially notified Congress of his intention to remove Syria from the US list of state sponsors of terrorism, a major milestone aimed at ending Damascus’s long-standing international isolation and paving the way for economic reconstruction.

In a formal letter to Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, which was delivered following a high-profile meeting between the two leaders in Ankara on Wednesday, Trump expressed his commitment to dismantling financial and political barriers that have hindered the war-torn nation’s recovery.

“I promised to remove all barriers stopping you from rebuilding your country, and very soon, you will finally be able to do so,” Trump wrote in the correspondence, seen by Reuters. He added that American corporations are already prepared to invest heavily in Syria to foster economic prosperity.

Congressional review and lifting of curbs

The presidential notification triggers a mandatory 45-day review period in the US Congress before the deletion from the terror list can officially take effect. The state sponsor of terrorism designation, which Syria has held for decades, enforces restrictions on American foreign assistance, defense exports, and dual-use items, while strictly penalising specific international financial transactions.

The move follows an executive order signed by Trump last month that terminated a sweeping US sanctions program against Damascus. That decision effectively began reintegrating Syria into the global financial system, allowing regional and international powers to pledge financial backing.

Riyadh has already indicated that several Saudi firms are planning billion-dollar investments to anchor Syria’s economic recovery, with other Gulf states expected to follow suit with substantial financial assistance packages.

Sharaa’s transition and counter-terrorism role

The diplomatic breakthrough marks a remarkable shift in Washington’s stance toward Sharaa, the former commander of Al Qaeda’s Nusra Front. Sharaa publicly severed ties with the global terror network in 2016 before successfully leading a broad coalition of rebel factions that overthrew the regime of Bashar al-Assad in late 2024.

Trump highly commended the Syrian leader on Wednesday, particularly endorsing Sharaa’s recent military campaigns against Islamic State (IS) remnants in the region.

“He’s respected by everybody, including me,” Trump told reporters, signaling Washington’s pragmatism in partnering with the new administration in Damascus to maintain regional stability.