US Strikes Syria From Its State Sponsors of Terrorism List; al-Sharaa Calls It the Close of a Dark Chapter

The United States removed Syria from its list of state sponsors of terrorism on Monday, August 24, 2026, a designation dating back to 1979 under Hafez al-Assad. Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa said the move meant Syria "shakes off a dark stain" and thanked President Donald Trump and supporting nations. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the step "will help foster additional investment in Syria to promote political and economic stability," though the Treasury stressed its broader counterterrorism posture is unchanged. Secretary of State Marco Rubio called it a "path to prosperity," saying it removes the last major barriers to private sector investment in Syria. The World Bank has estimated Syria's post-war reconstruction costs at more than $216 billion. Turkiye, Qatar, Jordan and Saudi Arabia welcomed the decision.