Syria welcomed the United States’ decision on Monday to remove it from the list of state sponsors of terrorism, describing the move as a significant step toward ending years of economic isolation and supporting the country's reconstruction efforts. The designation had been in place since 1979, based on Syria's alleged ties to Lebanon’s Hezbollah, Palestinian factions, and Iran.

In a statement, Syrian officials said the lifting of sanctions would open a "new chapter" in the nation’s international relations, helping to promote economic recovery, reconstruction, and stability in the war-torn country. President Ahmad al-Sharaa, who assumed interim leadership following the 2024 ouster of former President Bashar al-Assad, praised the development as an opportunity for Syria to embark on a path of development and rebuilding.

“This decision allows Syria to shake off a dark stain and tear away a painful chapter of its past,” Ahmed said in a public address. He also expressed gratitude toward U.S. President Donald Trump and other supportive countries. Syrian authorities have been seeking to attract foreign investment to rebuild infrastructure severely damaged by more than a decade of civil war.

The U.S. Treasury Department confirmed the sanctions relief and said the action would help foster political and economic stability in Syria. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent noted that the move aligned with President Trump’s commitments to ease restrictions on Syria. Additionally, the U.S. Department of State revoked the designation of the al-Nusra Front, later known as Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), as a global terrorist organization. Ahmed al-Sharaa was reported to have led HTS, a group that played a major role in the offensive that ended Assad’s rule. HTS had been the Al-Qaeda affiliate in Syria before severing ties with the network in 2016.

The decision was also welcomed by Turkey, which expressed hope that the removal from the terror list would encourage Syria’s integration with the international community and strengthen security and stability in the region. The Turkish Foreign Ministry urged global cooperation to promote a prosperous Syria and to address ongoing issues such as what it described as aggressive actions threatening that vision, a reference to recent Israeli military operations in Syria.

The move by the U.S. represents a shift in policy after decades of maintaining harsh restrictions on the Syrian government, amid evolving regional dynamics and changes in Syrian leadership. However, the full impact on Syria’s international relations and internal recovery efforts remains to be seen as nations consider how to engage with the country following the end of its terrorism sponsor designation.