US envoy hails Syria terrorism delisting as path to stability

Barrack welcomed the decision after the US State Department formally announced Syria’s removal from the terrorism list. He described the move as another milestone in President Donald Trump’s effort to open a new chapter for Syria.

The envoy said ending the designation could help shift Syria away from years of international isolation and toward greater economic and diplomatic engagement. He argued that removing restrictions linked to the designation could give Syrians more room to rebuild their country.

Terror designation lifted

The US decision also included the removal of Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham, also known as the al-Nusrah Front, from Washington’s list of Specially Designated Global Terrorist organizations. The US Treasury Department also supported the changes.

HTS was among the main armed groups fighting the forces of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad during the country’s civil war. The group was led by Ahmad al-Sharaa, who became Syria’s president following Assad’s removal from power in December 2024.

Syria seeks economic opening

Syria had been designated a state sponsor of terrorism by Washington since 1979, during the rule of the former Assad regime. Damascus has viewed the removal as an opportunity to expand economic activity, attract investment and strengthen international cooperation.

The change also removes restrictions directly associated with the terrorism designation, although other US sanctions and legal restrictions on Syria remain in force and must be addressed through separate procedures.

Barrack said the policy shift should be viewed as more than the elimination of a legal barrier, describing it as a foundation for a new US-Syria relationship centered on security and economic interests. He said the next challenge would be converting the opening into lasting peace and prosperity.