On Aug. 24, the U.S. rescinded Syria’s terrorism sponsor designation and removed HTS from Treasury’s sanctions list.
Why it matters: The changes remove a major legal barrier for Syria’s new authorities as they seek international engagement and investment. They also mark a sharp policy shift in Washington’s Syria file after years of sanctions and terrorism designations.
- The State Department said on Aug. 24 that Secretary of State Marco Rubio rescinded Syria’s State Sponsor of Terrorism designation.
- Rubio also delisted Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist, and Treasury said OFAC removed HTS from the SDN List the same day.
- The rescission followed President Trump’s July 8 notice to Congress and the required 45-day review period.
- Syria had been on the U.S. state-sponsor-of-terrorism list since 1979.
The State Department said on Aug. 24 that Secretary of State Marco Rubio rescinded Syria’s State Sponsor of Terrorism designation after President Trump sent Congress the required notice on July 8 and the 45-day review period expired. State Department notice
In the same announcement, Rubio said he delisted Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist. Treasury said the Office of Foreign Assets Control removed HTS from the Specially Designated Nationals List on Aug. 24. Treasury and State announcement
The moves come as Washington recalibrates its approach to Syria under Ahmed al-Sharaa’s government. Reuters reported that Syria had described the designation as a major obstacle to investment, while AP said the rescission removed sanctions tied to the state-sponsor designation. Reuters report republished by Investing.com AP coverage
Syria had been on the U.S. state-sponsor-of-terrorism list since 1979. The notices do not describe the action as a broader sanctions lift beyond the terrorism designations themselves.
By the numbers
- 45 days - the statutory review period after Trump’s July 8 notice to Congress
- 1979 - the year Syria was first placed on the state sponsor of terrorism list
Yes, but: The notices rescind the terrorism designations, but they do not by themselves describe a full sanctions unwind across all Syria-related restrictions.
What's next: Treasury and the State Department would need to carry out any further Syria-related sanctions or designation changes through additional notices or list updates.