Diplomacy & Geopolitics
Syria removed from US terrorism sponsor list
The United States removed Syria from its list of state sponsors of terrorism on Monday, and Syria's central bank governor Safwat Raslan called the move a "historic step" for the country's return to the global economic system.
Raslan said on X that ending the designation restored Syria to what he called its natural place in the global economic system. He said the central bank was working to build a modern and reliable financial system.
The US Department of State also revoked the designation of al-Nusrah Front as a specially designated global terrorist organization. The Treasury Department followed with sanctions relief.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the action would help foster additional investment in Syria to promote political and economic stability.
Update
Syria's central bank governor was identified as Safwat Raslan.
Raslan called the removal a historic step that restores Syria to what he called its natural place in the global economic system.
Raslan said the central bank was working to build a modern and reliable financial system.
Source note: AFP news report published on 24 August 2026 at 18:47:14 UTC.
Update
Syria's central bank head hailed the removal of Syria from the US list of state sponsors of terrorism.
Source note: AFP news report published on 24 August 2026 at 18:39:21 UTC.
Update
The Treasury Department said the sanctions relief was in line with President Donald Trump's promise to deliver relief to Syria.
The Treasury Department said removing restrictions on Syria did not change its stance on countering global terrorism or holding bad actors in Syria accountable.
HTS was formerly Al-Qaeda's branch in Syria, broke ties with the group in 2016 and sought to soften its image.
The United States had announced in July that it intended to delist Syria as a state sponsor of terrorism.
President Donald Trump met Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa on the sidelines of a NATO summit in Turkey.
Source note: AFP news report published on 24 August 2026 at 18:31:39 UTC.
Update
The US Department of State revoked the designation of al-Nusrah Front as a specially designated global terrorist organization.
The Treasury Department followed with sanctions relief.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the action would help foster additional investment in Syria to promote political and economic stability.
The designation being rescinded was described as decades old and as having severely impeded investment.
Source note: AFP news report published on 24 August 2026 at 18:08:19 UTC.
Source
AFP news report published on .