Trump pledges to remove Syria from US terrorism list, opening path for reconstruction

The announcement in Ankara

President Donald Trump met Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Ankara on Wednesday and declared his intention to remove Syria from the US list of state sponsors of terrorism. "I think I will. Why wouldn't I? He's done a great job," Trump told reporters. A letter handed to al-Sharaa after the meeting, seen by Reuters, stated: "I have promised to lift all barriers preventing you from rebuilding your country, and very soon you will finally be able to do so."

I have promised to lift all barriers preventing you from rebuilding your country, and very soon you will finally be able to do so.

The US State Department later confirmed it had notified Congress, triggering a 45-day review period before the removal can take effect. Spokesperson Marco Rubio's department called the step a "milestone in the revived bilateral relations between the US and Syria and in Syria's history as a nation."

From Al Qaeda commander to US ally

Al-Sharaa, who once led the Al Qaeda-affiliated Nusra Front, broke ties with the group in 2016 and later commanded the Islamist rebel coalition that ousted Bashar al-Assad in late 2024. Trump praised his efforts against the Islamic State group and said, "He is respected by everyone, including me." The Syrian leader thanked Trump for the decision, calling it "historic" and saying "the entire Syrian people" are grateful because it opens the door to economic recovery.

This is a historic decision that the entire Syrian people thank you for.

Al-Sharaa stressed the importance of international support, especially from Turkey and Gulf countries, for reconstruction. He presented Syria as a state ready to reintegrate into the international community and open to foreign investment.

Economic stakes and investment pledges

Removal from the terrorism list is seen as a prerequisite for large-scale foreign direct investment. The designation, in place since 1979, restricts US aid, arms exports, and certain financial transactions. Trump's letter noted that "US companies are ready to invest in Syria and help you make your country greater and more prosperous than ever." Several Saudi Arabian companies plan billions in investment, and other Gulf states have pledged financial assistance. Last month, Trump had already signed a decree ending US sanctions against Syria, ending its isolation from the international financial system.

The Hezbollah dimension

Trump attempted to link the delisting to the idea that Syria help Israel combat Hezbollah, the Iran-backed Shia militia fighting Israeli forces in Lebanon. Al-Sharaa ignored the suggestion, as Syrian territory remains partly occupied by Israeli troops and such cooperation would destabilize the fragile situation at home. The exchange highlighted the complex regional dynamics surrounding Syria's reintegration.

What comes next

Congress now has 45 days to review the measure. If it does not object, Syria will formally leave the terrorism sponsor list, a step the State Department says creates "the opportunity for reconstruction." The timeline below traces the key milestones from designation to the present.