U.S. Removes Syria From Terrorism Sponsor List After 47 Years as Israel Remains Wary

Key Facts

Published: August 24, 2026 Location: Jerusalem Source: U.S. State Department, JNS, Reuters, Israel National News, Jerusalem Post

• The United States formally removed Syria from the State Sponsors of Terrorism list after 47 years.
• Washington also lifted the terrorism designation of HTS, formerly led by Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa.
• Israel has not publicly opposed the U.S. decision but remains deeply cautious, continuing military operations while simultaneously pursuing U.S.-mediated security talks with Damascus.

Washington says Syria’s new government is distancing itself from terrorism, while Israel continues to treat developments across its northern border with caution.

by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Washington D.C. Bureau Chief

WASHINGTON/JERUSALEM (Worthy News) – The Trump administration formally removed Syria from the U.S. list of State Sponsors of Terrorism on Monday, ending a designation that had been in place since 1979 and opening the door for broader foreign investment and Syria’s reintegration into the international financial system.

The State Department also revoked the terrorist designation of the al-Nusrah Front, later known as Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the Islamist organization formerly headed by Syria’s current president, Ahmed al-Sharaa. The actions followed the expiration of a 45-day congressional review period after President Donald Trump notified lawmakers in July that he intended to remove Syria from the list.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the decision reflected steps taken by the new Syrian government to distance itself from international terrorism.

“These actions represent another historic step by President Trump to give the Syrian people a path to prosperity,” Rubio said.

Rubio pointed to Damascus’ cooperation against ISIS, al-Qaeda, Hezbollah and Iranian-backed organizations, as well as Syria’s participation in the U.S.-led coalition against ISIS. He said removing the designations would eliminate one of the final major obstacles to private investment and economic reconstruction in the war-ravaged country.

Syria had carried the State Sponsor of Terrorism designation since 1979, first under Hafez Assad and later his son Bashar Assad, whose government supported terrorist organizations and became a central conduit for Iranian weapons and assistance flowing to Hezbollah in Lebanon. Assad was overthrown in December 2024, dramatically weakening Iran’s long-standing regional corridor through Syria.

U.S. Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack called the decision another milestone in Trump’s effort to give Syria “a chance,” arguing that investment and commerce could help replace decades of conflict and isolation.

Israel Remains Cautious

Israel has not issued a formal public response specifically addressing Monday’s U.S. delisting decision, but Jerusalem’s actions underscore continuing skepticism toward al-Sharaa’s government despite warming relations between Damascus and Washington.

Israeli officials have repeatedly raised concerns over al-Sharaa’s jihadist past and the possibility that hostile forces—including Turkey, Iran-linked groups or other Islamist organizations—could gain a strategic foothold near Israel’s northern border. Israeli forces have continued operations inside Syria aimed at preventing military capabilities from emerging that Jerusalem considers a threat.

Those concerns were highlighted last week when Israel struck Syria’s Abu al-Duhur military airbase amid Israeli claims that Turkey was preparing to establish a military presence there. Israeli security officials said warnings had been conveyed before the strike and that Israel would continue enforcing its security red lines in Syria.

At the same time, Israel and Syria are quietly pursuing another path.

Senior Israeli and Syrian officials held U.S.-mediated talks in Jordan on Sunday to prevent further escalation and revive negotiations over a broader security arrangement. Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani led the Syrian delegation, while Israeli reports identified Mossad Director Roman Gofman as heading Israel’s side. Israel has not officially confirmed his participation.

Damascus is seeking an end to Israeli military operations and an Israeli withdrawal from territory seized following Assad’s collapse. Israel, however, continues to insist that any arrangement must protect its northern communities and prevent hostile military forces from establishing themselves near the border.

The emerging picture is therefore one of two parallel strategies: Washington is betting that economic reintegration can help pull Syria permanently away from Iran and international terrorism, while Israel is testing the new government more cautiously—through diplomacy where possible and military force where Jerusalem believes its security is threatened.

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