The State Department removed Syria from its list of state sponsors of terrorism and rescinded the terrorist designation of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the jihadi group headed by former jihadi and current President of Syria Ahmed al-Sharaa. Simultaneously, the Department of the Treasury removed HTS from its list of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons, which means the now former terror group is no longer subject to sanctions under the Global Terrorism Sanctions Regulations or Executive Order 13224.

President Donald Trump had informed Congress that he intended to start this process in July, giving Congress 45 days for review, a period that has now expired.

“Today, I authorized the formal rescission of Syria’s designation as a State Sponsor of Terrorism,” Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement. “I have also delisted Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham’s (HTS) designation as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist.”

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

“These actions were all taken in recognition of the positive actions taken and further commitments by the Syrian government under President Ahmed al-Sharaa to fully distance Syria from acts of international terrorism,” he continued, citing such actions as counterterrorism work and efforts to disrupt the terror networks of ISIS and al-Qaeda.

“Rescinding Syria’s designation as an SST and HTS’ designation as an SDGT eliminates the final major barriers for private sector investment in Syria and promotes Syria’s economic recovery and reintegration into the global economy,” he concluded.

Tom Barrack, U.S. ambassador to Turkey and special presidential envoy for Syria and Iraq, congratulated Trump and Rubio for taking these actions.

“Another historic milestone in POTUS’ bold vision to give Syria a chance. Today, Sec. Rubio formally rescinded Syria’s designation as a State Sponsor of Terrorism — another decisive step in Syria’s remarkable journey from isolation to partnership, and from a source of terrorism to a committed partner in the global fight against it.”

“For too long, this designation was another wall separating the Syrian people from the investment, enterprise, and opportunity necessary to rebuild their nation. Today, another wall comes down. Capital can replace conflict, enterprise can replace isolation, and commerce can continue to triumph over chaos,” he added.

“Promises made. Promises kept. Syria has been given a chance — now the work is to turn that chance into enduring peace and prosperity,” he concluded.