TL/DR –
The United States has removed Syria from its list of State Sponsors of Terrorism (SSOT) following the fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime in December 2024. This move, announced in July and implemented after a 45-day Congressional review, leaves only Cuba, Iran, and North Korea on the US terror blacklist. The SSOT designation, in place since 1979, had imposed restrictions on foreign assistance and defence exports, and created hesitation for businesses to engage with Syria; removal is expected to facilitate trade and promote investment in Syria as it seeks to rebuild after a devastating civil war.
US Takes Syria Off State Sponsors of Terrorism List
The US has removed Syria from its State Sponsors of Terrorism (SSOT) list. Syria’s President Ahmed al-Sharaa heralded this as a new chapter of development for the country. This comes after the fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime in 2024, ending a 14-year civil war.
US President Donald Trump had announced the removal plan in July, which took effect following a 45-day congressional review. The SSOT designation had imposed restrictions on foreign aid, defense exports, and certain financial transactions. The removal leaves Cuba, Iran, and North Korea as the only countries on the US terrorism blacklist.
Why Syria was removed from SSOT
Syria has been on the SSOT list since 1979. This designation continued under Bashar al-Assad’s rule from 2000 till its end in 2024. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio attributes the removal to assurances from the Syrian president that the country will not support acts of international terrorism, and to the country’s cooperation against ISIL (ISIS).
The designation was a major obstacle for potential investors in Syria. By lifting it, Rubio hopes to “unlock international trade and investment”, allowing Syria to rebuild. This will make Syria’s access to the US-dominated international financial and banking system easier and improve its trade relations, according to Sina Azodi, an assistant professor of Middle East Politics at George Washington University.
Remaining countries on US ‘terrorism’ list and reasons
Iran
Iran has been designated a “state sponsor of terrorism” by the US since 1984. This has led to the sanctioning of Iran’s government, financial system, military and oil industry. On Monday, the US announcednew economic sanctions on Tehran and certainentities.
Cuba
US-Cuba relations have been strained since the Cuban revolution in 1959. Cuba was placed on the “sponsor of terrorism” list in 1982, removed in 2015, reinstated in 2021, and since then, despite plans to remove it, it remains on the list.
North Korea
North Korea was first placed on the US SSOT list in 1988 due to its role in the bombing of Korean Air Flight 858. It remains subject to extensive US sanctions due to security concerns, including its nuclear and missile programs.
Other countries facing US sanctions
Beyond the SSOT list, the US has sanctions against countries like Russia for its war in Ukraine, and Venezuela, including on its leaders and oil industry. In December, Washington targeted four companies and their associated oil tankers, allegedly involved in transporting Venezuelan oil.
Effects of ‘terror’ listing
According to Cuba-based filmmaker Ed Augustin, the designation worsens people’s lives by turning the country into a pariah in the global financial system. Independent UN expertsexpressed dismay at Cuba being put back on the list, claiming it has a devastating impact on vulnerable groups. According to Syrian political analyst Ruslan Trad, the SSOT list is more of a foreign-policy pressure valve than an objective terrorism registry.
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