Trump Signals Removal of Syria from Terrorism List
US President Donald Trump on Wednesday stated his intention to remove Syria from the US State Department's list of state sponsors of terrorism. Speaking to reporters during a meeting with Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa on the sidelines of the 2026 NATO Summit in Ankara, Trump said, "I think I will. Why wouldn't I? He's done a great job." He added, "Maybe he would have brought that up in a little while -- that's a good question. Yeah, any problems with that? I think we should. Yeah, I will."
Syria's Designation Since 1979
Syria has been on the US State Department's list of state sponsors of terrorism since December 1979. However, lawmakers from both major US political parties have recently called for the designation to be lifted following the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime in December 2024.
Broader Normalization Push
Trump's remarks come amid a broader push by the United States to normalize relations with Syria. Last year, the Trump administration revoked the foreign terrorist organization designation for Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), also known as the al-Nusra Front, which spearheaded the movement that led to Assad's fall, led by al-Sharaa.
Israel Withdrawal from Lebanon
During the interaction, Trump also said he expected Israel to withdraw its forces from southern Lebanon. "I think they are going to. I think they want to," Trump told reporters, without providing a timeline or additional details.
Syria to Handle Hezbollah
Last month, Trump suggested that the issue of Hezbollah in Lebanon could be better handled by Syria. Speaking during a bilateral meeting with the Emir of Qatar on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in France, Trump said that al-Sharaa would take care of the rebel groups if Israel "can't do the job without killing everyone." "He'll do the job. Syria will do the job," Trump said.
