The United States officially began the process on July 8 to remove Syria from its list of state sponsors of terrorism, a designation that has been in place since 1979 under the rule of Hafez al-Assad, according to Enab Baladi. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio formally notified Congress, triggering a 45-day review period before the decision can take effect, unless lawmakers block the move, a scenario considered unlikely.

For Damascus, the announcement represents a major step in the rapprochement with the administration of Donald Trump. Syrian authorities said the decision could help revive the economy, attract foreign investment and create the necessary conditions for rebuilding the country after more than a decade of conflict.

Beyond its symbolic significance, removing Syria from the list would eliminate one of the main legal barriers facing companies seeking to operate in the country. It would reduce the risk of secondary sanctions, facilitate the release of frozen assets and allow Syria to gradually reconnect with international trade and financial networks.

Washington justified the move by pointing to measures taken in recent months by Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa to combat terrorism and stabilize the country. The U.S. administration argues that a stable and unified Syria would serve the interests of the wider region.

The decision could also open new opportunities for American companies. Energy giants such as Chevron and ConocoPhillips have already been mentioned as potential partners in rebuilding Syria’s energy infrastructure, including gas fields, oil projects and electricity networks.

If finalized, the decision would mark the end of a chapter that began nearly half a century ago in relations between Washington and Damascus. It could also help Syria launch its reconstruction process by facilitating the return of foreign investors and access to international financing. A critical challenge, given that the World Bank estimates the total cost of reconstruction at $216 billion.

Source: Enab Baladi