During a NATO summit in Turkey, President Donald Trump expressed his intention to remove Syria’s designation as a state sponsor of terrorism in a meeting with Syrian President Ahmed al-Shalah.
The State Department later elaborated on Trump’s remarks in a statement. Notably, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a splinter group from al-Qaeda formed in 2017, was mentioned, and it’s worth noting that its designation as a foreign terrorist organization was revoked by the State Department in 2025.
A senior official from the Trump administration confirmed this development to the Daily Caller News Foundation. The State Department did not respond before the article’s publication deadline.
A reporter asked Trump if he planned to remove Syria from the state sponsors list, to which he replied, “He would, I think so. He would, but why not? He did a great job.” There was a slight hesitation in his response, showcasing his thought process.
Following this, a tweet highlighted Trump’s comment on the matter, confirming the intention to proceed with removing Syria from the list. The lifting of sanctions was mentioned as a measure to promote international trade and investment, allowing Syria a chance to rebuild.
After the U.S. normalized relations with Syria in November 2025, Trump had invited al-Shalah to the White House. Reports indicated that he expressed gratitude towards Turkish President Erdoğan and the Crown Prince for their support, encouraging al-Shalah to seize this historic opportunity for Syria.
Al-Shalah, previously an al-Qaeda member fighting U.S. forces in Iraq, now leads one of Syria’s significant militant groups, illustrating the complexities of this diplomatic engagement.
The U.S. aims for a stable and unified Syria that can maintain peace with its neighbors while ensuring there are no havens for terrorist organizations. The current situation in the region has been influenced by the ongoing conflict in Iran, which has led to oil shipments coursing through Syria, affecting economic dynamics.
Background information on the Nusra Front highlights its role in numerous attacks over the years, emphasizing the ongoing challenges Syria faces regarding stability and security.
