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The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement Tuesday extending congratulations to the Syrian government and people following the US action, while expressing wishes for Syria to enjoy lasting security, stability and prosperity as it advances reconstruction and development. The ministry reaffirmed its backing for positive measures by Syrian authorities to bolster security, build state institutions and fulfill the aspirations of citizens for a more stable future, according to a statement carried by Arab News and the Syrian Arab News Agency. The response came hours after the formal US delisting took effect on Monday.
A statement from the US State Department on August 24 credited the removal to positive actions and commitments by the Syrian government under President Ahmed al-Sharaa to distance the country from international terrorism. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, in that announcement, described the step as eliminating the final major barriers for private sector investment while promoting economic recovery and global reintegration. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent separately noted that the action would foster additional investment to support political and economic stability, a US Department of the Treasury bulletin showed.
Syria had appeared on the US list since 1979, when Washington accused the government of the late Hafez al-Assad of supporting militant groups, according to a Reuters report on the delisting. The designation persisted through the rule of his son Bashar al-Assad, who was ousted in December 2024 by rebels led by the current president, a former militant once linked to an al-Qaeda offshoot. The US also revoked the terrorist designation of Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham, the group that evolved from that offshoot and now forms a key part of the new Syrian administration.
US officials had notified Congress on July 8 of the intent to rescind the designation, triggering a mandatory 45-day review period that concluded without objection on August 22, a BBC News dispatch detailed. The move follows a series of earlier steps, including revocation of sanctions under a June 2025 executive order and removal of Syria from a separate list of countries not fully cooperating on counterterrorism. Al-Sharaa, who met President Donald Trump at the White House last year, welcomed the decision as historic and thanked Washington for its support.
The delisting leaves only Cuba, Iran and North Korea on the US roster of state sponsors of terrorism, according to multiple accounts from outlets including Al Jazeera and The National. Syrian authorities described the change as closing a nearly 47-year chapter that had restricted access to foreign assistance, loans from institutions such as the World Bank and broad economic engagement. The Saudi statement aligned with broader regional expressions of support for Damascus as it navigates reconstruction after years of conflict.
In its Tuesday announcement, the Saudi ministry emphasized the importance of Syrian government initiatives that enhance security and stability while meeting popular demands for progress. The Kingdom has maintained engagement with the new Syrian leadership since the 2024 transition, including diplomatic exchanges aimed at fostering regional calm. The US action, combined with Saudi backing, signals growing international acceptance of the post-Assad order in Damascus.
