Syrian president says country ‘turning the page’ after removal from US terrorism list
"Today, Syria is shedding a dark stain from its shoulders and tearing up with its own hands a page from its painful past, to move into a new space of development, reconstruction and building," Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa said early Tuesday in a video posted on the US social media platform X.
- Middle East
- Anadolu Agency
- Published Date: 01:49 AM 25 August 2026
- Updated Date: 01:54 AM 25 August 2026
Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa hailed Syria's removal from the US list of state sponsors of terrorism, saying the country was "turning the page" on a painful chapter of its past and moving toward development and reconstruction.
"Today, Syria is shedding a dark stain from its shoulders and tearing up with its own hands a page from its painful past, to move into a new space of development, reconstruction and building," al-Sharaa said early Tuesday in a video posted on the US social media platform X.
Addressing Syrians, he said: "Great people of Syria, you have done it again. Sanctions have been lifted from you and restrictions have been removed."
Al-Sharaa congratulated the Syrian people on the country's formal removal from the list and thanked US President Donald Trump for a "historic decision."
He also thanked "all brothers and friends who stood with Syria and the Syrian people."
The remarks came after Washington removed Syria from its list of state sponsors of terrorism, ending a designation that had been in place since 1979.
Syria's Foreign Ministry earlier welcomed the US move as opening "a new chapter" in the country's international relations, saying it would support economic recovery and reconstruction while strengthening stability and security.