"I think I will": Trump on removing Syria from State Department's list of state sponsors of terrorism
Ankara, July 8
US President Donald Trump on Wednesday said he was inclined to remove Syria from the US State Department's list of state sponsors of terrorism, praising the country's interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa and signalling further steps toward normalising ties with Damascus.
Speaking to reporters during a meeting with Syrian 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."
"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," Trump added.
Syria has remained 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.
Trump's remarks come amid a broader push by the United States to normalise relations with Syria.
Last year, the Trump administration revoked the foreign terrorist organisation designation for Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), also known as the al-Nusra Front, which spearheaded the movement which led to Assad's fall, led by al-Sharaa.
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.
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.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Classic Trump—impulsive, blunt, and probably without a fully formed foreign policy. Lifting Syria's state sponsor of terrorism designation this quickly seems premature. The Assad regime was a menace, but al-Sharaa's track record is still unclear. The US should consult allies like India before making such a big shift, especially in a volatile region like West Asia.
From an Indian perspective, normalising with Syria could have economic benefits for us too. Syrian reconstruction is a massive opportunity, and India has the expertise and manpower. But we must ensure that these new Syrian leaders are not playing double games with terror groups. Stability in Syria means stability for the entire region, including our trade routes. 🇮🇳
"I think I will"—that's a quote from a president who's basically running US foreign policy on gut feelings. I'd prefer more analysis and less improvisation. That said, al-Sharaa might indeed be a different leader, and rebuilding Syria is in everyone's interest. But why rush? Let's see some real reforms first before removing the terrorism tag.
It's interesting how Trump is willing to sidestep his own State Department's classification. On one hand, rewarding a new Syrian leadership for ousting Assad is a smart diplomatic move. On the other, calling HTS a non-terrorist group is very controversial. India must watch this closely, as any change in Syria's status will impact our own counter-terror stance with groups like Jaish-e-Mohammed. 🧐
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.