The United States has removed Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa from the Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) list, ahead of his upcoming meeting with President Donald Trump at the White House on November 10, 2025.

Al-Sharaa, a former fighter linked to al-Qaeda and past conflicts with US forces in Iraq, had been subject to international sanctions that restricted Syria’s diplomatic and economic engagement.

The Treasury Department announced the removal on Friday, following a parallel decision by the United Nations Security Council on Thursday, which lifted a largely symbolic UN sanctions listing.

Significance of the move

According to Mike Waltz, US Ambassador to the UN, the UN vote “sends a strong political signal that recognises Syria is in a new era since Assad and his associates were toppled in December 2024.”

The removal of these sanctions is intended to facilitate Syria’s efforts to rebuild after years of devastating civil war, potentially easing restrictions on trade, finance, and international relations.

Al-Sharaa’s visit will mark the first time a Syrian president travels to the White House, symbolizing a potential reset in US-Syria relations. Discussions are expected to focus on economic reconstruction, regional security, and Syria’s reintegration into the global community.

Congressional response

US lawmakers have welcomed the move, with the Senate Foreign Relations Committee noting that lifting UN sanctions is a positive step toward bringing the Syrian economy into the 21st century.

Congress is reportedly considering repealing additional US sanctions on Syria still in place, signaling a broader effort to normalize relations while maintaining oversight of Syria’s security policies.