Once war-torn, Syria has now reached yet another milestone after the United States confirmed the removal of the Arab nation from its list of states sponsoring terrorism.
Its de facto leader, announcing the news, has indicated his country’s determination to “turn the page” on its darkest past chapters.
Decades-long sanctions from the US
Syria has spent 47 years on the infamous list after the US government claimed that former Syrian president Hafez al-Assad was backing and funding militant groups.
This reputation would then stick to the troubled Arab nation under the administration of his son, Bashar al-Assad, who was exiled after the lightning-fast takeover of Ahmed al-Sharaa.
Since 1979, Syria has been heavily restricted from US foreign assistance, defence exports and financial transactions with international organisations.
Other nations have been discouraged from helping the country even in times of war.
Apart from Syria, other countries that have been included in the list include Cuba, Iran and North Korea.
Allies hail monumental decision from the US
The move was swiftly praised and welcomed by the international community, particularly countries in the Middle East, which said the US indicated Syria’s path to long-term stability and peace as it recovers from its 14-year civil war and its isolation from the global market.
Neighboring Turkey hailed the decision as among the “last obstacles” that hinder Syria from integrating back into the world.
Turkish ambassador in Syria Nuh Yilmaz added that the move will also contribute to peace and stability in the region.
Turkey’s statement was echoed by the Jordanian government, which said that Syria has made an “important step” towards reconstruction, recovery and development.
Qatar has also released a statement saying that the US’s decision will contribute to the aspirations of the Syrian people and provide their nation with the internationally legitimate resolution it deserves.
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Syria further appeases the West
The West, particularly Europe, has expressed the utmost welcome towards Syria’s recovery and al-Sharaa’s programmes to bring back the glory of his country after the decades-long regime of the Assad family.
Al-Sharaa travelled to multiple European nations, including Germany, France and the United Kingdom, where he was promised strong and reliable assistance that would contribute to Syria’s recovery and rebuilding.
But the most notable diplomatic achievement al-Sharaa attained was becoming the first Syrian leader ever to be invited to the White House and receiving support from US president Donald Trump, so much so that his military group, Al-Nusra Front, was lifted from being categorised as a global terrorist organisation.
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Mary Mae Balasanos 
Geoffrey H. Latayan 
John Christopher Aquino