Politics
US removes Syria from arms export ban list
September 30, 2026 at 09:29 PM
Coverage
2 reports · 1 in Arabic, 1 in English · over 3 hours
The US State Department has removed Syria from its arms export ban list, allowing defense sales on a case-by-case basis from October 1.
- The US State Department has removed Syria from the International Traffic in Arms Regulations ban list, effective October 1, 2026.
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio approved the new defense trade policy on August 19, 2026, directing its codification.
- Arms export license applications for Syria will now be reviewed on a case-by-case basis rather than denied wholesale.
- The change follows the removal of Syria's state sponsor of terrorism designation and other legal conditions being met.