The United States is expected to announce the removal of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) from its list of foreign terrorist organizations, as per a memo from the State Department. This decision follows the group’s pivotal role in a December offensive that led to the fall of the Assad regime, which had held power in Syria for over five decades. With leadership now under Ahmed al-Sharaa as Syria's interim president, HTS, formerly linked to al-Qaeda, has operated independently since 2016 after severing ties.
US to Delist Syrian Group HTS from Terrorist Organizations List
US to Delist Syrian Group HTS from Terrorist Organizations List
The US is poised to remove Hayat Tahrir al-Sham from its foreign terror list, signaling a shift in policy towards Syria.
Recent months have seen a thaw in relations between Western nations and Syria, which has been under severe sanctions intended to isolate the administration of Bashar al-Assad. Notably, in June, former President Trump enacted an executive order repealing sanctions against Syria, with U.S. officials suggesting the move was a strategic step towards fostering stability in the region. The U.S. government has indicated that it will continue to scrutinize the new Syrian administration's approach to issues such as establishing ties with Israel and addressing foreign terrorist influences.
Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani highlighted that the U.S. decision could facilitate economic recovery and reintegrate Syria into the global community. Progressing discussions, Syria has expressed intentions to work with the United States on the 1974 disengagement agreement with Israel.
UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy's recent visit to Syria marked a significant diplomatic engagement, as he became the first British minister to do so since the onset of the Syrian uprising in 2011. During his visit, Lammy announced a financial support package to aid long-term recovery efforts and assist Syrian refugees. The UK has previously lifted sanctions on Syria's defense and interior sectors to aid this process.
Amidst the shifting political landscape, concerns remain about the new government under al-Sharaa, particularly regarding the appointments predominantly made by him and the limited representation of women in leadership roles. Civil unrest and violence have persisted, including recent clashes that led to casualties among minority groups, underscoring the challenges that the new regime faces as it seeks to establish stability in a war-torn nation ravaged by over a decade of conflict.
Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani highlighted that the U.S. decision could facilitate economic recovery and reintegrate Syria into the global community. Progressing discussions, Syria has expressed intentions to work with the United States on the 1974 disengagement agreement with Israel.
UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy's recent visit to Syria marked a significant diplomatic engagement, as he became the first British minister to do so since the onset of the Syrian uprising in 2011. During his visit, Lammy announced a financial support package to aid long-term recovery efforts and assist Syrian refugees. The UK has previously lifted sanctions on Syria's defense and interior sectors to aid this process.
Amidst the shifting political landscape, concerns remain about the new government under al-Sharaa, particularly regarding the appointments predominantly made by him and the limited representation of women in leadership roles. Civil unrest and violence have persisted, including recent clashes that led to casualties among minority groups, underscoring the challenges that the new regime faces as it seeks to establish stability in a war-torn nation ravaged by over a decade of conflict.
