The anticipated delisting of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) signals a potential thaw in US-Syrian relations as Western nations adjust their stances amid ongoing conflict and humanitarian crises.
US Plans to Delist Syria's HTS as Foreign Terror Group Amid Shifting Relations
US Plans to Delist Syria's HTS as Foreign Terror Group Amid Shifting Relations
The United States is expected to announce the removal of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham from its foreign terrorist organizations list, marking a significant pivot in American foreign policy towards Syria.
The United States is poised to remove the Syrian Islamist faction Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) from its list of foreign terrorist organizations, according to an internal memo from the State Department. This decision comes as HTS's leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, has recently taken on the role of interim president after a successful rebel upheaval against Bashar al-Assad's decades-long regime in December.
HTS, which was previously known as al-Nusra Front and affiliated with al-Qaeda until al-Sharaa cut ties in 2016, has fluctuated in its position amid changing international relations. In recent months, there has been a noticeable shift among Western governments towards normalizing relations with Syria, leading to reduced sanctions that have significantly impacted the country. In June, President Trump signed an executive order lifting sanctions, a move hailed as a pathway to stability and peace in the region. The US has committed to monitoring actions by the new Syrian government, particularly in terms of preventing foreign terror activities and engaging with Israel.
Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani emphasized that the potential delisting would help clear pathways for economic recovery and re-engagement with the international community. Additionally, Syria's willingness to cooperate with the US regarding the 1974 disengagement agreement with Israel indicates initial steps toward diplomatic inroads.
In a landmark visit, UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy recently traveled to Syria, marking the first visit by a UK government minister since the uprising began in 2011. During his meeting with al-Sharaa, Lammy unveiled a £94.5 million aid package aimed at fostering longer-term recovery and assisting Syrian refugees.
Despite promises of reform from al-Sharaa's administration, there are rising concerns regarding governance, particularly the lack of representation for women in the cabinet, with only a single female minister appointed thus far. The political landscape remains tense, evidenced by violent clashed involving minority groups and recent terror attacks, including a devastating suicide bombing at a church in Damascus that resulted in numerous casualties.
As the international community watches closely, the implications of this shift in US policy could redefine the future of governance and stability in a war-torn Syria.
