The decision comes as the new Syrian government seeks international cooperation and recovery efforts.
US Set to Delist Syrian Islamist Group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham
US Set to Delist Syrian Islamist Group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham
The removal of HTS from the terror list marks a significant shift in US-Syria relations.
The United States is poised to remove the Syrian Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) from its list of foreign terrorist organizations, according to a recent memo from the State Department. This move is set to be announced on Tuesday and follows HTS's pivotal role in the December rebellion that led to the fall of the Assad regime, which had ruled Syria for over five decades. With Ahmed al-Sharaa now at the helm as Syria's interim president, the group has undergone substantial shifts since its former association with al-Qaeda, which was severed in 2016.
In a broader context of changing relations with Syria, Western nations have been reevaluating their stances amidst heavy sanctions imposed on the previous regime. In June, former President Trump signed an executive order aimed at lifting these sanctions to support Syria's progress towards stability and peace. The White House emphasized its commitment to monitoring the new government's efforts, including steps to normalize relations with Israel, deal with foreign terrorist influences, and combat Palestinian terrorism.
Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani welcomed the delisting, arguing it would ease economic recovery by facilitating access to the international community. This sentiment was echoed during a visit by UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, marking the first visit by a British minister to Syria in over a decade. Lammy's trip underscored the UK's commitment to augmenting aid to Syria, with an additional £94.5 million allocated for long-term recovery and support for Syrian refugees.
Despite these hopeful developments, skepticism remains about the new government's commitment to inclusive governance. Critics point out that al-Sharaa’s radical background raises concerns about how he will manage the diverse societal fabric of Syria. His administration has come under scrutiny, given its slow progress in appointing women to leadership roles, with only one female minister identified thus far. Moreover, reports of violent clashes targeting minority groups highlight ongoing tensions. Recent incidents have included deadly attacks against the Alawite community and Islamist factions fighting against security forces and Druze groups.
As the Syrian government aims to rebuild and recover from a devastating civil war that left 90% of its population in poverty, the future remains uncertain. The upcoming US policy change could serve as either a catalyst for progress or a source of new challenges, depending on how the interim administration navigates the richly complex socio-political landscape of post-Assad Syria.
In a broader context of changing relations with Syria, Western nations have been reevaluating their stances amidst heavy sanctions imposed on the previous regime. In June, former President Trump signed an executive order aimed at lifting these sanctions to support Syria's progress towards stability and peace. The White House emphasized its commitment to monitoring the new government's efforts, including steps to normalize relations with Israel, deal with foreign terrorist influences, and combat Palestinian terrorism.
Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani welcomed the delisting, arguing it would ease economic recovery by facilitating access to the international community. This sentiment was echoed during a visit by UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, marking the first visit by a British minister to Syria in over a decade. Lammy's trip underscored the UK's commitment to augmenting aid to Syria, with an additional £94.5 million allocated for long-term recovery and support for Syrian refugees.
Despite these hopeful developments, skepticism remains about the new government's commitment to inclusive governance. Critics point out that al-Sharaa’s radical background raises concerns about how he will manage the diverse societal fabric of Syria. His administration has come under scrutiny, given its slow progress in appointing women to leadership roles, with only one female minister identified thus far. Moreover, reports of violent clashes targeting minority groups highlight ongoing tensions. Recent incidents have included deadly attacks against the Alawite community and Islamist factions fighting against security forces and Druze groups.
As the Syrian government aims to rebuild and recover from a devastating civil war that left 90% of its population in poverty, the future remains uncertain. The upcoming US policy change could serve as either a catalyst for progress or a source of new challenges, depending on how the interim administration navigates the richly complex socio-political landscape of post-Assad Syria.
