Surprise decision from the US: HTS removed from Terror List

The US is rescinding its designation of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) as a "foreign terrorist organization (FTO)" as Washington softens its approach to post-war Syria following the collapse of the Bashar al-Assad government last year. The decision will take effect today. 

The decision is part of a broader strategy by US President Donald Trump to re-engage with Syria and support the country's reconstruction after more than a decade of devastating conflict.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement on Monday, "This rescission is an important step toward realizing President Trump's vision for a stable, unified, and peaceful Syria."

HTS had been designated as a "terrorist" group by the US since 2018 due to its former ties to Al-Qaeda.

The group emerged from the Al-Nusra Front, Al-Qaeda's official branch in Syria, but officially severed those ties in 2016 after HTS leader Ahmed al-Shara declared the group's independence.

Al-Shara, who led the forces that overthrew Assad last December, has been the president of Syria since that date.

The Trump administration and the European Union have since lifted sanctions on Syria. 

HTS was dissolved at the end of January, about a month after the capture of Damascus, and its forces were integrated into the official Syrian army and security forces.

SYRIAN GOVERNMENT PLEASED

Damascus welcomed the US decision as a step toward normalization. In a statement, the Syrian Foreign Ministry said that removing HTS from the list was "a positive step toward correcting a trajectory that previously hindered constructive engagement." The ministry added that it hopes this step "will contribute to the lifting of restrictions that continue to affect Syrian institutions and officials and open the door to a rational, sovereignty-based approach to international cooperation."

Furthermore, HTS remains subject to sanctions imposed by the United Nations Security Council in 2014 due to its previous links to Al-Qaeda. Al-Shara also remains under UNSC sanctions, which can only be lifted by the Council.

It is reported that al-Shara is preparing to attend the UN General Assembly to be held in New York in September.

News Source: 12punto