US Revokes 'Foreign Terrorist' Designation For Syria's HTS

Last Updated:July 07, 2025, 23:36 IST

The US revoked the "foreign terrorist organization" label for HTS, formerly linked to Al-Qaeda, after HTS toppled Syria's government.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio (AP Image)

The US State Department revoked the “foreign terrorist organisation" designation for Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a group formerly affiliated with Al-Qaeda that toppled Syria’s government in December.

This comes after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio signed a memo on June 23, citing consultation with the Attorney General and the Secretary of the Treasury 

“In consultation with the Attorney General and the Secretary of the Treasury, I hereby revoke the designation of al-Nusrah Front, also known as Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (and other aliases) as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation," said US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in a memo.

An armed coalition led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and headed by Ahmed al-Sharaa successfully toppled Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, bringing an end to the decades-long rule of the Assad family.

Sharaa took over as interim president, a move that has been cautiously welcomed in Washington, Europe and elsewhere, with historic foe Israel seeking to build ties with the new government.

Washington’s move will formally take effect on Tuesday and comes after US President Donald Trump last week formally dismantled his country’s sanctions against Syria.

Trump lifted most sanctions against Syria in May, responding to appeals from Saudi Arabia and Turkey to help reintegrate the war-battered country into the global economy.

After Trump came to power, the United States removed a bounty on Sharaa’s head. HTS was earlier known as Al-Nusra Front and was formerly the branch of Al-Qaeda in Syria, but it broke ties with the jihadist group in 2016 and sought to soften its image.

By 2017, HTS had claimed control over significant areas of Idlib province in northwest Syria, establishing a civil administration amidst allegations of severe human rights abuses against dissenters.

In January, after overthrowing Assad’s regime, the new authorities announced the dissolution of all armed factions, with some groups, including HTS, being integrated into bodies such as the country’s new police force.

International Re-Engagement

Last week, Syria expressed willingness to work with the United States to revive the 1974 disengagement agreement with Israel, aiming to restore stability in the region.

The United States and European countries have moved steadily to reengage with Syria since Sharaa took over as interim president, with Britain reestablishing diplomatic ties on Saturday after more than a decade.

 Britain has also removed sanctions from Syria’s interior and defence ministries, media groups, intelligence agencies, and certain economic sectors, marking a significant policy shift.

The Assad regime was toppled after more than 13 years of civil war by a rebel offensive led by Sharaa.

The rebellion was sparked in 2011 by protests against the Assads’ brutal rule that were part of the Arab Spring movement.

The growing international backing comes as Syria’s new leaders attempt to rebuild the country and reboot its moribund economy, both ravaged by the conflict and crippling sanctions.

From wanted jihadist to statesman embraced by world leaders, interim president Sharaa has undergone a stunning transformation in just six months.

He now leads a government through a five-year transitional period under a temporary constitution that experts and rights groups say concentrates power in his hands.

(With inputs from AFP)

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United States of America (USA)

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News world US Revokes 'Foreign Terrorist' Designation For Syria's HTS