US considers removal of terrorist organization from terror list

(MENAFN) The United States announced Monday that it may reconsider the designation of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) as a terrorist organization, following the recent lifting of sanctions on Syria in the aftermath of Bashar al-Assad's departure.

According to official statements, the U.S. State Department will re-evaluate HTS's status and consider a full suspension of the Caesar Act sanctions on Syria. This review aligns with a directive issued by President Donald Trump.

The evaluation will also include a reassessment of the Specially Designated Global Terrorist labels placed on both HTS and Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa, along with Syria’s classification as a State Sponsor of Terrorism. Additional sanction relief measures may also be pursued through coordination with the United Nations.

“Today’s actions mark the beginning of a new chapter for the people of Syria as they work to shape a future that is safe, stable, and successful,” the statement said.

On the same day, the White House confirmed that Trump signed an executive order officially ending the U.S. sanctions program targeting Syria.

Earlier, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters that this decision is intended to support Syria’s “path to stability and peace.”

In May, Trump announced during an investment forum in Riyadh that he would remove what he called “brutal and crippling” sanctions on Syria. The following day, he met with Ahmad al-Sharaa in Saudi Arabia — marking the first direct contact between American and Syrian leadership in 25 years.

Bashar al-Assad, who held power in Syria for nearly a quarter-century, fled to Russia on December 8 after Damascus fell to a rapid offensive led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and other anti-regime factions.

MENAFN02072025000045017281ID1109750264