Washington lifts terror label on HTS as Syria begins transitional phase

The United States stated on Monday that Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a group originally connected to Al-Qaeda that overthrew Syria’s government in December, would no longer be designated as a “foreign terrorist organisation”.

“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,” the United States Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, stated in a note to employees.

Last year, an armed alliance led by HTS commander Ahmed al-Sharaa deposed Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, bringing an end to his family’s half-century of harsh reign.

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 had 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.

The United States had already removed a bounty on Sharaa’s head after he came to power.

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.

As of 2017, HTS claimed control of swaths of the province of Idlib, in Syria’s northwest, and went on to develop a civil administration in the area, amid accusations of brutal abuses against those who dared dissent.

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 reengagement

On Friday, Syria said it was willing to cooperate with the United States to reimplement a 1974 disengagement agreement with Israel.

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 lifted sanctions on Syria’s interior and defense ministries, as well as on various media groups, intelligence agencies and some sectors of the economy.

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.