In a landmark shift in U.S. foreign policy, the State Department announced Monday that it will revoke the designation of Syria’s Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) as a “Foreign Terrorist Organization” (FTO), a group once aligned with al-Qaeda.
The move comes on the heels of sweeping diplomatic and economic re-engagements between Syria and the West following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s decades-long regime in December 2024.
The decision, set to take effect Tuesday, follows a period of rapid transformation in Syrian politics, with former HTS leader Ahmed al-Sharaa now serving as Syria’s interim president. Al-Sharaa led a coalition of Islamist and nationalist forces in a December offensive that toppled the Assad regime after 54 years of authoritarian rule.
A Radical Shift in U.S. Policy
In a formal statement, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio cited HTS’s formal dissolution and the Syrian transitional government’s commitment to combating terrorism as justification for the delisting.
“This decision reflects the new reality in Syria,” said Rubio. “HTS, now defunct as a militant group, has integrated into state structures and committed to uprooting terrorism. The Syrian government under President al-Sharaa is making early but promising strides toward stability.”
The United States’ reversal comes just a week after President Donald Trump signed an executive order ending sanctions on Syria, aiming to facilitate reconstruction and normalize international relations.
HTS: From Extremism to Governance
HTS, once known as Jabhat al-Nusra, served as al-Qaeda’s branch in Syria until it broke away in 2016 under al-Sharaa’s leadership. The group gradually evolved from a hardline jihadist faction into a quasi-governmental force that exercised civil authority in northwest Syria, albeit amid persistent accusations of human rights abuses and authoritarian control.
Following Assad’s ouster, HTS was officially dissolved, with many of its fighters absorbed into the new Syrian national police and military. The interim government has since taken steps to centralize authority and implement transitional governance under a five-year constitutional framework.
International Community Re-engages
Western countries, once wary of HTS’s radical past, are now cautiously embracing the new Syrian leadership. The United Kingdom restored diplomatic ties with Damascus last week, with Foreign Secretary David Lammy becoming the first British minister to visit Syria in over a decade. During his visit, Lammy pledged £94.5 million in support for recovery and refugee assistance.
The European Union has also eased sanctions on key Syrian sectors, and France has called on the al-Sharaa administration to join international counterterrorism coalitions.
Even historic adversary Israel has opened discreet diplomatic channels, with both nations signaling a willingness to reimplement the 1974 disengagement agreement along the Golan Heights.
Criticism and Caution Remain
Despite the wave of international optimism, skepticism lingers. Human rights organizations and Syrian activists have raised concerns over al-Sharaa’s consolidation of power and lingering sectarian violence.
Since January, Syria has witnessed a series of deadly attacks targeting minorities. In March, hundreds of Alawite civilians were reportedly killed during clashes between Assad loyalists and security forces. Similar violence involving Druze communities and Christian churches has prompted fears that the country’s deep-rooted sectarian rifts remain unresolved.
“There is a worrying pattern of authoritarian governance re-emerging under a new banner,” said Lina Khoury, a Syrian civil society advocate based in Beirut. “The world must be careful not to mistake stability for justice.”
The interim government has faced criticism for its lack of inclusivity, with only one female minister appointed and most positions filled directly by al-Sharaa. Although he has pledged democratic reforms, watchdogs warn that Syria may be trading one strongman for another.
From Warlord to World Leader
Al-Sharaa’s ascent from militant commander to internationally recognized head of state has been nothing short of dramatic. Once the subject of a U.S. bounty, he is now seen as a central figure in Syria’s transition. American intelligence sources confirmed that his name has been removed from all active watchlists.
As part of Washington’s ongoing normalization efforts, HTS’s removal from the terrorist list is expected to pave the way for further cooperation in areas like counterterrorism, border security, and refugee repatriation.
The White House emphasized that the delisting does not mean unconditional support. “We will continue to evaluate the Syrian government’s conduct,” a senior administration official said. “Human rights, minority protection, and regional peace remain our core priorities.”
A Precarious Future
As Syria embarks on the uncertain path of post-war recovery, the international community walks a fine line between hope and hesitation. The revocation of HTS’s terrorist designation is a historic milestone—but one shadowed by the nation’s violent past and fragile present.
Whether al-Sharaa’s Syria becomes a beacon of reform or repeats the cycles of repression remains to be seen.
