US Ends Terror Label, Sanctions on Syria's HTS

The Trump administration has officially revoked the foreign terrorist organization designation for Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), formerly al-Nusra Front, previously affiliated with al-Qaeda in Syria. This move, formalized in a June 23 memo by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and set to be published in the Federal Register, coincides with the lifting of longstanding U.S. sanctions on Syria following the ouster of Bashar al-Assad by HTS-led forces and allied rebels. The U.S. policy shift aims to facilitate Syria's reintegration into the international financial system and support post-war reconstruction, citing a desire for regional stability and peace. Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, who leads HTS and claims to have severed ties with al-Qaeda, met with President Trump in Riyadh in May, where the U.S. announced plans to end Syria's isolation. Syria's foreign ministry has not yet responded. The U.S. move is seen as a major step toward re-engaging with Syria's new leadership and encouraging investment in the country.