US Set to Remove HTS from Terror List, Signaling Potential Shift in Syrian Relations

Fri Apr 24 2026 15:04:23 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

The US is preparing to delist the Syrian group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham as a foreign terrorist organization, indicating a possible thaw in relations with Syria.

This decision comes amidst a backdrop of changing political dynamics and humanitarian concerns for crisis-stricken Syria.

The Biden administration is reportedly ready to remove the Syrian Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) from its list of foreign terrorist organizations, as per an internal memo released by the State Department. This group previously led a significant offensive in December which resulted in the ousting of President Bashar al-Assad's regime, which had governed for over five decades. The group's leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, has now assumed the role of interim president.

HTS, once linked to al-Qaeda as al-Nusra Front, broke ties with the terror organization in 2016 under al-Sharaa’s leadership. In recent times, there has been a noticeable shift among Western nations aiming to foster renewed ties with Syria, which has been heavily sanctioned for years due to the Assad regime's actions.

In June, former President Trump issued an executive order that officially withdrew US sanctions against Syria, claiming it was to facilitate the nation’s journey toward peace and stability. Washington has expressed intent to oversee the new government's conduct, particularly focusing on normalizing relations with Israel and eliminating foreign terrorist activity.

Syria’s Foreign Minister, Asaad al-Shibani, views the US’s potential decision as a means to clear paths for economic revival and reintegration into the global community. Following this discussion, Syria confirmed its openness to partner with the US in reinstating a 1974 disengagement agreement with Israel.

The recent visit by UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy marked the first such government engagement with Syria in 14 years, reinforcing the UK’s commitment to helping with recovery efforts, boasting a new support package worth £94.5 million for Syrian refugees.

Despite these diplomatic efforts, many citizens of Syria remain skeptical about al-Sharaa's ability to lead the country toward a more stable future. There are concerns regarding how his administration operates, particularly given the past of violence and discrimination against minority groups during this transformative period. Reports of tragic attacks against the minority Alawite sect and other groups illustrate the dire challenges that remain.