Washington, DC [US], July 8 (ANI): The United States has revoked the Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) designation of Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a Syria-based group formerly affiliated with al-Qaeda and a successor to al-Nusra Front.
In a statement issued Monday, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the decision, which aligns with President Donald Trump’s pledge to deliver sanctions relief to Syria following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in December. The revocation took effect today, July 8.
The State Department cited the dissolution of HTS and the Syrian government’s renewed commitment to combating terrorism as key factors in the move.
“In line with President Trump’s May 13 promise to deliver sanctions relief to Syria, I am announcing my intent to revoke the Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) designation of al-Nusra Front, also known as Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), under the Immigration and Nationality Act. This revocation will be effective tomorrow, July 8,” the statement read.
According to Al Jazeera, HTS was officially disbanded in late January, and its fighters were integrated into Syria’s formal military and security services.
The move also builds on the June 30 executive order titled “Providing for the Revocation of Syria Sanctions”, which sought to support a stable, unified, and peaceful Syria under the leadership of new President Ahmed al-Sharaa.
“Tomorrow’s action follows the announced dissolution of HTS and the Syrian government’s commitment to combat terrorism in all its forms. This action also builds on the momentum of the June 30 Executive Order and recognizes the positive actions taken by the new Syrian government under President Ahmed al-Sharaa. This FTO revocation is an important step in fulfilling President Trump’s vision of a stable, unified, and peaceful Syria,” Rubio’s statement added.
HTS was designated a terrorist organization by the U.S. in 2018 due to its ties to al-Qaeda. The group emerged from al-Nusra Front, al-Qaeda’s Syrian affiliate, which officially severed ties in 2016 when then-leader Ahmed al-Sharaa announced the break.
Al-Sharaa later led opposition forces that ousted Assad in a swift December offensive and has since assumed Syria’s presidency, Al Jazeera reported.
Despite the U.S. decision, HTS remains under United Nations Security Council sanctions imposed in 2014 over its historic links to al-Qaeda. Al-Sharaa himself is also sanctioned by the UNSC, according to Al Jazeera.
Meanwhile, in a separate development, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced a special operation in southern Syria targeting Iranian-backed operatives.
“A cell operated by the Iranian ‘Quds’ Force was apprehended in the Tel Kudna area of southern Syria,” the IDF said in a post on X. “For the second time in the past week, IDF troops completed a targeted overnight operation and apprehended several operatives who posed a threat in the area. IDF troops are continuing to operate and prevent the entrenchment of any terrorist entity in Syria, with the aim of protecting Israeli civilians.”
The operation is part of Israel’s ongoing campaign to counter Iranian influence in Syria following the Assad regime’s collapse. (ANI)
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