Trump Administration Revokes Terrorist Designation for Syria’s HTS Amid Post-War Reengagement

Washington, D.C., July 9, 2025 — In a sweeping shift in U.S. foreign policy, the Trump administration has officially revoked the Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) designation for Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the Syrian rebel group that once served as al-Qaeda’s affiliate in the region.
The move, announced Monday by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, is part of a broader strategy to normalize relations with Syria following the ouster of longtime dictator Bashar al-Assad in December. HTS, which led the coalition that toppled Assad, has since been dissolved, with its forces integrated into Syria’s national military under the leadership of 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 said in a statement. The decision takes effect Tuesday and follows Trump’s May executive order lifting most U.S. sanctions on Syria.
HTS, formerly known as Jabhat al-Nusra, severed ties with al-Qaeda in 2016 and rebranded itself as a locally focused Islamist movement. Despite its disassociation, the U.S. continued to treat HTS as a terrorist entity until now, citing concerns over its leadership and infrastructure.
The revocation has drawn mixed reactions. Syria’s Foreign Ministry welcomed the move as a “positive step toward correcting a course that previously hindered constructive engagement,” expressing hope that it would lead to broader international cooperation.
However, HTS and President al-Sharaa remain under United Nations Security Council sanctions, which can only be lifted by a formal Council vote. Al-Sharaa is expected to attend the upcoming UN General Assembly in New York this September, signaling Syria’s intent to reenter the global diplomatic arena.
The Trump administration’s decision underscores a dramatic recalibration of U.S. policy in the Middle East, prioritizing reconstruction and stability over past affiliations. As Syria emerges from a 13-year civil war, Washington’s engagement could reshape the region’s geopolitical landscape.