Washington, D.C. – The Trump administration has decided to remove the terrorism designation of a group led by Syria’s new president, a move that is part of the U.S. government’s efforts to engage with Syria’s new transitional government. This change comes after the ousting of former President Bashar Assad late last year.
In a statement released on Monday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that the decision, which will take effect on Tuesday, recognizes the “positive actions taken by the new Syrian government” under President Ahmad al-Sharaa.
The Decision and Background
Earlier on Monday, an advance notice published in the Federal Register stated that the decision was made by Marco Rubio on June 23, in consultation with the Attorney General and the Treasury Secretary.
While the decision was not announced previously, it aligns with the Trump administration’s ongoing efforts to ease or end many U.S. sanctions that had been imposed during Assad’s rule.
This action is part of a broader effort to help Syria reintegrate and end its long-standing isolation after a rebel offensive ousted the Assad family from power in December. The new government, led by al-Sharaa, is attempting to rebuild Syria after 13 years of civil war.
Changes in the Terrorism Designation
The decision focuses on al-Nusrah Front, also known as Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, which was originally designated as a foreign terrorist organization (FTO) due to its previous connections with Al-Qaeda.
In 2017, the group split and renamed itself Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, which continued to be designated as a terrorist organization under the Trump administration.
The notice released on Monday didn’t provide any details on the revocation of this terrorist designation, but it indicates a shift toward improving U.S.-Syria relations.
The Broader Context
The decision comes as part of a series of actions by the Trump administration to ease tensions with Syria following the ousting of Bashar al-Assad.
On June 30, just days after the revocation decision was signed, President Trump signed an executive order that ended many U.S. sanctions on Syria. This move followed a promise he made to President Ahmad al-Sharaa during their meeting in Saudi Arabia in May.
Rubio stated, “This FTO revocation is an important step in fulfilling President Trump’s vision of a stable, unified, and peaceful Syria.”
Sanctions Remain in Place
While the Trump administration is easing some sanctions on Syria, key sanctions remain in place, including those targeting Assad, his top aides, and other officials involved in human rights abuses, drug trafficking, or Syria’s chemical weapons program.
Additionally, sanctions that target anyone doing business with Syria’s military and intelligence are still in effect.
Even though there have been temporary waivers granted under the Caesar Act, Congress must pass a new law to permanently repeal these sanctions.