Trump administration revokes terrorist designation for Syrian militant group

In a significant policy shift, the United States government announced the revocation of the foreign terrorist organization designation for Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a militant group that has been influential in the Syrian conflict. This decision was made under the Trump administration and communicated by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who highlighted that this action was part of a broader strategy to stabilize Syria under the new leadership of interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa. The group, which emerged from Jabhat al-Nusra, had been recognized as a terrorist organization due to its historical ties with al-Qaeda. This revocation comes after a series of discussions aimed at fostering better relations between the U.S. and the Syrian government. On June 23, 2025, the decision was finalized and was noted to coincide with Syria's internal political developments, including the Syrian government's expressed trust in its commitment to combat terrorism. Al-Sharaa, once under a $10 million bounty by the U.S. for his alleged terrorist activities, shifted his approach to promise a more inclusive governance structure while also seeking international support for the rebuilding of Syria's war-torn economy. Furthermore, this move reflects an effort by the Trump administration to reassess diplomatic and strategic engagements in the Middle East, including lifting sanctions that have restricted Syria’s economic potential. The new executive order aimed to provide relief to the Syrian population affected by years of civil war and establish pathways for global investment in the country. The sanctions review was also aimed at determining if additional designations should be lifted, creating a more favorable environment for reconstructing Syria. Despite these changes, full diplomatic relations between the United States and Syria have not yet been reestablished, highlighting the complexity of the evolving geopolitical landscape in the region. Notably, other sanctions imposed by Congress remain in force, which could limit the extent of these new policies on economic reconstruction and relationship building. The developments in Syria are critical not only for the region but also for U.S. foreign policy aims of fostering peace and stability.