Syria
US lifts terrorism designation on Syria, removes HTS from sanctions list. All details here
The United States has removed Syria from its list of state sponsors of terrorism, rescinding a decades-old designation as Washington moves to ease restrictions on the country.
The U.S. Treasury Department has also revoked the designation of al-Nusrah Front, also known as Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) organisation.
Concurrently, the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) removed HTS from its Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List.
“Treasury is following through on President Trump’s promise to give the Syrian people a chance at greatness,” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said. “Today’s action will help foster additional investment in Syria to promote political and economic stability.”
The latest move builds on the U.S. State Department’s decision on July 8, 2025, to revoke HTS’s designation as a Foreign Terrorist Organization.
As a result of Tuesday’s action, HTS is no longer subject to blocking under the Global Terrorism Sanctions Regulations, 31 CFR Part 594, or Executive Order 13224, as amended.
“U.S. persons do not require authorization from OFAC to engage in transactions or activities with HTS, provided such activities do not involve blocked persons or otherwise prohibited activities,” the Treasury Department said in a statement.
The department stressed that the removal of restrictions on Syria does not represent a change in its broader approach to combating global terrorism or its commitment to holding individuals and organisations deemed responsible for terrorism accountable.
At the same time, OFAC designated two former HTS affiliates who continue to support al-Qaida and Hurras al-Din.
According to the Treasury Department, the two designations are intended to address ongoing terrorist financing threats and help safeguard Syria’s stability and security.
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