The U.S. State Department has formally revoked the Foreign Terrorist Organization designation for Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the al-Qaeda-linked group that toppled Syria’s Assad regime, citing a legal review—a move set to take effect Tuesday
WASHINGTON — The State Department has revoked the Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) designation for Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the al-Qaeda-derived faction that overthrew Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in 2024. The unpublished order, obtained by journalists ahead of its Tuesday Federal Register posting, reverses the group’s 2012 terror listing.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated in the document: “I hereby revoke the designation of al-Nusrah Front, also known as Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham, as a Foreign Terrorist Organization … This determination shall be published in the Federal Register.” The move follows HTS leader Ahmed al-Sharaa’s rise as Syria’s interim president after a military campaign that forced Assad into exile.
Despite the policy shift, HTS faces international scrutiny for suppressing Alawite and Christian communities. Recent shootings of Christians have sparked outcry, though Damascus claims to target only “regime loyalists.” Analysts suggest the delisting reflects U.S. pragmatism toward Syria’s new rulers but risks legitimizing alleged abuses.
The Treasury Department retains sanctions on HTS under separate authorities. White House officials declined to comment pending the order’s formal publication.