The United States Removes Syria and “Jabhat al-Nusra” from Terrorism Lists

The United States Removes Syria and “Jabhat al-Nusra” from Terrorism Lists

The U.S. administration has decided to remove Syria from the list of state sponsors of terrorism, coinciding with the removal of the classification of “Jabhat al-Nusra,” later known as “Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham,” as a terrorist organization, marking a significant shift in U.S. policy toward Damascus.

Reuters reported that a notice issued by the U.S. Treasury Department indicated that the State Department had removed Syria from the United States’ list of state sponsors of terrorism. This step had been previously announced earlier this year, subject to review by Congress.

The notice also included the declassification of “Jabhat al-Nusra” as a terrorist entity. The group was led by the current Syrian president Ahmad al-Shara, formerly known as Abu Mohammad al-Julani, before the group later transitioned to operate under the name “Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham.”

The decision represents a significant shift in the course of relations between Washington and Damascus after years of sanctions and classifications related to the Syrian government and armed groups that have been active during the years of conflict.

Lifting these classifications is expected to pave the way for a new phase in U.S. dealings with the current Syrian authorities, especially in political, economic, and diplomatic affairs, following the changes Syria has undergone since the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime and the assumption of the new authorities’ administration of the country.