The U.S. will evacuate the U.S. Islamic group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) from its list of foreign terrorist groups on Tuesday, according to a State Department memorandum.
The group led a rebel offensive in December that overthrew the Assad regime, which ruled Syria for 54 years. Its leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, is now the country’s interim president.
HTS, also known as Al-Nusra Front, was formerly an Al-Qaeda subsidiary in Syria until Al-Sharaa cuts ties in 2016.
Western countries have tried to establish relations with Syria in recent months, which faces major sanctions against the old regime.
In late June, Trump signed an executive order formally End sanctions on the stateThe White House said the move was intended to support its “road to stability and peace.”
It added that it will monitor the actions of the new Syrian government, including “taking concrete steps to normalize ties with Israel”, as well as “speaking to foreign terrorists” and “ban Palestinian terrorist organizations.”
Syria’s Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani said the move would “raise barriers” and open the country to the international community.
On Friday, Syria said it was willing to cooperate with the United States to re-enable the 1974 disengagement agreement with Israel.
On the weekend, British Foreign Secretary David Lammy Visited Syria – The first government minister to do so in 14 years.
He met with Al-Sharaa and announced an additional £94.5 million support plan – aimed at supporting countries that have long-term recovery and help Syrian refugees.
Britain earlier lifted sanctions on Syria’s defense and interior ministry.
90% of Syria’s population was placed below the poverty line when it ousted the Assad regime after 13 years of the devastating civil war.
Al-Sharaa has promised a new Syria, but there are some concerns within the country about the operation of the new government – some doubt his radical experience.
To date, only one female government minister has been appointed – Al-Sharaa has made almost all other appointments directly.
There have also been multiple violent attacks on minorities in recent months.
Hundreds of civilians from the Alawite sect were killed in March during a clash between the new security forces and the Assad-Louisians. There is in April Fatal conflict Between the Islamic armed factions, security forces and combatants of the religious minority of Druze. In June, at least 25 people were killed in a suicide attack on a church in Damascus.
