### US Revokes Terrorist Designation for Syria's HTS: A Shift in Policy The United States has officially revoked the Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) designation of Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a group previously linked to al-Qaeda. This decision marks a significant shift in U.S. foreign policy towards Syria, particularly following the ousting of Bashar al-Assad's regime in December 2024. The HTS, which had been labeled a terrorist organization since 2018, played a crucial role in the recent political changes in Syria, including the integration of its fighters into the Syrian military. The revocation of the designation is part of a broader strategy to ease sanctions on Syria and engage with the new transitional government led by President Ahmad al-Sharaa [https://www.business-standard.com/world-news/us-revokes-foreign-terrorist-designation-of-syria-s-hts-125070800153_1.html, https://www.mid-day.com/news/world-news/article/trump-administration-revokes-terrorism-designation-of-new-syrian-leaders-group-23583688]. ### Breakdown of the Policy Shift 1. **Background of HTS**: - HTS was formed from the al-Nusrah Front, which had ties to al-Qaeda. - The group was designated as a terrorist organization by the U.S. in 2018 due to these connections [https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/us-revokes-terrorist-designation-for-syrias-hts-211239]. 2. **Recent Developments**: - The U.S. lifted the FTO designation as part of a broader engagement strategy with Syria's transitional government. - This decision follows the lifting of sanctions on Syria after the fall of the Assad regime [https://www.euronews.com/2025/07/08/trump-administration-revokes-foreign-terrorist-designation-for-syrias-hts]. 3. **Implications of the Revocation**: - The move is seen as a recognition of the new Syrian leadership's efforts to stabilize the country. - It signals a potential shift in U.S. foreign policy towards a more inclusive approach in Syria [https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/international/3496452-us-revokes-terrorist-status-a-new-era-for-syria]. ### Supporting Evidence and Data - **Timeline of Events**: - **2018**: HTS designated as a terrorist organization by the U.S. due to its al-Qaeda ties. - **December 2024**: Assad regime is overthrown, leading to a transitional government. - **July 2025**: U.S. revokes the terrorist designation of HTS, coinciding with the lifting of sanctions [https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-07-07/us-removes-terrorist-designation-of-syrian-rebel-group-hts/?srnd=homepage-americas]. - **Key Statements**: - Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized that the decision recognizes the positive actions taken by the new Syrian government [https://www.usnews.com/news/us/articles/2025-07-07/trump-administration-revokes-terrorism-designation-of-new-syrian-leaders-group]. ### Conclusion: A New Era for U.S.-Syria Relations In summary, the U.S. revocation of the terrorist designation for HTS represents a **major shift in foreign policy** aimed at fostering stability in Syria. This decision is part of a broader strategy to engage with the new transitional government and ease sanctions that have been in place since the Assad regime. The implications of this policy change could lead to a more inclusive and stable political environment in Syria, as the U.S. seeks to reintegrate the country into the international community [https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/politics/3496355-us-lifts-terror-designation-on-syria-amid-new-leadership]. 1. **Background of HTS and its designation**. 2. **Recent developments leading to the revocation**. 3. **Implications for U.S.-Syria relations moving forward**.