Sanctions Removed Before Trump Meeting
The Trump administration has lifted sanctions on Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa in anticipation of his meeting with President Trump scheduled for Monday.
A notice published on the Treasury website indicated that the U.S. has rescinded the Specially Designated Global Terrorist designations for Mr. al-Sharaa and Syria’s interior minister, Anas Khattab. The announcement did not elaborate on the reasons behind this decision.
Mr. al-Sharaa, who leads the Islamist rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, played a significant role in ousting former Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad’s regime last December. Previously affiliated with Al Qaeda, he was once a wanted terrorist with a $10 million bounty placed on him.
However, he severed ties with Al Qaeda several years ago.
The removal of these sanctions follows an executive order from Mr. Trump in May that eased most U.S. economic restrictions on Syria. This marked a significant shift in U.S. policy towards Syria during a surprise visit to the Middle East, where Mr. Trump met with Mr. al-Sharaa in Saudi Arabia.
The stringent U.S. sanctions imposed during Assad’s two-decade rule had deterred potential investors, but now neighboring Arab countries and others are eager to begin reconstruction efforts in Syria—a project that promises substantial financial opportunities for developers.
This initiative could also contribute to stabilizing a nation long associated with terrorism and drug trafficking.
On Thursday, the United Nations Security Council voted to remove Mr. al-Sharaa from its terrorism sanctions list following a resolution proposed by the U.S., which passed with 14 votes in favor while China abstained.
This resolution also led to the lifting of sanctions against Mr. Khattab.
In July, the State Department annulled the $10 million bounty on Mr. al-Sharaa and revoked Hayat Tahrir al-Sham’s terrorist designation.
On Monday, Mr. al-Sharaa will become the first Syrian president to visit the White House, where he is expected to collaborate on efforts against the Islamic State, recognized as a terrorist organization.
