US Removes Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa from Terrorist Blacklist Ahead of Washington Visit

US-Syria Diplomatic Developments

The United States and the UN Security Council have removed Syrian President Ahmed al‑Sharaa from terrorism-related sanctions lists ahead of his planned White House meeting with President Donald Trump on November 10. This step is seen by many outlets as marking a new era in relations following the removal of Bashar al‑Assad. Multiple reports indicate that the UN vote passed with 14 in favor and China abstaining.

US authorities separately delisted al‑Sharaa and Interior Minister Anas Khattab from the Treasury and State Department terror lists. Several outlets emphasize the historic nature of the visit, though they differ on how unprecedented it is. Some describe it as the first visit by a Syrian president since 1946, others as the first US–Syrian leader meeting in 25 years, and some simply as the first visit by a Syrian leader to the US or the White House.

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Rise of al-Sharaa and HTS

Reports converge that al-Sharaa rose to power after HTS-led forces ousted Assad in late 2024. He previously led or was a senior figure in Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a group formerly linked to al-Qaeda. Several outlets add that HTS severed ties with al-Qaeda in 2016 and was removed from the US terror list this July.

Justifications for delisting al-Sharaa include his cooperation in locating missing Americans and eliminating chemical weapons. Assessments also indicate that HTS no longer maintains active ties to al-Qaeda. Some sources identify him as the former insurgent leader known as Julani, though they differ on the exact alias.

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UN Vote and Sanctions on Syria

Diplomatically, the UN vote passed with 14 in favor and China abstaining. Chinese concerns centered on counterterrorism and foreign fighters such as the East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM). Pakistan and Russia welcomed the move, framing it as support for Syria’s reconstruction and sovereignty.

Inside the US, reporting diverges on what sanctions remain. Some outlets say the toughest congressional sanctions still stand and require Congress to repeal. Others report moves in Congress or by the administration to roll them back, including possible efforts to repeal the Caesar Act.

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Syria-US Diplomatic Developments

Policy agendas around the visit vary by outlet. Several report that Washington and Damascus are discussing Syria’s entry into the US-led anti-ISIS coalition. Some say al-Sharaa will sign accession during the trip.

Others highlight broader normalization and security diplomacy. This includes reports that Syria and Israel have begun direct negotiations toward possible 2025 security arrangements.

US and allies see this as part of a wider reassessment of Syria’s status after Assad’s overthrow. Trump’s praise for al-Sharaa’s progress is also noted in this context.

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Ongoing Conflict and Political Tensions

Despite moves toward reintegration, some reports highlight ongoing tensions and contradictions. UN News notes the paradox that HTS, a designated terrorist group, now leads the government under al‑Sharaa. The same report confusingly mentions “Syrian President Assad” meeting Putin and soon Trump, which clashes with numerous outlets that say Assad fled in December 2024.

Other sources stress continuing conflict risks. DW points to Damascus being controlled by HTS.

PressTV reports significant displacement and continued violence since HTS took control. Le Monde.fr adds that Israel initially opposed Washington’s shift and conducted airstrikes in Syria after Assad’s fall, underscoring persistent regional frictions.

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