Trump Administration Opposes Removing "Tahrir al-Sham" from Terrorism Lists

Trump Administration Opposes Removing "Tahrir al-Sham" from Terrorism Lists
The incoming U.S. administration's position reflects extreme caution regarding removing HTS from terrorism lists despite regional pressure
December 18, 2024, 9:57 pm

ترامب \ تعبيرية \ متداول

An informed source told "Sky News Arabia" that the incoming U.S. administration led by Donald Trump has requested the White House to refrain from removing "Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham" and its leader Abu Mohammad al-Jolani from American terrorism records in the coming period.

The source, expected to join the upcoming Trump administration, explained their keenness to carefully verify the decision, especially with regional countries divided between those supporting removing the faction and its leader from the list, and those warning of consequences for regional stability.

The source reported Trump administration's monitoring of several foreign files, including the Middle East, noting their request to extend the "Caesar Act" signed by Trump in 2019, and predicted Senate voting to extend it or draft new legislation addressing Syrian developments.

These developments coincided with European governments sending missions to Damascus, preparing to resume diplomatic relations with Syria under the new administration, in a move reflecting implicit reconciliation with the new authorities.

In the same context, British Minister for Cabinet Office Pat McFadden told "Sky News" that London "will study" lifting the ban on Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham, adding that "this will partly depend on what happens in terms of how the group behaves now."

Several countries classify Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham, which was affiliated with Al-Qaeda, as a banned terrorist organization, making supporting or joining it illegal.

Levant-Sky News

Paris Calls for Integration of Kurds in Syrian Political Process Israel Penetrates 9 Kilometers into Syrian Daraa Countryside