Report: Security Council Granted Ahmad al-Sharaa Exemptions from International Travel Ban
The continued inclusion of Ahmad al-Sharaa on international sanctions lists despite being granted travel exemptions reflects the reality of incomplete international recognition and persistent doubts a
April 14, 2025, 11:51 pm

Report: Security Council Granted Ahmad al-Sharaa Exemptions from International Travel Ban

A report issued by a specialized committee of the UN Security Council revealed that exceptional exemptions from the travel ban were granted to interim transitional President Ahmad al-Sharaa (previously known as Abu Muhammad al-Jolani) and current Interior Minister Anas Khattab, despite their continued inclusion on international sanctions lists related to ISIS and Al-Qaeda organizations.

Official documents showed that the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolutions 1267 (1999), 1989 (2011), and 2253 (2015) concerning counter-terrorism, approved on April 11, 2025, granting al-Sharaa an exemption from the travel ban to visit Turkey to participate in the Antalya Diplomatic Forum to discuss "urgent needs for stability and humanitarian assistance in Syria."

The same committee granted another exemption to al-Sharaa to visit the United Arab Emirates on April 13, 2025, with the aim of "participating in meetings related to regional security, stability, and reconciliation," according to official documents.

Analysts point out that al-Sharaa's continued classification on international terrorism lists and his need to obtain special exemptions for travel reflects ongoing international doubts about his past and previous affiliations with extremist organizations, despite his attempts to present himself as a moderate political leader.

These exceptional exemptions raise questions about the double standards in international dealings with the Syrian file, as the official text of the exemption shows the continued linking of al-Sharaa's name to the sanctions list related to ISIS and Al-Qaeda (QDi.317), while simultaneously granting him diplomatic facilities to move outside Syria and participate in international forums.

Experts in Syrian affairs view these exemptions as an attempt to test the extent of al-Sharaa's commitment to the pledges he made to the international community, at a time when indicators continue to raise doubts about the practices of Syria's interim caretaker government on the ground, especially regarding dealing with different societal components and ensuring basic freedoms.

Analysts believe that these exemptions represent an indicator of the international community's hesitation toward the new Syrian situation, as positions range between conditional openness and continued caution regarding the current leadership's past and affiliations.

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BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, has sponsored the BuildHer CityHack 2025 Hackathon, a two-day event spearheaded by the College of Engineering and Technology at the Royal University for Women (RUW).
Aimed at secondary school students, the event brought together a distinguished group of academic professionals and technology experts to mentor and inspire young participants.
More than 100 high school students from across the Kingdom of Bahrain took part in the hackathon, which featured an intensive programme of training workshops and hands-on sessions. These activities were tailored to enhance participants’ critical thinking, collaborative problem-solving, and team-building capabilities, while also encouraging the development of practical and sustainable solutions to contemporary challenges using modern technological tools.
BENEFIT’s Chief Executive Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi, commented: “Our support for this educational hackathon reflects our long-term strategic vision to nurture the talents of emerging national youth and empower the next generation of accomplished female leaders in technology. By fostering creativity and innovation, we aim to contribute meaningfully to Bahrain’s comprehensive development goals and align with the aspirations outlined in the Kingdom’s Vision 2030—an ambition in which BENEFIT plays a central role.”
Professor Riyadh Yousif Hamzah, President of the Royal University for Women, commented: “This initiative reflects our commitment to advancing women in STEM fields. We're cultivating a generation of creative, solution-driven female leaders who will drive national development. Our partnership with BENEFIT exemplifies the powerful synergy between academia and private sector in supporting educational innovation.”
Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager, PR & Communication at BENEFIT, said: “We are honoured to collaborate with RUW in supporting this remarkable technology-focused event. It highlights our commitment to social responsibility, and our ongoing efforts to enhance the digital and innovation capabilities of young Bahraini women and foster their ability to harness technological tools in the service of a smarter, more sustainable future.”
For his part, Dr. Humam ElAgha, Acting Dean of the College of Engineering and Technology at the University, said: “BuildHer CityHack 2025 embodies our hands-on approach to education. By tackling real-world problems through creative thinking and sustainable solutions, we're preparing women to thrive in the knowledge economy – a cornerstone of the University's vision.”