The international classification of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) as a terrorist organization and the sanctions imposed on Syria are facing renewed scrutiny as the geopolitical landscape in the region evolves. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan recently called on Western nations to reconsider HTS’s designation, asserting that the group now operates within the framework of Syria’s Transitional Government (STG), which Ankara recognizes as a legitimate partner.
Speaking to Al Jazeera English on December 18, Fidan said, “I think it is time for the international community, starting with the United Nations, to remove their name from the terrorist list.” He added that officials from the UN, EU, and other international bodies have begun engaging with the new government in Damascus, which emerged after the fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime.
Fidan indicated Turkey’s intent to reevaluate its stance on HTS. Reflecting this policy shift, Turkey has reopened its embassy in Damascus and instructed its ambassador to liaise with the STG.
Shifting Dynamics in Syria
HTS, once a dominant militant faction, is now part of the Command of Military Operations (CMO), a coalition of revolutionary forces, supporting Syria’s caretaker government. The group played a pivotal role in the Repelling the Aggression campaign that ultimately led to the collapse of the Assad regime on November 27.
Ahmad al-Sharaa leads the CMO and has emerged as a key figure in post-Assad Syria. In a BBC interview on December 18, Al-Sharaa emphasized Syria’s commitment to diversity and women’s rights, noting that over 60% of university students in Idlib are women. He called for the lifting of sanctions, arguing that the Assad regime’s atrocities should not cast a shadow on the new administration.
“Syria will not be a second Afghanistan,” Al-Sharaa stated, dismissing comparisons between the two nations’ post-conflict trajectories, noting that Afghanistan was a tribal society with a distinct culture and traditions that differed from those of Syria. He underscored the importance of drafting a constitution that enshrines legal protections for ethnic and religious minorities.
International Reactions
The US, which designated HTS as a terrorist organization in 2017, has adopted a cautious approach. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said Washington would assess the new Syrian government’s actions before reconsidering sanctions or HTS’s designation.
“We want to see a Syrian government that respects women and minorities and does not make Syria a haven for terrorism,” Miller said, adding that the US would prioritize behavior over rhetoric in evaluating HTS.
European nations are also weighing their options. Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares called for dialogue with the new Syrian authority while advocating for clear red lines before lifting sanctions.
The Legacy of the Caesar Act
Sanctions imposed under the 2019 Caesar Act remain a significant barrier to Syria’s full reintegration into the international community. The Act targeted the Assad regime and its supporters, including Russian and Iranian entities, following the release of graphic evidence of detainees tortured to death in Assad’s prisons. While the STG seeks relief from these restrictions, Western powers remain cautious.
A Path Forward
The potential removal of HTS from terrorism lists and the lifting of sanctions on Syria hinge on the transitional government’s ability to demonstrate meaningful reform and adherence to international norms. While al-Sharaa argues that the terror designation is political and unfounded in the present reality critics caution against premature recognition.
The debate reflects the challenge of balancing accountability for past atrocities of the previous regime with fostering stability in a region long plagued by conflict. Whether the international community will embrace Syria’s new government as a partner or maintain its wary stance remains uncertain.
