US Removes Terrorist Designation of Syrian Rebel Group HTS
Soldiers from Hayat Tahrir al-Sham march through Umayyad Square during a mourning demonstration in Damascus, on Dec 27.
Photographer: Chris McGrath/Getty ImagesThe US State Department is revoking the foreign terrorist designation of an Islamist rebel group that played a key role in downfall of Bashar Al-Assad’s regime in Syria, a week after President Donald Trump ordered the termination of sanctions on the country.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the revocation of Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham’s terrorist status will take effect on July 8, following the “announced dissolution of HTS and the Syrian government’s commitment to combat terrorism in all its forms.”