The United States has formally revoked its Foreign Terrorist Organization designation for Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the Islamist faction that spearheaded the December 2024 overthrow of Bashar al-Assad. A notice signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and filed in the Federal Register shows the decision was taken on 23 June after consultations with the Justice and Treasury departments and will become effective on 8 July 2025. State Department officials said the step follows the announced dissolution of HTS and its integration into Syria’s security forces under the transitional government led by President Ahmed al-Sharaa. The move comes days after President Donald Trump signed a 30 June executive order lifting most U.S. economic sanctions on Syria, part of what the administration describes as a broader effort to stabilise the country and encourage reconstruction. HTS, previously known as Jabhat al-Nusra and once affiliated with al-Qaeda, had been on the U.S. terror list since 2014. Removing the designation eases restrictions on funding, travel and banking for the group and is expected to facilitate wider diplomatic and commercial engagement with Damascus as Washington reviews Syria’s long-standing status as a state sponsor of terrorism. An unpublished U.N. report seen by Reuters found no “active ties” this year between HTS and al-Qaeda, a conclusion U.S. diplomats say strengthens their case for broader multilateral sanctions relief. Russia and China have voiced concerns about the presence of foreign fighters within Syria’s new army, indicating potential resistance to lifting U.N. sanctions on the group and its leadership. Penalties targeting Assad and his senior associates remain in force, but the revocation underscores the swift recalibration of U.S. policy toward post-war Syria. Rubio said the measure "advances President Trump’s vision of a stable, unified and peaceful Syria," while adding that Washington will continue to monitor HTS and other armed factions for any renewed extremist activity.