The U.N. Security Council voted Thursday to end terrorism-related sanctions on Syria’s interim president and interior minister, acknowledging the country’s change after Bashar al-Assad was deposed in early December 2024.
The resolution, sponsored by the United States, was adopted via 14 votes in favor and an abstention by China. It removes Ahmed al-Sharaa—previously known as Mohammed al-Jolani—leader of political and military group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), and Interior Minister Anas Khattab from sanctions aimed at ISIS and al-Qaida associates.
The move comes ahead of a reported meeting between al-Sharaa and President Donald Trump in Washington next week.
Thursday’s decision means al-Sharaa and Khattab will no longer be subject to asset freezes and travel bans, which were imposed in 2014 when HTS was designated a terrorist organization by the United Nations….