The United States formally removed Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa from its Specially Designated Global Terrorist list on Friday, facilitating his scheduled White House visit on November 10. Previously designated due to affiliations with al-Qaeda and subject to a $10 million bounty, al-Sharaa now receives recognition for his administration's compliance with U.S. priorities, including efforts to locate missing American citizens and dismantle residual chemical weapons stockpiles. The State Department cited these developments as evidence of Syria's transition from the Assad regime's repressive legacy.

State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott described the delisting as an acknowledgment of substantive reforms following Bashar al-Assad's removal after more than 50 years in power. "These actions reflect the tangible advancements under al-Sharaa's leadership," Pigott stated. The U.S. initiative aligns with Thursday's UN Security Council resolution, which lifted sanctions on al-Sharaa and Interior Minister Anas Khattab with 14 votes in favor and China's abstention. This measure, drafted by Washington, underscores a coordinated international effort to support Syria's stabilization.

Al-Sharaa assumed leadership nearly one year ago through a rapid offensive led by his Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group, supported by Turkish forces and Gulf states. HTS, formerly al-Nusra Front, severed al-Qaeda ties in 2016 and was delisted as a foreign terrorist organization by the U.S. in July 2025. Al-Sharaa's government has prioritized political transition, counterterrorism, and economic recovery, distancing itself from prior extremism while addressing internal divisions.

Also Read: US Government Urges Appeals Court to Overturn Trump’s Hush Money Conviction

The forthcoming discussions with President Donald Trump represent the first White House visit by a Syrian head of state since independence in 1946. Trump, who met al-Sharaa in Riyadh in May, has pledged economic assistance and security cooperation to counter regional threats. Such commitments could enhance counterterrorism initiatives and stabilize energy supplies, though congressional hurdles remain for full sanctions relief under the Caesar Act.

Israel has expressed reservations, conducting airstrikes on Syrian sites post-Assad to mitigate risks from potential adversaries. Despite these tensions, the engagement signals a U.S. strategy to integrate Syria into broader Middle East frameworks, potentially fostering reconstruction and diplomatic normalization. The summit's outcomes may influence Syria's path toward inclusivity or risk exacerbating geopolitical frictions.

Also Read: US Arms Sale to Rio Police Unit Linked to 121 Deaths in Recent Raids