The United States on 24 August 2026 removed Syria’s designation as a State Sponsor of Terrorism and simultaneously lifted key terrorism-related sanctions on Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), while imposing fresh sanctions on two individuals linked to al-Qa’ida and Hurras al-Din.
The U.S. Department of State rescinded Syria’s State Sponsor of Terrorism designation. According to the U.S. Treasury and the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), Syria is therefore no longer subject to the prohibitions under the Terrorism List Governments Sanctions Regulations, 31 CFR part 596, or 22 U.S.C. 7205(a)(1).
HTS removed from the SDN List
The State Department also revoked the designation of al-Nusrah Front, also known as Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist. OFAC concurrently removed HTS from the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List.
As a result, HTS is no longer blocked under the Global Terrorism Sanctions Regulations or Executive Order 13224, as amended. U.S. persons no longer require OFAC authorization solely to transact with HTS, provided the activity does not involve other blocked persons or otherwise prohibited conduct.
The move follows the State Department’s July 2025 revocation of HTS’s designation as a Foreign Terrorist Organization.
OFAC also revoked Syria General License 25, which had authorized certain transactions that could otherwise have been restricted because of HTS’s role in the Syrian government. OFAC updated related FAQs and the Departments of Commerce, State and Treasury issued an updated Tri-Seal Advisory summarizing U.S. sanctions and export-control relief for Syria.
Two former HTS affiliates newly designated
At the same time, OFAC designated two former HTS affiliates under Executive Order 13224, as amended, underscoring that the broader sanctions relief does not extend to individuals Treasury says continue to support terrorist organizations.
Sa’d Bin Sa’d Muhammad Shariyan al-Ka’bi was designated for materially assisting or providing support to al-Qa’ida. Treasury said he supervised financial and logistical support for terrorist groups, including the transfer of funds to al-Qa’ida leaders.
Jamal Husayn Zayniyah was designated for acting for or on behalf of Hurras al-Din. Treasury said he had been a leader of Hurras al-Din since around 2020 after leaving a senior HTS role, and that as of 2025 he was forming a Hurras al-Din cell in Syria.
Property and interests in property of the newly designated persons that are in the United States or in the possession or control of U.S. persons are blocked and must be reported to OFAC. Entities owned 50% or more, directly or indirectly and in aggregate, by blocked persons are also blocked.
The 24 August action is therefore both a significant sanctions-relief measure for Syria and a targeted counter-terrorist-financing action. For financial institutions and sanctions-screening teams, the change requires prompt updating of sanctions lists and controls: HTS has been removed from U.S. blocking restrictions, while the two newly designated individuals remain subject to OFAC prohibitions.
