The Biden-Harris administration is reportedly considering removing the terrorist designation for Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a Syrian rebel group with ties to Al Qaeda. The move, first reported by Politico, aims to legitimize HTS to provide billions in U.S. humanitarian aid for post-civil war reconstruction in Syria. However, critics warn the decision could backfire, echoing past controversies over similar policy shifts.
HTS, which recently led the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad’s regime, is headed by Ahmad al-Sharaa, also known as Muhammad al-Jawlani. Al-Jawlani is a former Al Qaeda leader and remains on the U.S. State Department’s Rewards for Justice program with a $10 million bounty. Despite claiming to sever ties with Al Qaeda, HTS’s ideology and leadership raise concerns. Al-Jawlani’s name itself, referencing the Golan Heights, has drawn criticism as a potential signal of the group’s hostility toward Israel and the West.
The debate over HTS’s status resembles the Biden administration’s 2021 decision to delist the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen. That policy, aimed at facilitating aid, resulted in intensified Houthi aggression, including attacks on international shipping and missile strikes on Israeli civilians. Critics argue that removing HTS from the terrorist list could similarly embolden extremists under the guise of humanitarian support.
Supporters of the policy contend that legitimizing HTS may stabilize Syria after Assad’s removal and help rebuild the country. However, U.S. officials remain divided, with some warning of the risks of empowering a group with extremist roots. The administration is under pressure to balance the need for aid with the potential security risks posed by HTS’s history and ongoing connections.
