Washington Post: Biden Will Not Remove New Syrian Leader from Terrorist List

According to a report by the Washington Post, the current U.S. government has decided to keep the new Islamist rulers of Syria on the terrorist list until the end of President Joe Biden's term. This decision means that critical decisions regarding Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham and its leader, Ahmad al-Shar'a (Jolani), will be left to the next administration under President Donald Trump. The Washington Post, published on Wednesday, January 9, cited three knowledgeable American officials who confirmed this matter. The designation of Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham as a terrorist organization by the U.S. government is a significant obstacle to Syria's economic recovery. However, U.S. officials have stated that these Islamist rebels, who surprised the world a few weeks ago by ousting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, must prove that they have completely severed ties with extremist groups, especially al-Qaeda, in order for this terrorist label to be lifted. The Washington Post quoted a senior U.S. official as saying, 'Actions matter more than words,' recalling Washington's concerns about the presence of foreign fighters and other jihadists in positions within the Syrian Ministry of Defense. This official and other knowledgeable sources spoke to the reputable American newspaper on the condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the issue. Donald Trump, the elected President of the United States, has appointed staunch critics of extremist Islamism to senior White House positions, including Sebastian Gorka as Senior Counterterrorism Advisor and Michael Waltz as National Security Advisor. With the decision regarding the terrorist status of Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham being handed over to the Trump administration, it is expected that the period of severe U.S. sanctions against Syria, which were imposed during Bashar al-Assad's rule, will significantly increase. Barbara Leaf, a senior U.S. diplomat for Middle Eastern affairs, announced on December 21 that the $10 million reward from the U.S. State Department regarding Ahmad al-Shar'a has been canceled, as he has committed to ensuring that 'terrorist groups cannot pose a threat inside or outside of Syria.' The United States reduced some restrictions on the transitional Syrian government this past Monday to facilitate humanitarian aid following the overthrow of Assad's regime by Islamist rebels led by al-Shar'a last December.