U.N. Report Shows No Active Al Qaeda Ties to Syria’s HTS, Bolstering U.S. Sanctions Push

A confidential U.N. report reviewed by Reuters reveals no evidence of active ties in 2025 between Al Qaeda and Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the Islamist group now leading Syria’s interim government. This finding supports a major U.S. policy shift under President Donald Trump aimed at removing U.N. sanctions on Syria.

HTS, once Syria’s Al Qaeda affiliate under the name al-Nusra Front, severed ties in 2016 and recently led the uprising that ousted Bashar al-Assad. HTS leader Ahmed al-Sharaa now serves as Syria’s interim president. The U.N. report, covering the six months to June 22, said some HTS figures still hold extremist views, but described Sharaa and Interior Minister Anas Khattab as pragmatic.

HTS has been under U.N. sanctions since 2014, including an arms embargo and global asset freeze. Sharaa has also been individually sanctioned since 2013. However, with the U.S. recently revoking its foreign terrorist designation of HTS and lifting national sanctions, a push for U.N. sanctions relief is expected.

Washington argues that lifting sanctions could aid Syria’s economic recovery, counter Iranian and Russian influence, and reduce the appeal of extremist groups. However, winning U.N. Security Council approval remains difficult, especially from Russia and China, both of which voiced concerns over the presence of 5,000+ foreign fighters and their integration into Syria’s new military.

China has warned Syria to fulfill counter-terrorism obligations, citing concerns over the Turkistan Islamic Party, while Russia emphasized the need for a vetted, professional military. The U.N. warned of risks, including defections and internal conflict, as some foreign fighters oppose Sharaa’s leadership.

The full U.N. report is expected to be published later this month.