UN Removes Sanctions on Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa Ahead of Historic Trump Meeting

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa is scheduled to meet with US President Donald Trump at the White House on Monday, following significant diplomatic developments.

The United Nations Security Council has officially removed sanctions on Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, paving the way for his upcoming high-level meeting with US President Donald Trump.

Thursday's US-drafted resolution also eliminated sanctions against Syrian Interior Minister Anas Khattab. The measure received strong support with 14 votes in favor, while China chose to abstain from voting.

For several months, Washington has been actively advocating for the 15-member Security Council to ease the sanctions imposed on Syria.

Syria's political landscape dramatically shifted in December when President Bashar al-Assad was ousted following a rapid offensive conducted by insurgent forces, primarily led by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), ending 13 years of civil war.

HTS, previously known as the Nusra Front, functioned as al Qaeda's official Syrian branch until severing those connections in 2016. The organization has been included on the UN Security Council's al Qaeda and Islamic State sanctions list since May 2014.

Several HTS members, including leader Sharaa and Khattab, have been under UN sanctions, which included travel bans, asset freezes, and arms embargoes.

In May, President Trump announced a major shift in US foreign policy by declaring his intention to lift American sanctions on Syria.

According to a UN report viewed by Reuters in July, United Nations sanctions monitors have not observed any "active ties" between al Qaeda and HTS during this calendar year.