At the height of the civil war in Syria, the Security Council adopted a major resolution on Syria, designating HTS as a terrorist group. Resolution 2254, adopted unanimously by the Council in 2015, called on member states “in particular to , to prevent and suppress terrorist acts committed by al-Nusra Front.
So, could this fact hinder international or UN-led negotiations with HTS and efforts to build strong, inclusive institutions and maintain stability and peace in Syria? On the other hand, what should HTS do? Could they get out of the category of terrorist organizations? UN News spoke in detail on these issues with Kiho Cha, a senior official of the United Nations Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs. UN News asked him how the Security Council sanctions any group or individual and what are the rules for officially removing them from the list. Kiho Cha: HTS was designated a terrorist group in May 2014 after the Security Council Committee that oversees sanctions against ISIL (Daesh) and al-Qaeda and their affiliates assessed that it was a It is a terrorist organization whose links are linked to Al Qaeda. In July 2024, the Committee’s monitoring team said in a report that Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) is a major terrorist group in northwestern Syria. In this, their alleged leader Mohammed al-Jolani was also listed under this, although his name has been present in the list since 2013. UN News: Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) has been listed as a terrorist organization. What has been the impact on the activities? Kiho Cha: Three sanctions have been imposed against them: asset freeze, travel ban and arms purchase ban. This means that at the international level all member countries are expected to comply with these measures. UN News: In addition to international sanctions, can a country also impose sanctions at its own level? Kiho Cha: Yes, but these have no connection with the United Nations. Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), for example, is listed under the US Office of Foreign Assets Control. UN News: Listing of HTS as a terrorist organization has implications for the country’s future. What impact could it have on related negotiations and agreements? Kiho Cha: Till some time ago the question was being raised whether humanitarian organizations would be allowed to work in Syria. However, asset freeze measures against Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) have now been relaxed, allowing humanitarian organizations to continue their activities. This provision was adopted last week, just days before the fall of the Assad government. Was. This has proved to be a boon for humanitarian organizations, because no one expected the situation in Syria to change like this. Now humanitarian organizations can continue working there without fear of violating sanctions. UN News: Are there other examples of this type of humanitarian exemption? Such as in Afghanistan, where the Taleban have not received widespread recognition at the international level? Kiho Cha: Yes, a Security Council resolution for Afghanistan provides for such a humanitarian exemption. And this has happened in other countries too. Of course, sanctions enforcement and compliance are important, but we also want to ensure that humanitarian aid arrives on time and that humanitarian organizations have the freedom to operate without fear of sanctions violations. UN News: What International Are such waivers also granted to facilitate negotiations? Kiho Cha: Yes, there are generally procedures in place whereby a petitioner (usually an individual) can seek waivers for various reasons. For example, for Taliban members who said they needed to travel outside Afghanistan for political processes. Exemptions may also be granted for other reasons, such as medical needs, or petitioners may apply for an exemption from an asset freeze. UN News: Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) delisted and banned What will have to be done to not be banned as a terrorist organization? Kiho Cha: For this, a proposal will have to be made to remove a member country from the list, which the Security Council will send to the concerned committee. This committee, made up of representatives of the 15 member states of the Security Council, would need to unanimously approve that resolution. UN News: Has such a resolution been made yet? Kiho Cha: It is possible that some member states may consider HTS They may be considering a proposal to remove them from the list of terrorists, but till now no such request has come forward officially.