Britain lifts sanctions on Syrian president ahead of White House meeting

Britain has removed sanctions on Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, following a similar decision by the United Nations Security Council, ahead of his scheduled meeting with US President Donald Trump next week, with the European Union confirming it would follow suit.

A notice on the UK government’s website confirmed that sanctions on Syria’s Interior Minister, Anas Khattab, were also being lifted. Both men had previously been subject to financial sanctions targeting Islamic State and al Qaeda, including travel bans, asset freezes, and arms embargoes, Reuters reports.

Sharaa, formerly known as Abu Mohammad al-Julani, assumed the Syrian presidency in January after insurgent forces led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) swiftly ousted Bashar al-Assad. Once a senior figure in HTS and previously affiliated with al Qaeda, Sharaa was sanctioned by the UN and the UK in 2014.

The UN Security Council lifted those sanctions on November 6, citing a lack of active ties between HTS and al Qaeda. The timing of the decision coincides with Sharaa’s planned White House visit on November 10.

Following Britain’s announcement, the Syrian government did not immediately respond to requests for comment, as Friday, November 7 is not a working day in the country.

By Vafa Guliyeva