Reuters: UN finds no active ties between Al Qaeda and Syria’s interim government

An unpublished United Nations report has found no evidence of "active ties" this year between Al Qaeda and Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the Islamist group leading Syria's interim government, a development that could bolster the United States’ efforts to remove UN sanctions on Syria.

The report, seen by Reuters on July 10 and expected to be published later this month, covers the six-month period ending June 22. It draws on assessments and contributions from UN member states, Reuters reports.

Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham, previously known as al-Nusra Front, was Al Qaeda's branch in Syria before it severed ties in 2016. HTS led the rebellion that rapidly toppled President Bashar al-Assad's government in December, with HTS leader Ahmed al-Sharaa assuming the role of Syria's interim president.

The report states: "Many tactical-level individuals hold more extreme views than ... Sharaa and Interior Minister Anas Khattab, who are generally regarded as more pragmatic than ideological."

Since May 2014, HTS has been subject to UN sanctions including a global assets freeze and arms embargo. Several HTS members, including Sharaa, have also faced travel bans and asset freezes. Sharaa has been listed under sanctions since July 2013.

However, the UN monitors noted in their report to the Security Council that "some member states raised concerns that several HTS and aligned members, especially those in tactical roles or integrated into the new Syrian army, remained ideologically tied to Al Qaeda."

The United States has recently taken significant steps to shift its policy on Syria. In May, President Donald Trump announced a major change, stating his intent to lift US sanctions on Syria. This was enacted via an executive order at the end of June. Furthermore, the US revoked its foreign terrorist organisation designation of HTS this week.