Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa addresses the 80th U.N. General Assembly (UNGA) at the U.N. headquarters in New York City on Sept. 24, 2025. Jeenah Moon/Reuters
The U.N. Security Council voted Thursday to end terrorism-related sanctions on Syria’s interim president and interior minister, acknowledging the country’s change after Bashar al-Assad was deposed in early December 2024.
The resolution, sponsored by the United States, was adopted via 14 votes in favor and an abstention by China. It removes Ahmed al-Sharaa—previously known as Mohammed al-Jolani—leader of political and military group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), and Interior Minister Anas Khattab from sanctions aimed at ISIS and al-Qaida associates.
