U.S., U.K. Lift Sanctions on Syria’s Sharaa as He Arrives for White House Talks

Overview

• The UN Security Council voted Thursday to suspend sanctions on President Ahmed al‑Sharaa and Interior Minister Anas Khattab, with China abstaining.
• On Friday the U.S. Treasury and State Departments and the U.K. government removed terrorism designations and related sanctions on both Syrian officials.
• Syrian state media reported that Sharaa arrived in the United States on Saturday ahead of a Monday meeting with President Donald Trump at the White House.
• U.S. officials said the step reflects Syria’s work on locating missing Americans, eliminating any remaining chemical weapons and broader counterterrorism efforts.
• During the visit, the U.S. envoy said Damascus is expected to join the U.S.-led anti‑ISIS coalition, and officials described planning for a limited American security presence near Damascus.