Could A Key Rebel Group Be Removed From the Terrorist List? A UN Envoy Weighs In On Syria’s Future
Geir Pedersen, UN special envoy
On Syria, offered a glimmer of hope for a group once deemed a terrorist organization.
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During a briefing, Pedersen suggested the possibility of removing Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) from the UN’s list of proscribed groups if it successfully forms a truly inclusive transitional government in Syria.
However, he stressed that HTS could not govern in the same way it ruled the northern province of Idlib. When asked about the future of HTas he said: “It is undeniable that UN Resolution 2254 designated the precursor to HTS, the al-Nusra Front, as a terrorist organization “It is a complicating factor for all of us,” he said. He added that “We have to be honest and look at the facts. It has been nine years since that resolution was adopted, and the reality so far is that HTS
and other armed groups have been sending
good messages to the Syrian people of unity and inclusiveness. In Hama and Aleppo there have been reassuring things on the ground.”
“My message is Syria cannot be run like Idlib.” He also said that HTS had reconsidered its position, discussing the possibility of disbanding and reforming as a group openly opposed to international terrorism, a move that could allow it to shed its terrorist label.
While the path to a peaceful resolution remains complex, the international community has unified its message: Syria must transition towards a goverment that represents all communities. Yet, the envoy cautioned, this facade of unity
could mask competing interests from various
countries and factions
seeking to advance their own agendas.
Speaking in Geneva, Pedersen underscored the
need for “credible and inclusive transitional arrangements in Damascus. This means we need orderly inclusive arrangements, ensuring the broadest possible representation of Syrian society and parties. If this is not happening, we risk new conflict in Syria.”
While acknowledging the improved cooperation among armed groups in fostering stability in Damascus, Pedersen warned
that the situation remained precarious outside its borders, and urged
lasting solution the fate of the Alawite community on the Syrian coast; continuing clashes between the Syrian national army and Syrian
Kurds fighting under the banner of the Syrian defense forces; and continued Israeli incursions into Syria.
The outcome hinges on Turkey and Qatar’s ability to prevent ethnic and sectarian tensions from escalating. Synchronization reached
over the past few years but has proven ineffective during
diplomatic efforts to逼
force Assad to negotiate.
The process of negotiating a new Syrian constitution continues to be fraught with di tool to ensure truly
Prakash that
challenges.
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In an attempt to incentivize these armed groups, Pedersen implied that the
establishment of a
truly inclusive transitional body could lead to the lifting of sanctions, increased humanitarian support, the return of refugees, the revival of the Syrian economy, and
finally, achieving justice
for
crimes
committed
by the former regime.
The road to bring lasting peace to Syria remains long and fraught with uncertainties.
the international community has outlined its vision – a
