Trump Administration Opposes Removing "Tahrir al-Sham" from Terrorism Lists
The incoming U.S. administration's position reflects extreme caution regarding removing HTS from terrorism lists despite regional pressure
December 18, 2024, 9:57 pm

ترامب \ تعبيرية \ متداول

An informed source told "Sky News Arabia" that the incoming U.S. administration led by Donald Trump has requested the White House to refrain from removing "Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham" and its leader Abu Mohammad al-Jolani from American terrorism records in the coming period.

The source, expected to join the upcoming Trump administration, explained their keenness to carefully verify the decision, especially with regional countries divided between those supporting removing the faction and its leader from the list, and those warning of consequences for regional stability.

The source reported Trump administration's monitoring of several foreign files, including the Middle East, noting their request to extend the "Caesar Act" signed by Trump in 2019, and predicted Senate voting to extend it or draft new legislation addressing Syrian developments.

These developments coincided with European governments sending missions to Damascus, preparing to resume diplomatic relations with Syria under the new administration, in a move reflecting implicit reconciliation with the new authorities.

In the same context, British Minister for Cabinet Office Pat McFadden told "Sky News" that London "will study" lifting the ban on Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham, adding that "this will partly depend on what happens in terms of how the group behaves now."

Several countries classify Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham, which was affiliated with Al-Qaeda, as a banned terrorist organization, making supporting or joining it illegal.

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BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, has sponsored the BuildHer CityHack 2025 Hackathon, a two-day event spearheaded by the College of Engineering and Technology at the Royal University for Women (RUW).
Aimed at secondary school students, the event brought together a distinguished group of academic professionals and technology experts to mentor and inspire young participants.
More than 100 high school students from across the Kingdom of Bahrain took part in the hackathon, which featured an intensive programme of training workshops and hands-on sessions. These activities were tailored to enhance participants’ critical thinking, collaborative problem-solving, and team-building capabilities, while also encouraging the development of practical and sustainable solutions to contemporary challenges using modern technological tools.
BENEFIT’s Chief Executive Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi, commented: “Our support for this educational hackathon reflects our long-term strategic vision to nurture the talents of emerging national youth and empower the next generation of accomplished female leaders in technology. By fostering creativity and innovation, we aim to contribute meaningfully to Bahrain’s comprehensive development goals and align with the aspirations outlined in the Kingdom’s Vision 2030—an ambition in which BENEFIT plays a central role.”
Professor Riyadh Yousif Hamzah, President of the Royal University for Women, commented: “This initiative reflects our commitment to advancing women in STEM fields. We're cultivating a generation of creative, solution-driven female leaders who will drive national development. Our partnership with BENEFIT exemplifies the powerful synergy between academia and private sector in supporting educational innovation.”
Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager, PR & Communication at BENEFIT, said: “We are honoured to collaborate with RUW in supporting this remarkable technology-focused event. It highlights our commitment to social responsibility, and our ongoing efforts to enhance the digital and innovation capabilities of young Bahraini women and foster their ability to harness technological tools in the service of a smarter, more sustainable future.”
For his part, Dr. Humam ElAgha, Acting Dean of the College of Engineering and Technology at the University, said: “BuildHer CityHack 2025 embodies our hands-on approach to education. By tackling real-world problems through creative thinking and sustainable solutions, we're preparing women to thrive in the knowledge economy – a cornerstone of the University's vision.”