Fourteen Council members backed the US-drafted resolution, while China abstained from the vote

UNSC Drops Sanctions on Syria’s al-Sharaa Before Washington Visit

The UN Security Council has voted to lift sanctions on Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa and Interior Minister Anas Khattab, following a US-backed resolution passed by 14 members, with China abstaining.

The move, largely symbolic, removes al-Sharaa and Khattab from the ISIL and al-Qaeda sanctions list, lifting previous asset freezes and arms embargoes.

Al-Sharaa, who toppled Bashar al-Assad’s regime in December after a swift HTS-led offensive, has since urged Washington to end broader sanctions on Syria.

US President Donald Trump met al-Sharaa in Riyadh earlier this year and eased some restrictions, though Congressional approval is still required to repeal the Caesar Act sanctions.

In a bipartisan statement, US senators welcomed the UN decision, calling it a step toward reconstruction and stability in Syria.

Al-Sharaa is scheduled to visit Washington next week, marking the first Syrian presidential visit to the US since 1946.