WASHINGTON D.C. – The United Nations Security Council voted on Thursday, November 6, 2025, to lift sanctions on Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa and his Interior Minister, Anas Khattab, marking a pivotal moment in the nation's return to the international stage. The resolution, drafted by the United States, was approved by 14 members of the council, with China abstaining. The decision came just days before President al-Sharaa is scheduled for a historic meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House on Monday, November 10, 2025.

This development represents a significant diplomatic shift, formally removing the Syrian leaders from the UN's ISIL (Da'esh) and Al-Qaeda Sanctions List. The sanctions, which included a travel ban, asset freeze, and arms embargo, were imposed due to their leadership roles in Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a group formerly linked to al-Qaeda. HTS led the rebel offensive that successfully ousted President Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, ending a brutal 13-year civil war. Al-Sharaa, previously known by his nom de guerre Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, was appointed transitional president in January 2025.

A New Era for Syria

The U.S. Ambassador to the UN, Mike Waltz, described the vote as a "strong political signal that recognises Syria is in a new era." The move follows a series of steps by Western powers to re-engage with Damascus. In July 2025, the United States formally revoked the designation of HTS as a foreign terrorist organization, a decision followed by the United Kingdom in October. These actions were predicated on the new Syrian government's commitments to counter-terrorism, facilitate humanitarian access, and pursue an inclusive political process.

President Trump had signaled a major policy shift in May 2025 during a visit to Riyadh, where he announced his intention to lift U.S. sanctions and met with al-Sharaa for the first time. The upcoming White House meeting is expected to further solidify this new relationship, with reports suggesting Syria may agree to join the international U.S.-led coalition against the Islamic State (IS).

Implications for Global and Regional Stability

While direct implications for Kenya and the East Africa region appear minimal, the reintegration of Syria into the global fold carries broader significance. Kenya's foreign policy is anchored on pillars of peace and economic diplomacy, emphasizing the importance of global stability for its own prosperity and security. The end of the Syrian conflict and the country's move towards a stable, internationally-recognized government aligns with Kenya's interest in a rules-based international order and the peaceful resolution of conflicts.

Trade between Kenya and Syria has been negligible, with Kenyan exports to Syria amounting to just US$1.41 million in 2023, primarily in coffee and textiles. Similarly, there is no significant population of Syrian refugees in Kenya, with the vast majority of refugees in the country originating from neighboring states like Somalia and South Sudan.

However, the shift in Syria's status is a critical test for the UN Security Council and international counter-terrorism frameworks. The delisting of a former al-Qaeda affiliate and its leader is a pragmatic recognition of a new political reality but also raises complex questions for global security policy. For East Africa, a region that continues to grapple with threats from extremist groups like al-Shabaab, the evolution of international responses to groups like HTS will be watched closely.

Syria's ambassador to the UN, Ibrahim Olabi, welcomed the vote, stating it reflects the will of the Syrian people to "return our country to its rightful place among nations." The transitional government has pledged to rebuild the nation, which faces an estimated $216 billion in reconstruction costs according to a recent World Bank report, and to establish a modern state founded on the rule of law. The lifting of these key UN sanctions is a critical step in unlocking the international financial systems and investment necessary for this monumental task.