Syria's al-Sharaa overhauls security leadership as US signals delisting

President Ahmed al-Sharaa has reorganised Syria's security and intelligence apparatus. Interior Minister Anas Khattab was given an additional role as head of the National Security Bureau, while Hussein al‑Salamah was named deputy head, Mulham al‑Shantout became assistant interior minister for security affairs, and Abdul Qader Tahan was appointed chief of the General Intelligence Service. The government says the reshuffle will strengthen national security, promote stability and clear the way for reconstruction.

U.S. President Donald Trump praised al‑Sharaa’s progress and indicated that Washington intends to remove Syria from the State Sponsors of Terrorism list, following earlier lifts of economic sanctions. Trump made the remarks ahead of a bilateral meeting with al‑Sharaa in Ankara during the NATO summit, signaling a notable shift in U.S.‑Syria relations.