U.S. removes Abdullah al-Muhaysini and HTS from sanctions list

In late August 2026, the United States Department of the Treasury removed former jihadist preacher Abdullah al-Muhaysini from the Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) list. Al-Muhaysini previously served as a religious advisor to the Al-Nusra Front during the Syrian Civil War, where he was involved in recruiting fighters and building power structures.

This move coincides with a shift in U.S. policy toward Syria, as Washington has also removed the terrorist designation for the Al-Nusra Front, now known as Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), and removed the group from the SDN list.

While the central core of Al-Qaeda has weakened since the September 11 attacks, its regional affiliates remain operationally strong in parts of Africa and Asia. These branches are increasingly distancing themselves from the central leadership. Notable active groups include Jamaat Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) in the Sahel, Al-Shabaab in Somalia, and Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) in Yemen.