Maldives Delists HTS and Lifts Syria No-Fly Zone in Foreign Policy Shift

The Maldivian government has removed Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) from its national list of terrorist organisations and lifted the no-fly zone and travel ban imposed on Maldivian citizens travelling to Syria.

The decision was published in the official gazette on Thursday by the President’s Office, following recommendations from the National Security Council. It was issued as part of the statutory annual review required under the Anti-Terrorism Act.

Under the Act, the President is required to publish an updated list of designated terrorist organisations and prohibited war zones each year.

HTS had been listed as a terrorist organisation by the Maldives since October 2019. The group took control of Syria in December 2024 following the collapse of the government led by Bashar al-Assad and has since assumed governing authority in Damascus.

At the same time, the government removed Syria from its list of designated war zones, lifting restrictions that had prohibited Maldivians from travelling to the country without prior government approval. Previously, violations of the travel ban and support for listed groups were subject to severe criminal penalties.

Government sources said the changes reflect developments in Syria and evolving international responses to the new administration there. The decision follows similar steps taken by several countries, including the United States.

The reassessment gained international attention following a recent meeting at the White House between Donald Trump and Ahmed al-Shara, the leader of HTS, who now serves as Syria’s president.

With the latest revision, the Maldives’ list of designated terrorist organisations now includes 19 groups, down from 20 in the previous update issued in December 2024.