DID Press: United Kingdom announced Tuesday that Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group has been removed from its list of designated terrorist organizations following extensive review. The decision is intended to allow “closer engagement with the current Syrian government” and aligns with Britain’s domestic and foreign policy priorities.
In an official statement, UK Home Office said the removal came after consultations across multiple agencies and a comprehensive assessment. The statement added that the group could be re-listed as a terrorist organization if circumstances warrant.
HTS, once considered a branch of al-Qaeda in 2017, is led by Abu Muhammad al-Julani. UK emphasized that the move is part of a broader strategy to facilitate effective diplomatic engagement with Damascus while safeguarding national security interests.