UK removes Hayat Tahrir al-Sham from terrorist organization list

The British government has formally delisted Hayat Tahrir al-Sham from its register of proscribed terrorist organizations, marking a significant policy shift toward Syria's new administration. The decision enables expanded diplomatic engagement with President Ahmed Al Sharaa's government following the Assad regime's collapse last year.

Parliamentary Process and Strategic Rationale

UK authorities have submitted the de-proscription order to parliament, characterizing the move as supporting multiple national priorities including counter-terrorism cooperation, migration management, and chemical weapons elimination. The Home Office emphasized that the decision followed thorough consultation with operational partners and rigorous assessment by the cross-government Proscription Review Group.

Historical Context and International Alignment

Hayat Tahrir al-Sham received its terrorist designation in 2017 as an al-Qaeda affiliate and emerged as one of the most formidable armed opponents to Bashar al-Assad's forces during Syria's prolonged conflict. The British action aligns with the United States' earlier decision to remove HTS from its Foreign Terrorist Organizations list, indicating coordinated Western policy adjustments.

Diplomatic Engagement and Conditions

The policy change follows former Foreign Secretary David Lammy's July visit to Damascus, representing the first high-level UK-Syria contact in over a decade. British officials stressed they will evaluate the Syrian government based on "actions, not words," particularly regarding counter-terrorism cooperation, regional stability, and dismantling chemical weapons programs.

Ongoing Security Framework

The UK maintains 83 organizations on its proscribed list under the Terrorism Act 2000 despite HTS's removal. Authorities reaffirmed their commitment to reassess proscription decisions in response to emerging threats, noting that national security remains the paramount consideration in all terrorism-related policy determinations.