Could a former Al-Qaeda affiliate be key to stability in Syria? The UK government is weighing the potential delisting of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) from its terrorist organizations list.
This move comes as the Syrian conflict enters a new phase, with President Bashar al-Assad’s regime teetering on the brink of collapse. HTS, a dominant force in the rebel landscape, has played a pivotal role in the ongoing offensive against Assad’s forces.
Despite its roots in Al-Qaeda, HTS severed ties with the global terror network in 2016. However, both the UK and the US have continued to designate it as a terrorist organization. Now, the UK government is signaling a potential shift in policy.
Pat McFadden, a senior UK minister with responsibilities for national security, indicated that a decision on HTS’s status could come “quickly.” He emphasized the need to adapt to the rapidly evolving situation on the ground in Syria.
“If the situation stabilizes, there’ll be a decision to make about how to deal with whatever new regime is in place there,” McFadden stated in a BBC Radio 4 interview. He further acknowledged HTS leader Abu Mohammad al-Jolani’s recent statements expressing commitment to protecting minorities and respecting human rights.
However, McFadden cautioned that any decision would hinge on HTS’s future conduct. “It will partly depend on… how that group behaves now,” he told Sky News.
The potential delisting of HTS raises complex questions about the future of Syria and the UK’s role in the region. With the Assad regime’s grip on power weakening, the international community faces the challenge of engaging with potential new power brokers, even those with controversial pasts.
