The Islamist group that brought down Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria may be removed from the UK’s terror list, a minister has suggested.
Assad’s 24 years as Syrian president came to an abrupt end last week as rebel groups took the capital, Damascus.
The offensive was launched by Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and supported Turkish-backed groups in the Syrian National Army.
HTS is a proscribed terror group in the UK, but they may now be removed from the list to allow British officials to engage with the group.
A Home Office spokesperson said on Sunday: “The situation on the ground in Syria is very fluid. The priority must be the safety of Syrian civilians and securing a political solution to the unfolding events.”
On Monday morning, Minister for Intergovernmental Relations of the United Kingdom Pat McFadden told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme, when asked whether a process to review HTS’s designation as a terror group was underway: “Yes, obviously that’s got to be considered. They’ve been proscribed for quite a long time now.
“The leader of that group has distanced himself in a way from some of the things that have been said in the past. He is saying some of the right things about the protection of minorities, about respecting people’s rights. So we’ll look at that in the days to come.”
While acknowledging the situation in Syria was “very fluid” and that the UK government could not predict what would happen in the Middle Eastern country, Mr McFadden said: “Obviously if the situation stabilises, there will be a decision to make about how to deal with whatever new regime is in place there. I think should be a relatively swift decision. So it’s something that will have to be considered quite quickly given the speed of the situation on the ground.
“A lot will depend on whether their statements about the protection of minorities and citizens are backed up.”
Former MI6 chief Sir John Sawers told Sky News that the UK should try and engage with the group given they are now likely to lead Syria going forward.
He said: “I think the Home Secretary will be asking MI5 and the joint terrorism assessment centre for a review of the situation about HTS and whether it should remain on the proscribed entity list. It would be rather ridiculous, actually, if we’re unable to engage with the new leadership in Syria because of a proscription dating back 12 years.”
HTS has been accused of human rights abuses in the parts of Syria it has controlled, including executions for blasphemy and adultery.
The group is led by Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, a former member of Al-Qaeda who was reportedly inspired to join the group after its September 11 attack on New York City in 2001.
Middle East experts say that Jolani has tried to portray himself as a more moderate leader in recent years.
After his men took Damascus, Jolani addressed Syrians in the city’s landmark Umayyad Mosque.
He declared Assad’s downfall “a victory for the Islamic nation.”
He added: “Our message to all the sects of Syria, is that we tell them that Syria is for everyone.”
