UK Removes Hayat Tahrir al-Sham from Terror List

The United Kingdom has officially removed Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) from its list of banned terrorist organizations. The move follows major political changes in Syria and aims to strengthen cooperation with the country’s new government under President Ahmed Shara.

London Reshapes Its Syria Policy

In a joint statement, the UK Home Office and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office announced that the government had decided to remove Hayat Tahrir al-Sham from the list of proscribed terrorist groups.
The statement said the decision aims to “build closer relations with the new Syrian government and support the UK’s foreign and domestic policy priorities,” including counterterrorism, migration, and chemical disarmament.

“A Response to Syria’s New Political Reality”

According to the statement, “HTS’s removal from the list is part of the UK’s response to significant developments in Syria since last December, when forces led by President Ahmed Shara overthrew the Assad regime.”
Officials noted that London’s decision reflects a broader strategy to engage with Syria’s new authorities in key security areas.

Focus on ISIS Threat and Chemical Disarmament

The British government emphasized that the Islamic State (ISIS) remains a serious threat in Syria. It argued that lifting the ban on HTS will “enable the new Syrian government’s participation in anti-ISIS operations” and “reduce threats directed at the United Kingdom.”

The statement also highlighted cooperation with Damascus on dismantling the remnants of the former Assad regime’s chemical weapons program, welcoming President Shara’s “commitment to permanently destroy these weapons.”

Part of a Wider Shift

The UK had previously lifted sanctions on 12 Syrian institutions and entities — including the Defense and Interior Ministries — on April 24.
Analysts view the delisting of HTS as a continuation of Britain’s gradual normalization with Syria’s post-Assad administration.