UK Removes Syrian Group HTS From Terror List Signaling Policy Shift

The British government has officially removed Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a former al-Qaeda affiliate and dominant force in Syria following the fall of Bashar al-Assad, from its list of proscribed terrorist organizations. This decision, aligned with a similar move by the US earlier in 2025, is intended to facilitate closer diplomatic engagement with Syria's new government led by HTS president Ahmad al-Sharaa and to aid cooperation on dismantling Assad’s chemical weapons program. UK officials describe the delisting as a pragmatic step reflecting Syria's evolving political landscape, emphasizing that it does not endorse HTS's past but seeks to hold the new government accountable for human rights and regional stability. Critics caution that HTS’s rebranding is largely rhetorical and warn against overlooking its history of kidnappings, executions, and repression. The move marks a significant shift in UK Middle East policy, following years of civil war and the toppling of Assad’s regime, and aims to balance counterterrorism priorities with diplomatic pragmatism. However, the decision has sparked controversy as it contrasts with the government's continued prohibition of some non-violent groups, highlighting tensions in British counterterrorism policy.