UK could consider removing proscription of Syria's HTS
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The British minister says the possibility of removing HTS from its proscribed status will depend on the events yet to unfold.
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Abu Mohammed al-Golani speaks at the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus on December 8, 2024. (AP)
Senior British minister Pat McFadden said on Monday that the United Kingdom may consider removing the proscribed status of Hayat al-Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the group at the forefront of the Syrian new government forces that played a key role in ousting former President Bashar al-Assad.
When asked if the British government would have to look again into the proscription of HTS, McFadden told Sky News, "We will consider that. And I think it will partly depend on what happens [next]."
The consideration comes after militants entered Syria's capital, Damascus, on December 8, ousting former President Bashar al-Assad.
It is worth noting that the onslaught on Syrian cities and towns, led by Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and Turkish-backed militants, began on November 27, targeting the city of Aleppo in the North. Later, militants took over the city of Hama then Homs, before heading toward Damascus.
The leader of HTS, which is listed by the United Nations as a terror organization, Abu Mohammad al-Jolani released a statement instructing new government forces in Damascus that "it is strictly forbidden to approach public institutions, which will remain under the supervision of the former prime minister until they are officially handed over."
On Sunday, the Syrian opposition coalition said it was continuing work to complete the transfer of power in Syria to a "transitional governing body with full executive powers."
In a statement, it said, "The great Syrian revolution has moved from the stage of struggle to overthrow the Assad regime to the struggle to build a Syria together that befits the sacrifices of its people." Additionally, the coalition called on Kurdish forces to disengage from any foreign organizations.
Shortly after, Reuters reported, citing Syrian opposition fighters, that attacks had begun on Kurdish forces in Manbij, northern Syria.
Moreover, Reuters quoted the Syrian opposition coalition as confirming its continued work "to complete the transfer of power to a transitional governing body with full executive powers." The coalition stressed that "the revolution has moved from the stage of struggle to overthrow the Assad regime to the stage of struggle to build Syria together," according to Reuters.
