London: The British government has officially removed Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) from its list of proscribed terrorist organizations. This move is part of efforts to engage with Syria's new government following the fall of the Assad regime last year.

According to Anadolu Agency, an order has been laid in parliament to de-proscribe HTS, enabling 'closer engagement with the new Syrian government' led by President Ahmed Al Sharaa. The Home Office stated that this decision supports various UK priorities, such as counter-terrorism cooperation, migration management, and the elimination of Syria's remaining chemical weapons.

HTS, listed as an alias of al-Qaeda in 2017, was a powerful armed group opposing Bashar al-Assad's forces during Syria's civil war. Its removal from the terrorist list aligns with renewed diplomatic engagement between London and Damascus. The UK continues to press for genuine progress, holding the Syrian government accountable for its actions in fighting terrorism and restoring regional stability.

The announcement follows former Foreign Secretary David Lammy's visit to Syria in July, marking the first high-level diplomatic contact between the two countries in over a decade. The government believes de-proscribing HTS supports engagement on the counter-Daesh mission in Syria, reducing threats to the UK. Additionally, the UK welcomed President Sharaa's pledge to dismantle the Assad regime's chemical weapons program.

Officials emphasized that the decision was made after detailed consultation with operational partners and a robust assessment by the cross-government Proscription Review Group. The government maintains the right to reassess proscription decisions in response to emerging threats, with the safety and security of the British people as the top priority.

Following this order, 83 groups remain on the UK's list of proscribed organizations under the Terrorism Act 2000. Earlier this year, the US also removed HTS from its list of Foreign Terrorist Organizations.