Britain has confirmed diplomatic contact with the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group, which ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad last week. British Foreign Secretary David Lammy acknowledged on Sunday that while HTS remains a banned organization, the UK engages in diplomatic discussions through available channels, including intelligence-led ones, to address the group’s activities.
The revelation followed similar comments made by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who confirmed that the United States had also established direct contact with HTS, despite the group’s previous designation as a terrorist organization. Neither Lammy nor Blinken elaborated on the specifics of these “direct contacts.”
The diplomatic developments occurred amid US shuttle diplomacy, which saw Blinken traveling to Jordan for talks with diplomats from the Middle East, Turkey, and the West regarding Syria’s future. Turkey, for its part, reopened its embassy in Damascus shortly after Assad’s departure. Blinken later spoke with Lammy by phone, reiterating that the US supports a government in Syria that is both “accountable and representative,” chosen by the Syrian people.
Meanwhile, Syria’s de facto leader, al-Jolani, stated in an interview that his focus was on rebuilding Syria rather than engaging in new conflicts, reflecting a more moderate tone after years of warfare.
In Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced plans to increase the population of the Golan Heights, a move he said was crucial in strengthening Israel’s position amidst the evolving situation in Syria. This decision comes amid rising tensions in the region, including Israeli actions to counter perceived threats from Syria and terrorist groups near its border.
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