UK: Too early to lift ban on key Syrian rebel group

Britain’s prime minister insisted Monday that it is “far too early” to discuss changing tack on a key Syrian rebel group designated as terrorists by the U.K.

Keir Starmer downplayed the prospect of a rapid review just hours after one of his senior ministers suggested the status of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) would be looked at “swiftly” amid the Islamist militant group’s pivotal role in sweeping Syria’s Bashar al-Assad from power.

Speaking in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, as part of his visit to the Middle East, the PM said of the designation, which stops the U.K. government dealing with HTS: “No decision is pending at all on this. It is far too early.”

He added: “At the moment the focus has to be on talking to our allies, making sure that this is an opportunity for Syria, and therefore we have to work to make sure that it’s a peaceful opportunity.”

Britain would, he said, concentrate on “making sure that civilians are protected, making sure minorities are protected, and being absolutely clear in that red line in relation to terrorism and violence.”

“So we mustn’t get ahead of ourselves here in terms of what happens next.”

Starmer’s Cabinet Office Minister Pat McFadden set hares running Monday morning when he promised a “relatively swift decision” on the former Al-Qaeda affiliate, though added it would depend “on what happens in terms of how that group behaves now.” McFadden had said the decision needed to be quick “given the speed of the situation on the ground.”

It is long standing U.K. government policy not to engage with proscribed organizations, which are illegal for British citizens to support or join.

HTS’ leader Abu Mohammed al-Jolani has promised a more conciliatory approach towards Syria’s religious minorities, including Christians, after a long history of jihadist militancy.

The prime minister’s official spokesperson told journalists Monday afternoon that McFadden was “making the point that it’s a fast-moving situation” and the government “will judge all groups in Syria, HTS included, by their actions.”

The U.K. Home Office separately confirmed Monday that it is pausing asylum decisions for Syrians who fled the now-toppled Assad regime.