In a significant policy shift, the British government has removed Hay’at Tahrir Al Sham (HTS) from its list of banned terrorist organizations. This decision, announced on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, marks a pivotal moment in the UK’s approach to Syria. HTS, a former Al Qaeda affiliate, was initially proscribed in 2017, making it illegal to support or join the group. The move aligns with broader international efforts to engage with Syria’s new government, led by President Ahmed Al Sharaa, who assumed power following the ousting of long-time leader Bashar Al Assad. The UK government emphasized that this decision would facilitate closer collaboration with Syria, particularly in dismantling Assad’s chemical weapons program and restoring regional stability. This development follows the U.S. revocation of HTS’s foreign terrorist organization designation in July 2025. Meanwhile, Syria’s Economy Minister, Mohammad Nidal al-Shaar, expressed optimism at a London conference that U.S. sanctions against Syria could be lifted in the near future.