Former MI6 chief calls for review of ban on Syrian rebel group Tahrir al-Sham

The former head of MI6, Sir John Sawers, has called for a reassessment of the UK’s proscription of Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a Syrian rebel group that overthrew Bashar al-Assad’s regime.

HTS has been listed as a terrorist organisation in the UK due to its historic ties to al-Qaeda.

However, Sir John argued that the group had shifted its focus in recent years, acting as a "liberation movement".

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Speaking to Sky News, Sir John said, "I think Abu Mohammed al-Golani, the leader, has made great efforts over the last 10 years to distance himself from those terrorist groups.

"Certainly, the actions we've seen of Tahrir al-Sham over the last two weeks have been those of a liberation movement, not of a terrorist organisation.

"It would be rather ridiculous, actually, if we're unable to engage with the new leadership in Syria because of a proscription dating back 12 years."

The call to revisit HTS's status comes as the UK considers its response to the fall of the Assad regime.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer welcomed the overthrow of Mr Assad, describing his regime as "barbaric", and called for a political solution to restore stability to Syria.

Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner noted that plans had been in place to evacuate UK nationals before the situation in Damascus escalated, though she did not provide details on how many had been affected.

The potential for the UK to engage with HTS raises challenging questions. While the group has played a key role in recent events, its proscription under UK law prevents any formal contact.

Shadow foreign secretary Dame Priti Patel urged the Government to carefully evaluate the security and defence implications of recent developments, including HTS.

"They will have to now assess the threat that HTS poses, immediately for our own interests, as well as for Syria’s interests and the wider region," she said.

The Home Office has not yet indicated whether it will review HTS’s proscription status, but any change would likely involve input from MI5 and the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre.

Amnesty International, meanwhile, has called for the UK to assist in bringing suspected perpetrators of human rights abuses in Syria to justice, underlining the complex legacy of the Assad regime’s collapse.