UK Announces £50m Support for Syria Amid Diplomacy with Rebel Group
The United Kingdom has unveiled a £50 million international aid package to provide much-needed support for Syrians facing ongoing crises. This declaration was made by David Lammy, Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Affairs, PulseNets learned.
PulseNets also learnt that the UK government has admitted to engaging in “diplomatic contact” with the rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which maintains control over parts of Syria formerly under Bashar al-Assad’s regime.
When questioned about this engagement, Mr. Lammy told PulseNets:
“HTS remains a proscribed organisation, but we can have diplomatic contact, and so we do, as you would expect.”
He further clarified that the UK’s primary focus is on fostering a transition to a more inclusive and representative government in Syria while working towards lasting peace and stability.
“We want to see a representative government, an inclusive government running the country,” Mr. Lammy explained.
Additionally, Mr. Lammy emphasised the UK’s efforts to secure chemical weapons stockpiles to prevent their use, as well as reduce violence in the region.
“To achieve these objectives, we are utilising all available diplomatic and intelligence-led channels to engage with HTS where necessary,” he added.
About HTS
Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, initially affiliated with al-Qaeda under the name Nusra Front, remains classified as a terrorist organisation by the UK, US, Russia, and Turkey. Its founder, Ahmad al-Sharaa, known as Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, distanced the group from al-Qaeda in 2016 in an effort to project a more moderate image.
US Also Engaging HTS
PulseNets also reported that the United States has similarly admitted to diplomatic contact with HTS, marking a significant shift in its stance. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken recently acknowledged these discussions, the first public admission of such interactions under the Biden administration.
Although HTS has been listed as a “foreign terrorist organisation” by the US since 2018, the engagement is justified as part of broader efforts to address instability in Syria.
Also Read: 3 Syrian Soldiers Killed As Israeli Warplanes Attack Syrian Capital, Damascus
UK’s Aid Initiative
The £50 million aid pledge underscores the UK’s commitment to alleviating the suffering of millions displaced and affected by the conflict in Syria.
This financial commitment, combined with diplomatic outreach, highlights the UK’s multifaceted strategy to promote stability, peace, and humanitarian relief in the war-ravaged region, Mr. Lammy told PulseNets.
