Hts.

HTS is a former al-Qaeda affiliate that is still designated as a terrorist organisation by the UN, the US, the EU and the UK.

HTS leader Ahmad al-Sharaa, who was named as Syria's interim president earlier this year, has called for western sanctions to be lifted, arguing they were a response to the crimes of the previous regime.

HTS is designated a terrorist group by the UK.

However, British diplomats held talks with Al-Sharaa in December, with the government saying it would deal with HTS when necessary.

"High-ranking former HTS members now occupy key sovereign positions," says Mr Sayed.