Syrian opposition fighters celebrate after the Syrian government collapsed in Damascus, Syria, on Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024.
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“Keeping a very close eye on the situation”
Intelligence services are said to be wary of the threat that could result from the fall of al-Assad’s rule, a Home Office minister has said.
Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) being a proscribed organisation does not prevent the government from engaging with them in the future, Downing Street says.
The government is focusing on the risk related to terrorism and affirms that it will not hesitate to take action to protect UK national security.
Many allies in the region have been working together to monitor the events. Jihadists held in camps are believed to be a high priority for the UK and other countries.
Asylum issues
Concern now arises from the many displaced from the sudden collapse of the Assad regime.
The UK has paused decisions on asylum applications for Syrians because of the “fluid” situation, a Home Office minister has said.
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said on Tuesday, “The vast majority of Syrians have fled the Assad regime and oppression under the Assad regime, so (…) it’s clearly not possible to asses those asylum applications against the regime that has fallen.”
He added: “It’s right that we pause these applications as events unfold.”
Mixed messages
Shadow home secretary Chris Philip agrees with the governments decision to not rule out cooperation with HTS.
However Philip suggests the government gives mixed messages on its stance to suspend asylum claims. Philip believes that “Yvette Cooper was announcing the suspension of asylum processing, while David Lammy, at the same time in the House of Commons, said the exact opposite.”
The conservative politician accuses the labour government of being in a state of chaos whilst trying to resolve the issue of Syrian asylum applicants.
Going home
Speaking to Times Radio, Dame Angela Eagle said “If people wish to go home we’d certainly like to facilitate that, but I think it’s too early to say what will emerge from the events that have happened in the last few days.”
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Standfirst
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HeadlineSyrian regime change prompts the UK to stay focused on terror threat
Short HeadlineUK focuses on Syrian terror risk
StandfirstThe government is focused on the consequences on Syrian diplomacy
“Keeping a very close eye on the situation”
Intelligence services are said to be wary of the threat that could result from the fall of al-Assad’s rule, a Home Office minister has said.
Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) being a proscribed organisation does not prevent the government from engaging with them in the future, Downing Street says.
The government is focusing on the risk related to terrorism and affirms that it will not hesitate to take action to protect UK national security.
Many allies in the region have been working together to monitor the events. Jihadists held in camps are believed to be a high priority for the UK and other countries.
Asylum issues
Concern now arises from the many displaced from the sudden collapse of the Assad regime.
The UK has paused decisions on asylum applications for Syrians because of the “fluid” situation, a Home Office minister has said.
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said on Tuesday, “The vast majority of Syrians have fled the Assad regime and oppression under the Assad regime, so (…) it’s clearly not possible to asses those asylum applications against the regime that has fallen.”
He added: “It’s right that we pause these applications as events unfold.”
Mixed messages
Shadow home secretary Chris Philip agrees with the governments decision to not rule out cooperation with HTS.
However Philip suggests the government gives mixed messages on its stance to suspend asylum claims. Philip believes that “Yvette Cooper was announcing the suspension of asylum processing, while David Lammy, at the same time in the House of Commons, said the exact opposite.”
The conservative politician accuses the labour government of being in a state of chaos whilst trying to resolve the issue of Syrian asylum applicants.
Going home
Speaking to Times Radio, Dame Angela Eagle said “If people wish to go home we’d certainly like to facilitate that, but I think it’s too early to say what will emerge from the events that have happened in the last few days.”
After an investigation by the Met Police, six people have been charged with links to the PKK and will appear in Westminster Magistrates Court on Tuesday.
