Overview

• Lammy became the first British minister in 14 years to set foot in Damascus since ties were suspended after the 2011 crackdown.
• The government has reversed sanctions imposed after Assad’s 2011 protest crackdown, lifting numerous measures against Damascus in recent months.
• Lammy said UK support would target migration control, ensure destruction of remaining chemical weapons and strengthen counter-terrorism efforts.
• The transitional government led by Interim President Ahmed al-Scharaa came to power after the HTS-backed coalition ousted Bashar al-Assad on December 8.
• London views engagement as a means to bolster regional stability and support Syria’s reintegration into the international community.