Hts.

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.

According to research by University College London and McGill University, women's rights advocates have raised concerns over HTS enforcing an interpretation of Islamic law, which could for example severely restrict women's mobility, dress and public participation.