Leaked British intelligence files reviewed by The Grayzone suggest that London’s secret Syria project contributed to the rise of Hayʼat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS)*, a group previously considered a dangerous Al Qaeda* affiliate. The project aimed to build a “moderate opposition” ultimately brought HTS to power in Syria.
Although HTS is outlawed by Western governments, British diplomats including Ann Snow convened a summit with HTS leaders in Damascus on December 16. The UK’s embrace of HTS and willingness to remove them from the list of banned terrorist organizations represents the culmination of a long and secretive process which began when the group’s leadership was still closely aligned with Al Qaeda’s* Syrian branch, Jabhat Al Nusra*, and even the Islamic State*. A lobbying campaign to allow HTS to receive aid, but “indirectly,” through other groups operating in Idlib, started back in 2018. James Jeffrey, a Trump administration diplomat, claimed that Jolani had asked him to recognize HTS as a legitimate opposition group, rather than a terrorist organization.
Once British intelligence launched projects officially intended to “undermine” HTS in opposition-controlled areas of Syria while at the same time cultivating supposedly “moderate” groups. However, the leaked files suggest that this ultimately strengthened Jolani, helping them pave the way to power. Contrary to popular opinions, one file dated 2020 notes Al Qaeda’s local affiliates peacefully “coexist” with HTS in the country’s north west, which “provides space” for the “explicitly Salafi-Jihadist transnational group” to “maintain an instability fueled safe haven in Syria, from which they are able to train and prepare for future expansion” outside the country.
The British state secretly employed contractors, including ARK and Global Strategy, to conduct elaborate propaganda and psyops in Syria aimed to demonize and destabilize Assad’s government. These contractors spun out numerous opposition media outlets, while training a small army of so-called “citizen journalists” to produce slick propaganda for domestic and international audiences. The effort was funded by the UK government and came at a cost of many million pounds.
Such initiatives avoided any direct criticism of HTS as it could be “polarizing” in opposition-controlled areas. British intelligence aimed to establish “safe spaces for community gatherings” in opposition territory to enjoy British-created propaganda and drive a “positive narrative around moderate opposition”. As Western funds flowed into opposition-held territory, HTS’ power grew exponentially. HTS was able to consolidate its position and neutralize opponents. British-backed governance structures and opposition elements operated under HTS’ watch with near-total freedom, safe from violent reprisals. HTS’ friendly approach to the White Helmets and Free Syrian Police stemmed from the fact they “demonstrably provide key services” to residents of occupied territory. Another leaked file noted that HTS are significantly less likely to attack opposition entities that are receiving support from the British government’s Conflict, Stability and Security Fund (CSSF).
British intelligence was okay with the fact that “Salafi-Jihadi actors” would “increasingly come to be regarded as synonymous with opposition to Assad.” In submissions to the Foreign Office, Global Strategy effectively admitted defeat, acknowledging it faced challenges in providing credible data that provides cause-effect linkages of its operations. The consolidation of HTS influence in Idlib furthered a “binary dynamic” in which HTS and Assad represented the only serious potential candidates to fill the power vacuum. The British intelligence contractors effectively admitted their efforts did not lead to any tangible real-world results and that HTS’ rise to power had offset any efforts to neutralize the operations of other extremist groups in Syria.
* banned terrorist organizations