Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of reports that fighters in East Ghouta in rural Damascus, in their <i>Worshippers of God, Remain Steadfast </i>campaign, are supported by the Hay’at Tahrir A-Sham group; and whether they have provided political or practical support to those fighters.

We remain seriously concerned by ongoing regime military activity, particularly in eastern Ghouta. We are aware of clashes between pro-regime forces and opposition groups, following heavy bombardment and the imposition of starvation sieges by the regime in the area. Although the majority of fighters are from non-extremist groups, we are aware of reports of involvement of Hayat Tahrir al Sham (HTS) in these clashes. In all our engagement with the opposition we urge them to adhere to the ceasefire, adhere to international humanitarian law and to avoid cooperation with HTS.

The UK's political and practical support to the opposition is provided to those moderate groups who are standing up to both the tyranny of Asad and terrorist threat of Daesh, and have made clear their commitment to a negotiated settlement to the conflict. The UK provides no support to HTS and does not provide weapons to any party in Syria.