The British government seeks to allow arming the new Syrian army
The British government has set a new policy aimed at encouraging arms exports to Syria, through the Department of Commerce’s directives to British companies highlighting business opportunities in the fields of defense, cybersecurity and physical security within the Syrian market.
The government document noted that these opportunities come after Damascus passed a new law encouraging international investment, opening the way for British companies to enter the Syrian market, but the implementation of any deals will likely need the approval of Syria’s new defense minister, Marhaf Abu Qusra, who earlier met with British Vice Admiral Edward Algren.
The new policy comes as Britain seeks to boost its military exports globally, with record sales of £20 billion in 2025.
It also coincides with the launch of the Syrian-British Business Council (SBBC) in events held between London and Damascus, in the presence of Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al Shaibani.
Former British diplomat John Wilkes played a pivotal role in establishing the council, stressing that this step is necessary to rebuild economic relations between the two countries.
Wilkes, who has held diplomatic posts in Yemen, Iraq, Qatar and Oman, was former British Prime Minister David Cameron’s special envoy to Syria between 2012 and 2014, where he was then associated with supporting the Syrian opposition.
Britain lifted some of its sanctions on Syria in April 2025 and revoked the designation of Hay’at Tahrir al Sham as a terrorist group in October, despite the continuation of UN sanctions against it.
The new British directives consider HTS and the Syrian government to be separate entities, providing British companies with opportunities to do business with Damascus without direct breach of international sanctions.
The British government maintains that Syria represents a market with a potential high return on investment, despite the political and security risks, but stresses that some goods, particularly internal repression techniques, will remain subject to restrictions.
The Syrian-British Business Council is expected to act as a lobbyist to encourage the Syrian private sector, analyze the political and security environment, and facilitate communication between British companies and Syrian actors.
The council is chaired by prominent figures such as Baroness Emma Nicholson of the Conservative Party and Labor MP David Taylor.
