Article published in The Sun, 9 December 2024. © Richard Kemp

Judged in isolation, the downfall of chemical murderer Assad is cause for satisfaction but the success of HTS in Syria is a major boost for fellow jihadists everywhere to strike — and that includes in Britain.

If Syria descends further into civil war and inter-factional fighting, as is likely, millions of refugees may also flood into Europe.

Among their number will be terrorists or those who later turn to terror.

HTS, which evolved from IS, al-Qaeda and Hamas, will be focused on gaining and holding on to control.

They claim not to have an interest in jihad beyond Syria but that should be disregarded.

Their priority will be a strike on Israel.

Their sights will also be on Jordan, where they will seek to replace the monarchy with Islamist rule.

Turkey and Qatar are both heavily involved in funding and directing HTS and Western countries should be leaning on them to restrain them.

We will also become increasingly dependent on Israeli intelligence to help protect us from terrorism.

Image: Wikimedia Commons