How Jonathan Powell's people brokered Syria deal from inside president's palace
But while military might was neutralising the threats to Westerners in the troubled state, in the shadows of diplomatic back-channels, go-betweens were secretly working on ways the UK could re-establish formal links with Damascus and its new regime, led by Islamists once linked to Al Qaeda.
Those moves are understood to have been significantly influenced by Sir Keir Starmer 's National Security Adviser, Jonathan Powell, using a mix of his powerful position in government and, as The Mail on Sunday reveals today, the organisation he founded.
Inter Mediate is so embedded in the fledgling presidency of Ahmed Al-Sharaa that they are even said to operate an office inside the presidential palace.
Diplomatic sources say their work, combined with security operations such as the killing of Abu Hasan al-Jazrawi – the mastermind behind suicide truck attacks on Western troops who was hit by a Hellfire missile unleashed from a Reaper drone – made Syria safe enough for David Lammy to become the first British minister to set foot on Syrian soil in 14 years.
While in Damascus earlier this month, the Foreign Secretary announced the reinstatement of diplomatic links and spoke of 'renewed hope for the Syrian people' after a decade of conflict.
After the visit, Mr Lammy said: 'As the first UK minister to visit Syria since the fall of Assad's brutal regime, I've seen first-hand the remarkable progress Syrians have made in rebuilding their lives and their country.
The UK is re-establishing diplomatic relations because it is in our interests to support the new government to deliver their commitment to build a stable, more secure and prosperous future for all Syrians.'
But yesterday, as Syria was plunged into further sectarian conflict, Mr Lammy was forced to strike a different tone.
After a ceasefire failed to put an end to clashes between Bedouin tribes and Druze-linked militias, Mr Lammy said he was 'horrified by the violence in Southern Syria'.
Writing on social media, the Foreign Secretary said: 'A sustainable ceasefire is vital. I spoke to Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani yesterday as part of UK efforts to urge a peaceful resolution.
'We want to see the fighting ended, civilians protected and humanitarian access enabled.'
The new regime is scrambling to keep control of the country following the renewed clashes between militias from the minority Druze religious group and the Sunni Muslim Bedouin which have claimed hundreds of lives and left tens of thousands of people displaced.
Fresh violence erupted last Sunday. Government forces intervened, nominally to restore order – but then sided with the Bedouins.
Israel then launched air strikes against Syrian forces in defence of the Druze, which form a substantial community in Israel.
Yesterday Mr Al-Sharaa urged Bedouin tribes to 'fully commit' to ending hostilities.
Government forces had withdrawn from the Sweida province of Southern Syria following a ceasefire announced on Wednesday, but they are now preparing to return as it appears to crumble.
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